STD Testing Info

Undergoing an HIV test can be quite an overwhelming experience for many people. Owing to the social stigma associated with this disease, undergoing a test is an emotionally disturbing experience. Depending on their mental strengths and confidence levels, people can experience a wide range of emotions such as depression, frustration, fear, anger, hopelessness, despair, panic or even plain denial to accept the truth about their status.

Therefore, just before the test is conducted, the person must be given psychological counseling, also referred to as ‘Pre-Test Counseling’ to strengthen him or her from within and enable him or her to face the test with full confidence, irrespective of what the result may be.

The pre-test counseling is very important to control the emotional trauma and the fear of the impending dangers and consequences associated with the positive result of a test.

If the person is found to be HIV negative, then the person can be sent away after advising him some prevention measures for the future. However, if the person is found to be HIV positive, then the person should be told about this only after another round of psychological counseling, referred to as ‘Post-Test Counseling’.

The objective of post-test counseling is to ease the worry and tension in the patient’s mind and to support him or her emotionally when their status is disclosed to them. The counseling is necessary to prevent suicidal tendency in the patient and to keep his emotions in control. The counselor should project the situation in a positive light and emphasize that it is actually good that the patient has learnt about his or her positive status early because this will make treatment easier and enable him or her to handle the future complications associated with this disease better. The counselor should also help the individual regain his confidence, infuse a determination to live his remaining life better.

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease. It is menacing, silent and caused by the bacteria Chlamydia Trachomatic. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control calculates the approximate costs linked with Chlamydia in the United States are to be over $2 billion annually. Since Chlamydia often shows no symptoms, the disease frequently goes untreated until it has caused serious consequences in both men and women.

However, in about 15-25% of the cases of Chlamydia in women, and 50% of cases in men, there are symptoms. You should see a doctor to be checked for Chlamydia if you are active sexually and having any of the following symptoms:

- a yellowish, pussy or mucous-y vaginal discharge

- burning with urination

- a persistent, smelly vaginal discharge

- any discharge from your anus

- light vaginal bleeding or spotting, especially right after intercourse

- frequent lower abdominal pain, particularly if it worsens during menstruation

- anal bleeding

- frequent lower back pain, particularly if it worsens during menstruation

If Chlamydia goes untreated, it may result in more serious conditions which affect the urethral and reproductive systems. In females, it may cause scarring that can block the fallopian tubes, resulting in infertility and increasing the risk of an ectopic pregnancy. In an ectopic pregnancy, a fertilized egg implants itself in the fallopian tube rather than in the uterus. This can result in rupture of the fallopian tube which may be fatal. The disease may also cause urethral scarring, especially in men, and can cause low fertility and infertility.

Chlamydia can also result in chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which may lead to persistent and chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. According to CDC statistics, 40% of women with untreated Chlamydia will develop PID, and of those, 20% will become infertile because of it. 18% will deal with chronic pain seriously affecting their day to day life, and 9% will have an ectopic pregnancy. Even more alarming, other recent studies have asserted that women with Chlamydia are from 3-5 times more likely to acquire HIV when exposed to it.

If you’ve experienced mild outbreaks of the herpes virus, the astragalus membranaceus root blended with certain vitamins and minerals can possibly provide dependable, natural relief. According to some studies, astragalus can potentially act as an effective herbal treatment against the herpes virus 1 and 2. Though more testing is needed, astragalus has been used for medicinal purposes in Chinese medicine, and is usually recommended for herpes prevention rather than to treat a crisis.

Astragalus is now becoming more popular in modern day Western medicine. Vitamins and supplements on the market today such as ImmunaSure, which was co-created by Dr. John Sherman, blend astragalus with lemon balm and de-odorized garlic to create a powerful support for the immune system.

What is Astragalus?

Astragalus belongs to the legume family called Fabaceae and sub-family called Faboideae. Native to the Northern Hemisphere regions, astragalus is often called milk-vetch, goat’s-thorn, and locoweed. There are 2,000 species of herbs and shrubs in the Fabaceae family. The astragalus root comes from perennial plants that thrive in northern China as well as Mongolia. It has been used as a staple in Chinese medicine for centuries. Astragalus roots for medicine must be at least four years old and dried before they can be used as natural supplements.

Benefits of Astragalus

Astragalus root has several components that are believed to help strengthen the immune system. These are flavonoids, saponins, polysaccharides, astragalosides, and triterpenes. The root is believed to ward off infections and works by helping the skin to eliminate toxins from the body. Astragalus root can help reduce sweating and also acts as a mild diuretic. In America, studies have been conducted to show astragalus root can indeed help boost the immune system’s T-cells, even for patients who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments for cancer.

Astragalus contains probiotics to help boost the body’s good bacteria in the digestive tract. Another benefit is that astragalus root helps to protect the adrenal cortex, a hormone-producing gland that affects stress levels in the body. Saponins in the root can help prevent blood clots that may lead to stroke or a heart attack.

Uses for Astragalus

Astragalus root can be blended in a natural supplement or multivitamin and taken orally in capsule form. It can also be taken in powdered form as a tea or tincture. Astragalus in ointments can be used topically to help treat exterior wounds and other skin ailments.

Important Note: Always consult with a doctor before using astragalus or other vitamins and supplements – especially if you have an auto-immune condition, are a transplant recipient, are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you are a hemophiliac. Astragalus may also react negatively to certain medications.

With strengthening of the immune system, the body will better be able to fight against herpes virus 1 and 2. Though there is no definite cure for herpes, the unwanted cold sores and other herpes symptoms can possibly be lessened with this remarkable root as a natural supplement!

Syphilis is a transmitted disease caused by a spirochaete bacterium, Treponema pallidum. Syphilis has a myriad of presentations and can mimic many other infections and immune-mediated processes in advanced stages. Syphilis is passed from person to person through direct contact with a syphilis sore. Sores occur mainly on the external genitals, anus, or in the rectum. Syphilis can also be passed from mother to infant during pregnancy causing a disease called congenital syphilis. Any active person can be infected with syphilis, although there is a greater incidence among young people between the ages of 15 and 30 years. It is more prevalent in urban than rural areas. Syphilis can be frightening because if it goes untreated, it can lead to serious health problems and increase a person’s risk for HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS.

Syphilis can be acquired or congenital. Primary syphilis occurs within 3 weeks of contact with an infected individual. Syphilis has many alternate names, including syph, Cupid’s Disease, the Pox, lues, and the French disease. The signs and symptoms of syphilis are myriad; before the advent of serological testing, diagnosis was more difficult and the disease was dubbed the “Great Imitator” because it was so often confused with other diseases. Syphilis cannot be spread through contact with toilet seats, doorknobs, swimming pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, shared clothing, or eating utensils. The final stage of syphilis is called tertiary syphilis and is characterized by brain or central nervous system involvement, cardiovascular involvement with inflammation of the aorta, and gummatous syphilis. Left untreated, syphilis can lead to serious complications or death. But with early diagnosis and treatment, the disease can be successfully treated.

Causes of Syphilis

The common causes and risk factor’s of Syphilis include the following:

A bacterium called Treponema pallidum.

Transfusion of infected blood.

Direct contact with a syphilis sore on the body of an infected person.

An infected pregnant woman can also pass the disease to her unborn child.

Having with more than one partner.

Symptoms of Syphilis

Some sign and symptoms related to Syphilis are as follows:

The first symptom of syphilis is often a small, round, firm ulcer called a chancre (“shanker”) at the place where the bacteria entered your body.

Fever.

Enlarged lymph nodes in your groin.

Positive serology.

Extragenital chancres occur most commonly above the neck, typically affecting the lips or oral cavity.

Rash – Bilaterally symmetric.

Soreness and aching.

Fatigue and a vague feeling of discomfort.

Treatment of Syphilis

Here is list of the methods for treating Syphilis:

Penicillin, an antibiotic, injected into the muscle is the best treatment for syphilis. If you are allergic to penicillin, your health care provider may give you another antibiotic to take by mouth.

In patients with allergy to penicillin, skin testing and desensitization are recommended.

Pregnant women with a history of allergic reaction to penicillin should undergo penicillin desensitization followed by appropriate penicillin therapy.

Avoid having while being treated, to reduce the chances of getting the infection again or transmitting it to someone else.

Bed rest, pain relievers (such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen ), and liquids can help.

Alternative treatment regimens should be used only in cases of documented penicillin allergy.

Juliet Cohen writes articles for diseases cure and health care information. She also writes articles on skin diseases.

“I am the Grandmother of all growth, all growing things, all life. I am the grandmother of bacteria and viruses as well as plants and animals, fish and insects. When you throb with life these other lives live with you. When your life force ebbs, they live on you, growing grotesque without the check of your immunity.

“Do you feel proud of your sexuality my child? Your immune system thrives on true pride; and fails when subjected to blame and shame, guilt and mortification. Walk tall; smile often; be flexible, let life fill you, and you will have little to fear from most viruses you meet.”

“… for women who exhibit the earliest signs of HPV infection, the best prescription may be no treatment at all,” according to Karyn Herndon at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago. “Three out of four women in the observation-only group lost their flat warts – a finding that suggests that the body’s immune system can drive the virus into a dormant state.”(1) Women treated with laser removal of cervical warts were twice as likely as untreated women to have precancerous and cancerous changes occur in the following years.

Having an HPV infection is “like having the sniffles,” says Anna-Barbara Moscicki, MD. “It’s an infection your body can usually handle … and get rid of.”(2) In a study of 600 sexually active women aged 13 to 21, half became infected with HPV over a 10 year period; 70% of those women did not develop lesions or warts at all, and only 10% of those who did have lesions were diagnosed with cervical cancer.(3)

Many of the papilloma viruses are non-contagious, but some – especially those that give rise to plantar warts and genital warts (HPV) – are not only contagious, but widespread and stealthy. They are resilient enough to live outside the body. Shed skin cells containing the viruses can remain infectious for several days in warm, moist places.(4) And symptomless people can pass HPV to others. Some of the viruses that cause genital warts are benign; others can give rise to deadly cancers.

Of the 20 types of HPV which colonize the genital area, four are known to initiate cervical cancer, a usually slow-growing cancer which is currently responsible for the deaths of more women in Africa, Asia, and India (where Pap smears are not routine) than any other cancer.(5) Several HPV are implicated in penile and rectal cancer as well. HPV is the most common STD in the USA and Europe, with more than six million new cases a year in the USA.(6) At least 50%, and probably closer to 100% of all non-vaccinated sexually-active people will be infected over their lifetime. During a three-year study, 40% of a group of female college students acquired HPV infections.(7) Fortunately, only a small percentage of HPV infections generate cancer, and we can do much to insure we aren’t in that small percent.

Once infected with human papilloma virus, you are infected for life. There is no known cure and no medically-approved treatment. The best strategy is to nourish the immune system.

Homeopathic Thuja is a “ground remedy” for the genitals, and is especially indicated when there are genital warts.(8) Higher dilutions, such as 30C, are best.

While there is no food that prevents or cures HPV infections, the likelihood of warts or cancer is determined by the immune system – which can be nourished and strengthened with whole grains, well-cooked greens, roots, cabbage family plants, olive oil, organic dairy products and meats, onions, garlic, seaweed, mushrooms, and nourishing herbal infusions of astragalus, burdock, and nettle.

St. Joan’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a natural antiviral. One of its alkaloids, pseudo-hypericin, kills HIV. But ingesting it in concentrated form causes hypersensitivity to sunlight, making it useless as a drug. Fortunately, the tincture of the fresh plant – even in large, frequent doses – counters viruses without triggering sensitivity. Avoid capsules or teas; they can cause sensitivity. When I feel the need to prevent a viral infection, I use one dropperful of Hypericum tincture in a little water three or four times a day for a few days. When I want to treat viral infections, I use one or two dropperfuls in water every hour or two until symptoms abate, and continue at a lower dose until I no longer need it.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) are mint family plants with antiviral constituents which are especially effective as salves.

Celandine (Celadonium majus) juice is the most effective way I know to remove external genital warts. It is safe, painless, and easy to use if you live where evergreen celandine grows – in Europe, in North America, from Nova Scotia to Georgia and west to Missouri, throughout Europe, and in waste places in temperate-zone cities. The fresh sap from leaf stalks or the root works fastest, and best, but topical applications of tincture are somewhat effective, too.

American mandrake (Podophyllum peltatum) is the acknowledged queen of external genital wart destruction. This poisonous plant is used in a concentrated form – Podophyllin – as a topical treatment. Although plant-based, Podophyllin can cause severe side-effects, including burns that scar, fatal reactions, and birth defects or fetal death if used during pregnancy. To prevent damage to healthy tissues, all skin except for the warts must be thoroughly covered with petroleum jelly before it is applied, and the Podophyllin must be wiped off before it penetrates too deeply, usually within one to four hours. Weekly treatments over six or more weeks are the norm. A less concentrated, and thus safer form – Podofilox – is available by prescription for use at home. (But trichloroacetic acid is safer, and celandine is more fun.)

Eastern white cedar, Thuja occidentalis, is the “tree of life.” Thuja is primarily a homeopathic remedy, but thuja tincture or essential oil applied twice a day to genital warts can “burn” them off.

Trichloroacetic acid is as effective as Podophyllin in removing warts, but less likely to leave scars or provoke severe systemic reactions, and is considered safe to use during pregnancy.(9) It is applied in the doctor’s office, usually weekly for six weeks.

Colposcopy is a close examination of the cervix with magnifying binoculars after it has been bathed with acetic acid (vinegar), which turns HPV-infected tissues bright white. You do not have to agree to a biopsy if you agree to a colposcopy; testing for HPV-DNA is better in many ways. If you do agree, biopsy forceps will be used to “chomp” out pieces of cervical tissue for microscopic examination by a pathologist.

Testing cervical cells for the presence of DNA from cancer-causing HPV is “just as effective as a biopsy of cervical tissue, with less expense,” according to researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, DC. Screening every woman over 20 every two years with an HPV-DNA test would reduce the number of cervical biopsies by 60%, they conclude.(10) A woman who tests negative for HPV, as 45% of women will, does not need a colposcopy. If the test if positive for HPV, there’s still only a 10-20% chance that she will require treatment.(11)

“It is not known how many women who have had expensive [and painful] laser surgery or … cryosurgery are informed beforehand that the treatment is purely cosmetic and has a high recurrence rate.”(12)

Before you agree to any procedure, remember that removal of infected tissue does not remove the virus, which remains ready to recur when the immune system is at an ebb. Surgery doesn’t cure HPV, and because it is a major stress to the immune system, it can increase the chances that a given lesion will progress to cancer.

“Regardless of treatment, one in four HPV-infected people will have a recurrence within three months.”(13)

Footnotes:

1. “The cervical dilemma: Some warts may be better left untreated,” Kathy A. Fackelmann, Science News, 139: 362 3, June 8, 1991

2. “HPV doesn’t have to spell cancer,” Christie Aschwanden, Health, Jan/Feb 2002

3. Ibid

4. “Contagion: A sometimes lethal sexual epidemic that condoms can’t stop,” Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, September 13, 1999

5. “Contagion,” Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 1999

6. “FDA licenses new vaccine …,” FDA news release, June 2006

7. “Contagion,” Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 1999

8. Natural Healing in Gynecology, Rina Nissim, Pandora, 1984 (p. 43)

9. Our Bodies, Ourselves, Boston Women’s Health Book Collective, 1998

10. “Adding an HPV,” Cornell Uni. Women’s Health Advisor, July 2002

11. “One Way to Avoid Unnecessary Testing After Ambiguous Pap Results,” HealthFacts, May 2001

12. “Screening for Cervical Cancer,” HealthFacts, XV (136), Sept 1990

13. PDR Family Guide to Women’s Health, Medical Economics, 1994

Some STDs are worse than others. HIV is arguably the worst one of all to get. Others like gonorrhea and chlamydia are treatable and more or less go away. Then there’s HPV (genital warts) and herpes types 1 and 2. Type one typically considered oral and type 2 being genital although people can have either in either place.

Many people who are out there playing the field or even just playing one on one need to be more informed if they want to remain free and minimize their risk of contracting an STD. Know the ins and outs of all these nasty things out there.

It’s almost a cliche of a line that people in the dating scene use – I’m STD free and tested regularly. How often have you heard that one and wonder just how honest that really is. It’s obvious based on the amount of people out there infected with something that we don’t really know what that means. Did this person get tested for just HIV? Or did they also get tested for hepatitis C, HSV 1 and 2 (blood test), HPV, gonorrhea, chlam. etc…

For example, testing for herpes isn’t usually done unless it is requested by you. Although men can be carriers of HPV, there currently isn’t a test for men with HPV.

Let’s say that you’re reading this and thinking, yeah, this really doesn’t help me now as I’m already infected with something that doesn’t go away. Maybe you’ve just found out or maybe you’ve been living with it for a while. Some people take it hard and some don’t let it define themselves.

When you decide that you would like to still have a healthy physical relationship that includes sex with another person, where can you go? Local support groups for STDs can be found through a search on the internet.

The following 21 dating tips for men are based on research and personal experience. Most of them are exclusive to men and not applicable for use by women, although they may benefit by reading them. The same is true of the ones for women; men may benefit by reading them as well.

Dating Tips for Men #1: Ask her for a date like a man. Pick the day before you call. If she tells you that it’s not a good day, do not negotiate unless she offers a specific alternative that fits into YOUR plan. If she doesn’t offer a specific alternative (This would NOT include, “Call me next week.”), say to her, “Perhaps some other time.” That’s it! If she is interested, she will re-arrange her schedule. Think it over for a week or more and if you feel in your gut that you should give it second try, go for it. If not, move on!

Dating Tips for Men #2: Make dates in advance. Ask her to go out with you well in advance of the actual date. 1-2 weeks is good at the beginning. This strategy gives you time to make arrangements for your date and it also creates romantic anticipation.

Dating Tips for Men #3: Have it all planned. Have the entire date planned, scheduled, and reserved before you pick her up. Not only will she be impressed by your organization, but you’ll also have a better time.

Dating Tips for Men #4: Invest your time and money wisely. There is no sense investing a lot of your time or money until you determine if you like each other. Most women will only become uncomfortable, or perceive you as being foolish, if you spend a month’s pay on the first date.

Dating Tips for Men #5: Use a progressive dating strategy. Start with inexpensive dates during the week and work your way up to more expensive dates on the weekends.

Dating Tips for Men #6: Timeliness is classiness. Be on time to pick up your date. This does NOT mean getting there early. Many women, and men, schedule their preparations for going out down to the last minute. If you are running late by more then 10 minutes, call and let her know when to expect you.

Dating Tips for Men #7: Being yourself is your best act. Don’t try to impress your date with your money, your position, your car, or your body measurements. Using these things to win a woman over will only attract those with superficial intentions. Win them over by showing them the qualities you have inside by simply being yourself.

Dating Tips for Men #8: Be like a movie star. Almost all of the male movie stars who attract an abundance of women on and off the screen have exquisite manners. Women love being treated like ladies. You see these men opening a door for her, letting her walk into a room first, and helping her with a chair. I once witnessed two (2) young army combat veterans instantly stand up when a poor, unattractive teenage girl entered the room. They had no obligation or incentive whatsoever to respond as they did. It was beautiful!

Dating Tips for Men #9: Keep your eyes on the ball. Do not check out other women. Even when done on the sly, women will pick it up. Nothing is more classy and warrior-like than a man who keeps his attention on the woman he’s with regardless of who she is.

Dating Tips for Men #10: Cleanliness is coolness personified. Be sure that all areas of your body are clean and fresh. This includes your hair, ears, body, and especially your teeth. Bad breath, which is often caused by a dental or periodontal problem, is usually not noticeable by the person who has it. Nothing is more of a turn off than bad breath. If you haven’t had your teeth cleaned in the last six months, get it done!

Dating Tips for Men #11: Hold your flattery. Save your compliments about her beauty for the right time. Although you might be intoxicated by her beauty, do not reveal the full extent of your feelings on your first few dates. Save that for the right moment several dates down the road. Just say, “You look very nice this evening.” and leave it at that. In regard to sexual innuendoes, they have no place during the early stages of dating.

Dating Tips for Men #12: Put it in your autobiography. Don’t tell her your whole life story and all your secrets right away. In fact, always try to maintain some degree of anonymity in some area of your personality or life, as it naturally provokes more excitement. Mystery is a mental aphrodisiac!

Dating Tips for Men #13: One night to stand. Do not expect to have sex on your first date. Consider these scenarios: If you do have long-term interest in a particular woman and your main focus is sex on the first date, her opinion of you will be lowered. If you do NOT have any long-term interest in a particular woman and she willingly has sex with you on the first date, she has probably done it before! Maybe several times, maybe hundreds of times! Having sex with a woman like this GREATLY increases the chances of you contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Here’s my advice: Take the pressure off yourself and don’t expect sex on the first date. This will enable you to more clearly evaluate the person and you’ll have a better time.

Dating Tips for Men #14: Sex without full mutual agreement is rape. Do not pressure a woman to have sex. Regardless of how you feel about a particular woman, it is inappropriate to pressure a woman to have sex at anytime.

Dating Tips for Men #15: Patience equals unimaginable pleasure.. Do not rush a woman to have sex. If you’re really interested in a long-term relationship with a particular woman, do NOT rush her to have sex with you based on any kind of “timetable.” If you want to have the BEST sexual experience of your life, become best friends FIRST and then have sex. I assure you, it is worth the wait!

Dating Tips for Men #16: Romance is the key to receiving a woman’s best. Women love romance! They need it in order to feel complete. It literally fulfills a part of their sexual needs. It’s what they require for true satisfaction. So, include romance into your dating plans.

Dating Tips for Men #17: Be a creative romantic. The traditional methods for creating romance remain unchanged. These include buying her flowers, candy, jewelry, perfume, and romantic music; sending her love letters and notes; taking her to dinner at unique restaurants; taking her dancing at nightclubs; and taking her to movies, operas, or plays that depict a love story. The key to having the outcome that you want, however, is to come up with your own unique twists to these ancient practices. In other words, be CREATIVE!

Dating Tips for Men #18: Keep your grip. Do not get lazy about your relationship or you might get a letter from her one day that says, “Goodbye.” Keep yourself looking your best. Keep the relationship alive by continually telling her and showing her how much you care. And don’t ever forget to do something for her birthday and any other holidays that are important to her.

Dating Tips for Men #19: Warrior’s goodnight kiss. Don’t liger after the goodnight kiss at the beginning of your dating activity with a particular person. Kiss her once to the duration that feels right. Then say good night, turn, and walk away. Do not linger, talk more, try to kiss her again, or ask her for another date! This practice creates the mystery/romance that women love and prevents you from getting catch up by the heat of the moment and acting like a fool. Take a deep breath and go home. Take a few days to think things over. Is she right for you? Do you want to see her again or move on? It’s a lot easier to move on at the beginning than down the road.

Dating Tips for Men #20: Trust your gut. Do not continue to date a woman if you know she’s not right for you. Don’t keep her around until you find someone better. That’s not fair to her or you. Don’t waste your time. Do what’s right. Have the courage to move on!

Dating Tips for Men #21: Smart moves pay lifetime dividends. No matter how truthful, safe, and healthy your partner/friend seems, make certain that an adequate birth control method is being used, and that you both get tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) BEFORE your first sexual encounter. If you don’t have medical insurance to cover these expenses, most local health departments offer birth control counseling and STD testing for free or at a nominal fee. One bad choice in this area can instantly ruin your life forever!

I wish you much dating and relationship success!

The stigma and discrimination in the society associated with HIV and AIDS usually places a lot of inhibitions in the mind of a person when he or she arrives for an HIV test. Therefore, these tests are conducted very confidentially and under strict privacy to protect the identity of the person being tested.

There are a few organizations like the HIV Antibody Testing Services, which provide anonymous and confidential tests to their clients. The tests include blood tests, urine tests, or saliva tests. In addition, there are also home testing kits available in the market, released by reputed companies which yield accurate results. Blood collection is done at home by the individual himself and the sample is mailed to the private diagnostic company for testing. The individual can find out the result of the test over the telephone.

Similarly, there is also a confidential antibody testing facility provided by an organization named Confidential HIV Antibody Testing Services, which conducts the tests on the person’s name but keeps this information strictly confidential. The test records of an individual are kept hidden from public domain, and only the concerned doctors, health personnel or the State health department people will know the fact about the HIV status of the person.

Similarly, another national agency involved in proving anonymous and confidential testing facility is the Anonymous HIV Antibody Testing Services. Here, the best part of the facility is that the individual’s name is not attached to either his sample, results or for records purpose. A unique code number is allotted to each individual and this code number itself is used instead of the name for all references or communications made. Therefore, only the concerned individual knows about his status and it is his personal choice whether he wants to share this information with any one or not.

Many people have confidently used this anonymous testing facilities and therefore, more and more such centers are being opened in many states and territories.

In today’s age, everyone has heard of herpes. There are two common types among ten variations of this disease:

· Genital herpes
· Oral herpes

While the seriousness of both is different in society, the outbreak and the fact that both are so common make them very close family.

Similarities

There are many similarities to both types.

· Both are contagious and can spread as easily as a common cold
· Both can be spread to any surface and can lay dormant on towels or sheets
· Both have the ability to migrate to parts of the body where they are not supposed to go
· The virus that causes both look identical under a microscope
· Both types infect mucuosal areas of the body such as the genitals and the mouth
· You can have either type and not know you have herpes
· Both genital herpes and oral herpes travel along the nerves so oral herpes can break out anywhere along the face while genital herpes can appear anywhere in the upper area of the legs
· There is no cure to completely rid yourself of either form of herpes

Differences

Here are the differences.

· Oral herpes unlike genital herpes is a skin rash, or cold sore contracted by about 80% of adults from when they were children
· HSV-1 (oral herpes) likes to settle in a group of merve cells by the ears and when there is an outbreak the virus has traveled to the area around the mouth
· HSV-2 (genital herpes) likes to establish itself at the base of the spine and when this breaks out it has traveled to the genital region
· The social stigma is the opposite to genital herpes
· The treatments to each are different and must be treated differently

Testing

Although testing for both genital herpes and oral herpes is grouped under testing for STD’s, the testing for herpes is not automatic with STD tests. Always ask your doctor about the following when being treated for STD:

· Know what you are being tested for
· Know what you are not being tested for
· Know what you can be tested for

Both genital herpes and oral herpes are very common and cause more embarrassment than pain. If there is one outbreak, there will be others. Once you have an outbreak of either form, consult your doctor about treatment options and be sure to inform those closest to you so it does not spread.

It’s a conversation that nobody wants to have – the admission of having a sexually transmitted disease to a partner. Whether you’ve been with somebody for years or have only just met, the revelation is never easy to make, so it’s important that you impart the information carefully.

Whatever you do, keeping quiet about your sexually transmitted disease is not an option. It’s within your partner’s rights to know of any potential risks that sexual contact will present, so that he/she can make an informed decision on precautions to take or whether to proceed! The only instance when it is okay to keep quiet is if you have previously had a curable disease (Chlamydia, Gonnorhea or Syphilis), have taken the appropriate anonymous STD test and got it treated. Even then, in the interests of full disclosure you should consider it – and if there’s any risk that he/she caught it off you before you got treated, you must (if not for the moral reasons, then for the subsequent chances of re-infection!)

Broaching the subject and the consequences involved are subtly different depending on whether the partner you’re telling has previously had sexual contact with you. If they have, then there’s the double shock – you have the disease, and they will need to take an anonymous STD test to find out whether they do too. Remember in this case that a new STD doesn’t automatically mean a person hasn’t been faithful to their STD-free partner: some take a long period of time to develop symptoms, so any resentment may be unfounded. If you haven’t had sex with the partner yet then they will still have a shock, and may make unfair assumptions about your sexual history. In either case, the way you should broach the subject remains largely the same.

The first lesson is simple: don’t bring it up during, or just before a sexual encounter. For starters, the chances are it will draw a halt to proceedings anyway! Secondly, emotions may be running high and your partner may feel extra venerable. In short, it’s not the best place to impart delicate news, no matter how relevant!

Instead, a quiet, private place to tell all is vital – it’s especially important that you won’t be interrupted. Try to stay as calm as possible. Explain that before you have sex (in the case of a new partner) he/she needs to know that you have a sexually transmitted disease and some information about it. At this point, you can explain what it is, what its side effects are, whether it’s curable and if using a condom will prevent its transfer. If you have a brochure on the disease (many clinics carry these), then passing one over will give your partner the chance to read about the STD in his/her own time.

Be as honest as possible – while nobody wants to go into details about their sexual history, you need to tell your partner whether you contracted it through sexual contact or through other means (drug use, for example).

As to how your partner will react, it’s simply impossible to predict. They will almost certainly be shocked, but this may manifest itself in many different ways: fear, anger, or a reluctance to talk about it. However they react, give them time and don’t push them into making a decision on the future of your relationship right away.

There’s no denying it: admitting you have an STD to a partner is a horrible experience. However, by being open and honest about it, you avoid a lot of long term complications and can be sure that if things turn out okay, the honesty involved can only make your relationship stronger. If you have previously been having sex, make sure both of you take anonymous STD tests to know your present situation and avoid re-infecting each other.

Tim Leach is the Marketing Manager of USA Lab Testing, who can provide people with an anonymous STD test.