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Hook ups…do they happen as often as you think?

Monday, October 17th, 2011

by Stephanie Brooks, Health Writer

College students talk a big game ⎼ but do they actually have as many hook-ups as they say? A new study in the August 2011 edition of Health Communication says no, they don’t.

In the study, researchers looked at the way college students talk about sex ⎼ especially casual sex or hooking up ⎼ and what that means for the way their classmates think about sex.

So, what did the researchers find?

While college students talk the talk, it seems that they don’t walk the walk…at least as much as they say. According to the study, students tended to have fewer casual sex encounters than their discussions indicated.

But there’s an extra note of caution here, too. The types of sex college students were most likely to talk about were high-risk situations, like having unplanned and drunken sex with someone they didn’t know. And talking about that kind of sex made their friends more likely to perceive high-risk sex as normal.

That’s a problem.

When people think high-risk sex is normal, they’re more likely to go for it. And, unfortunately, people who have drunken sex with strangers are more likely to catch an STD or have an unintended pregnancy.

To prevent STDs and unintended pregnancy, it’s important to use condoms. And it also helps to know the STD status of your sexual partner. Better yet, couples can get tested for STDs together before they have sex (including oral and anal sex, too). Remember, STDs don’t always caused obvious symptoms…testing is the only way to know if you or a potential sex partner has an STD.

So the next time you hear about a hook-up…take it with a grain of salt. And if you’re sexually active, take control of your sexual health by using protection and getting tested for STDs.

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Posted in Risk, STD Statistics, STD Testing, STD awareness, safe sex | Add Your Comment »

New treatments offer hope for people with hepatitis C

Thursday, July 28th, 2011

by Courtney Jones, Care Advisor

When it comes to STDs, there are some that everyone knows about…and some that are lesser known.

Hepatitis C can be transmitted through sexual contact, but also through exposure to the blood of an infected person: for example, unsterilized tattoo needles, razorblades, blood transfusions, IV drugs…even toothbrushes. So a lot of people don’t think of hepatitis C as an STD, but they should.

Hepatitis C kills almost 10,000 people every year in the United States alone, causing liver cancer or other severe liver damage. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) further estimate that about 3.2 million people have hepatitis C in the United States…but they don’t know it. Interestingly, an estimated two-thirds of hep C carriers are so-called Baby Boomers.

Gregg Allman of the Allman Brothers Band recently spoke out about his battle with hepatitis C. Like most people with the virus, he didn’t find out that he had the infection until decades after he’d contracted it from an unsterilized tattoo needle. Following 30 years’ damage to his body and ineffective interferon treatments, Allman needed a liver transplant to keep fighting the disease.

Two decades ago when hepatitis C was first discovered, Allman’s circumstances would likely have been fatal. While interferon treatments can suppress hep C symptoms, it wasn’t until recently that a cure for hep C (in up to 21% of hep C cases) was known. With celebrity figures like Allman speaking up and taking action to fight the virus, and given the thousands of people with liver damage in need of transplants, the medical community was hard-pressed to find a solution…and find a solution they did in the form of new medical advancements that bring new hope for a cure.

In the last few months, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved two new drugs – Incivek (telaprevir) and Victrelis (boceprevir) – to help treat and cure hepatitis C. Either one, in combination with the two standard treatment drugs (peginterferon and ribavirin), has shown a cure probability of 70% in half the time (24 weeks) of the original therapies. A recent article in The New England Journal of Medicine also notes the effectiveness of the new treatments in cases where previous therapies have failed.

If you’ve never been screened for hepatitis C…testing online is one way to do it, ensuring a quick, painless and reliable process. Especially when the virus is caught early, the new treatments are likely to cure the infection.

Of course, preventing a hepatitis C infection in the first place is the best option for your health. So if you’re sexually active – especially if you’re not in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone whose STD status you know – annual testing and safer sex practices go along way to avoid spreading infections.

And if you’re wondering about your hepatitis C risk, check out our interactive Test Recommender. Lisa Oldson, MD, will help guide you through a set of easy questions to determine your risk and whether you should consider testing.

And remember, we’re available 7 days a week to answer your questions and help you choose which tests are right for you.

So don’t be a statistic…be smart, know your STD status, and help eradicate hepatitis C!

Related info:

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Posted in STD awareness, Test, hepatitis C | 5 Comments »

Managing your sexual health: think of it as an oil change

Thursday, July 14th, 2011

by Courtney Jones, Care Advisor

There are lots of things we do on a schedule….we go to work, pay our bills, and change the oil in our cars. If you’re sexually active – especially if you have multiple partners or if you take other sexual risks – you might want to add regular STD testing (every six months to a year) to your list of to-do’s.

It’s standard practice to get an oil change for your car every 3 months or every 3,000 miles. Without it, you can burn out your engine and seriously damage your car. So, why do a lot of people seem to value their car’s health more than their own sexual health?

Sure, you might be feeling fine. And maybe you haven’t noticed anything unusual. But remember: many of STDs don’t show any symptoms. So you’re not necessarily infection-free, just because you’re not experiencing any signs or symptoms of disease for a long time.

Why is it important to get tested for STDs regularly? Well, if you’re sexually active and not in a mutually monogamous relationship in which you know each other’s STD status, getting tested for common STDs on a schedule is the only way to stay on top of your sexual health.

And if it turns out that you do test positive for an infection, early detection is key. Why? Because if an STD is left unchecked for years, it can eventually result in serious damage to your body…including pelvic Inflammatory disease (PID), cancer, infertility and other health conditions.

If you’re a woman…
Hopefully you’re seeing your gynecologist once a year for a Pap test and pelvic exam. But that annual check-up doesn’t automatically include STD testing. We encourage you to be proactive about including STD testing in your routine health maintenance plan.

And if you’re a man…remember, ”annuals” aren’t just for girls! In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend annual screening for HIV for anyone (ages 13-64) who is sexually active, and has had one or more partners since their last test. If you have questions about what tests are right for you, the Test Recommender on our site is a great starting point.

As a Care Adviser, I talk to people all the time in their 30s and 40s who have never been tested…even though they’ve had multiple sexual partners. While it’s never too late to start taking care of your health, you’re potentially risking your health (and that of your partner or partners) the longer you wait to get tested.

Ideally, if you test positive for a sexually transmitted infection, you can nip it in the bud early…with proper treatment, if needed. And you can share your diagnosis with any affected past or current partners so they can get tested and treated, too.

A lot of people are scared when they call us to get tested…but don’t be. People are often worried about what their results might be, or they’re concerned about how a partner might react to their test results, or they think they’ll have to strip down and go through a painful procedure to get tested.

But our testing service is quick, painless and compassionate. Our doctors have chosen the most reliable and convenient tests for you…no dreaded “swabbing” required! And if you test positive, remember that all STDs are treatable, and some are curable. One of our doctors will walk you through your test results and next steps, and even prescribe treatment in some cases.

Finally, if you’re getting tested for the first time, and you’re confused or overwhelmed about your testing options, call us toll-free at 888.398.5393. We’re standing by 7 days a week to take your call, listen to your circumstances, and help you choose the right test or tests for you.

Think of STD testing as a tune-up…for your health!

Related info:
CDC: STD Fact Sheets

Posted in STD Testing, STD awareness | 1 Comment »

Condoms…for women?

Monday, July 4th, 2011

by Emily Gangwer, Care Advisor

When I was first asked to write about female condoms, I realized I knew absolutely nothing about them. Turns out, I wasn’t alone.

Asking around, I was surprised that most 20-something women don’t even know that female condoms exist. But they’ve been around awhile. The original version of the female condom (FC) was introduced in the 90s…and in 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the FC2, a new, more comfortable version of the female condom.

How does the FC2 work?
The FC2 is a thin sheath or pouch that’s inserted into the vagina. At each end of the sheath, there’s a ring. One ring keeps the condom in place inside the vagina, while the other – outside, at the entrance of the vagina – helps “guide” penetration and keep the sheath from being moved up into the vagina during intercourse.

What’s in it for you?
When used correctly, the FC2 helps prevent pregnancy and most sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. And according to AVERT, an international HIV/AIDS prevention group, female condoms like FC2 allow women to share the responsibility for safer sex with their partner(s).

Carole Brite, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois, puts it this way:
“The female condom is one of the only forms of barrier contraception that allows women to be in control over their own sexual health…allowing them protection against unwanted pregnancies as, well as HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. It is a vital tool in the fight against HIV/AIDS.”

Indeed, with women accounting for more than half of HIV cases worldwide, HIV prevention initiatives for women are still desperately needed. The female condom is the only female-initiated HIV prevention method currently available, empowering women to protect themselves from the virus that causes AIDS.

Where can you buy the FC2?
Recently, 400 Walgreens locations across the country stocked their shelves with FC2s. The cost of a pack of three condoms ranges from $5.99 to $7.99. You can also purchase female condoms at Walgreens.com.

“Limited access to female condoms has long been a barrier. [We] commend Walgreens for making a business decision that will help women and men across the U.S. access the prevention tools they need to stay healthy,” says Jessica Terlikowski, co-founder and chair of the Chicago Female Condom Campaign. “We urge other commercial pharmacies to follow Walgreens’ commitment to reduce new HIV and STD infections, and make the new female condom available in their stores.”

Here’s hoping that the FC2 will soon be as mainstream and commonly-used as the male condom because, well…why not? It is time to take control, ladies!

Learn more about female condoms…
…and how to connect with efforts in Chicago, Houston, New York City, San Francisco and Washington, DC:

More information:

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Posted in STD awareness, safe sex | Add Your Comment »

What’s new in HIV testing and prevention?

Monday, June 27th, 2011

by Lisa Oldson, MD, Medical Director

There’s always something new in the world of HIV research…and in recognition of National HIV Testing Day on June 27, I’d like to tell you about a fascinating new study that was recently published about HIV screening for MSM (men who have sex with men).

The research project began three years ago when the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System interviewed and tested more than 7,000 men for HIV…in the year prior to the study, 61% of those men had tested negative for HIV, and the remaining participants had not been tested at all. Based on their interview responses, participants were divided into groups depending on whether or not they participated in high-risk sexual behaviors (e.g., MSM who have multiple or anonymous sex partners, sexual activity in conjunction with illicit drug use, etc.).

It was found that 7% of those who reported high-risk sexual behaviors were HIV positive, while 8% of those who practiced safer sex were also HIV positive. What does that tell us?

Well, until now, we thought that high-risk sexual behaviors correlate to a higher risk of becoming HIV positive…which is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that people who participate in risky behaviors get screened for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections more frequently (every 3 to 6 months) than those who don’t.

But the current research shows us that MSM who engage in risky sexual behaviors are at the same risk of contracting HIV as those who play it safe…and that more frequent testing may be a good idea for all sexually active MSM, regardless of the sexual behaviors.

A significant number of participants in the study were found to be HIV positive…even those who had tested negative within the past 12 months. So it follows that, by being tested more often, MSM can reduce the time from HIV infection to diagnosis, which helps reduce overall transmission of the virus.

What’s the bottom line? Although this study hasn’t led to a change in the CDC’s current guidelines just yet, it conveys a very important message: all MSM can benefit from being tested for HIV more frequently, even those who do not engage in risky sexual behaviors.

What’s new in HIV prevention?
It turns out that Truvada, a drug approved in 2004 as part of a multidrug regimen to treat HIV, may also be effective in preventing HIV infection in high-risk populations. A recent study by Dr. Robert Grant of the Gladstone Institutes of Virology and Immunology showed that – when taken as instructed – daily use of Truvada alone stopped HIV in over 70% of cases.

Asa  a result, the CDC issued new guidelines stating that Truvada should be prescribed to men who are at a high risk of contracting HIV. While this is exciting news, Truvada costs about $13,000 a year…which leaves condoms as the #1 way to help prevent HIV.

HIV remains a serious public health challenge. The CDC reports that there are 1.1 million Americans living with HIV and as many as 21% don’t know they’re are infected. Let’s work together to improve those statistics…use condoms and, if you think you might have been exposed to HIV, don’t delay testing. Because the earlier HIV is diagnosed, the better it can be treated and managed.

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Posted in HIV, STD Testing, STD awareness, Test | Add Your Comment »

Springtime: Showers, Flowers…and Hepatitis Awareness

Sunday, May 22nd, 2011

by Katherine Gragg, Care Advisor

We’ve all heard the saying about April showers and May flowers, but today we’re not talking about blooms and blossoms…we’re talking about something much more personal: hepatitis.

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month, and for good reason: according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, viral hepatitis A, B and C infections all affect the liver and are a leading cause of cancer. About 4.4. million Americans have hepatitis, but many don’t even know they’re infected. And with an estimated 80,000 new hepatitis cases every year, hepatitis awareness isn’t to be taken lightly.

The good news is that hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are all preventable. Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself from catching or spreading hepatitis.

The ABCs of viral hepatitis

  • Hepatitis A is the least threatening of the three hepatitis strains and it doesn’t necessarily require treatment. Risk factors for hepatitis A include ingesting contaminated food, water or feces, or close contact with someone who’s already infected. There’s also a chance that the virus can be spread through anal or oral sex if one partner has hepatitis A.

The best way to protect yourself from hepatitis A is to practice good hygiene (wash your hands often!) and properly clean all foods. If you do get hepatitis A, the infection can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months…but your body will eventually clear the virus on its own.

  • Hepatitis B is more serious…about 5,000 Americans die every year from hepatitis B and complications from the virus, including liver failure, liver cancer or cirrhosis (scarring of the liver). Risk factors for hepatitis B include unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex where you might come in contact with the semen, blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person. Intravenous drug users who share needles with someone who’s infected can also get hepatitis B, and you should avoid sharing razors or toothbrushes with someone who’s infected or might be infected.

How else can you protect yourself? Practice safer sex! Using condoms and dental dams can help protect you and your partner from spreading hepatitis B.

The tricky thing about hepatitis B is that signs and symptoms of the virus can take up to 30 years to develop. So the only way to know if you’re infected is to get tested. And if you know you’ve been exposed to hepatitis B, call your doctor or go to the ER immediately. An injection of hepatitis B immune globulin within 24 hours of exposure might prevent you from actually developing the disease. The hepatitis B vaccine is recommend for newborns, children who have not been vaccinated and people of any age who are at risk for hepatitis B infection. Antiviral medications can also help fight the virus and slow its damage to your liver.

  • What about Hepatitis C? This strain of hepatitis is primary transmitted through direct contact with the blood of an infected person (including blood transfusions). Like hepatitis B, there’s also a risk of hepatitis C transmission through unprotected sex, or sharing needles, syringes, razorblades and toothbrushes with someone who’s infected. Unlike hepatitis A and B, there’s no vaccination for hepatitis C.

If you have hepatitis C, your body might rid itself of the virus on its own; but most people will develop a chronic (long-term) infection, which can lead to serious health issues. That’s why getting tested, treated and managing hepatitis C is so important.

So while you’re smelling the flowers, swatting at bees and avoiding pollen this Spring, also take time to tune in to your health. Be aware of hepatitis risks…and remember to practice good hygiene and safer sex, and get tested for hepatitis and other STDs regularly.

Learn more about hepatitis:

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STD Awareness Month: get tested, get talking

Monday, April 4th, 2011

by Del Wright, Care Advisor

April.

It’s the month that ushers in Spring…and Spring flings. It signals new beginnings in nature and, oftentimes, in our love lives too. But before you embark on a new romance, be sure to know the facts about STDs and how to take care of your sexual health.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate as many as 19 million new cases of STDs in the United States each year. So, to help focus public attention on STDs and sexual health, April has been declared STD Awareness Month.

While STDs cross racial and ethnic lines, African-Americans – especially women – are also disproportionately at risk for such common STDs as chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. New data from the CDC also show that women in general are more likely to get herpes (HSV-2) than men.

But statistics aside, untreated STDs can eventually result in serious health problems…no matter who you are. So there’s no better time than now to get educated about STDs, get tested, and talk with your partner about STDs and what it means to have safer sex. And if you test positive for an STD, it’s vital to let your partner(s) know, so they can get tested, too.

Speaking of testing and talking – both are smart steps to take before you have a fling or start a new relationship. It takes just one sexual experience to get an STD, so it makes good sense to play it safe and give yourself peace of mind.

Put aside any embarrassment and insecurities you may be feeling, and make April the month for STD testing, talking and treatment (if necessary). If you don’t know you’re infected, you can’t get treated…and, as the CDC points out, all STDs are treatable and many are curable.

Related:
There are lots of STD awareness resources available for anyone wanting to get tested, or educate others about the importance of testing, STD prevention and safer sex practices.

Posted in STD Statistics, STD Testing, STD awareness | 8 Comments »

Are STDs the Latest Terror Threat to Travelers This Holiday Season?

Monday, December 13th, 2010

by Ritter Rudesind, Care Advisor

When most people think about airplanes and sex, they think of “The Mile High Club.” If you are one of the lucky members, we sure hope you wore a condom and protected yourself against STDs.

But have you ever thought you’d be at risk of getting an STD by going through an airport security check? Thanks to the TSA’s controversial security pat-downs, you are. Several travelers have reported that some TSA agents do not change their latex gloves between pat-downs. Keep in mind that agents may be required to place their hands inside people’s underwear and, at times, in and around people’s genitals.

Can you imagine some of the bodily fluids and substances that each latex glove comes into contact with during just one of these body searches? If that same glove is used over and over, the build-up of contaminated agents poses a health risk. Some doctors note that various viruses and bacteria, including some STDs, can easily be transmitted from stranger to stranger during these pat-downs if TSA agents don’t change gloves.

During this holiday season, if you are flying and happen to be lucky enough to experience one of these now infamous pat-downs, make sure that the agent who is frisking you grabs a new pair of latex gloves just for you. If they don’t, remind them to do so…for your health’s sake.

Posted in STD awareness | Add Your Comment »

When your iPhone becomes your doctor: mobile STD testing set to hit the UK

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010

by Jake Giles, Customer Care Advisor

You’re dancing at your favorite club. You’ve met Mr. or Mrs. Right Now and the deed is about to go down. Your senses may be impaired by your substance choice for the evening, so checking your new friend’s STD status might not be the first thing you ask.

Never fear! You have your trusty STD test chip already attached to your smart phone of choice.

Sound like a sexual encounter from the future? Thanks to a team of medical and technology researchers in the UK, you can have the convenience and privacy of an STD test in your back pocket, ready to use and receive results within minutes. The main purpose of the new device is to reduce the skyrocketing STD rates in the last decade, which – according to The Guardian – reached 482,696 in 2009. That’s 12,000 more cases than in 2008.

The chip itself is said to be the size of a USB reader, including computer or phone compatibility. In other words, it’s extremely portable and convenient. Furthermore, this could be something you buy next to a condom at a drug store. The price in the UK may be as low as £1 and sold at your local night club. No word yet on when this will be available for purchase…but collaboration between technology experts and medical facilities is underway.

Specifically, this type of technology reaches out to a younger generation of men and women among whom infection rates continue to rise. Noel Gill, head of the HIV and STI division of the Health Protection Agency (HPA), told The Guardian that “the impact of STIs is greatest among young people, and we hope that the application of new technology will help to reduce transmission of infection in this age group.”

Relying on your phone to be your doctor is a radical idea. At STD Test Express, we still recommend routine STD testing to ensure you have a clear picture of your sexual health before you submit a pee test to your new partner’s Droid X. However, a test like this is better than no test at all.

Just another way for you to make the world safer for love.

Posted in STD Testing, STD awareness | Add Your Comment »

Safe Sex in the City

Monday, October 25th, 2010

by Jake Giles

Although New York City never sleeps, it’s not the city that doesn’t sleep around. In data collected by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) in 2008, NYC ranked 10th among all 50 states for chlamydia infections, and 23rd for gonorrhea infections. Further, 192,753 AIDS cases were reported that year, making New York one of the highest ranked states in cumulative reported AIDS cases.

Along with these disturbing figures, here are some more surprising facts about STDs and New York:

  • More than one-fourth of New Yorkers are infected with the virus that causes genital herpes
  • One in four college students has an STD
  • Only 60% of women know how to use a condom correctly

New Yorkers: we know you think bed bugs are the new STDs, but think again.  Bed bugs may ruin your mattress but an undetected STD can ruin your health.

I can help.  My name is Jake and I’m a patient care specialist…I’m here to listen to your craziest story and reassure you that it’s not so crazy. Maybe you’re worried about a lapse in judgment or maybe you have a question about your sexual health. If you think you may have been exposed to an infection or just want to get a baseline test as a sexual health checkup, I’m here to help make testing as easy as it can possibly be. Call us at 888.215.9543 to learn more.

Being tested for an STD doesn’t have to be stressful. Many of our customers are repeat testers who want to test for cure or simply get tested regularly for peace of mind. We’re excited to deliver convenient, private and accurate STD testing in New York. So take those vagabond shoes that are longing to stray, and get tested today!

Posted in STD Statistics, STD awareness | 3 Comments »

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