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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 »

Confused about HSV-1 and HSV-2?

Monday, January 24th, 2011

by Lisa Oldson, MD, Medical Director

If you’re confused about the two different types of herpes, you’re not alone.

Type 1 herpes (HSV-1) often causes cold sores or blisters around the mouth…most often around the border of the lips. When HSV-1 shows up on the mouth area, it’s referred to as oral herpes. In fact, many people get infected with HSV-1 during childhood through light mouth-to-mouth contact, such as an infected relative kissing you when you were young.

In other words, HSV-1 isn’t necessarily a sexually transmitted disease, but rather a disease that can be easily transmitted through skin-to-skin sor mouth-to-mouth contact…especially when sores or blisters are present. However, HSV-1 can cause genital herpes which is most commonly spread when someone who has HSV-1 on the mouth performs oral sex on his or her partner.

After an initial outbreak, HSV-1 genital herpes outbreaks tend to recur less frequently over time, compared to type 2 (HSV-2) genital herpes…but you might continue to have symptoms or flares intermittently. If you see any sores on your genitals, I urge you to see your regular doctor in order to confirm your herpes diagnosis and treatment plan (if any). Condoms can reduce your risk of spreading the virus to others, but it’s important to remember that herpes is also spread through skin-to-skin contact…a condom or dental dam only covers part of the genital area, so there’s still a risk of transmitting the virus.

According to the CDC, about one out of every six people have genital herpes, but most of them don’t know they’re infected because they either have mild symptoms or no symptoms. That’s why it’s important to get tested, so you know your status. If you test positive, you can take steps to avoid infecting others…and you’ll be able to avoid potentially serious complications from herpes down the road by getting proper treatment with antiviral medications, if needed.

Bottom line? While HSV-1 most commonly causes oral herpes and HSV-2 most commonly causes genital herpes, you can have either virus in either place (your genitals or your mouth area). I recommend type-specific testing if you’re worried that you may have been exposed to genital herpes.

Also, keep in mind that if you or your partner is pregnant, genital herpes can be harmful to the baby…especially in the last trimester. For that reason, be cautious about any activity that could lead to transmitting either HSV-1 or HSV-2 herpes during late pregnancy.

If you already have herpes and you’re pregnant, check with your regular doctor to be sure you’re doing everything possible to keep your baby safe. With open communication and a little planning, you and your baby should be fine.

Posted in STD Testing, herpes | 2 Comments »

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 »

Reality Check: Getting Tested for STDs

Monday, October 11th, 2010

by Su McFay, Resident RN, Analyte Physicians Group

Every day, I talk to people like you…people who’ve taken charge of their sexual health by proactively learning more about STDs. Here’s a reality check on some of your most frequently asked questions about getting tested:

1. Female caller: “I had my annual exam with my gynecologist, so I should’ve been tested for all STDs, right?”

Reality check: Having a pelvic exam does not always include a screening for STDs. In most cases, you must ask for an STD test as it’s different from a traditional pap smear.

2. Caller: “I always have safe sex, so I don’t need to get tested.”

Reality check: While using male or female condoms does reduce your risk of transmitting or acquiring STDs, abstinence is the only sure way to prevent STDs. So if you’re sexually active, be sure to get tested regularly to stay on top of your sexual health.

3. Caller: “I heard from an ex who tested positive for something, but I’m not having any symptoms. So I don’t need to get tested, right?”

Reality check: Unfortunately, many STDs are “silent”…there are no signs or symptoms. Or the symptoms are so vague that they’re easily ignored or mistaken for something else. But the consequences of untreated STDs can be very serious down the road. The only way to know for sure if you’ve been infected is to get tested…your peace of mind will be worth it.

4. Caller: “We weren’t ‘at it’ for that long. So I’m probably good, right?”

Reality check: You don’t have to be in the throes of marathon sex to be at risk for an STD. Sexually transmitted infections can be passed from person to person through any kind of sexual contact. Getting tested and treated if you have an infection is the best way to protect yourself…and your partner.

5. Caller: “Well, I just want to get one test. Which one do you recommend?”

Reality check: There is no single test across all STDs. Each test is specific to a particular infection (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis, herpes, HIV and syphilis). To be on the safe side and to establish a baseline for your sexual health, I recommend that you get tested for all of these common STDs…especially because you may not show any signs or symptoms, and because some symptoms can be mistaken for those of other diseases.

Your health is your most valuable asset. So don’t hesitate to give us a call…we’re standing by for you, to explain just how easy it is to get tested and treated for STDs.

Related information:

Not sure which test to take? Our STD Test Recommender can help.
Hot off the presses: National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior
Confused about the difference between STDs and STIs? Diseases that are passed from person to person through sexual activity are Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). “Disease” implies a clear medical problem, usually with obvious signs or symptoms. But some common STDs are asymptomatic; in these cases, the sexually transmitted virus or bacteria can be described as causing a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), which may or may not evolve into a “disease.” Because we know that “STD” is the preferred term for both sexually transmitted infections and diseases, we generally use that term.

Posted in STD Myths, STD Testing | 3 Comments »

Infidelity…STD Testing…

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010

DR. LISA OLDSON

Ah love… It turns out that money influences love in ways we never imagined. According to a recent survey of 17 – 27 year olds, infidelity is higher in relationships where the woman makes significantly more money than the man. Both the higher income woman and the lower income man are more likely to cheat on their partners in this situation.

One survey showed that 7% of men are unfaithful compared to 3% of women. Some speculate that men earning significantly less money than their partners feel powerless and this may lead to an affair. Reaching a higher educational level and attending regular religious services lowered the risk of cheating for both men and women. Hypotheses abound regarding reasons why we cheat, but in general the more money a person has, the more opportunity there is for cheating (and to hide cheating) whether the person is male or female. Those who travel often for work may have increased opportunities to meet others.

What should YOU do if your partner cheated on you? Get STD tested and don’t have sex with your partner until you’ve both checked your STD status!

Remember if you’re out there having sex with a new partner, use a condom each and every time and limit your number of sexual partners to limit your STD risk.

Tags: Infidelity, STD risks, STD Testing
Posted in Risk, STD Testing, Uncategorized | Add Your Comment »

“STD” is not an STD

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

BY ADRIENNE DeLUNA

Caller: “Hello, I’d like to get tested for STD.”

Counselor: “Great! What would you like to get tested for?”

Caller: “STD.”

Counselor: “Well, there are many STDs you can get tested for. Were you concerned about something in particular or would you like to get tested for the 8 most common STDs?”

Caller: “There are more than one!?”

Seriously. This is what happens when we don’t have widespread support for sex education in public schools. We live in such a highly sexualized culture but, as a nation, our sexual health literacy is very low. If parents aren’t teaching their children about general safe sex practice and infectious disease and our teachers aren’t teaching about preventative care, it’s no wonder we get basic questions like this on a daily basis. What is an STD? Why are they sometimes called STIs? What’s safer sex? Do I really need to get tested? Doesn’t my doctor test me?

Unfortunately, no, your doctor is probably not testing you for STDs. And, no, STD is not an STD. When you have unprotected oral, vagina, or anal sex, you are putting yourself and others at risk for becoming infected with a variety of sexually transmitted diseases or STDs.

Caller: “I’m interested in getting tested for all STDs. What is in your panel?”

Counselor: “Our 8 Test Panel includes testing for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Herpes, HIV, and Syphilis.

Caller: “Well, I won’t need the Chlamydia and Gonorrhea tests, because I am a man, right?”

Sigh. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are bacterial infections that occur in both men and women. In fact, chlamydia and gonorrhea are among the most common STDs by and large because they can be present without any obvious signs or symptoms. People don’t know they are infected with chlamydia or gonorrhea and unknowingly pass the infection to their partner.

Caller: “I need to get tested for HIV/AIDS.”

Counselor: “Just HIV, or all STDs?”

Caller: “I thought the HIV test covered all STDs?”

Look — getting tested is the most important thing you can do at the beginning of a new relationship (or after!) to protect your health and the health of your partner. Get tested for all STDs so you know the complete status of your sexual health. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you aren’t sure what you need to test for. That is what we are here for – and we’ve heard it all!

Posted in Chlamydia, HIV, STD Testing, STD awareness, gonorrhea, herpes, safe sex | Add Your Comment »

You Asked, We Answered

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

BY GERALD PALMER

Our phones ring off the hook with questions about sexual health. And we’re happy to answer. Wonder about some of the most frequently asked questions? Wonder no more. This post is devoted to giving you the answers you’re looking for. (We’ll write a post about the rarely asked questions later. Those are good.) Please remember, if you have a question, call us at (888) 215-9543 to speak with a counselor. That’s what we’re here for.

Q: Can I be positive if I’ve never had symptoms?

A: Yes, you may be positive even if you aren’t having any symptoms. For example, women rarely experience symptoms of chlamydia. And most people who have genital herpes aren’t even aware they have it.

Q: What if we only had sex for a few seconds? Can I get anything?

A: Yes, sexually transmitted infections can spread through oral, vaginal or anal sex. And, even if there was no actual penetration, STDs can spread through skin to skin contact, like genital herpes. This can happen no matter how long the exposure lasts…even a few seconds.

Q: My roommate/friend just got diagnosed with herpes. Is it safe to use the same towel/cup/silverware?

A: Herpes does not stay alive on objects. It’s a fragile virus without a host. So you can’t get herpes from sharing towels and cups.

Q: Can I get an STD from oral sex?

A: Flat out, yes. You can get an STD from giving or receiving oral sex. It’s a relatively lower risk activity for some of the infections, but we don’t see the point in detailing the relative risk level for each STD. Why take the chance at all? If you think it’s a small risk, it’s still a risk, right?

Q: Why can’t I get a prescription if I already know that I’m positive?

A: Here at STD Test Express, we care about your health, and part of that care requires a documented positive result before treatment. This way we can ensure that you are getting the appropriate treatment for the infection.

Q: Do you know where I can get treatment without testing?

A: If your partner has tested positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea, there is a clinical practice called Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT). Our doctors require positive test results before treatment, but your physician or partner’s physician may choose to treat without testing under EPT. Remember, treatment is only effective if both partners are treated and then re-tested to ensure that the infection has been cured/managed before resuming sexual activity.

And the #1 most asked question:

Q: How long should I wait to get tested?

A: This will vary from person to person – because all of the STDs have different testing windows. Our doctors recommend testing at 3 weeks after exposure and then getting tested again at 3 months to confirm your results.

Now, we have a question for you. If you are concerned you may have been exposed to an STD or simply want to know your status, what are you waiting for? Don’t take a chance – get tested regularly, know your status, protect yourself and your partners.

How to get an STD test

Posted in Chlamydia, Oral Sex, STD Testing, Timing, herpes, safe sex | Add Your Comment »

Why Men Don’t Go to the Doctor

Monday, May 24th, 2010

“I feel fine.” “I’m sure it’s nothing.” “It’ll go away on its own.” “I don’t have time to go to the doctor.” If you’ve put off going to the doctor until something is really seriously wrong, you’re not alone. 1,100 men were recently polled about their reluctance to go to the doctor. Turns out that even under the best circumstances when men have health insurance, have a primary care doctor that they feel comfortable talking to, 58% say that something keeps them from actually going to the doctor.

Why? What is stopping us from going to the doctor to get screened for cholesterol, high blood pressure, and (yes) STDs? Could it be that it was always our mothers (or our spouses) who pushed us to go to the doctor and we just don’t like to get pushed to do anything? Probably. But the fact is, most STDs don’t have symptoms so there are no major warning signs. You can have an STD and not feel sick or notice anything on your body that’s different. And unlike a bad flu or a sprained wrist, you can’t “shake it off” or “tough it out.” If you don’t know you have an STD, it could lead to complications. Our advice? Get an STD test, find out if you need to take care of anything, and get it done. Otherwise, you’re just playing tricks on yourself.

Look, it’s understandable that we don’t want to go to the doctor to talk about personal issues related to our sexual health. Convenience and privacy are fundamental to getting tested for HIV, herpes, chlamydia and other STDs. And if there’s a positive test result, doctors are available by phone seven days a week for consultation and treatment. You know you want to get an STD test, but you don’t want the hassle. That’s why we’re here. Welcome to the sexual health revolution.

Posted in Cultural Attitudes, STD Testing | 2 Comments »

STD Awareness Month and Our Youth Obsession

Tuesday, April 6th, 2010

April showers bring May flowers…and National STD Awareness month. You’re ahead of the pack because you’re aware of STDs and HIV. You’re aware of the risks and aware that there are very easy ways to get tested privately and conveniently. But, if you look at the efforts to raise our country’s STD awareness, you’d think that only young people are vulnerable to STDs and HIV. This year, the CDC, Planned Parenthood, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and others are sponsoring a great awareness campaign by MTV to encourage young people to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases. It’s called Get Yourself Tested or GYT and it’s a terrific campaign.

But what about the rest of us in our 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond? While it’s critical to teach young people how to protect themselves, why is this important public health awareness effort so focused on teenagers? FACT: The highest number of newly acquired cases of HIV/AIDS have been found in middle aged adults, ages 35 to 44. Next highest age group? Ages 45 to 54. The least affected group is the youngest group between the age of 25 to 34. This is CDC published data.

The new faces of HIV/AIDs are not gay men or the sexually promiscuous or IV drug users. It’s the woman over 50 who doesn’t use condoms because she’s not worried about getting pregnant. Or the divorced 42 year dad who’s dating again after many years and doesn’t know how to bring up the subject about using condoms or STD testing. Viagra, Facebook, online dating, midlife divorce, and lack of awareness may be contributing forces but STDs are no longer an affliction of the young.

And maybe… it’s just that grownups are not so good at using condoms. In a University of Chicago survey of single women ages 58 to 93, nearly 60% said they didn’t use a condom the last time they had sex. A May 2008 study conducted by the New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene showed that among single people with at least two sexual partners, 56% of people over age 45 reported using condoms the last time they had sex, compared with 61% of 25-to-44-year-olds and 80% of 18-to-24-year-olds.

Grownups — here’s our message. Please hear it. STDs and HIV are preventable. Please use condoms every time you have sexual contact. And please get tested today. Ask your partner, too. It’s easy. Call us at 888-215-9543 if you have questions. We’re here to help.

Posted in HIV, STD Statistics, STD Testing, safe sex | 1 Comment »

CDC: Herpes rises to 16% of U.S. Adults

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

How many people between the ages of 14 and 49 have genital herpes in the U.S.? Take a guess. 1%? 5%? The CDC released data today that as much as 16 percent of the U.S. population between the ages of 14 and 49 has genital herpes. And that’s just the reported cases. The CDC estimates that more than 80 percent of the people who have the herpes simplex 2 virus have no idea they are infected. Many people never have symptoms or outbreaks, or those symptoms are mild and mistaken for something else. Worse, genital herpes can be transmitted during skin to skin contact even when the infected person is not having any symptoms or showing visible sores.

Are you concerned that you may have been exposed to genital herpes? Getting a type-specific herpes test for HSV-1 and HSV-2 is the only way to learn if you have the infection or if you do not. We’re here to help people get tested for herpes, HIV and other common STDs. Doctors are available 7 days a week to discuss the results and followup with treatment, if necessary.

“This study serves as a stark reminder that herpes remains a common and serious health threat in the United States. Everyone should be aware of the symptoms, risk factors and steps that can be taken to prevent the spread of this lifelong and incurable infection,” said Dr. Kevin Fenton, director of the CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention.

Of the people who have genital herpes infections, women and African-Americans top the list for the highest rates. According to the CDC data, 1 in 5 women is infected with genital herpes or HSV-2. The infection rate was almost twice as high among women — nearly 21 percent — than among men, at 11.5 percent.

For African-Americans, the prevalence of infection was 39.2 percent — more than three times that of whites, at 12.3 percent. Black women are most affected by the disease, with an infection rate of 48 percent.

Fenton said the high rates of herpes among African-Americans is most likely contributing to the high rate of HIV in that community. In fact, statistics show that people with herpes are two to three times more likely to get HIV if exposed.

CDC experts say there are a number of barriers to treatment, including poverty and lack of access to care. They say young women often don’t get tested for STDs because of misinformation and stigma.

And, according to CDC experts, while African-American women and men are often unwilling to get tested, doctors are often reluctant to discuss sexual health with their patients — particularly with black male patients.

Posted in Risk, STD Statistics, STD Testing, herpes | Add Your Comment »