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Archives for May 2022

What STD Causes Night Sweats? Top Tips

May 5, 2022 by RSC Editorial Team Leave a Comment

Sweating is a normal bodily function. Often, it’s the body’s preferred method of thermoregulation, and the occasional damp forehead isn’t a reason for concern. However, night sweats can indicate something more serious. 

Unlike a normal sweat in high temperatures, night sweats are recurring and excessive, often to the point of soaking through your nightclothes and bedsheets. Night sweats are usually a symptom of an underlying condition, which can range from reactions to a medication or to a range of diseases or illnesses. Some STDs may include night sweats as a symptom. In this article, let’s discuss what STD causes night sweats.

What Are STD Night Sweats?

Discomfort in warm weather isn’t uncommon, but remember that the cause of night sweats is usually not temperature or overheating. While you may feel hot or feverish, the cause of the sweating relates to other internal symptoms rather than your external environment. 

To distinguish normal sweating from troublesome night sweats, pay attention to your circumstances when the sweating occurs. Suppose your bedroom isn’t overly warm and you aren’t performing an activity or wearing clothing that would warrant a rise in body temperature. In that case, your night sweats likely stem from an underlying condition. 

Night sweats aren’t always indicative of an STD, as other conditions can cause similar symptoms. However, if you recently engaged in sexual activity and you or your sexual partner began experiencing night sweats not long after, it’s essential to note any other symptoms that develop. 

Common symptoms that may accompany STD-related night sweats include: 

  • Weight loss
  • Fever
  • Loss of appetite
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Joint pain
  • Nausea 

If you are experiencing recurring night sweats alongside any of the above symptoms, you may need to seek medical care. If you begin having night sweats following a sexual encounter, consider reaching out to us to receive a rapid STD test and determine which STD might be causing night sweats in your case. 

With our same-day STD testing, you can receive a 10-panel STD test and access your results immediately to confirm your status. Doing so may provide you with a diagnosis more quickly and assist your doctor in deciding treatment, whether you have chlamydia, gonorrhea, or HIV.

Night Sweats and STDs: Does Chlamydia Cause Night Sweats?

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that takes root in the genital tract. Some people infected with chlamydia experience no initial symptoms. However, it’s common to experience penile or vaginal discharge, vaginal itching, abdominal pain, and painful urination if symptoms do occur. 

Chlamydia also shares symptoms with HIV and gonorrhea, including night sweats and diarrhea, making self-diagnosis more difficult. If you’re experiencing diarrhea caused by an STD, you may want to visit your doctor or contact us at Rapid STD Testing to check your status. 

However, while night sweats may accompany other chlamydia symptoms, chlamydia isn’t known to cause excessive sweating as commonly as other conditions, such as HIV.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and Night Sweating

Sweating is one of the body’s primary methods of thermoregulation. It’s also an indication that the body is enduring emotional or physical stress. Conditions like HIV cause the body’s infection-fighting mechanisms to work harder, resulting in excessive sweating as it attempts to regulate itself while fighting the infection. 

Much of the body’s internal restoration occurs while we sleep, so excessive sweating associated with HIV often happens at night while the body works to mend itself. That said, night sweats alone aren’t necessarily a sign of an HIV infection. 

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services labels the first two to four weeks after contraction of HIV as the “acute phase.” During this time, infected persons are likely to experience night sweats along with many other symptoms, such as: 

Abnormal weight loss

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Diarrhea
  • Genital warts
  • Mouth sores
  • Persistent fatigue 

Night sweats are a common symptom of HIV, but night sweats alone may not be cause for a diagnosis. HIV infections will almost always present other symptoms. If you are experiencing night sweats and no other symptoms are present, it may indicate an illness or condition of a different kind.

Other Conditions That Cause Night Sweats

Before you ask your doctor what STD causes night sweats, remember that there are many potential causes for night sweats unrelated to sexual health.

Medications

Some medications list night sweats as a potential side effect. Most commonly, medications such as antidepressants, oral diabetes medications, medications used in hormone therapy, and some forms of aspirin may cause night sweats. 

If your night sweats persist due to your medication, consider talking to your doctor about trying something new or adjusting your dosage.

Anxiety Disorders

The body may produce excessive sweat due to emotional distress. Anxiety disorders often increase heart rate and rapid breathing and cause the muscles to tense, creating extra work for the body’s internal processes. 

If you’re always anxious during the day, nighttime may be the only opportunity your body has to focus its energy on restoration, which may cause night sweats due to the stress.

Drug Addiction

Using drugs or participating in heavy drinking can also create stress for the body. Drugs and alcohol can slow internal restoration and ordinary bodily functions. The physical distress may cause excessive night sweats, among other symptoms, depending on usage and frequency.

Menopause

Women generally enter menopause in their late 40s or early 50s. Your period will stop, and the decrease of estrogen in the body often causes hot flashes and excessive sweating. However, premenopausal symptoms can occur in women in their early 40s who still have a period. 

If you’ve recently entered menopause and are experiencing night sweats, talk to your doctor about how you can improve your symptoms and minimize night sweats. 

If you still have a period and are concerned your night sweats may be a symptom of an STD, reach out to Rapid STD Testing. We can help you navigate STD testing if you are on your period and rule out possible causes of your night sweats.

Knowing the Cause and Getting Relief from STD Sweating

Night sweats are uncomfortable and disturb sleep, negatively impacting your everyday life. Total relief may not be possible without a diagnosis. Still, some small ways you can combat night sweats and make yourself more comfortable include: 

  • Changing your sheets regularly
  • Taking a cool shower
  • Investing in waterproof padding to avoid soaking your mattress
  • Placing a fan in your room or near your bed
  • Slightly adjusting the temperature in your bedroom, either by dialing down the thermostat or opening a window to create air circulation 

Still, to accurately determine what STD causes your night sweats, you must get testing for HIV and other STDs that cause inflammation. Given the prevalence of night sweats in STD symptoms and the overlap of symptoms in conditions like HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea, a diagnosis will likely require STD testing to pinpoint the cause of your symptoms. 

Occasional night sweats may not be cause for concern. If you experience persistent night sweating accompanied by other symptoms, you should get a comprehensive STD panel to determine your status. Rapid STD Testing can provide convenient, confidential, and immediate results that will help you get to the bottom of your symptoms and find relief.

Know Your Status: Contact Rapid STD Testing Today

What STD causes night sweats? Many STDs can cause excessive sweating in the early stages. Contact Rapid STD Testing today at (866) 872-1888 to find out your status.

Filed Under: For Men, For Women, STDs

STD Prevention Pill: Does It Work?

May 5, 2022 by RSC Editorial Team Leave a Comment

Most people are familiar with STD protection methods, such as the HPV vaccination, abstinence, or condom use. However, clinical evidence suggests that taking an STD prevention pill can also prevent the transmission of HIV and some bacterial STIs. 

In recent years, various clinical trials evaluated the effectiveness of prophylactic medication that could proactively protect against bacterial and viral STI infections. The results of the initial studies are promising and give rise to various advances in STI prevention. This article looks at the effectiveness of STD prevention drugs in preventing infections.

Drugs to Take to Prevent STDs

Antibiotics available for the prevention of STDs fall under the following categories: 

  • HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (HIV PrEP)
  • HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (HIV PEP)
  • STI pre-exposure prophylaxis (STI PrEP)
  • STI post-exposure prophylaxis (STI PEP)

HIV PrEP

HIV PreP is a daily pill for people who are not HIV positive but have a high risk of contracting an infection. Taking this medication can prevent the virus from spreading in the body after exposure, impairing the function of immune cells and developing into acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The most common HIV PrEP medications, or antiretrovirals, are emtricitabine and tenofovir. 

A daily dose of an HIV PrEP in pill form can reduce your risk of HIV infection through sexual intercourse by around 90%. The prevention pill reduces the risk of infection through needle sharing by around 70%. Patients who take the combination drug orally also have a lower risk of contracting a genital herpes infection. 

Clinical evidence suggests that taking an HIV PrEP combination can be safe for a pregnant woman. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s health department for HIV Prevention, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis also has no interactions with the birth control pill.

HIV PEP

Those suspecting HIV exposure should seek medical care within 72 hours after a possible contact. If you are HIV-negative or unsure of your HIV status, your healthcare provider might prescribe an HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (HIV PEP). You might have been exposed to HIV if: 

  • You are a healthcare worker who sustained a needle-stick injury
  • You were the victim of sexual assault
  • You had sexual intercourse with someone who might be HIV-positive
  • You shared needles or equipment for the preparation of illicit drugs 

HIV PEP medications include raltegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir. If your healthcare provider prescribes this STD prevention pill, you need to take it every day for at least 28 days. Your doctor will likely recommend an HIV screening test or rapid STD test at specific times to determine which treatments you need. 

An HIV PEP is only suitable as an emergency precaution, and you shouldn’t take it to mitigate the risks of frequent HIV exposure. If your sexual partner is HIV-positive, your doctor will likely recommend the HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis. 

STI PrEP

STI pre-exposure prophylaxis is an approach to mitigate the risk of infection among individuals with an ongoing risk of exposure to bacterial STIs. 

Doxycycline is the drug under investigation for STI PrEP. This antibiotic prevents bacteria from reproducing and has proven effective in treating chlamydia and syphilis. However, around 50% of gonorrhea infections are resistant to doxycycline. 

Medical care providers are apprehensive about prescribing antibiotics prophylactically as it can cause the patient to develop antimicrobial resistance. In other words, syphilis or chlamydia infections can become harder to treat with doxycycline.

STI PEP

The STI post-exposure prophylaxis approach involves the administration of doxycycline to patients after possible exposure to a bacterial STI. As with HIV, you need to undergo same-day STD testing and medical treatment within 72 hours after potential exposure. 

Clinical evidence suggests that STI PEP might effectively prevent syphilis or chlamydia infection, though doctors prefer symptom-based treatments for these infections. However, infections causing long-term damage often don’t present symptoms, and regular screening is critical if you are frequently at risk for exposure.  

STI prophylaxis is not suitable for the prevention of HIV infections. Consult your doctor to determine which STD prevention pill is right for you.

Antibiotic for STD Prevention: Recommended Dosage and Intake

HIV PrEP

According to the CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved three drugs for use as HIV PrEP. Drug combinations in a single tablet that the patient needs to take daily include: 

  • 200 mg emtricitabine and 300 mg tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Truvada®)
  • 200 mg emtricitabine and 25 mg tenofovir alafenamide (Descovy®) 

Doctors often recommend an injectable HIV PrEP to patients suffering from kidney disease who can’t take oral PrEP. The injectable PrEP dosage is 600 mg cabotegravir (Apretude®) once every two months.

HIV PEP

The CDC recommends a 3-drug, 28-day course regimen as HIV PEP. Your doctor will formulate a regimen that minimizes adverse effects while ensuring PEP efficacy. 

If you are a healthy adolescent or adult, the recommended regimen is: 

One tablet containing 300 mg tenofovir fumarate and 200 mg emtricitabine once per day

 Plus 

One tablet containing 400 mg raltegravir twice per day

 Or 

One tablet containing 50 mg dolutegravir once per day

STI Prophylaxis

The research on the safety and efficacy of bacterial STI prophylaxes is not conclusive. However, available clinical evidence suggests that patients with an ongoing risk of contracting a bacterial STO should take 100 mg of doxycycline every day. 

Those suspecting potential exposure to a bacterial STI should take a 200 mg preferably within 24 hours, but no later than 72 hours, after the encounter. 

If you maintain a high-risk lifestyle, don’t take doxycycline as STI PrEP, as this approach increases your antibiotics resistance. However, in the event of potential exposure, taking doxycycline as STI PEP will reduce your risk of infection, though this dosage will likely not affect you in terms of antibiotics resistance. 

Educating yourself on the myths about STDs, undergoing regular testing, and taking the necessary safety precautions will go a long way towards protecting you against bacterial infection. If you believe that you might contract a bacterial STI, schedule an appointment with your doctor to ensure that you receive the correct STI prophylaxis dose.

Who Should Take These Anti-STD Drugs?

HIV PrEP

HIV PrEP is a viable precautionary measure for people with a high and ongoing risk of an HIV infection due to their sexual lifestyle, illicit drug use, or other factors. 

Consider taking HIV PrEP if you are a gay or bisexual man who: 

  • Has a partner who is HIV-positive
  • Has a partner who is unsure of their HIV status
  • Has a partner who has multiple sexual partners
  • Has multiple sexual partners
  • Regularly has unprotected anal sex
  • Has been diagnosed with an STI during the past six months 

Consider taking HIV PrEP if you are a heterosexual man or woman who: 

  • Has a partner who is HIV positive
  • Has a partner who is unsure of their HIV status
  • Has a partner who has multiple sexual partners
  • Has multiple sexual partners
  • Regularly has unprotected sex with someone who injects drugs
  • Regularly has unprotected sex with a bisexual man who is unsure of their HIV status 

You should also consider taking HIV PrEP if you inject drugs and share needles or drug preparation equipment. 

If you are a woman with an HIV-positive partner and want to get pregnant, taking HIV PrEP can protect you and your baby against HIV infection. Consult with your doctor to learn more about your options.

HIV PEP

You should consider taking HIV PEP if you: 

  • Are HIV negative or unsure of your HIV status
  • Used an injection drug and shared needles or preparation equipment
  • Suffered a needle-stick injury in a healthcare facility
  • Are the victim of sexual assault
  • Had unprotected sex with someone who is HIV-positive or unsure of their HIV status 

Generally speaking, HIV can enter your body through your mouth, penis, rectum, vulva, or vaginal lining during sexual contact. Contact with infected blood can also result in an infection, though the risk of contracting HIV through a blood transfusion is low. 

Any person who suspects exposure to HIV should consider getting HIV PEP.

STD PrEP

Individuals who have a high and ongoing risk of contracting a bacterial STI should consult with their doctor to determine if the STD prevention pill is the right option.

STD PEP

Catching an STD from a one-night stand is possible. Individuals who recently had unprotected sex with someone who is not their monogamous partner can consider taking STD PEP, ideally within 24 hours after the potential exposure.

Positive and Negative Effects of a Pill to Prevent STDs

Pros

Generally speaking, HIV PrEP and PEP are highly effective in preventing infections, provided that patients follow the recommended regimen and take their medications consistently. Most health insurance plans cover HIV PrEP and PEP, while other programs offer these free medications for free. 

The side effects from both HIV PrEP and PEP are generally not severe or debilitating, and you can expect them to get better over time. Most people report mild effects such as nausea while taking these prophylaxes. 

Another benefit of HIV prophylaxes is that they might be safe for pregnant women to take. However, if you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding, consult with your doctor to ensure that taking these STD prevention pills is safe for you and your baby. 

The benefits of STI PrEP and PEP are not as clear-cut as those of HIV PrEP and PEP. Clinicians are apprehensive about prescribing doxycycline, though these medications can benefit some individuals. For example, if you have contracted genital sores several times, STI PrEP might be a viable treatment to prevent this condition in the future.

Cons

Antibiotic Resistance

The most significant concern with STD prophylaxis is the increasing risk of antibiotic resistance. A patient becomes antibiotic-resistant when the targeted bacteria mutate, rendering the antibiotic ineffective.

Generally speaking, the more antibiotics a patient takes, the higher the risk that the bacteria will develop a drug-resistant strain. The patient can also pass this strain to others, posing a public health threat. 

While there is uncertainty about the risks of STI prophylaxis, evidence suggests that a broad rollout of these medications can cause antibiotic-resistant strains of syphilis and chlamydia to become more common. Other bacterial infections that are not STIs can also become more resistant to doxycycline.

Side Effects

Unlike HIV prophylaxis, taking STD prophylaxis can cause adverse effects, especially with prolonged use, which is another reason why clinicians are skeptical about prescribing STI PrEP. Most people tolerate the STD prevention pill well in the short term. However, some experience effects such as skin issues and gastrointestinal disturbances.

Latest Trends

The introduction of STD prevention pills to the market resulted in significant changes in sexual behaviors within some communities. For example, as antiretroviral medications enhanced patients’ quality of life and sexual health, infection rates among people with men who had sex with men (MSM) increased significantly. 

Most clinicians recognize doxycycline’s potential benefits as STI PrEP and PEP. However, antibiotic resistance remains a concern, and doctors will likely remain hesitant about prescribing these medications to their patients. 

If you are concerned about STIs, consult your doctor to learn more about the HIV prophylaxes and educate yourself about STIs such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. Condoms remain one of the most effective ways to protect yourself against STIs. Consider using polyurethane condoms if you are allergic to latex. 

Regular testing is also critical to protect your health, especially if you frequently have unprotected sex. If you are a man who regularly engages in sexual activity with multiple men, you should undergo testing for STIs every three months.

Conclusion

After reading this guide on the effectiveness of the STD prevention pill, we hope that you have all the information you need to make informed decisions about your health. At Rapid STD Testing, we offer testing solutions for all STIs. You can also order a 10-panel STD test to detect the presence of certain substances. Call our 24-hour line at (866) 872-1888 if you have questions.

Filed Under: For Men, For Women, Prevention, STDs

Can an STD Cause Hair Loss?

May 5, 2022 by RSC Editorial Team Leave a Comment

Did you know that some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can cause hair loss? As common as STDs are, many people don’t understand the full scope of symptoms that you may experience. Society stigmatizes STDs, creating a general lack of education and support. 

It’s no wonder that so many people search online about the question, “Can an STD cause hair loss?” Below, our team at Rapid STD Testing, a same-day STD testing provider, will share lots of interesting information you should know about the hair loss STD symptom. 

What Are the STDs That Cause Hair Loss?

Not all sexually transmitted diseases lead to hair loss, though a few do. So what STD causes hair loss?

Syphilis and Hair Loss

Syphilis is an infection that progresses through the body in two stages. Common symptoms for syphilis in the first stage include sores forming around the mouth or genital region. In the second phase, rashes may spread to larger portions of the body. 

Secondary syphilis can affect your scalp and cause hair loss when untreated. Alopecia causes your immune system to attack your hair follicles, resulting in hair loss. Syphilitic alopecia does not always occur, though it can happen, resulting in temporary hair loss that makes the scalp appear patchy. 

Often, medical professionals mistake syphilitic alopecia for other hair-loss-causing medical conditions. If you suspect you may have syphilis, inform your doctor about any rashes or sores. Untreated syphilis can develop into fatal complications, affecting the nervous system, brain, and heart. 

Antibiotics are the most common treatment for primary, secondary, or early latent stages of syphilis. Expedient treatments can cure syphilis and help you resume your hair growth in a few months. 

HIV and Hair Loss

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is another STD that causes hair loss. HIV is a virus that damages your immune system’s ability to fight off infections. 

In the beginning, HIV may feel like a common cold, often causing a sore throat or fever. When left untreated, HIV may develop into Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) or other opportunistic infections. 

HIV does not directly result in hair loss, though it places you at a higher risk of contracting an illness that does. Such conditions include Telogen Effluvium (TE), thyroid dysfunction, iron deficiency, anemia, and diffuse alopecia. 

Without treatment, HIV can develop into severe and fatal conditions. You should regularly test for STDs, especially if you have symptoms, so that you can get ahead on treatments before your situation escalates. With Rapid STD Testing, you can easily order a rapid STD test online. 

STD Treatments That Cause Hair Loss

Many people overlook the hair-loss effects of medications for STDs. While the diseases may cause symptoms, the medicines can also lead to frustrating complications. 

STD treatments for HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and herpes may cause temporary hair loss. After completing treatment, your hair should return to normal. 

If you feel concerned about losing your hair from an STD treatment, remember that your health is essential to living a long and happy life. Hair can always grow back. 

How to Avoid Hair Loss Due to STDs

You should feel no shame or embarrassment about having an STD, though thinning or balding hair can make you feel insecure. 

If you already have an STD, adequate treatment can reverse your hair loss. You can return to normal hair growth for syphilis or HIV-related immune system conditions after entirely healing your immune system. Occasionally, you may need to shed all pre-STD hair before anything new grows. 

After contracting an STD, you cannot avoid hair loss entirely, whether from the disease itself or the treatment. Instead, you can only prevent hair loss from happening by not contracting an STD. 

STD hair loss prevention methods include:

  • Practicing safe sex: Many people think that safe sex means preventing pregnancy, though it also means that you should avoid the spread of STDs. Pregnancy prevention methods, like birth control, will not stop you from contracting an STD. To avoid STD hair loss, you should always use a safe sex method, like condoms, even with a long-term partner. 
  • Avoiding contamination: STDs can also spread through non-sexual contamination like blood diffusions, dirty towels, and infected food. If one person doesn’t wash their hands before preparing your food, you may contract an STD. The same scenario applies when receiving a blood transfusion, though many protocols ensure that all legal blood donations are safe. 
  • Staying safe during non-penetration contact: You can also contract an STD through non-penetration sexual contact methods, like oral sex. Many preventative devices like condoms and dental dams exist so that you can stay safe during these activities. 
  • Having honest discussions: Before engaging in any sexual activity, you should always discuss potential or confirmed STDs with your partner to prevent the spread. Be sure to ask your partner whether or not they have an STD before having sex because even condoms cannot 100% guarantee safety.
  • Getting tested regularly: You should periodically take STD tests to stay ahead of any potential developments. Learning about a diagnosis and treating it as soon as possible can prevent hair loss. Rapid STD Testing provides a convenient 10-panel STD test that you can order online.   

While you cannot always avoid contracting an STD, you can use the above methods to keep yourself safe. If you learn that you have an STD, you should immediately see your doctor to discuss your next steps. 

How Do I Know If This Hair Loss Is Due to STDs?

Can an STD cause hair loss? Yes, though many different conditions can also make you lose your hair. 

So what else causes hair loss?

  • Weight loss: If you do not consume enough calories, your body will shed hair. If you experience a rapid decrease in weight, weight loss may be the culprit behind your hair loss. 
  • Poor nutrition: Vitamin deficiencies like iron, zinc, protein, or biotin can diminish hair growth and strength. 
  • Aging: People naturally lose hair as they age, and often those who have HIV confuse this process with STD symptoms. 
  • Hereditary hair loss: Some people are more prone to losing hair at younger ages. Gradual hair loss patterns may indicate that your genes are the cause. 
  • Cancer: Cancer treatments, like radiation or chemotherapy, often result in hair loss. 
  • Stress: Huge physical or emotional stresses, like childbirth or major surgeries, can temporarily make you shed extra hair. 
  • Hair products and style: Some harsh chemical hair products, like those containing bleach or dye, can damage hair and make it fall out. Constantly using rough hair ties can also break hair.  
  • Hormones: Hormonal imbalances can disrupt your natural hair growth. Imbalances occur from different conditions, like thyroid disease, or suddenly stopping or starting birth control pills. 
  • Scalp problems: An infection on your scalp can create a bald spot. Conditions like psoriasis can also temporarily make you lose hair.
  • Medications: Certain prescription drugs have hair loss as a major side effect. You should consult with a doctor about possible symptoms before continuing the medication. 

Getting tested for an STD can help you identify the cause of your hair loss. At Rapid STD Testing, we want to help you learn more about STD symptoms and options for testing so that you can get ahead on treatment.

Prevent STD Hair Loss by Getting Ahead on Treatments 

Can an STD cause hair loss? Yes. Can you prevent hair loss from occurring? Yes. 

Get tested today so that you can treat your STD before losing any hair. You can order tests online with Rapid STD Testing. Call us at (866) 872-1888 to learn more. 

Filed Under: For Men, For Women, STDs

STD Sigma: Navigating Life With STD Successfully

May 5, 2022 by RSC Editorial Team Leave a Comment

Society improves its conversations around different taboo topics every day, allowing people to feel more comfortable having positive discussions about controversial issues, especially those related to sexuality. 

So why does the sexually transmitted disease (STD) stigma remain? According to a household sample survey from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one in every five U.S. residents has a sexually transmitted infection. Despite this fact, society still enables the STD stigma in these modern times of sex-positivity.  

Below, our team at Rapid STD Testing will discuss this STD-related shame and how society can conquer it. 

Why Is There a Stigma With STD?

Why is there a stigma with STD? Judgmental attitudes surrounding STDs exist everywhere for quite a few reasons. 

Societal Stigma

Society hushes many topics surrounding sexual behavior, which makes a common disease appear shameful. The perceived STD-related stigma has existed for many years with minimal improvement, but why?

  • Lack of sex education: Children learn very little about sexual activity in school. At most, kids may hear about the dangers of an STD with exaggerations about how awful they are. 
  • Environmental factors: Aside from education, other environmental factors impact children’s impressions, such as religious beliefs, family opinions, and television shows.
  • Negative associations: The media often refer to STDs in degrading ways through music, entertainment, or social media. Negative associations can cause people with common diseases, like genital warts, to appear promiscuous or “dirty.”

Internalized Stigma

Because of the societal STD stigma, many people experience an internalized stigma surrounding their sexual health, making it hard to process the diagnosis. Self-stigma occurs when you feel ashamed, embarrassed, or angry about your diagnosis. 

People react to self-stigmatization in a few different ways that can negatively impact mental health:

  • Isolation: Often, the perceived STD-related stigma causes people to withdraw themselves from peers to avoid judgment. Isolation also includes closing yourself “down” internally and not discussing your feelings with close friends. 
  • One-size-fits-all attitude: After diagnosis, some people will believe that existing STD stereotypes apply to them. For example, you may falsely assume that your sexual partners will not want to be around you again. 
  • Self-deprecation: Self-stigma often leads people to believe that the negative comments about their diagnosis are true. If you constantly hear people publicly shaming those with STDs, you may begin thinking the same things about yourself. 

Consequences of the STD Stigma

The stigma around STDs creates consequences for the individual and society. People may experience mental and physical health issues, while society suffers increased infection rates and discrimination.  

Mental Health Issues

The internalized stigma displays how society’s impression of STDs can drastically affect individuals’ perceptions of themselves. Battling with self-image, confidence, and isolation can create severe mental health issues like anxiety, depression, stress, and more. 

Society often also stigmatizes mental health issues, making it twice as difficult for a person with an STD to seek help for their emotional well-being. More mental health issues related to STDs exist in the U.S. than in countries where the stigma of an STD is low.

Increased Physical Health Problems

Treatment options for STDs often feel intimidating and embarrassing. When people feel ashamed to see health care providers about their symptoms or diagnosis, the condition will only worsen. Untreated STDs can lead to many different health problems, some creating long-term damage. 

The first step to feeling better is understanding and accepting a diagnosis. If you believe you may have an STD, you should put your health first. Order a rapid STD test from Rapid STD Testing for judge-free and private results. 

Escalating Infection Rates

Since society severely stigmatizes STDs, many people feel afraid to discuss their sexual health status with partners, leading to increased infection rates. With a lack of proper education, you might also spread STDs without even realizing it. 

The CDC found that in 2014, 1.9 million cases of STDs arose. By 2019, that number reached 2.6 million. Each year, STDs become more common, yet the conversation remains closed and taboo.

Worsened Discrimination

Many groups of people experience severe marginalization due to a history of discrimination. The STD stigma worsens discrimination by shaming certain people more than others. People of color, women, and the LGBTQ+ community experience far more backlash surrounding STDs than everyone else. 

If you’re wondering how to prevent STD stigma, you can do your part to help break the stereotypes, which we will cover next. 

Breaking Stigma Around STDs

Breaking the stigma around STDs is massively important as it can improve the health and mental well-being of millions while overall bettering how we function as a society. While you cannot change the world by yourself, you can do your part to work toward opening a positive conversation about STDs. 

Learn Facts About Your Condition

A leading cause of STD shame is a lack of education. Since people do not entirely understand STDs, many ultimately make unfair judgments. 

For example, people often do not realize that getting an STD if both partners are clean is possible and common. Misconceptions create more questions like: 

  • Can you be born with an STD?
  • Can I get an STD without sex?

Educating yourself on these answers will help you break the societal pattern of false STD assumptions. If you have an STD, learning about your condition will help you understand different treatment options and improve your mental health by realizing the actual scope of your diagnosis. 

Getting Tested and Seeking Medical Attention

Many people can have symptom-free STDs that will go undetected for many years. While you may not experience health troubles, you might unknowingly spread them to others.

Even if you feel fine, as a sexually active adult, you should regularly test yourself for STDs. If you notice symptoms or just want a recommended checkup, you can conveniently order a 10-panel STD test online from Rapid STD Testing. 

After receiving a diagnosis, you should seek medical attention to treat your STD and learn how to manage your symptoms and sexual activities appropriately. A doctor will inform you about different options, how to practice safe sex, and how you can avoid contracting additional STDs.  

If you learn that you have an STD, you should disclose this information to any sexual partners. Conversations about STDs can be challenging, but openly sharing can help reduce negative associations. 

Understand That Having an STD Does Not Say Anything About Your Sexual History

Many assume that people with STDs must have had sexual intercourse with dozens of partners or more. You can contract an STD from only one sexual encounter, meaning that STDs share zero relation with your entire sexual history. 

Additionally, society relates certain STDs, like HIV, to particular communities. Remember that anyone can contract any STD from just one encounter, and sometimes, they might inherit it. 

STDs Are Common, and They Are Just Infections

STDs say nothing about who you are as a person. Like having a common cold, you may experience annoying symptoms and accidentally spread your condition to loved ones. You would never feel ashamed about catching a cold, nor should you feel embarrassed about contracting an STD. 

Sexually transmitted diseases are just infections. Many people feel less negatively toward the word “infections” since it displays how transmittable and common the condition is. Using the term “STI” (for sexually transmitted infection) is more politically correct than STD. 

When talking about the subject, try using positive language and avoid words like “clean,” which may indicate that “non-clean” results mean someone is “dirty.”

Conquer the Stigma and Get Tested Today

Conquer the STD stigma by getting tested. Visit a Rapid STD Testing center near you or order same-day STD testing from our Rapid STD Testing site online. Call us today at (866) 872-1888 with any questions.

Filed Under: For Men, For Women, STDs

Did STDs Exist in Ancient Times? A Quick History

May 5, 2022 by RSC Editorial Team Leave a Comment

Many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are curable or at least manageable in today’s world, but things were a bit different thousands of years ago. So, did STDs exist in ancient times? Yes, they did.

The first recorded mentions of STDs are from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Without modern medicine, early treatment methods ranged widely and were often ineffective. 

Today in the 21st century, more than 20 different STDs commonly occur. At Rapid STD Testing, we’ve made it simple for you to stay in control of your sex life by getting a same-day STD test to check your status.

Think of how much longer our ancient ancestors would have lived if they could have enjoyed the benefits of modern medicine! Now, let’s delve into the fascinating history of STDs in ancient times.

The Long History of STDs

STDs epidemics are as old as humankind. In fact, the earliest evidence of a virus is from an STD. Researchers in Poland, Kazakhstan, and Germany have found genetic fragments of Hepatitis-B at least 4,500 years old. 

We also have much recorded evidence of venereal diseases in ancient societies. Some of the earliest include ancient Egyptian papyri and Mesopotamian clay tablets depicting erotic scenes showing signs of disease.

Skull fragments from Vikings show that these Nordic explorers carried syphilis, which suggests that the disease originated in Europe 400 to 500 years earlier than when researchers initially believed. Syphilis was also rampant in medieval and Renaissance Europe.

Scientists have also made new insights via computer simulations, using information from ancient societies during the agricultural age. These societies were polygynous, in which men had many sex partners. However, many of them shifted toward monogamous sexual behavior, scientists speculate, with one reason they did so being the negative impact of STDs on their health, fertility, lifespans, and overall success.

Research shows that the larger the society, the greater impact that STDs like syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia had, often resulting in people acquiring more than one STD at a time. Outbreaks in some cases may have caused entire populations to die out. In those simulations, monogamous societies were the most successful. With the lack of effective treatments, people with STDs were likely to remain sick, infect others, become sterile, or die from their illness.

The STDs Recorded in Ancient Times

Here’s more information how ancient societies dealt with and treated STDs among their populace. 

Mesopotamia

Researchers unearthed about 500,000 Mesopotamian clay tablets and fragments with a cuneiform script describing the society’s approach to treating STDs. Mesopotamians combined medicine, magic, and religion to “treat” diseases like urethritis, trichomoniasis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and genital herpes, which had sores they called “babu’tu.”

Ancient Egypt

Although the ancient Egyptians were an advanced society, they were still susceptible to venereal diseases (called “secret diseases”). From examining paintings and papyri, researchers found that the civilization had prostitutes and that homosexual behavior was common. One example is the Ebers papyrus (1550 BCE), which describes an acute inflammation of the urethra thought to be an STD that patients treated topically with sandal oil.

India

The oldest sacred books in India—the Vedas—contain information about treatments for sexual dysfunction, infectious disease, and aphrodisiacs. Later, the Ayurveda mentions genital diseases, including warts, discharge, and treatment methods. In addition, the 16th century brought the origin of syphilis in India, likely from the British Army.

Hebrews

The ancient Hebrews were staunch believers that STDs were a divine punishment from an angry God. In fact, there are plenty of ambiguous references to STDs in the Bible. For example, many passages refer to gonorrhea or syphilis, such as the plague of Moab, Job’s illness, and King David’s sickness in the 38th Psalm.

Greece

Hippocrates was among the first in Greece to separate superstition from medicine. In addition, he had different names for the most common STDs, including gonorrhea, which he called “strangury.” He also described cases of what experts believe may have been genital herpes or genital warts caused by an infection of HPV (human papillomavirus).

China

While there isn’t a lot of recorded history from ancient China about venereal diseases, the most well-known information comes from chapters in The Yellow Emperor Book of Medicine. Two chapters clearly describe infections of syphilis and gonorrhea. In cases of syphilis, the doctor would prescribe a mercury ointment to the patient.

Rome

Ancient writings and documents from Rome frequently discuss STDs. For example, Galen, a Roman physician, often wrote about these ailments. He described male urethral discharge, which he named gonorrhea (gonos meaning “semen” and rhoia meaning “flow”). Oribasius was another physician who described genital diseases that experts believe were congenital syphilis. Another interesting fact: The Romans called genital warts “ficus,” while the Greeks called them “thymia.”

Treatment of STD in Ancient Times

Treatments of STDs in ancient societies were entirely different than what we’re used to in the 21st century, which usually involves taking pills.

For example, take the case of gonorrhea. Why is gonorrhea referred to as “clap”? The term could come from an archaic treatment practice called “clapping.” The doctor would slam the infected penis between hands or heavy objects to force out pus, but this treatment was ineffective and painful. Alternatively, the term may be from the Old English word “clappan,” which means to beat or throb. Alternatively, it more likely could have French origins from the slang term for a brothel, “clapier.”

Here are more treatments you would encounter if you had an STD in ancient times:

  • Douching or washing genitals in oil (Egypt)
  • Cauterizing (burning) herpes sores with a hot iron (Ancient Rome)
  • Using mercury for the treatment of syphilis or gonorrhea, either with a urethral injection via syringe or a topical application
  • The “virgin cure”: having sex with a virgin to “remove the infection”
  • Ingesting chemical mixes, such as arsenic and antimony or silver and gold

Then, the 20th century arrived. Modern medicine revolutionized STD treatments with the invention of penicillin. In 1943, doctors at a U.S. Marine Hospital in New York treated four syphilis patients via intramuscular injection of penicillin, curing the disease for the first time.

Fortunately, modern medicine has advanced enough so that we can now detect STDs much earlier using a rapid STD test, which results in faster, more effective treatments.

For example, at Rapid STD Testing, we offer our patients a comprehensive 10-panel STD test that includes the most common STDs. After you take the test, you’ll receive accurate and confidential results within 24 to 72 hours. If you believe you may have an STD or you’ve had unprotected sex, we urge you to get tested as quickly as possible.

Stay Safe and Healthy with Regular STD Testing

Did STDs exist in ancient times? Yes, they did, and they were often fatal. Fortunately for all of us, medicine has come a long way! Now, you can quickly get a test and treatment as necessary, then return to your daily life. Visit us at Rapid STD Testing online now to order your test panel or call us at (866) 872-1888 to keep your sex life safe and healthy. 

Filed Under: For Men, For Women, STDs

Herpes on Your Breasts: What You Need to Know

May 5, 2022 by RSC Editorial Team Leave a Comment

Herpes simplex virus is a widespread STD that infects many people. You can catch this virus through contact with anyone who has the virus. Herpes manifests in several parts of the body: on the lips, genitals, anus, mouth, eyes, and even the breasts. Yes, you read that right. It’s entirely possible to get herpes on your breast.

At Rapid STD Testing, we know that getting regular STD tests is the key to having a happy, healthy, and safe life if you are sexually active. If you believe you may have herpes on your breasts, or if you’ve had unprotected sex, you can get a same-day STD test from one of our 2500+ locations nationwide.

Keep reading as we tell you more about herpes on the breasts, including causes, symptoms, and how to navigate breastfeeding.

Causes of Herpes on Your “Boobs”

Herpes simplex virus generally falls into two categories:

1.  Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1): occurring near the mouth, such as cold sores

2.  Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2): occurring near the genitals

Can herpes appear on your breasts? Yes, and it’s known as herpes simplex mastitis. Herpes can infect any part of the skin or mucous membrane. Although herpes mastitis is rare, it happens. Despite the uncommon location, 2% of herpes lesions that don’t manifest on the genitals involve the breasts.

In addition, lesions occurring on the breast without first presenting orally or genitally are rarer. Most cases usually have symptoms of HSV-1 or HSV-2 occurring first, and they then manifest on the breasts. However, HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections can be asymptomatic, meaning they don’t show any visible symptoms.

So, how can you get herpes sores on your breast? In general, there are a few ways, including some that are non-sexual. Getting an STD without sex is unusual, but it does happen. However, the most common way to get herpes on the breast is from a herpes-infected newborn, who passes it to the skin on the breast during breastfeeding.

For example, we researched one case where a five-year-old sibling infected a 15-month-old baby, who infected the mother during breastfeeding. Herpes can transfer to the skin on the nipple, areola, or breast skin, where the lesions develop. However, you can get herpes on the breast in other ways as well:

  • Someone infected touches herpes sores and then touches your breast
  • An asymptomatic HSV carrier touches your breast (this is rare but possible)
  • You touch an active sore and then touch your breast
  • You have sexual contact with an asymptomatic HSV carrier, such as by saliva-to-skin contact on the breast

Symptoms of Herpes on the Breast

If you have the herpes virus, the look of the sores or lesions will vary. Typically, active herpes lesions look like this:

  • Small red bumps
  • Fluid-filled blisters
  • Open sores

Areas with an outbreak will feel itchy, tender, and painful. Itching furthers the irritation, and if you touch an open sore and then touch your face, nose, eyes, or genitals, you could transfer the virus to that area. Remember, herpes can occur anywhere on the skin or mucous membrane.

A herpes outbreak on the breast usually presents as sores on the areola or nipple that have a red patch and are itchy. In most cases, the person first had oral or genital herpes then spread the virus to their breasts.

During the first active outbreak of herpes sores, you may also have flu-like symptoms, such as:

  • Chills
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Swollen glands

Fortunately, you can detect whether you have herpes with a rapid STD test. You can get tested by your healthcare provider, but the results will become part of your permanent medical record. Alternatively, for safe, confidential, and accurate results, you can visit Rapid STD Testing. Many people choose our comprehensive 10-panel STD test to check for the most common STDs.

After ordering a test panel, visit one of our 2,500 nationwide locations, provide a quick sample, and you’ll have results in one to three days.

Can a Woman with Herpes Breastfeed?

Yes and no. You can still breastfeed if you have herpes sores on your breast, but not if both breasts have open sores. It’s vital to avoid contact between your baby and an active herpes outbreak. Consider these breastfeeding precautions and additional risk factors.

Precautions

Observe Strict Hygiene: Ensuring that you remain clean and hygienic is critical if you have herpes and a newborn baby. You can pass HSV from your skin without an active lesion through viral shedding. If you touch an open sore, wash your hands thoroughly and immediately. 

Avoid Contact with Active Lesions: If you have an active lesion on your breast, nipple, or mouth, or if your baby has an outbreak, avoid contact with those areas. For example, women with herpes on their breasts should abstain from feeding their baby from that breast, either naturally or via expressed milk. Also, prevent your child from touching the sores. Cover skin with active outbreaks at all times.

Discard Infected Milk: You may pump or breastfeed from the breast without lesions. However, be sure that the breast pump doesn’t come into contact with any open sores. If it does, you need to discard the milk. If you need help, look for a breastmilk bank or donor mother.

Risks Associated With Breastfeeding If You Have Herpes

You can breastfeed if you have herpes. However, please consider these additional risk factors. Herpes infections can be very severe in newborns and are often fatal. If you have the herpes simplex virus, you can pass it to your baby via direct or indirect contact.

You can only breastfeed if you don’t have active lesions on at least one of your breasts, and you must cover the infected breast. In some cases, the herpes simplex virus can be present in breast milk. However, the chance of transferring HSV through breastmilk is low.

What about donating blood if you have herpes? You can, but you should avoid doing so if you have an active herpes outbreak.

Treatment for Herpes on Your Breast

Herpes is a lifelong condition and has no cure. However, you can alleviate its symptoms. Typically, the first outbreak is the worst, and recurring episodes will be less severe, even with long periods of no active sores. While no cure exists, it’s possible to manage herpes successfully.

Most treatments consist of antiviral medications, which you can take daily or when an outbreak occurs. A daily antiviral regimen lowers your chance of recurring outbreaks and passing on HSV to a sexual partner.

Antivirals for herpes treatment include:

  • Acyclovir
  • Valacyclovir
  • Famciclovir

How do you treat breast herpes? For an active outbreak, take an antiviral, keep the sore covered, and avoid touching it. You may also use over-the-counter topical treatments for relief, like creams.

If you have HSV-1 (cold sores on the mouth), you can use over-the-counter medications like Abreva, Herplex, etc. In addition, some people prefer to use natural supplements, like the amino acid L-lysine.

Antivirals are the best course of treatment for genital herpes. However, you may also use other methods, such as more natural treatment methods. Please remember that natural treatments only relieve symptoms—they will not attack the virus internally as an antiviral would.

Another way to relieve painful symptoms of active outbreaks is to apply cornstarch loosely to the affected area. It will reduce itching and prevent moisture from causing further irritation.

Stay in Control of Your Sex Life

If you believe you may have an STD or have had unprotected sex, please get tested immediately. Call Rapid STD Testing today at (866) 872-1888 or order a testing panel online now and stay in control of your sex life.

Filed Under: For Men, For Women, Herpes, STDs

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