This ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has severely pushed back fight against scourges like HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Before the pandemic, the world had been making notable strides in controlling these illnesses. “The hard-fought gains are in jeopardy,” says a doctor in charge of HIV screening in Arlington. “The pandemic has put pressure on hospitals and testing centers, because resources are being shifted to take care of Covid-19 patients”. Fewer people are seeking diagnosis or treatment because they are scared of getting infected with the corona virus at clinics. Compared with 2019, the number of people seeking testing for HIV has declined. And since there is no cure, every single person who gets infected can be a carrier for long-term impact on the community. Moreover, it is possible that many of the people may have been driven to a state of financial distress, further limiting their access to treatment and support. A coordinated strategy is needed to confront this menace that has the potential to devastate the health of thousands in the long haul. We can do it, because HIV, which has been a lethal infection for millions of people across the world, is now a manageable disease for many today. In our own country, the United States, an estimated 1.2 million have HIV and this includes a little over 160,000 people who are not aware of their status – statistics revealed by CDC. The importance of HIV screening cannot be underestimated, says a doctor who monitors HIV screening in Arlington. “People who are aware of their status can get HIV treatment in the form of ART or antiretroviral treatment and stay healthy for years”. If people are not careful, HIV symptoms in men after 1 year VA 22202 can worsen. There is no doubt that HIV tests are extremely accurate. Yet it may not be very clear how soon a test can detect the virus immediately after infection. It perhaps depends on several factors including the type of test being used. In the United States, the chief mode of spread of HIV is via sex or sharing needles. Substance abuse is contributing too, because drugs and alcohol lowers people’s inhibitions and make them more prone to taking risks. According to an estimate people who inject drugs via syringes or other equipment account for about 1 in 10 HIV diagnoses. If you feel you have indulged in risky behavior and are keen to know your HIV status, there are many places where you can get tested. · Your primary care doctor’s office · Community health centers · STD or sexual health clinics · Family planning clinics It should not be difficult to get HIV screening in Arlington, with the above options easily available. Also note that HIV testing is covered by health insurance without copay, as stipulated by the Affordable Care Act. Even self-testing is an option. You can buy a self-testing kit at a pharmacy or online. You just need to follow the instructions given in the kit.
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Trichomoniasis, popularly called “trich,” is a common STD. The causative organism is a protozoan named Trichomonas vaginalis. This infection produces varying symptoms and, at times, no symptoms at all. The good news is that trich is completely curable. However, due to its asymptomatic nature, people may not know they carry the infection. That’s why experts advise people to undergo trichomoniasis testing near Arlington in case they have had unprotected sex or feel something is wrong ‘down there.’ As per an estimate by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, the year 2018 saw over 2 million cases of trich in the US alone. The disease is that common! According to doctors, just about 30 per cent people experience its symptoms. Women are more likely to get infected by this protozoan than men. Also, older women are more vulnerable to the infection than younger women. Mode of transmission The protozoan gets transmitted from one person to another through sexual contact. The commonly infected areas in females are vagina, vulva, cervix, or urethra. In males, it is the inside part of the penis (urethra). It is found that the pathogen gets transmitted from penis to vagina and vice versa, and from vagina to vagina. It hardly ever infects the anus, mouth, or hands. Doctors are still puzzled by the fact that trich infection causes symptoms in some people, while others may go asymptomatic. Probably, it depends on the person’s overall health status or age. Asymptomatic people can also spread the infection. In some people, it may cause mild symptoms like irritation or severe symptoms like inflammation. Symptoms usually surface 5-28 days after you contract the infection. In some people, symptoms come and go. If you overlook the symptoms, you may not take the treatment and possibly infect your partner. Untreated trich makes you highly susceptible to contracting HIV infection. So, if you are doubtful of an infection or experience symptoms, do not overlook them. Undergo trichomoniasis testing near Arlington today. The clinic conducts discreet testing, so there is no question of embarrassment or shyness. Symptoms in females
Symptoms in males
If you don’t treat trich, the pathogen stays inside your body for months or years. It may create other health complications. You can be sure whether you have trich or not only through a test. If you are too embarrassed to walk in a clinic in Arlington, trichomoniasis self-test is also available. It’s important to take care of your health. Infections can happen; but with timely testing and treatment, you and your partner can stay healthy and enjoy a safe and fulfilling sex life. So, do not wait anymore. Get tested today. HSV or Herpes Simplex Virus come in several strains, but the commonest ones that infect humans are HSV 1 and HSV 2. They are contagious and become latent after the first outbreak. They may become active again after many years.
Initially, the viruses may not be that destructive and produce manageable symptoms, but in the later stages they can produce serious health complications. The virus gets transferred from one person to another during the initial stages through sexual contact. HSV 1 and HSV 2 testing is available in Arlington, VA, STD clinic. You require no appointment to undergo a test or see a doctor here. The clinic is easily accessible and open all days of the week. About HSV 1 HSV 1 produces cold sores that happen in the mouth. In some cases, the virus also produces genital herpes. You can easily get the virus when you come in contact with an infected person’s mouth during sexual contact such as kissing. HSV 1 can be transmitted from the infected mother to her baby. This condition is called neonatal herpes simplex. This is a serious, but rare condition. Antiviral medications are available to manage the disease. The doctor may prescribe oral medication and topical application for cold sores or genital sores. About HSV 2 HSV 2 produces genital herpes, which are often blisters filled with fluid. When they break, they can easily spread the virus. Transmission of virus happens during sexual activity or during vaginal delivery. The infected person may experience itching or burning sensation in the genital area, sometimes accompanied with pain. If the virus is left untreated in the initial stages, it goes latent in the body, only to become active again after a few years. This time, it is more dangerous. The serious health complications that HSV 2 can produce in the later stages include neonatal herpes, herpetic whitlow, meningoencephalitis (a brain condition), and keratoconjunctivitis (an eye condition). The virus attacks the neurological system of the body, causing palsies of nerves. Doctors suspect it to be associated with Alzheimer’s Disease. According to research, people infected with HSV 2 are more prone to contracting HIV. Doctors use local and oral antiviral medications to manage the viral load in patients. In STD clinic of Arlington, HSV 2 treatment is available at an affordable cost and usually on the same day of testing. You can keep your identity confidential, if you are not comfortable revealing your identity. Difference between HSV 1 and 2 Doctors have identified three major differences between HSV 1 and 2:
With HSV 1 and HSV 2 testing in Arlington, VA, available easily and affordably, you must not delay in undergoing a test, especially when you experience cold sores or genital herpes. Syphilis is a bacterial infection. It usually spreads through sexual contact. A painless sore, either on the genital area, rectum, or mouth, is the first sign of this infection. This disease can easily spread through skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, whether you have sexual intercourse or not.
The deceptive sign One of the signs of syphilis in men, according to VA doctors, is a painless sore on the penis. This can be deceptive at times because it generally heals on its own. So, people hardly take it seriously. But, healing of the sore does not mean you are free from infection. The bacterium is still inside your body. It becomes dormant after showing the first sign. It can become active again after a few years or even decades. This time, it is more dangerous. Dangers of not treating syphilis Untreated syphilis can damage your vital organs, including the heart and the brain. It can lead to blindness or nerve damage. Infected mothers can easily pass on the infection to their newborns through vaginal delivery. Syphilis, when left untreated, can turn into a life-threatening disease. Treating syphilis Fortunately, syphilis is a curable disease, so if the person is proactive in undergoing timely tests and treatment, he or she shouldn’t suffer from the horrendous after-effects of the bacteria. The only way to know you have syphilis is to get tested. Syphilis is easy to treat in its earliest stage. Just a single shot of penicillin can kill the bacterium. So, where’s the problem? The problem lies in that people fail to undergo a test and diagnosis on time. A sore, blister, abnormal discharge, pain during urination, and other abnormalities around your genital or rectum area should make you sit up and take notice. This holds particularly true when you recently had unprotected sex with somebody. In this case, you mustn’t ignore any sore in and around the mouth too. Even symptoms like cold, cough, fever, persistent tiredness, and headache need attention. You know your sexual history better than anybody else. So, if you have had sex recently without protection and you are experiencing the above-mentioned symptoms, you must visit your nearest STD clinic for a consultation. Test for detecting syphilis infection is available in Arlington, VA, STD clinic. Why prefer an STD clinic to a hospital? Instead of visiting a hospital, you can walk to your nearest STD clinic and consult a doctor. The following are the reasons:
Be a responsible citizen. Your sexual health is important not only for you but also for your partner. Spread love, not the disease. HIV may bring along a wave of embarrassment due to the social stigma attached to it. When the disease became an epidemic in 1980, the society started scorning the people who had it. The patients were considered “dirty.” Misconceptions floated in the air that even touching an HIV/AIDS patient could give you the infection.
Thankfully, such misconceptions are now gone. Yet, the stigma stays. That’s the reason HIV-positive people do not like to talk about their status. It would help them, if doctors and hospitals cooperated with them and kept their identities confidential. This would encourage a lot more people to come forward and undergo a test. Do you know many people hold back testing simply because they do not want the world to know they visited a hospital for HIV test? Urgent care clinics are no less than a boon for HIV patients The advent of urgent care clinics has brought relief to HIV patients and to people who fear they are exposed. This is because the clinics conduct discreet STD testing. Now, you can walk in the clinic, consult a doctor about early stage HIV symptoms like rash, undergo a test, take treatment, and do the billing – all anonymously. What a relief! Importance of timely treatment HIV is incurable, but perfectly manageable. The more you delay in starting the treatment, the faster the virus multiplies in your body. This weakens your body’s systems. You become more infectious due to the increase of viral load in your body. Eventually, HIV turns into full-blown AIDS in which you become vulnerable to opportunistic infections. Your organs become weaker. Chances are high for multiple organ failure. According to doctors, most HIV deaths do not happen due to the virus itself. It happens because of organ failure and other health complications that arise due to the presence of HIV in the body. Completion of treatment is indispensable If you leave the treatment in between once you start feeling better, the viral load will start increasing again. The concept of treatment is to keep your viral load as minimum as possible so that you do not spread the infection and it does not harm your body systems. Remember, there is no treatment so far that kills the virus. The only treatment available at present is to keep the viral load below the line of harm. This helps the patient lead a healthier life. You can also engage in sexual activities without the fear of spreading the infection. That’s why, as per doctors, you must follow the treatment and never stop it in between. Keep in touch with your doctor and abide by his/her instructions. Doctors also advice to not ignore HIV symptom. Clinic in Arlington, VA, can help you diagnose the symptom and give you proper medical advice. There is also a treatment called PrEP, i.e., Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. This is for people who don’t have HIV, but are at high risk of getting it. The medical world has progressed enough to help people lead quality lives despite being infected. Now it’s your turn to be proactive and undergo HIV or any STD testing to ensure your health. The United States has the dubious distinction of having the highest number of sexually transmitted disease (STD) infections among all the industrialized nations. Of course, it can be argued that the United States has nearly 60% of the population of the rest of the industrialized world and hence it evens out in percentage terms. Well, arguments never end and neither do the issues being argued. We need to realize that a study has found that one half of Americans will get infected by STD in their lifetime and many among this lot won't even know about it. Washington DC and its surrounding areas like Arlington VA also have a modestly high incidence of STD infections and sexually active folks here need to get tested for STDs near Arlington VA.
Precautionary measures are critical It is now a best practice for every American aged between 13 and 64 to have at least one STD test for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which goes on to cause acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Now, this is a serious matter and any kind of negligence can result in serious consequences for someone who gets infected. Even if that is unintended, an individual who didn't deserve to get this disease gets infected due to someone else's fault. It’s a lot easier to get tested now in a walk in STD clinic near Arlington VA where you do not need an appointment or get a doctor’s approval for the test. Just walk in, get tested and rest assured that your test result will be completely confidential. Are you sexually active and have multiple partners? This is the same as walking on the edge of a ridge in today’s STD-affected world of sex where 6 out of every ten infected persons are not even aware that they are infected. However, there is enough information on the web to provide first-hand information about the asymptomatic nature of STD. If you have chosen to continue having sex with multiple partners, you need to get tested for STDs near Arlington VA regularly. There is always the risk of a more serious STD infection like HIV which needs to be detected early for effective management although there is no cure for the virus as yet. Homosexuals are at higher risk of getting infected Men who have sex with men face a higher risk of infection from different kinds of STDs especially HIV. The question is will you continue to have sex with male partners even after testing positive for HIV? If yes, then you must comply with regular STD tests, preferably on a monthly basis. Don’t worry about your test report getting leaked and coming onto public domain because at an urgent care walk in STD clinic near Arlington VA the staff will ensure total confidentiality of your test report and diagnosis. Your sexual preference is important for your freedom to choose a sex partner but if you are infected with HIV you could easily get AIDS unless you are careful. Regular STD testing is not just necessary for your own safety and wellbeing but also for that of many others with whom you have sex on a regular basis. As much as you have the right to choose your sex life, your partners too have the right to know if you are infected. Herpes is receding slowly, yet the infection is still common.
HSV1 is oral herpes. It causes cold sores on the mouth, face, and genitals. On the other hand, HSV2 is genital herpes caused primarily by sexual contact. It causes sores around the anus, genitals, and buttocks. It is estimated that nearly half of middle aged Americans are infected by the herpes simplex virus. We must understand that both types are transmitted by direct contact with an infected individual. Oral herpes is acquired in early childhood through nonsexual contact with saliva. HSV2 transmission on the other hand is dependent on genitals. In Arlington hsv2 treatment doctor says, “Contact of the penis with either vagina or rectum has a high risk of transmission”. The doctor believes that by both using condoms and taking suppressive therapy daily can minimize the risk than by one of the measures alone. Treating herpes There is no cure yet, and unfortunately no vaccine has been invented so far. However, medications help is addressing the symptoms and reducing the risk of transmission to others. After initial diagnosis of herpes, the individual is prescribed 7-10 day course of antiviral therapy, which helps in alleviating the symptoms from worsening. If you experience frequent outbreaks, the doctor may prescribe you to take the antiviral drug daily. This is called suppressive therapy. It pre-empts the number of outbreaks. Diagnosis Both types of herpes can be diagnosed by appearance of lesions as well as with lab tests. But keep in mind that appearance of lesions can be due to other illnesses too. So, it is important that you see a doctor, who may recommend hsv1 and hsv2 testing in Arlington VA. Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD). Yet, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend everyone to test for this STD. The reason for this is false positive tests are possible and an individual without symptoms is not likely to show any change in sexual behavior, for example by wearing condoms or totally abstaining from sex. Herpes blood tests are called type-specific HSV serologic tests. A doctor may recommend these tests if: • Your genital symptoms relate to herpes. • You had sex with a partner with genital herpes. You must get it done as part of a complete STD exam package. What about cure for herpes? Fortunately there seems to be some progress in this field. Nearly a decade ago a virologist by name Dr Keith Jerome at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center began investigating whether lifelong herpes infection can be cured by DNA-cutting tools of gene therapy. Initial research has shown some promise. This therapy demonstrated that it can kill small quantities of latent virus. While most treatments focus on suppressing the reappearance of symptoms, the experiment by Dr Keith Jerome is to discover how to address the root cause of reactivation of latent virus. It may still take some time before we finally see a cure for herpes. Most of the STDs are deceptive. They hardly show symptoms. Even if they do, they are similar to flu or other common infections. You mistakenly think you are only infected with a common cold or something, when the reality is that you are infected with a deadly sexually transmitted infection. However, the good thing is that most STDs are curable. Those that are not can be managed well through appropriate treatment and care. A person infected with a sexually transmitted disease such as AIDS can live a quality life, which includes a fulfilling sex life. But this happens only when you are aware of STDs and active enough to visit a clinic and undergo a timely test. Pentagon urgent care STD clinic is dedicated to helping people take control of their sexual health. Why is sexual healthimportant? Sexual health is important to lead a happy and healthy life. Most STDs, when they advance, create serious health complications. The pathogen can slowly infect your other vital organs. This can lead to a series of medical complications. This can hamper your normal life. You can become terribly sick. To avoid such condition, it is important to know about your sexual health and take necessary measures to check any infection that might be brewing inside your body. Carelessness can prove to be costly Most of the time, it is a patient’s laxity that leads to his or her death due to STD, according to doctors. People are either too shy to undergo a test, or simply don’t care enough to undergo a test. Many think the virus will go away by itself, which is an absolute wrong idea. You don’t have symptoms does not mean you are infected. The best thing to do You know when you had unprotected sex with a new partner, right? Instead of ignoring this fact, be more aware and visit Pentagon urgent care STD clinic and undergo a test to rule out possibility of an infection. In case you are infected, the doctor will give you treatment. This one step can save you and your partner from future medical troubles. So, depending on your sexual history and current activities, you must decide whether you need a test or not. According to doctors, anybody who has had sex even once in their lifetime must undergo a test. Just one unprotected sexual intercourse can put you at risk of contracting infection. Is there a different testing procedure for men and women? Today, doctors usually ask both male and female patients to give their urine sample. However, in certain infections, the doctor may ask women to give swab sample from their vagina or cervix. In case of men, the doctor may take a swab sample from the tip of the penis. Pentagon STD testing for women and men is available all days of the week and on holidays. Testing and treatment is available on the same day. The best part is that the clinic conducts discreet STD testing. Now that solves much of the dilemma associated with STD testing. Often, people hold back a visit due to embarrassment. Pentagon clinic makes you feel comfortable. Trichomoniasis or trich is one of the commonest infections under the category of sexually transmitted infections. It affects men and women with symptoms ranging from constant itching and pain during urination. Women may experience a white and foul-smelling discharge, which is a vital sign of trichomonal infection.
Diagnosis of trichomonal infection Although one may self-diagnose the infection by looking for these signs, it would be better to avail the facilities of trichomoniasis testing near Arlington. A confirmed diagnosis of the infection helps doctors to prescribe the appropriate antibacterial medicines. Symptomatic diagnosis of trichomoniasis may not be possible in men as these symptoms are not common in men. Thanks to the amazing progress in the fields of microbiology and pathology, diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections such as trichomoniasis is now easy and more reliable. Traditionally, the test involved microscopic investigation of trichomonal bacteria by collecting swab samples of discharge. This method may not yield reliable results if the infection is in the primary stage. This has led to the development of a DNA amplification procedure for greater test accuracy even if the infection is in its primary stage. Trichomoniasis can go undetected for weeks in the absence of an appropriate test because most patients do not experience the classic symptoms. These individuals go on infecting other partners, leading to unrestricted spread of the infection. Option for trichomoniasis detection Testing of STDs at home with the help of DIY testing kits is not an ideal option because of several reasons. Despite being way too costly, these test kits may not provide reliable results. This leads us to dedicated STD testing labs that offer a broad spectrum choice of getting tested for a large variety of sexually transmitted infections. You may also avail of different STD testing panels to get tested for other STIs. The state-of-the-art STD testing equipment enables you to get the test results on the same day. You can then consult in-house physicians for immediate treatment. This saves your time and helps in faster recovery from the infection. Importance of STD testing If you are in Arlington, get tested for trichomoniasis without delay if you have had unprotected sex with strangers. This will help doctors to treat the infection in the early stage to prevent further complications and advancement of the disease. A broad spectrum STD test can detect other STIs including gonorrhea, syphilis, and herpes, just to name a few. Also ask your partner to get tested for trichomonas because this infection is highly contagious, and testing both partners will reduce recurrence. The treatment of trichomonal infection is straightforward. Advanced anti-bacterial medicines assure complete cure from the infection in the initial stages. Early detection and treatment of trichomoniasis not only helps you stop the infection from spreading to other individuals but also protects you from getting infected with more severe and life-threatening infections such as HIV. Fortunately, urgent care STD clinics for trichomoniasis testing near Arlington offer anonymous STD testing to safeguard your privacy. So, do not suffer in silence and pass on the curse of trichomoniasis and other STIs to others by neglecting your health. The problem with most sexually transmitted diseases is a failure to understand the signs and symptoms, and the subsequent delay in treatment. This can lead to faster spread of the disease among those who may have unprotected sex with the infected person. Worse still, the disease progresses from bad to worse as the infected individual fails to get appropriate treatment.
STDs - the need for better understanding Understanding the importance of signs and symptoms of syphilis VA can propel the infected person to go for STD testing without further delay. Although the symptoms may help a doctor diagnose a particular STD, the diagnosis must be confirmed through a laboratory test. Most symptoms of STDs are misleading and the patients can confuse these for routine illnesses. For example, some symptoms of syphilis are fever, rashes, and anemia. These symptoms can be mistaken for common ailments leading to wrong treatment and subsequent complications due to progression of syphilis into secondary and tertiary stages. Syphilis and its stages Syphilis is a bacterial infection. There are effective antibiotics available for its treatment at any reputed center for syphilis disease Pentagon VA. Prevention of syphilis is possible by following safe sexual measures such as the use of condoms and avoiding sex with strangers. If an individual is infected with syphilis, then the following stages can be observed if the infection is not treated in time. During the primary stage, the patient can notice a small pustule or boil known as chancre which can erupt during the first month. It may also appear as late as three months after the infection. The chancre which is one of the signs and symptoms of syphilis VA will be visible for the period of a couple of weeks. Skin rashes and swelling are common signs during the secondary stage. Since the rashes are not itchy, the patient may not pay attention to these, thus causing a delay in testing and treatment of syphilis. One can also experience pain in joints and swelling of lymph nodes in some cases. The third stage of syphilis is the most dangerous as there are practically no symptoms. The patient keeps suffering silently from the disease and may also spread the disease through unprotected sex. This period can last for several months or even a few years. The final stage of syphilis is called tertiary syphilis and a patient can experience fatal outcomes including a heart ailment, memory loss, blindness, and even a brain stroke. Death is possible as a result of these complications. Copper-colored rashes are usually observed during this stage. Early testing for better prognosis Chances of early recovery are much brighter if the STD infection is detected during the early stages. Although signs and symptoms may help primary diagnosis, one must approach an urgent care STD clinic for syphilis disease Pentagon VA to get tested. If you want to avoid serious complications of syphilis, early testing is the only solution. As soon as one notices signs and symptoms of syphilis VA or health issues such as weakness, fever, joint pain, or a chancre, he or she must immediately approach an STD clinic for same-day testing and treatment. |
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