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Gonorrhea ("Clap") |
Testing Positive for HIV How to Help Yourself The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases What a Positive HIV Test Means Testing positive for HIV means that your blood has signs of the virus that causes AIDS. A positive test does not mean that you have AIDS. Many people who test positive for HIV do not get symptoms of AIDS for 8 to 10 years or longer after the virus infects them. A positive test does mean that you need to: * Avoid giving the virus to other people. * Take good care of your own health. This article explains how. How to Avoid Spreading HIV to Others HIV can be in blood, semen, fluid from the vagina, and breast milk. The virus is passed to other people during sex. Using a condom during sex can help keep the virus from spreading to sex partners. HIV can also be spread by sharing needles to inject drugs, from a pregnant woman to her unborn baby, and by a mother to her baby through breast milk. If you test positive for HIV, tell all your past and present sex partners that you have HIV. Urge them to have the HIV test. Here is how to avoid spreading HIV to others: * DO choose safe ways to be close with a lover. To find out what safer sex means for you and your partner, talk to a nurse, a counselor, or a local HIV support group. You can also call the National AIDS Hotline (1-800-342-2437). * DO use condoms if you have sex, including anal sex and oral sex. * DO feel free to kiss and hug those you love. Touching won't spread the virus. * DO NOT share drug needles or works, razors, or any items that may touch your blood, semen or vaginal fluids. * DO NOT breastfeed a baby. A woman can pass the virus to her baby through breast milk. * DO NOT donate blood. Having unsafe sex and sharing drug needles can also make your HIV disease worse by exposing you to germs that could make you sick. |
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Take Charge of Your Health Here are four steps for taking good care of your health if you have HIV: 1. Visit a doctor or clinic right away for a check-up. You will need to go back for regular visits so the doctor or nurse can check on how well your body can fight off disease. 2. Ask about new treatments that can help people with HIV stay healthy. These include medicines to help prevent pneumonia and other infections and medicines to slow the spread of the virus. 3. Keep a close watch on your health between check-ups. 4. Be good to yourself. Listed below are steps that will help you stay well longer. You may want to talk about each step with your doctor or nurse. Research: Hope for the Future Scientists have made progress against AIDS. Today, new medicines have been helping people with HIV. You may be able to take part in a research study (called a clinical trial) to test these drugs. If the new drug works, you may be helping yourself and others to fight HIV. To find out more about being in a clinical trial, ask your doctor or clinic. You can also call 1-800-TRIALS-A (1-800-874-2572) to ask about clinical trials in your area. How to Find Out More To learn more about living with HIV, call: 1-800-342-AIDS (1-800-342-2437) People at this number can answer your questions about HIV disease, treatments, and the steps in this article. They can also send you booklets with more information. Remember: * Living with HIV is more than medical treatment alone. It means learning to take care of your health. * Choose safe ways to be close to a lover, so you do not pass HIV to others. * See a doctor or visit a clinic and have regular check-ups. * If the doctor gives you medicine, take it regularly. * Watch your own health. Learn to eat a healthy diet, manage your stress (stay calm), and exercise regularly. * When you feel ready to do so, join a support group or talk to your friends or family.
"The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of The National Institutes of Health. How to Help Yourself: Testing Positive for HIV. Last revised, July 21, 1999. (On-line) http://www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/help/hiv.htm"
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Masturbation is the self-stimulation of the genitals to achieve sexual arousal and pleasure, usually to the point of orgasm (sexual climax). It is commonly done by touching, stroking or massaging the penis or clitoris until an orgasm is achieved. Some women also use stimulation of the vagina to masturbate or use "sex toys," such as a vibrator. Who Masturbates? Just about everybody. Masturbation is a very common behavior, even among people who have sexual relations with a partner. In one national study, 95% of males and 89% of females reported that they have masturbated. Masturbation is the first sexual act experienced by most males and females. In young children, masturbation is a normal part of the growing child's exploration of his or her body. Most people continue to masturbate in adulthood, and many do so throughout their lives. Why Do People Masturbate? In addition to feeling good, masturbation is a good way of relieving the sexual tension that can build up over time, especially for people without partners or whose partners are not willing or available for sex. Masturbation also is a safe sexual alternative for people who wish to avoid pregnancy and the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases. It also is necessary when a man must give a semen sample for infertility testing or for sperm donation. When sexual dysfunction is present in an adult, masturbation may be prescribed by a sex therapist to allow a person to experience an orgasm (often in women) or to delay its arrival (often in men). Is Masturbation Normal? While it once was regarded as a perversion and a sign of a mental problem, masturbation now is regarded as a normal, healthy sexual activity that is pleasant, fulfilling, acceptable, and safe. It is a good way to experience sexual pleasure and can be done throughout life. Masturbation is only considered a problem when it inhibits sexual activity with a partner, is done in public, or causes significant distress to the person. It may cause distress if it is done compulsively and/or interferes with daily life and activities. Is Masturbation Harmful? In general, the medical community considers masturbation to be a natural and harmless expression of sexuality for both men and women. It does not cause any physical injury or harm to the body, and can be performed in moderation throughout a person's lifetime as a part of normal sexual behavior. Some cultures and religions oppose the use of masturbation or even label it as sinful. This can lead to guilt or shame about the behavior. Some experts suggest that masturbation can actually improve sexual health and relationships. By exploring your own body through masturbation, you can determine what is erotically pleasing to you and can share this with your partner. Some partners use mutual masturbation to discover techniques for a more satisfying sexual relationship and to add to their mutual intimacy. |
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Your Guide to Sexually Transmitted Diseases Sexually transmitted diseases, commonly called STDs, are diseases that are spread by having sex with someone who has an STD. You can get a sexually transmitted disease from sexual activity that involves the mouth, anus, vagina, or penis. STDs are serious illnesses that require treatment. Some STDs, like AIDS, cannot be cured and are deadly. By learning more about STDs, you can find out ways to protect yourself from the following STDs. * Human papilloma virus/Genital warts * Syphilis * Gonorrhea ("Clap") |
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Genital herpes is a highly contagious infection usually spread through intercourse with a person with infected sores, but it can be passed through oral or anal sex. Genital herpes can also be transmitted (spread) to a newborn during birth if the mother has an active infection. What Causes Genital Herpes? Usually, this infection is caused by the herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) although herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), the virus responsible for cold sores, may occasionally cause this disease. How Common Is Genital Herpes? Almost 50 million American adults and adolescents have genital herpes -- that's 1 out of every 5 people, making it one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. Since the late 1970s, the number of Americans with genital herpes infection has increased 30%, mostly in young white teens. Genital herpes is more common in women than in men. How Do I Know if I Have Genital Herpes? Most people infected with genital herpes have very minimal or no signs or symptoms of their disease. The first attack of herpes usually follows this course: * Skin on or near the sex organ becomes inflamed. Skin may burn, itch or be painful. * Blister-like sores appear on or near the sex organs. * Sores open, scab over, and then heal. Symptoms that may also be present when the virus first appears include: * Swollen glands * Fever * Headache * Burning when passing urine * Muscle aches The first outbreak of herpes can last for several weeks. After the outbreak, the virus retreats to the nervous system, where it remains inactive until something triggers it to become active again. Typically, another outbreak can appear weeks or months after the first, but it almost always is less severe and shorter than the first episode. Although the infection can stay in the body indefinitely, the number of outbreaks tends to go down over a period of years. How Often Do Outbreaks Happen? How often outbreaks occur depends on the person. On average, people with herpes experience about four outbreaks a year. The first outbreak usually is the most painful and takes the longest to heal. The pain and recovery time often decrease with each outbreak. What Triggers an Outbreak? It depends on the person. Some commonly reported triggers include: * Stress * Illness * Surgery * Vigorous sex * Diet * Monthly period How Are Genital Herpes Diagnosed? Your doctor can diagnose genital herpes by visual inspection if the outbreak is typical, and by taking a sample from the sore(s). But, HSV infections can be difficult to diagnose between outbreaks. Your doctor may check for ulcers internally -- on the cervix in women and the urethra in men. Blood tests that detect HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection may be helpful, although the results are not always definite. How Is Genital Herpes Treated? There is no cure for genital herpes, but your doctor can prescribe anti-virus medicines that may help the sores heal faster. Over-the-counter painkillers may help with the discomfort. If recurrences of your genital herpes are frequent, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication to suppress them. How Does Genital Herpes Affect a Pregnant Woman and Her Baby? Outbreaks of genital herpes during pregnancy have been associated with miscarriage, stillbirth, prematurity, and herpes infection causing severe brain injury and possible blindness in the baby. Still, women with herpes can give birth to healthy babies. If you have herpes and plan to have children, discuss your illness with your doctor. How Can I Protect Myself From Herpes? * Do not have sex with someone who has an open sore on his or her sex organs. * Always use a latex condom during sex. Also use a spermicide that contains nonoxynol-9. * Limit your number of sex partners. Can Herpes Be Cured? There is no cure for herpes. Once a person has the virus, it remains in the body. The virus lies inactive in the nerve cells until something triggers it to become active again. These herpes "outbreaks," which can include the painful herpes sores, can be controlled with medication. What Can I Do if I Have Herpes? Many people who find out that they have herpes feel depressed knowing that they will always have the virus and can give it to others. But you are not alone. If you have herpes, you should learn all that you can about herpes. Information will help you to manage your disease and feel better about yourself. It also helps to talk about your illness with a trusted friend. If you have herpes, you can still have sex, if you use a condom (and/or have your partner use a condom), and you tell your partner about your illness. You also can still have children. For More Information Contact the CDC National STD Hotline: 1 (800) 227-8922 National Herpes Hotline: 1 (919) 361-8488 Warts are caused by viruses and can appear anywhere on the body. Those that show up in the genital area are caused by the human papilloma virus, commonly called HPV, and are easily transmitted by sexual contact. After a person has been infected, it may take one to three months for warts to appear. Some people who have been infected never get warts. If you think you have been infected, see your doctor, even if you cannot see warts. What Do Genital Warts Look Like? Genital warts look like small pink or red growths in or around the sex organs. The warts may look similar to the small parts of a cauliflower or be very tiny and difficult to see. They often appear in clusters of three or four, and may grow and spread rapidly. They usually are not painful, although they may cause mild pain, bleeding and itching. How Do I Know I Have Genital Warts? Like many STDs, HPV does not always have visible symptoms. But when symptoms do occur, warts may be seen around the genital area. In women, warts can develop on the outside and inside of the vagina, on the cervix (the opening to the uterus), or around the anus. In men, genital warts are less common. If present, they may be seen on the tip of the penis, the shaft of the penis, on the scrotum, or around the anus. Genital warts also can develop in the mouth or throat of a person who has had oral sex with an infected person. Because there is no way to predict whether the warts will grow or disappear, people who suspect that they have been infected should be examined and treated, if necessary. What Tests Are Used to Detect Genital Warts? Your doctor may perform the following tests to check for genital warts: * An examination of visible growths to see if they look like genital warts * A fluid sample test for gonorrhea and chlamydia * A blood sample test for syphilis * A complete pelvic exam and Pap smear (for women) * Biopsy of cervical tissue to make sure there are no abnormal cells that could develop into HPV-related cervical cancer. A biopsy involves taking a small sample of tissue from the cervix and examining it under a microscope. * Examination of the rectum Tests for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis are taken because STDs often occur together and share similar symptoms. Sometimes female patients are referred to a gynecologist (a doctor who specializes in female reproductive health) for further testing and biopsy. How Are Genital Warts Treated? Unfortunately, no treatment can kill the virus that causes the warts. Your doctor can remove the warts with laser therapy or by freezing or applying chemicals. Surgery may be necessary for warts that are large or difficult to treat. Still, recurrence remains a problem. You may need to return to your doctor for more treatment. What Should I Do While I Have the Warts? * Keep the area as dry as possible. * Wear all-cotton underwear. Man-made fabrics can irritate the area and trap moisture. What Happens If I Don't Get Treated? Unfortunately, despite treatment, having HPV can increase your risk of cervical cancer or cancer of the penis. But not all forms of the virus are associated with these cancers. If you have genital warts, it is important to get annual check-ups to screen for cervical or penile cancer. How Can I Prevent Infection? Your best bet at preventing infection is to abstain from sex or limit sexual contact to one uninfected person. If that is not an option, condoms may provide some protection, but condoms are not 100% effective since they do not cover the entire penis. What Is Hepatitis B? Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Infection with this virus can cause scarring of the liver, liver failure, liver cancer, and even death. Hepatitis B is spread in infected blood and other bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal secretions, saliva, open sores, and breast milk. What Happens to People With Hepatitis B? In most cases (90%-95%), hepatitis B causes limited infection. Usually people manage to fight off the infection successfully within a few months, developing an immunity that lasts a lifetime. (This means you won't get the infection again.) Blood tests show evidence of this immunity, but no signs of active infection. However, some people don't get rid of the infection. If you are infected with hepatitis B for more than 6 months, you are considered a carrier, even if you have no symptoms. This means that you can transmit the disease to others by having unprotected sex, deep kissing, or sharing food or drinks. Being a carrier also means that your liver is more prone to injury. For unknown reasons, the infection eventually goes away in a very small percentage of carriers. Some carriers go on to develop chronic hepatitis B. Chronic hepatitis is an ongoing infection of the liver that can lead to cirrhosis. Cirrhosis, or hardening of the liver, causes liver tissue to scar and stop working. If you are carrying the virus you should not donate blood, plasma, body organs, tissue, or sperm. Tell your doctor, dentist, and sex partner that you are a hepatitis B carrier. How Common Is Hepatitis B? Nearly 300,000 Americans contract Hepatitis B each year, making infection with this virus much more common than infection with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Approximately 5%-10% of people with hepatitis B infection go on to develop chronic infection. Approximately 1 million people in the U.S. are carriers of the hepatitis B virus. How Do I Know I Have Hepatitis B? Symptoms of acute infection (when a person is first infected with hepatitis) include: * Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes and/or a brownish or orange tint to the urine) * Unusually light colored stool * Unexplained fatigue that persists for weeks or months * Flu-like symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting * Abdominal pain Often, symptoms occur 1-6 months after exposure. An estimated 40% of those infected do not know how they acquired the infection. People with chronic active hepatitis experience similar symptoms, but their fatigue is much more severe, and they can have confusion or disorientation. How Is Hepatitis B Diagnosed? If your doctor suspects that you may have hepatitis B, he will perform a complete physical examination and order blood tests to look at the function of your liver. Hepatitis B is confirmed with blood tests that detect various antibodies (infection fighting cells) against the virus. If your disease becomes chronic, liver biopsies (tissue samples) may be obtained to detect the severity of the disease. How Is Hepatitis B Treated? If you get to a doctor within 2 weeks of an exposure, you'll receive immediate immunization with the Hepatitis B vaccination and a shot to boost the immune system to fight off the infection. But if you get sick, bed rest is usually necessary to speed recovery. Some doctors recommend a high-calorie, high-fat diet, and suggest that sufferers try to eat as much as possible despite the nausea. Also, take extra care of your liver! Now is not the time to drink alcohol, or take Tylenol (acetaminophen) as they can harm the liver. Check with your doctor before taking any other medications, herbal remedies, or supplements as some of them can worsen liver damage. If your hepatitis persists beyond 6 months and is active (chronic active hepatitis), your doctor may prescribe much more aggressive treatment. If it's chronic but not active, your doctor may just watch you closely. People with chronic active hepatitis are treated with a combination of drugs. The immune system boosting medicine interferon alpha is injected for at least 6 months. This drug does not cure the disease, but improves the liver inflammation in about 20% of sufferers. Interferon does have some undesirable side effects, including: malaise, depression, and loss of appetite and it can lower the number of white blood cells. Another drug often given in combination with interferon is Lamivudine (Epivir). This drug is taken orally once a day. Can a Pregnant Woman Give Hepatitis to her Baby? Yes. A pregnant woman can spread the hepatitis virus to her baby at the time of birth. (It is unlikely that an infected woman will spread the virus to her baby during pregnancy.) Many babies infected with hepatitis B develop long-term liver problems. All newborn babies should be given the vaccine for hepatitis at birth and during their first year of life. How Can I Avoid Becoming Infected, or Infecting Others? * Get vaccinated (if you have not already been infected) * Use condoms every time you have sex * Wear gloves when touching or cleaning up body secretions on personal items, such as bandages/band aids, tampons, and linens * Cover all open cuts or wounds * Do not share razors, toothbrushes, manicuring tools, or pierced earrings with anyone * Do not share chewing gum or pre-chew food for a baby * Make certain that any needles for drugs, ear piercing, or tattooing are properly sterilized * Clean areas with blood on them with 1 part household bleach and 10 parts water Can I Catch Hepatitis B From Blood Transfusions? The chance of catching hepatitis B from receiving blood transfusions is unlikely because donated blood is tested for the virus. Any infected blood is discarded. Who Should Be Vaccinated for Hepatitis B? * All newborn babies * People who are exposed to infected blood or body fluids of friends or family members * People who use needles to take recreational drugs * All people who have sex with more than one person * Health care providers who may come in contact with the virus * People working in day care centers and institutions caring for children and prisoners Is There a Cure? Currently, there is no cure for hepatitis B. Luckily, the disease is limited in most acute cases and occasionally disappears in those with chronic disease. |
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Syphilis is a highly contagious disease spread primarily by sexual activity, including oral and anal sex. Occasionally, the disease can be passed to another person through prolonged kissing or close bodily contact with an infected person. Pregnant women with the disease can spread it to their baby. This disease, called congenital syphilis, can cause abnormalities or even death to the child. Syphilis cannot be spread by toilet seats, door knobs, swimming pools, hot tubs, bath tubs, shared clothing, or eating utensils. What Causes Syphilis? Syphilis is caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. How Common Is Syphilis? This sexually transmitted disease was once a major public health threat, commonly causing serious long-term health problems such as arthritis, brain damage, and blindness. It defied effective treatment until the late 1940s, when the antibiotic penicillin was first developed. Now, because of the effectiveness of modern antibiotics and because of public health efforts to stop its spread, syphilis is on the decline. The CDC says the number of new cases has plummeted by 84% since 1990, and a major effort to eliminate syphilis is now under way. Today, syphilis is one of the least common STDs in most parts of the U.S., though it is still found in select populations and is even considered epidemic in some rural parts of the Southeast. How Do I Know if I Have Syphilis? Syphilis infection occurs in 3 distinct stages. Early or primary syphilis infection is often referred to as the "great imitator" as it can be mistaken for many other conditions. People with primary syphilis will develop one or more chancre sores. The sores resemble large round bug bites and are often hard and painless. They occur on the genitals or in or around the mouth somewhere between 10-90 days (average 3 weeks) after exposure. They heal without a scar within 6 weeks. The secondary stage may last 1-3 months and begins within 6 weeks to 6 months after exposure. People with secondary syphilis experience a rosy "copper penny" rash typically on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. They may also experience moist warts in the groin, white patches on the inside of the mouth, swollen lymph glands, fever, and weight loss. Latent syphilis. This is where the infection lies dormant (inactive) without causing symptoms. Tertiary syphilis. If the infection isn't treated, it may then progress to a stage characterized by severe problems with the heart, brain, and nerves that can result in blindness, dementia, impotency, and even death if its not treated. How Is Syphilis Diagnosed? Syphilis can be easily diagnosed with a quick and inexpensive blood test given at your doctor's office or at a public health clinic. If you have a chancre, your doctor will take a swab or scraping of the sore. It will then be sent to a lab to analyze under a microscope for the characteristic bacteria. How Is Syphilis Treated? If you've been infected for less than a year, a single dose of penicillin is usually enough to destroy the infection. For those allergic to penicillin, tetracycline or doxycycline can be given instead. If you are in a later stage of disease, more doses will be needed. People who are being treated for syphilis must abstain from sexual contact with new partners until the sores are completely healed. Sexual partners of people with syphilis should be tested and, if necessary, treated. What Happens if I Don't Get Treated? If syphilis is left untreated, it can cause serious and permanent problems such as dementia, blindness, or death. How Does Syphilis Affect a Pregnant Woman and Her Baby? Depending on how long a pregnant woman has been infected, she has a good chance of having a stillbirth (birth of an infant who has died prior to delivery) or of giving birth to a baby who dies shortly after birth. If not treated immediately, an infected baby may be born without symptoms but could develop them within a few weeks. These signs and symptoms can be very serious. Untreated babies may become developmentally delayed, have seizures, or die. How Can I Prevent Infection? * To reduce your risk of infection: * Avoid intimate contact with a person you know is infected * If you do not know if a sexual partner is infected, use a condom in every sexual encounter What Is the Outlook for People With Syphilis? Syphilis is a curable disease with prompt diagnosis and treatment. However, if treated too late, there may be permanent damage to the heart and brain even after the infection is destroyed. Also called the "clap" or "drip," gonorrhea is a contagious disease transmitted most often through sexual contact with an infected person. Gonorrhea may also be spread by contact with infected bodily fluids, so that a mother could pass on the infection to her newborn during childbirth or to her baby through household contact. Both men and women can get gonorrhea. The infection is easily spread and occurs most often in people who have many sex partners. What Causes Gonorrhea? Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that can grow and multiply easily in mucus membranes of the body. Gonorrhea bacteria can grow in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix (opening to the womb), uterus (womb), and fallopian tubes (egg canals) in women, and in the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body) in women and men. The bacteria can also grow in the mouth, throat, and anus. How Common Is Gonorrhea? Gonorrhea is a very common infectious disease. In the U.S. each year, about 650,000 people are infected with gonorrhea, and about 75% of all reported gonorrhea is found in younger persons aged 15 to 29. The highest rates of infection are usually found in 15- to 19-year-old women and 20- to 24-year-old men. How Do I Know if I Have Gonorrhea? Not all people infected with gonorrhea have symptoms, so knowing when to seek treatment can be tricky. When symptoms do occur, they can include the following: Symptoms in women * Greenish yellow or whitish discharge from the vagina * Lower abdominal or pelvic pain * Burning when urinating * Conjunctivitis (red, itchy eyes) * Bleeding between periods * Spotting after intercourse * Swelling of the vulva (vulvitis) * Burning in the throat (due to oral sex) * Swollen glands (due to oral sex) In women, symptoms usually start about 21 days after infection, but often symptoms are so mild that they escape notice. Many women with gonorrhea discharge think they have a yeast infection and self-treat with yeast infection medications purchased over-the-counter. Because vaginal discharge can be a sign of a number of different problems, including tumors, it is best to always seek the advice of a doctor to ensure proper diagnose and treatment. Symptoms in men * Greenish yellow or whitish discharge from the penis * Burning when urinating * Burning in the throat (due to oral sex) * Swollen glands (due to oral sex) In men, symptoms usually appear two to five days after infection, but it can take as long as 30 days for symptoms to begin. How Is Gonorrhea Diagnosed? Your doctor will use a swab to take a sample of fluid from the urethra in men or from the cervix in women. The specimen will then be sent to a laboratory to be analyzed. You also may be given a throat or anal culture to see if the infection is in your throat or anus. You may need to wait for several days for your tests to come back from the lab. Gonorrhea and chlamydia, another common STD, often occur together, so you may be tested and treated for both. Can Gonorrhea Be Cured? Yes. Gonorrhea can be treated and cured. How Is Gonorrhea Treated? To cure the infection, your doctor will give you either an oral or injectable antibiotic. Your partner should also be treated at the same time to prevent reinfection and further spread of the disease. It is important to take all of your antibiotics even if you feel better. Also, never take someone else's medication to treat your illness. By doing so, you may make the infection more difficult to treat. In addition, Tell anyone you have had sex with in the last three months that you are infected. This is important because gonorrhea may have no symptoms. Women, especially, may not have symptoms and may not seek testing or treatment unless alerted by their sex partners. Don't have sex until you have completed taking all of your medicine. Always use condoms when having sex. What Happens if I Don't Get Treated? Untreated gonorrhea can cause serious and permanent problems in both women and men. In women, if left untreated, the infection can damage the fallopian tubes (the tube connecting the ovaries to the uterus), causing pelvic inflammatory disease or even infertility, and untreated gonorrhea infection could increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy (when the fertilized egg implants and develops outside the uterus), a dangerous condition for both the mother and baby. In men, gonorrhea can cause epididymitis, a painful condition of the testicles that can sometimes lead to infertility if left untreated. Without prompt treatment, gonorrhea can also affect the prostate and can lead to scarring inside the urethra, making urination difficult. Gonorrhea can spread to the blood or joints. This condition can be life-threatening. Also, people with gonorrhea can more easily contract HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. People with HIV infection and gonorrhea are more likely than people with HIV infection alone to transmit HIV to someone else. How Does Gonorrhea Affect a Pregnant Woman and Her Baby? Gonorrhea in a pregnant woman can cause premature delivery or spontaneous abortion. The infected mother may give the infection to her infant as the baby passes through the birth canal during delivery. This can cause blindness, joint infection, or a life-threatening blood infection in the baby. Treatment of gonorrhea as soon as it is detected in pregnant women will lessen the risk of these complications. Pregnant women should consult a doctor for appropriate medications. How Can I Prevent Infection? To reduce your risk of infection: * Use condoms correctly every time you have sex. * Limit the number of sex partners, and do not go back and forth between partners. * Practice sexual abstinence, or limit sexual contact to one uninfected partner. * If you think you are infected, avoid sexual contact and see a doctor. Any genital symptoms such as discharge or burning during urination or an unusual sore or rash should be a signal to stop having sex and to consult a doctor immediately. If you are told you have gonorrhea or any other STD and receive treatment, you should notify all of your recent sex partners so that they can see a doctor and be treated.
Please consult your health-care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. For additional health information, please contact the Health Information Center near you. Be safe Stilettos 4 Less.com |