Signs of STD

Orchitis is the inflammation of one or both testicles. It is most often caused by a bacterial or viral infection, although the cause may be unknown. The inflammation can cause pain and swelling of the testicle, sometimes severe. Orchitis may occur alongside the infection of the epididymis (the coiled tube that transports sperm from the testicle) or the prostate gland (the walnut-sized organ below the bladder that produces seminal fluid). If not treated appropriately, orchitis may lead to complications, including infertility. undefined undefined / Getty Images This article looks at the symptoms, complications, and causes of orchitis. It also walks you through how the condition is diagnosed, treated, and prevented and what to expect in terms of outcomes. Symptoms The symptoms of orchitis tend to develop suddenly and may be either limited to the testicles (aka testes) or extend deeper into the groin. When the epididymis is involved, the conditi...

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can also be spread by contact with infected blood or from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. Currently, around 38 million people live with HIV worldwide, of which an estimated 1.2 million reside in the United States. Without treatment, it takes an average of eight to 10 years before HIV weakens your immune system to the point that you have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the most advanced stage of infection. While HIV cannot be cured, it can be treated with a group of drugs known as antiretrovirals . When used in combination, antiretroviral drugs prevent the virus from making copies of itself. By doing so, the virus can be suppressed to levels where it can do the body little harm. This article will discuss how antiretrovirals work to help people with HIV. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images ...

The signs and symptoms of HIV differ from person to person. Some people may experience symptoms immediately after contracting HIV, and some may not experience symptoms for decades. HIV.gov estimates that around 1.2 million people in the United States are currently living with HIV. About 13% of these individuals do not know they have it. Even if they are not experiencing symptoms, regular HIV testing is crucial for people with a high likelihood of contracting HIV. After testing and diagnosis, people living with HIV can receive effective treatment and lead healthy lives. Keep reading to learn more about recognizing the early signs and symptoms of HIV. Some people with HIV will experience early symptoms in as little as 2–4 weeks. These symptoms occur as the body's immune system works to attack the virus, and they typically last from days to weeks. Some of these symptoms may include: Of course, these symptoms could also be signs of another medical condition. Self-testing or at-home te...

Biopoharma is working to restock the COVID-19 medicine chest. And its next wave of therapies could shift the standard of care, provided their clinical data pan out.  The current coronavirus treatment paradigm, according to NIH, calls for use of the monoclonal antibodies, such as Eli Lilly's bebtelovimab and GlaxoSmithKline's sotrovimab, as first-line agents for high-risk patients. AstraZeneca's Evusheld antibody cocktail has FDA approval for pre-exposure prophylaxis.  Gilead's Veklury (remdesivir) has the go-ahead in those with mild-to-moderate infections. Physicians expect small-molecule drugs, like Pfizer's Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) and Merck's Lagevrio (molnupiravir), to eventually become mainstays in the mild-to-moderate setting. But each of these COVID-19 treatments has its drawbacks.  Veklury has a cumbersome three-day-long IV treatment duration. As for the oral ...

One time in the 80's-90's, people died from AZT and not the actual AIDS virus; Anthony Fauci pushed this treatment Unsupported : Zidovudine, or AZT, was the first HIV drug approved by the U.S. FDA in 1987. Due to the drug's fast-track approval and toxicity, zidovudine was controversial. However, the claim that more people were killed by zidovudine rather than AIDS comes from a speculative quote by an AIDS denialist in a 1989 article about zidovudine. Lacks context : During the early years of HIV treatment when few drugs were available, zidovudine was given to patients by most doctors. As the main spokesperson on AIDS for the federal government, Fauci was often the government official who spoke about HIV treatments, including promoting zidovudine, however, Fauci was not the only doctor or government official recommending zidovudine, nor was he instrumental in the recommendation KEY TAKE AWAY Zidovudine, also know...

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs, formerly called sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs), are primarily spread through various types of sexual contact. In the United States, one in five people have an STI. You can reduce your risk of contracting an STI by using a barrier method of protection, such as a condom, during each type of sexual encounter, which includes oral sex. Some STIs can be transmitted orally and cause a sore throat. Read on to learn more about STIs that can affect the throat and mouth, and how to treat them. Westend61 / Getty Images. Gonorrhea in the Throat and Mouth Gonorrhea , also known as "the clap," is one of the most common STIs in the United States. Gonorrhea is caused by  Neisseria gonorrhoeae   bacteria, spread during sexual contact. Gonorrhea can affect the genitals as well as the mouth and throat. Left untreated, gonorrhea can cause a host of serious complications includi...