Posts

Showing posts from December, 2023

Symptoms and Signs of Penis Infection Caused by an STI - Verywell Health

Image
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause symptoms on the penis or other areas around the groin.  Some symptoms can be relatively mild, while others can cause problems ranging from pain to infertility and cancer. This article discusses common signs  symptoms of an STI on both the penis and other parts of the body. It also describes several non-STI-related conditions that can cause many of the same symptoms.  PeopleImages / Getty Images  Penile Symptoms STIs often cause symptoms that affect the penis or groin area. These symptoms can be caused by things other than an STI but, just to be safe, have it checked out by a doctor. If you have an STI, there are five common symptoms that can affect the penis: Penile pain or discomfort : Pain or discomfort with urination or ejaculation may also be a sign of an STI. Discharge from the penis : A thick white, yellow, or green discharge f

New PrEP medication recommendation adds options for HIV patients - PBS NewsHour

Image
Nationwide, an estimated 1.2 million people are eligible to receive medication that can prevent the spread of life-threatening HIV infection. But only roughly a third of those eligible are currently accessing preexposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, which is seen as key to eventually ending the HIV epidemic in the United States. A set of new recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force endorsed two additional medications approved for PrEP: an oral medication and a long-acting injectable, choices that could help narrow existing disparities and enhance access, particularly in communities of color. "PrEP is the ultimate implementation science challenge," the task force wrote in the journal JAMA. "At more than 90 percent efficacy when used properly, the only barrier to drastically reducing HIV incidence in the U.S. is addressing the systemic low coverage." Graphic by Megan McGrew/PBS NewsHour Some people prefer to take PrEP as one

HIV and AIDS - World Health Organization

Overview Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an infection that attacks the body's immune system. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the most advanced stage of the disease. HIV targets the body's white blood cells, weakening the immune system. This makes it easier to get sick with diseases like tuberculosis, infections and some cancers. HIV is spread from the body fluids of an infected person, including blood, breast milk, semen and vaginal fluids. It is not spread by kisses, hugs or sharing food. It can also spread from a mother to her baby. HIV can be treated and prevented with antiretroviral therapy (ART). Untreated HIV can progress to AIDS, often after many years. WHO now defines Advanced HIV Disease (AHD) as CD4 cell count less than 200cells/mm3 or WHO stage 3 or 4 in adults and adolescents. All children with HIV younger than 5 years of age are considered to have advanced HIV disease. Signs and symptoms The symptoms of HIV vary depending on the stage of infectio

HIV and AIDS - World Health Organization

Overview Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an infection that attacks the body's immune system. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the most advanced stage of the disease. HIV targets the body's white blood cells, weakening the immune system. This makes it easier to get sick with diseases like tuberculosis, infections and some cancers. HIV is spread from the body fluids of an infected person, including blood, breast milk, semen and vaginal fluids. It is not spread by kisses, hugs or sharing food. It can also spread from a mother to her baby. HIV can be treated and prevented with antiretroviral therapy (ART). Untreated HIV can progress to AIDS, often after many years. WHO now defines Advanced HIV Disease (AHD) as CD4 cell count less than 200cells/mm3 or WHO stage 3 or 4 in adults and adolescents. All children with HIV younger than 5 years of age are considered to have advanced HIV disease. Signs and symptoms The symptoms of HIV vary depending on the stage of infectio

Does at-home STI testing work? FDA clears first self-test for gonorrhea and chlamydia - NBC News

Image
The Food and Drug Administration's first-ever approval of an at-home test for chlamydia and gonorrhea could help drive earlier detection and treatment of these sexually transmitted infections amid a ballooning epidemic in the U.S. But some sexual health advocates worry that the FDA's proposal to begin stepping up regulation of over-the-counter self-testing of STIs could backfire. The need for new tools to combat these infections is dire. Diagnoses of gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis have soared in the past two decades. Public health experts argue that this is at least partially driven by woeful long-term flat funding of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's budget to fight the spread of STIs during this period. Some public health officials and advocates expect that greater FDA oversight will help legitimize home STI testing, making it easier to get insurance coverage and actually expanding its use. Other home tests for these three bacterial STIs are already avai

Symptoms and Signs of Penis Infection Caused by an STI - Verywell Health

Image
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause symptoms on the penis or other areas around the groin.  Some symptoms can be relatively mild, while others can cause problems ranging from pain to infertility and cancer. This article discusses common signs  symptoms of an STI on both the penis and other parts of the body. It also describes several non-STI-related conditions that can cause many of the same symptoms.  PeopleImages / Getty Images  Penile Symptoms STIs often cause symptoms that affect the penis or groin area. These symptoms can be caused by things other than an STI but, just to be safe, have it checked out by a doctor. If you have an STI, there are five common symptoms that can affect the penis: Penile pain or discomfort : Pain or discomfort with urination or ejaculation may also be a sign of an STI. Discharge from the penis : A thick white, yellow, or green discharge f

Science Update: Risk of developmental delays may be higher for HIV-free children whose mothers began antiretroviral ... - National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Image
HIV-free children whose mothers started taking anti-HIV medications while they were in the womb may be at higher risk for lower-than-average scores in one or more areas of development at age 5, according to a study supported by the National Institutes of Health. Risk for a developmental delay was lower in children whose mothers began an antiretroviral regimen before getting pregnant, compared to those whose mothers began treatment while pregnant. For children whose mothers began treatment while pregnant, risk was even higher for children whose mothers took regimens containing the drug atazanavir, compared to regimens that did not. The authors say the findings underscore the need to monitor the neurodevelopment of children who do not have HIV but whose mothers took antiretrovirals during pregnancy. They also called for more studies on the timing of children's first exposure to antiretroviral treatments during pregnancy. The study was conducted by Tzy-Jyun Yao, Ph.D., and colleagues

Urethritis in Men: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment - Verywell Health

Image
An itchy urethra in assigned males and a milky discharge from the penis are a couple of the symptoms associated with urethritis , or inflammation of the urethra. Common causes include sexually transmitted infections, like gonorrhea and chlamydia, as well as noninfectious reasons, such as rough fabric or soap irritation. Diagnosis involves a physical exam and various lab tests. Treatment will vary based on the specific cause, but may include prescription and over-the-counter medications. This article discusses the symptoms and causes of urethritis in assigned males. It also looks at diagnosis and treatment. Verywell / JR Bee Urethritis Symptoms Common symptoms of urethritis include: Discharge from the urethra Itching or tingling of the penis or urethra Pain or burning during urination, called dysuria Swelling and tenderness of the penis Pain during sex, called dyspareunia Pinkish urine or semen due to urethral bleeding

Oral Chlamydia: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment - Verywell Health

Image
Oral chlamydia is an infection in the mouth or throat caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria. It is passed through oral sex. This is the same bacteria that causes genital or anal chlamydia, which are more common. People often suspect they have chlamydia when they get genital and urinary tract symptoms like painful urination or vaginal discharge. But those who get it through oral sex don't always connect the symptoms to the disease because they can be easily attributed to other conditions. This article takes a closer look at the symptoms and causes of oral chlamydia. It also explains how this STD is diagnosed, treated, and prevented. Verywell / Sydney Saporito How Do You Get Oral Chlamydia? A person can get oral chlamydia by performing oral sex on someone who is infected. This includes oral-penile sex, oral-vaginal sex, and oral-anal sex. Chlamydia trachomatis can also be transmitted from the throat of someone with chlamydia