Signs of STD

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are both sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that can infect the vaginal, oral, anal, urethral, and throat tissues. While some of the symptoms may be the same, many people are asymptomatic (experience no symptoms at all) with either infection. It can be difficult to determine if you have chlamydia or gonorrhea by symptoms alone. To get effective treatment, STIs must be diagnosed by a healthcare provider. Read on to learn more about the similarities and differences between these infections, risk factors, and prevention. blueshot / Getty Images Similarities Chlamydia and gonorrhea are not caused by the same pathogen (germ), but there are a number of similarities between the infections, including how they are transmitted and diagnosed, and their outcomes if they aren't treated. Transmission The bacterium that causes chlamydia ( Chlamydia trachomatis ) and the bacterium that causes gonorrhea ( Neisseria go...

Initiating treatment may become easier for adults living with HIV. The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a label update that allows adults living with HIV to begin treatment with Cabenuva (ViiV Healthcare), a combination injectable, without a lead-in period of oral tablets, according to a press release from Janssen Pharmaceuticals. Cabenuva combines rilpivirine and cabotegravir. The change offers patients and clinicians an option for a streamlined entry to treatment without the burden of daily pill taking, according to the release. Cabenuva injections may be given as few as six times a year to manage HIV, according to Janssen. HIV patients with viral suppression previously had to complete an oral treatment regimen before starting monthly or bimonthly injections. The injectable combination of cabotegravir, an HIV-1 integrase strand transfer inhibitor, and rilpivirine, an HIV-1 nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, is currently in...

SPRINGFIELD (WGEM) - Illinois is set to become the eighth state to allow pharmacists to dispense drugs preventing HIV. Advocates say a plan that passed out of the Illinois Senate and House could increase access to lifesaving medication. People typically need to go to an HIV care provider in order to get pre or post-exposure prophylaxis treatment, and that's a barrier to many in Black and brown communities. Unfortunately, only 31% of people in Illinois who might benefit from PrEP receive a prescription. This bill could allow pharmacists to provide medication and care to people without them having to visit a doctor. Advocates say it will also help pharmacies refer people to ongoing preventative care and further tests to understand if PrEP or PEP is a good option. Timothy Jackson with AIDS Foundation Chicago says this would not be a mandate for pharmacists. "It has to be done under a standing order of a licensed physician or county health department," Jackson said. "So ...

The sexually transmitted diseases chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are at an all-time in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to a study published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association, more people are turning to Reddit to get an STD diagnosis, either without going to the doctor or after going to the doctor but apparently not being satisfied with what they learned. According to Dr. John W. Ayers, a co-author of the study, crowd diagnoses have likely taken off because using that platform takes a fraction of the time it takes to see a doctor. Limited access to STD care could also play a role. The trend is alarming because it can lead to misdiagnoses, which can contribute to the spread of STDs and leave patients with ineffective treatments.  Visit Insider's homepage for more. ...

STIs are very common and can come with a variety of symptoms. Although some people might not experience symptoms at all, it's still worthwhile to know what signs to look out for. If left untreated, some STIs can cause serious damage to the body and be transmitted to other people through sexual contact. STI symptoms can range from mild to severe — and they can affect different parts of the body. After an initial infection, it can take days, weeks, months, or even years for symptoms to appear. But it's also common for some STIs, like chlamydia and hepatitis B, to be asymptomatic . This means people may not even realize they have it. Here are the main symptoms to be aware of: Pain when urinating or having sex can be a sign of everything from chlamydia and gonorrhea to genital herpes. Dark urine can occur with hepatitis B. Unusual discharge from the vagina, penis, or anus can appear with chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. Itchiness around the genitals may be seen with the li...

[unable to retrieve full-text content] Bill in Illinois would allow all pharmacies to prescribe HIV medications    WQAD Moline Illinois pharmacies could soon dispense HIV prevention medications    KWQC Session Recap: Bills allow pharmacists to administer preventive HIV meds, fentanyl test strips    Capitol News Illinois Senate passes bill to make HIV medication more accessible    AdVantageNEWS.com Legislation to Increase Critical Access to HIV Prevention Medications Passes in Illinois House    Lawndale News View Full Coverage on Google News

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that causes disease by damaging the immune system. When the damage is severe and the body's immune defenses are compromised, a person is said to have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV therapy protects the immune system by controlling the virus and preventing disease progression. This article takes a comprehensive look at HIV/AIDS, including the symptoms, causes, stages of infection, and modes of transmission. It also explains how HIV is diagnosed, treated, and prevented, and what to expect if you test positive for HIV. BigFive Images / Getty Images What Is HIV? HIV stands for the human immunodeficiency virus. The virus targets and attacks a type of white blood cell called a CD4 T-cell lymphocyte. These are the "helper" cells that help coordinate the immune response by stimulating other immune cells to fight infection. When HIV infects a CD4 T-cell, it inserts its ge...