STD's

Many of us already do know the risks of STDs and how they are transmitted and everything else about them. Since I am working on an research for STDs thought I would share a bit about them here as well. I hope its helpful.


If you have sex, you may also have an STD, along with subtle or noticeable STD symptoms. Straight or gay, married or single, you're vulnerable to STDs and STD symptoms, whether you engage in oral, anal or vaginal sex.

Although condoms are highly effective for reducing transmission of STDs, no method is foolproof. This is particularly true with certain STDs, such as genital warts and genital herpes.

STD symptoms aren't always obvious. If you think you're experiencing STD symptoms, see a doctor. Some STD symptoms can be treated easily and eliminated, but others require more involved and long-term treatment.

Either way, it's essential to be evaluated, and — if diagnosed with an STD — get treated. It's also essential to inform any partners so that they can be evaluated and treated. If untreated, STDs can increase your risk of acquiring another STD such as HIV. This happens because an STD can stimulate an immune response in the genital area or cause sores, either of which might make HIV transmission more likely. Some untreated STDs can also lead to infertility.



STDs often asymptomatic

You could have an STD and be asymptomatic — without any signs or symptoms. In fact, this happens with a lot of STDs. Even though you have no symptoms, you're still at risk of passing the infection along to your sex partners. That's why it's important to visit your doctor on a regular basis for STD screening, so you can identify a potential infection and get treated for it before passing it along to someone else



Chlamydia symptoms

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection of your genital tract. Chlamydia may be difficult for you to detect because early-stage infections often cause few or no signs and symptoms. When they do occur, they usually start one to three weeks after you've been exposed to chlamydia. Even when signs and symptoms do occur, they're often mild and passing, making them easy to overlook.

Signs and symptoms may include:

Painful urination
Lower abdominal pain
Vaginal discharge in women
Discharge from the penis in men
Pain during sexual intercourse in women
Testicular pain in men



Gonorrhea symptoms

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection of your genital tract. The first gonorrhea symptoms generally appear within two to 10 days after exposure. However, some people may be infected for months before signs or symptoms occur. Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea may include:

Thick, cloudy or bloody discharge from the penis or vagina
Pain or burning sensation when urinating
Frequent urination
Pain during sexual intercourse



Trichomoniasis symptoms

Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted disease caused by a microscopic, one-celled parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. This organism spreads during sexual intercourse with someone who already has the infection. The organism usually infects the urinary tract in men, but often causes no symptoms in men. Trichomoniasis typically infects the vagina in women and may cause these signs and symptoms:

Greenish yellow, possibly frothy vaginal discharge
Strong vaginal odor
Vaginal itching or irritation
Pain during sexual intercourse
Painful urination
Light vaginal bleeding



HIV symptoms

HIV is an infection with the human immunodeficiency virus. HIV interferes with your body's ability to effectively fight off viruses, bacteria and fungi that cause disease, and it can lead to AIDS, a chronic, life-threatening disease.

When first infected with HIV, you may have no symptoms at all. Some people develop a flu-like illness, usually two to six weeks after being infected. Early HIV signs and symptoms may include:

Fever
Headache
Sore throat
Swollen lymph glands
Rash
Fatigue
These early signs and symptoms usually disappear within a week to a month and are often mistaken for those of another viral infection. During this period, you are very infectious. More persistent or severe symptoms of HIV infection may not appear for 10 years or more after the initial infection.

As the virus continues to multiply and destroy immune cells, you may develop mild infections or chronic signs and symptoms such as:

Swollen lymph nodes — often one of the first signs of HIV infection
Diarrhea
Weight loss
Fever
Cough and shortness of breath
Signs and symptoms of later stage HIV infection include:

Persistent, unexplained fatigue
Soaking night sweats
Shaking chills or fever higher than 100.4 F (38 C) for several weeks
Swelling of lymph nodes for more than three months
Chronic diarrhea
Persistent headaches



Genital herpes symptoms

Genital herpes is highly contagious and caused by a type of the herpes simplex virus (HSV). HSV enters your body through small breaks in your skin or mucous membranes. Most people with HSV never know they have it, because they have no signs or symptoms. The signs and symptoms of HSV can be so mild they go unnoticed. When signs and symptoms are noticeable, the first episode is generally the worst. Some people never experience a second episode. Other people, however, can experience episodes over a period of decades.

When present, genital herpes signs and symptoms may include:

Small, red bumps, blisters (vesicles) or open sores (ulcers) in the genital, anal and nearby areas
Pain or itching around the genital area, buttocks and inner thighs
The initial symptom of genital herpes usually is pain or itching, beginning within a few weeks after exposure to an infected sexual partner. After several days, small, red bumps may appear. They then rupture, becoming ulcers that ooze or bleed. Eventually, scabs form and the ulcers heal.

In women, sores can erupt in the vaginal area, external genitals, buttocks, anus or cervix. In men, sores can appear on the penis, scrotum, buttocks, anus or thighs, or inside the urethra, the tube from the bladder through the penis.

While you have ulcers, it may be painful to urinate. You may also experience pain and tenderness in your genital area until the infection clears. During an initial episode, you may have flu-like signs and symptoms, such as headache, muscle aches and fever, as well as swollen lymph nodes in your groin.

In some cases, the infection can be active and contagious even when sores aren't present.



Genital warts (HPV infection) symptoms

Genital warts, caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), are one of the most common types of STDs. The signs and symptoms of genital warts include:

Small, flesh-colored or gray swellings in your genital area
Several warts close together that take on a cauliflower shape
Itching or discomfort in your genital area
Bleeding with intercourse
Often, however, genital warts cause no symptoms. Genital warts may be as small as 1 millimeter in diameter or may multiply into large clusters.

In women, genital warts can grow on the vulva, the walls of the vagina, the area between the external genitals and the anus, and the cervix. In men, they may occur on the tip or shaft of the penis, the scrotum, or the anus. Genital warts can also develop in the mouth or throat of a person who has had oral sex with an infected person.



Hepatitis symptoms

Hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are all contagious viral infections that affect your liver. Hepatitis B and C are the most serious of the three, but each can cause your liver to become inflamed.

Some people never develop signs or symptoms. But for those who do, signs and symptoms may occur after several weeks and may include:

Fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal pain or discomfort, especially in the area of your liver on your right side beneath your lower ribs
Loss of appetite
Fever
Dark urine
Muscle or joint pain
Itching
Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)



Syphilis symptoms

Syphilis is a bacterial infection. The disease affects your genitals, skin and mucous membranes, but it may also involve many other parts of your body, including your brain and your heart.

The signs and symptoms of syphilis may occur in four stages — primary, secondary, latent and tertiary.

Primary
These signs may occur from 10 days to three months after exposure:

A small, painless sore (chancre) on the part of your body where the infection was transmitted, usually your genitals, rectum, tongue or lips. A single chancre is typical, but there may be multiple sores.
Enlarged lymph nodes.
Signs and symptoms of primary syphilis typically disappear without treatment, but the underlying disease remains and may reappear in the second (secondary) or third (tertiary) stage.

Secondary
Signs and symptoms of secondary syphilis may begin two to 10 weeks after the chancre appears, and may include:

Rash marked by red or reddish-brown, penny-sized sores over any area of your body, including your palms and soles
Fever
Fatigue and a vague feeling of discomfort
Soreness and aching
These signs and symptoms may disappear within a few weeks or repeatedly come and go for as long as a year.

Latent
In some people, a period called latent syphilis — in which no symptoms are present — may follow the secondary stage. Signs and symptoms may never return, or the disease may progress to the tertiary stage.

Tertiary
Without treatment, syphilis bacteria may spread, leading to serious internal organ damage and death years after the original infection.

Some of the signs and symptoms of tertiary syphilis include:

Neurological problems. These may include stroke and infection and inflammation of the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). Other problems may include poor muscle coordination, numbness, paralysis, deafness or visual problems. Personality changes and dementia also are possible.
Cardiovascular problems. These may include bulging (aneurysm) and inflammation of the aorta — your body's major artery — and of other blood vessels. Syphilis may also cause valvular heart disease, such as aortic valve problems.



If you suspect you have an STD, see your doctor

If you suspect you have these or other STDs or that you may have been exposed to one, see your doctor for STD testing. Timely diagnosis and treatment are important to avoid or delay more severe, potentially life-threatening health problems and to avoid infecting others.

Interesting stuff. Luckily I've never even gotten a pimple and I've been active for about 35 years. I even survived the no condom high risk 1978-1985 time. At times I consider myself lucky but I have been care in not only my choices of partners but also on using protection.

I have long been an advocate for decriminalization of prostitution in the states and then make it MANDATORY for all girls to be tested for STD's every six weeks, much like the porn industry...


Having the knowledge is great and this is accurate information; however, knowledge and action are two different things. How many folks will read this and think, 'I should go get myself checked' but don't??? NEVER be afraid to go to your Dr. EVER. they are not going to run and tell your partner(s) due to their oath. However, I believe most people, in or out of the industry, have fears of going to the Dr. as they would then have the responsibility to let others know if something was contracted..

Thanks luv, informative...

xo
Jazz

I have long been an advocate for decriminalization of prostitution in the states and then make it MANDATORY for all girls to be tested for STD's every six weeks, much like the porn industry...


Having the knowledge is great and this is accurate information; however, knowledge and action are two different things. How many folks will read this and think, 'I should go get myself checked' but don't??? NEVER be afraid to go to your Dr. EVER. they are not going to run and tell your partner(s) due to their oath. However, I believe most people, in or out of the industry, have fears of going to the Dr. as they would then have the responsibility to let others know if something was contracted..

Thanks luv, informative...

xo
Jazz Originally Posted by SpanishJewel

i have bloodwork done on a quarterly basis so twice a year I have my doctor run an STD panel(I guess that's what it's called) also. Once a year I do one for HIV. Peace of mind is very important but also knowing if there is something is also. Getting one happens but if you don't take care of it or spread it then that's when the problems begin.

All ladys need to be tested every 6 weeks..Thats what i think anyway

i have bloodwork done on a quarterly basis so twice a year I have my doctor run an STD panel(I guess that's what it's called) also. Once a year I do one for HIV. Peace of mind is very important but also knowing if there is something is also. Getting one happens but if you don't take care of it or spread it then that's when the problems begin. Originally Posted by BobInKC

Right there with you. Had my test done last month. I sleep like a baby.

Things I like: Not having HIV.
Things I don't like: Waiting for test results. I hate how they tell you the results, too. NEGATIVE results are a POSITIVE thing and POSITIVE results are a very NEGATIVE thing. There has got to be a less confusing way to tell a person whether they have a terminal disease or not. I also don't like the part where they draw blood. I almost fainted when I walked back to the waiting room because I hadn't eaten breakfast yet.

Hopefully, HIV will be a thing of the past in my lifetime. There is good work being done building off the success of the German patient. We might all have CCR5 Delta32 immunity within a decade.

I look forward to the sun rising one day when safe BBFS is a reality. I call that V-VD Day!

Many people are afraid to go to their obgyn or general health practitioner for regular vistis. I am tested every 4 to 6 weeks without question through my local community health agency. Some state fees. I have never been charged. If so, it is a very small amount to pay for peace of mind and confidence in service.

Resources:

Jackson County Health Dept. $10 http://www.jacohd.org/Services_Disea...ansmitted.aspx

Johnson County Health Dept. : http://health.jocogov.org/CLS/STI.shtml $30

Wyandotte: http://www.wycokck.org/InternetDept....8&banner=15284

IMHO if you consider yourself a reputable provider this is something that should be considered standard. I take 100% precaution safety measures, however nothing is 100%.

I must be able to say that to my knowledge, I am safe. That upholds my reputation and trust that my clients have in me.

I know that my old school friends will back me on this.

XOXO,

Arianna
velvetvixen@live.com
www.thevelvetvixen.com

Things I like: Not having HIV.
Things I don't like: Waiting for test results. I hate how they tell you the results, too. NEGATIVE results are a POSITIVE thing and POSITIVE results are a very NEGATIVE thing. There has got to be a less confusing way to tell a person whether they have a terminal disease or not. I also don't like the part where they draw blood. I almost fainted when I walked back to the waiting room because I hadn't eaten breakfast yet.

Hopefully, HIV will be a thing of the past in my lifetime. There is good work being done building off the success of the German patient. We might all have CCR5 Delta32 immunity within a decade.

I look forward to the sun rising one day when safe BBFS is a reality. I call that V-VD Day! Originally Posted by Longermonger

In 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that there are 33.4 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS, with 2.7 million new HIV infections per year and 2.0 million annual deaths due to AIDS. Now the delta32 immunity was provided to the patient by the process of stem cell transplantation. Come to think of it, do we have the ability to do stem cell transplantation for 3 million patients every year. Even More important question is how many people do you think can afford stem cell transplantation ? I believe there is a cure out there for HIV but I don't see it coming out at least in my lifetime.

In my experience I have met with 2 kinds of people who are suffering from STDs. Those who lack the awareness and knowledge. And then there are those who are negligent. What ever the cause, the end result is the same. You end up with an STD.

I have long been an advocate for decriminalization of prostitution in the states and then make it MANDATORY for all girls to be tested for STD's every six weeks, much like the porn industry...


Having the knowledge is great and this is accurate information; however, knowledge and action are two different things. How many folks will read this and think, 'I should go get myself checked' but don't??? NEVER be afraid to go to your Dr. EVER. they are not going to run and tell your partner(s) due to their oath. However, I believe most people, in or out of the industry, have fears of going to the Dr. as they would then have the responsibility to let others know if something was contracted..

Thanks luv, informative...

xo
Jazz Originally Posted by SpanishJewel

So well-written! Must be that Catholic School upbringing. I couldn't agree with you more. Many people would rather live in denial that nothing will happen to them rather than being proactive and being responsible. Yea, it's not exciting to haul my ass down to the health department every 4 to 6 weeks but i feel it is my obligation and responsibility. Interestingly, I've never had an STD. I always play safe..always!

I know higher end girls who get checked every 6 months, if that. I think it is wreckless and irresponsible, not just for themselves, but for the well being of their clients.

Clients also have a responsibility to be tested. It's a two-way street.

I understand insurance, doctors and all of that for a guy is hard to do. But it is the client's responsibility to play it safe.

It is typical for men to not have symptoms of Chlamydia or Ghonnerhea...the two most common STD's. Women usually do.

So, you could easily think that all is well, all the while exposing others and often to be found out when it catches up to wifey. Not good. These can be spread by fingers or toys or various othe ways.

We are playing a grown up game and this shows the same kind of respect that so many of you men give us. Just suck up your pride and go to the Health dept. std clinic so you don't have to run it through your insurance etc. It's the most anonymous and simple way that I know.

Safe, Responsible, Respectable...3 important rules in this game we play.

So glad you are here in KC Jazz! Great to see you on the board.

Arianna
velvetvixen@live.com
www.thevelvetvixen.com

Absolutely misleading information on HIV and AIDS ...in reality, the cure for HIV is to simply not accept the unproven hypothesis that it's a deadly virus ...and BTW, there are NO TESTS available to even detect an HIV virus ...HIV is a government program, not a disease.

In fact, the totally unreliable HIV tests (Elisa, Western Blot and PCR ) all have disclaimers in their kit inserts which state:

1) “At present there is no recognized standard for establishing the presence or absence of antibodies to HIV-1 and HIV-2 in human blood” (Elisa test, billed as a specific antibody test)

2) “Do not use this kit as the sole basis of diagnosis of HIV infection” (Western Blot test, presumed to be a “confirmatory test”).

3) “This test is not intended to be used as a screening test for HIV or as a diagnostic test to confirm the presence of HIV infection” (PCR or “viral load” test, a test which the patient’s life depends on as it is used to decide when to start taking highly toxic and often deadly antiretroviral drugs and to “screen” the immune response to the virus and therapy).

.

Wow, Mr. Bill, maybe you or those like you down in Texas why I got more BBFS requests in the short 4 days I was in Texas that I have gotten in probably the last year here in KC. I flew home concluding TX must be the BBFS capital of the country. Yet another reason I'll never go back there.

Unblievable.

This is great information. I've never been tested, but for $30 it's something I should get done soon. Just curious about discretion! How do they notify you of the results?

Resources:

Jackson County Health Dept. $10 http://www.jacohd.org/Services_Disea...ansmitted.aspx

Johnson County Health Dept. : http://health.jocogov.org/CLS/STI.shtml $30

Wyandotte: http://www.wycokck.org/InternetDept....8&banner=15284
Originally Posted by Ari816

Wow, Mr. Bill, maybe you or those like you down in Texas why I got more BBCR requests in the short 4 days I was in Texas that I have gotten in probably the last year here in KC. I flew home concluding TX must be the BBCR capital of the country. Just another reason I'll be going back soon.

Amazing!!! Originally Posted by SinsOfTheFlesh

Fixed that for ya