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Ask Emma! Answers-STIs | |
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Any health information contained in this service is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Nothing contained should be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. If you have an urgent medical problem call 911 or contact your health care provider. General and "What can it be" Questions
Can you
get a STI if they don't ejaculate in you? Questions about STI/HIV testing
I am
terrified of needles. Is there any other way I can get tested for HIV? Herpes Questions
I have herpes. Should I have my child tested,
since I kiss them?
Is it safe to remove genital warts at home? Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Questions
Can
you get chlamydia from sharing underwear with someone who's infected? Hepatitis Questions Can you still get hepatitis if you were vaccinated against it? Syphilis Questions
What are the
symptoms of syphilis?
General STI and "What can it be" Questions
"Can you get a STI if they don't [ejaculate in your vagina]?" Yes. Many STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) aren't actually spread through semen. Herpes and genital warts (caused by HPV, the human papillomavirus), for instance, are spread through skin contact with the sores.
The best way to prevent the spread of STIs
is to use condoms and dental dams each time you have sex.
First of all, you CAN get sexually transmitted infections (STIs) from oral sex. Pretty much anytime you exchange fluids with another person, even kissing, you can also exchange viruses and bacteria. Herpes, genital warts, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and other STIs can all be transmitted with oral sex. It's just as important to use condoms and dental dams to prevent STIs during oral sex as it is to use condoms during anal and vaginal sex.
We can't diagnose any condition via the
internet, so I really think you should go and get seen by your health
care provider. There are a lot of infections that could have those
symptoms; some are sexually transmitted (like chlamydia or gonorrhea)
and some usually aren't (urinary tract infections can be cause by sexual
activity or they can just happen). You should go in and get seen as soon
as possible to get this taken care of. Whether you have a bladder,
urinary tract, or sexually transmitted infection it's important that you
get it treated quickly. Leaving any infected untreated can cause
permanent problems to your body.
Well, those infections are both sexually transmitted. They can be transmitted by oral and anal sex, as well as "fingering" or mutual masturbation, but they're pretty exclusively transmitted by exchanging sexual fluids. There have been cases of people who got sexually transmitted infections by borrowing underwear or intimate clothing from someone who was infected, and wearing the clothing without washing it first. Someone could have used the sex toy of someone who was infected without washing it first. We could think of more theoretical possibilities, but what it comes down to is that someone had contact with someone else's sexual fluids or body parts. Maybe the couple should have a chat with the woman's gynecologist (if they haven't already), to see if there's something the health care provider knows about the particulars of the case that may shed some light on what's happening. Did she actually have a wart outbreak, or did a pap smear result say she had HPV? Has the husband been tested as well? If he's positive too, there's no way of telling that the infections came from the wife for sure and not the husband. Well, with HPV it is possible to have the virus in your body for many years before having an outbreak, and it's possible to have chlamydia for several years without having symptoms. However, if a woman had chlamydia in her body for 20 years, she would have experienced some of the effects of long-term infection. It seems more likely that the infections were acquired sometime after the marriage began, but we can't know much of anything for sure.
I'm sorry that I can't give you more
concrete information, but unfortunately with STIs, it's sometimes hard
to find out the more concrete information.
I guess it depends on which symptoms she is having. Sometimes yeast infections cause pretty non-specific symptoms (i.e. itching, burning, and an abnormal discharge).
Even if the home treatments work for the
individual infection, she should go speak with her gynecologist if they
continue reoccurring. If it comes back frequently, that can mean that
the treatment isn't working fully. Repeated re-infection can also be a
symptom of a larger problem. There are, however, some women who just
have really sensitive vaginas and do get yeast infections pretty
frequently. Again, if she gets these over and over again, she should get
checked out. Her gynecologist may decide it's prudent to test for other
sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at that time just to make sure.
"How long does it take for an STI to develop?" Well, that depends on the STI (sexually transmitted infections). There can also be a big difference between how long it takes for you to be able to have a positive test for an STI, and how long it takes to develop symptoms. Also, any time estimates for when symptoms are develop are just estimates. Every person will react do an infection differently depending on their health and their immune system. Many very common STIs can take a very long time to develop symptoms if they ever do, or the symptoms are such that you may miss them. For most STIs it is best to wait at least 3 weeks after exposure before the test so it will be accurate. For HIV tests, however, it needs to be at least 3 months. Chlamydia and gonorrhea both very commonly do not have symptoms. If you do have symptoms they can develop as soon as the next day after intercourse, or they can take up to 3 weeks to show up. Most people don't have any signs or symptoms if they have HIV (the Human Immunodeficiency Virus) for many years until they develop AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). After exposure it can take someone anywhere between 2 weeks and 3 months to develop the antibodies that will cause a HIV test to read positive. Hepatitis can take anywhere from several weeks to several months to develop symptoms. The symptoms for the first stage of syphilis infection, characterized by a sore where the bacteria entered your body, can happen anywhere between 10 and 90 days after you were exposed. Herpes and HPV (the human papillomavirus, which causes genital warts) are both viruses that can be in your body for weeks, months, or even years after exposure before you ever have symptoms. Generally, you can only be tested for herpes or HPV if you have an active sore present. There are some tests on the market that test your blood to see if the virus is present, however these tests aren't usually the best use of your money (very expensive). Herpes is the same virus that causes cold sores, so if you've ever had a cold sore, then your test is positive. Both these viruses are incredibly common. Like I said above, you can have the virus in your body for years without ever having an outbreak, so a positive blood test doesn't really tell you any useful information about when, if ever, you will have sores.
It's very important to just watch your body and keep track of any new
developments. A good rule to follow is to take any new or strange
fluids, discharges, smells, sores, bumps, or lumps to your health care
provider as soon as possible. For instance, if you let a sore heal on
its own, they will not be able to tell you what it was.
"I had sex when I had a yeast infection, and now I
have red bumps on my vagina. I don't know if this is a sexually
transmitted infection
(STI), but he doesn't have any symptoms of anything." You should definitely get these bumps checked out by your gynecologist or health care provider. Yeast infections generally aren't associated with red bumps. Anytime you have any unusual bumps, lumps, sores, smells, discharges, or generally anything out of the ordinary in or around your vagina or penis, you should go get it checked out. You should go in as soon as you can, because if these heal over before you get in, they will not be able to tell you what it was.
This could potentially be a STI, even though your partner doesn't have
symptoms. Pretty much all STIs can be transmitted without symptoms being
present. The herpes virus, for example, which is associated with
red bumps, can be dormant in your body for years, if not decades, before
you ever have an outbreak. So, if this is caused by herpes (which it is
impossible to tell without you getting an exam) you can't even be sure
if you got it from your current partner, or if you acquired the virus
years ago. Go in and get this checked out and they should be able to
tell you what's going on. In the future however, you should not have
intercourse when you have a current yeast infection, because you can
spread that infection to your partner.
"Can you or your partner get a STI if neither of you
have had sex with anyone else?" The thing to keep in mind is that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be transmitted during ANY sexual act, not just vaginal penetration. If either of you have ever had oral sex, anal sex, or generally had any contact with anyone else's genitals or genital fluids, then you possibly could have been exposed to a STI. Also, remember that you two can give each other genital herpes if you ever get cold sores around your mouth. Cold sores are caused by the herpes virus, and can be (VERY easily) transmitted during oral sex. It is very important to use safer sex practices (condoms and dental dams) during oral sex. You can even get the herpes virus from just kissing.
It's a much better idea to get tested for yourself than to rely on other
people to do so. That way you know for sure.
Not necessarily. First thing, if you have had sex with anyone before this woman, you could have gotten something from your previous partners. To be on the safe side, you should really be tested in between each partner, or on a very regular basis if you have new partners often. Generally, it is important for people to take charge of their own health by getting tested, and not rely on other people. Since it is your body, you need to take responsibility for yourself and get tested. Second, I don't know exactly what tests this woman was having run. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most common STIs to be tested for. It's also possible that she was getting tested for HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis. However, Herpes and HPV (the human papillomavirus, the virus that causes genital warts) generally can only be tested for if someone is having an active sore/outbreak. If she has never had an active sore, then (most likely) her doctor has not tested her for those, and therefore, you don't know what her status is for those STIs.
It is important to use condoms EVERY time that you have sex, and dental
dams for oral sex. This is the only way to protect yourself from STIs.
GET TESTED!
Generally speaking, you shouldn't touch anything to your genitals unless you know where it has been and what it has been used for. This goes for sex toys/massagers, fingers, vegetables, other peoples' genitals and body parts, and anything. It is much better to invest in a proper sex toy, than to try a used one or borrow someone else's. Try visiting your local adult shop. Sex toys range dramatically in price depending on the features of the specific model you are looking at. Usually you can find a simple toy for as little as $10. This is probably more than what you spent on your garage sale massager, but when you add in the price of treatment for anything you could catch from using a second-hand toy it's quite a bargain.
Even when you buy a new toy and only use it on yourself, never loaning
it out, you still need to clean it and take care of it properly. While
at your local adult toy store you should also pick up some toy cleaner.
These are soaps or sprays that are specifically designed to clean and
disinfect these toys without decreasing their life.
The symptoms of gonorrhea are most commonly a yellow discharge, itching
in the genital area, and pain/burning during urination. It is also very
common not to have symptoms at all while infected with gonorrhea, which
is why it is important to get tested regularly. Bumps are not usually
associated with gonorrhea. You should have these bumps looked at by a
physician.
"Is it OK to give oral sex while you have canker sores in your mouth?" If you have canker sores, which are sores on the inside of your mouth commonly caused by consuming an excess of salty or citrus foods, those are harmless. (You may not be particularly in the mood for oral sex while having those present, as they are painful, but they won't hurt anyone.) Cold sores, on the other hand, which are sores located on the outside of your mouth or on your lips, are caused by the herpes virus, and it is NOT ok to give oral sex with those present. If you have a cold sore on your mouth, and give oral sex, then your partner will have herpes on their genitals. Herpes is wickedly contagious, and it's of the utmost importance to have absolutely no contact when you have a sore present (north or south of the equator).
If you are not 100% sure whether you have a canker sore or a cold sore,
you should show it to a physician, and in the meantime, abstain from
sexual contact. Even if you do not have sores present, you should use
safer sex techniques while having oral sex. These include using condoms
when performing oral sex on a penis, and dental dams for oral sex on the
vagina or anus.
"I have pimple-like pimples inside my vagina. Could it be caused from using a condom?" Anytime you have sores in or around your vagina, or genital area, you should take them to a physician/gynecologist right away. If you let them heal over before going in, they will not be able to diagnose them. People occasionally have allergic reactions to latex condoms, but "pimple-like pimples" could also very easily be symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
We recently posted a question about what to do if you are allergic to
latex,
click here to read about how you can still
have safer sex with a latex allergy.
"I've noticed a few pimple like bumps on my private area. What could
they be?"
Generally speaking, any bumps, lumps, sores, smells, or discharges
should be brought to your physician. This is because they can all be
different things, and you need to get a professional opinion to get an
accurate diagnosis. "Pimple like bumps" could be ingrown hairs or
pimples, but it can also be herpes. Go to your physician right away. If
the bumps heal before you get there, they will not be able to make a
diagnosis.
"Can you get STIs from
oral sex?" Yes! First, it is possible to get chlamyida and gonorrhea infections in your throat. All those "urban legends" about people going to the doctor's office thinking they have strep throat and finding out they have gonorrhea in their throat are firmly based in fact if not completely true. Herpes is HIGHLY contagious. People talk about there being two strains of herpes, type 1 traditionally being located around the mouth, and type 2 traditionally being located around the genitals. However, the virus is not particular to where it sets up shop. It is very common to have cold sores caused by type 2 on the mouth, and cold sores caused by type 1 on the genitals. Therefore, it is incredibly easy for someone with a cold sore on their lips to give their partner herpes on their genitals during oral sex.
The moral of the story is that it is very important to use safer sex
practices during oral sex. For performing oral sex on a man, condoms are
very inexpensive and come in a wide variety of flavors. For performing
oral sex on a woman it is important to use dental dams. Dental dams are
a sheet of latex that is placed over the vulva and used as a barrier
between the two people. Dental dams can be a bit expensive, around $1-2
a piece. You can also make dental dams yourself, by taking a non-lubed
condom, cutting off the tip, then cutting up one side to make a latex
sheet. Saran wrap can work as a barrier
against STIs, but only if it is NON-MICROWAVABLE plastic wrap. This is
important, because microwavable saran wrap is porous and could allow
fluids to pass through. You are better off
cutting up a
condom to make a dental dam, but plastic wrap can work, given
the precaution above. First, you should check the manufacturer's instructions on how to disinfect the vibrator (there are also some general instructions on this website). Keep in mind that not all toys are made of a material that can be easily disinfected. Also, it's possible your bodily fluids came into contact with the base of the toy and this may be a challenging spot to disinfect (especially if it's not waterproof / contains batteries). Boiling water is the best way to disinfect, but isn't suitable for all toy materials. Bleach and alcohol work to a certain degree, but remember to rinse off the solution completely. Some places that sell sex toys also often sell sex toy disinfectant solutions. Also, you can always use a condom as a barrier between your body and the vibrator (and this would work just as it does in being a barrier between partners exchanging STIs through bodily fluids). There could always be uncertainty
over whether you disinfected everything or not, so it may be best just
to go and treat yourself to a new vibrator.
"Is the risk of STD's lower if my
boyfriend and I are virgins?" Yes, however, certain STIs (sexually transmitted infections) like HPV
and herpes can be transmitted by genital-to-genital contact. Also, cold
sores (on the skin around the mouth) are herpes and can be transmitted
to the genitals (i.e. during oral sex) even when there are no sores
present.
You should see your doctor ASAP for STD screening. You may have
vaginitis caused by bacteria or yeast, but chlamydia (a sexually
transmitted infection) causes the symptoms you are describing. Chlamydia
can cause a pelvic infection if not treated promptly. See if you can get
in sooner or see another health care provider who can get you in ASAP.
If you’re concerned about this cold sore the best thing to do is see a
gynecology practitioner for a diagnosis while you’re still having
symptoms. Cold sores are often caused by the Herpes virus and can be
passed through skin to skin contact with an infected person. That means
the virus can be passed orally, genitally, or from one to the other.
You may or may not have come in contact with the virus, but it’s best to
see a practitioner to find out.
Since we cannot diagnose anything over the internet, we would encourage
you to be seen by a medical professional so you can be properly
diagnosed and treated for these symptoms. The symptoms you are
experiencing may or may not be sexually transmitted, but it is always
important to use protection (ie
condoms,
dental dams) when you have sexual contact, oral, vaginal, or anal.
Being open with your practitioner about your sexual history will help
him/her make an accurate diagnosis. To find a clinic near you, you
could try searching in the phonebook or online for "gynecology" or
"family planning." Clinics in your area should be able to answer any
questions you have regarding your symptoms as well confidentiality
concerns.
"I am terrified of needles. Is there any other way I can get tested for
HIV?" Actually, the most common way to test for HIV isn't by a needle at all. There is an oral test on the market, and that's what we use here at the Emma Goldman Clinic. With the oral test, all that happens is your health care provider will rub this salty, cotton swab inside of your mouth for a couple of minutes. By doing that, the test collects cells from the inside of your cheek, and they test those for HIV. The oral test is just as effective as the blood tests, but much less invasive.
Just call doctor's offices or health
clinics in your area to find a place that offers the oral HIV test. Even
if the oral test isn't available in your area, it's really important not
to let fear of the test prevent you from getting the results.
That's something you get to decide for yourself. Here's some things that you can think about:
It's probably a
better idea to go and get tested, but again, that's up to you.
Generally, it's a good idea to err on the side of talking too much with
a partner, rather than not enough. It's really good that you're doing this research before you start having sex, rather than later. The first bit of advice for you is to make sure he gets tested for the other STIs (sexually transmitted infections), not just HIV. I'm not sure what specific risk factors you are referring to, but chances are, if he's at risk for HIV, he's at risk for chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis, syphilis, etc. as well. The other STIs that I listed are actually more common than HIV (Not to downplay HIV; he should still get tested for that.), and can be very damaging to your long-term health if left untreated. One thing that you can do to make him feel more at ease about being tested is for you to get tested as well. I know that you said that you are a virgin, and thus testing wouldn't be medically necessary. But if you go in at the same time, it can make him feel better about his past and the reasons he has to be tested now. A lot of clinics, the Emma Goldman Clinic included, allow people to schedule exams together. That way you both have support there if you need it. When discussing any difficult subject matter it's good to use "'I' statements". This means that you focus on your feelings and concerns rather than focusing on him. Here's an example of a "'You' statement" that wouldn't be very good: "Because of your risky behaviors in the past, you really need to be tested for STIs before I will sleep with you." While it is direct and to the point, the nature of that sentence can make him feel "under attack". Instead, try something like: "It seems like our relationship is going in a direction where we may be having sex in the future. I want both of us to be safe and healthy, so that we can be together for a long time. So, before we have sex, I want us both to get tested for STIs." Using the "'I' statements" helps the conversation go along easier. Another thing to remember is to stick to what you want. Definitely start off very nice and easy in the conversation, but be prepared to be firm. If he hesitates about getting tested, remind him that you won't sleep with him unless he does. While you're talking with him about STIs and getting tested, you can talk about birth control while you're at it. Even if you're using something like the pill that you're in charge of, he still should know what birth control method you're using. It is a very good idea to use condoms every time that you have sex, even if you use another birth control method, and even if he tests negative for everything. Using condoms every time you have sex is the best way to stay safe. That way you're protected against STIs, as well as pregnancy. Even if you start using hormonal birth control (pill, patch, ring, Depo) you should keep using condoms. That way if something ever happens, like you forget a pill, then you already have the condoms in place.
Again, it's great that you're working on this before you start having
sex. I know the "sex talk" can be very awkward and difficult, but it's
vital if you're going to be having sex. If you feel you need some more
help before bringing up "the talk" with your boyfriend, you can always
visit your health care provider or a women's clinic, like the Emma
Goldman Clinic. They can give you more ideas and information. There they
can go over all birth control methods and safer sex supplies with you so
you have any information you will need.
Here at the Emma Goldman Clinic, STI testing for men is pretty much the same as STI testing for women. HIV testing is done by rubbing a swab on the inside of your cheek. Testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and syphilis are all done by drawing blood. Chlamydia and gonorrhea testing is done with a swab. For women this swab is rubbed into the cervix, very similar to a pap smear. For men this swab is inserted into the penis. In the state of Iowa the test itself can sometimes be no cost, however you will still have to pay for your office time. Within the last few years some urine and blood tests have come on the market for chlamydia and gonorrhea. We are doing research into the feasibility of providing those tests at our clinic, however due to the high cost of these tests, we are not currently offering them. For herpes and genital warts (caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV) we cannot check you for that unless you have an active sore. If you do have a sore, we can look at it and do a culture to determine what is causing it. There is a blood test for herpes available, but we do not do it. The first reason is cost. These tests tend to be incredibly expensive (at least in this area). The second problem with the test is that approximately 90% of the general population have herpes simplex virus I (the strain of the virus that commonly causes oral cold sores, but can also cause genital herpes outbreaks) in their system. Therefore 90% of the population will test positive for herpes. This doesn't mean that they will ever have a genital herpes outbreak, or a oral outbreak. The herpes virus can be in your body for years, if not decades without you having an outbreak.
Many insurance companies will cover STI testing, which can help out with
the cost significantly. However, you should not submit HIV tests to your
insurance company, since some companies use that test as a reason to
raise your rates (you can submit all the other tests though). When you
decide which clinic to go to, you should ask them about their fees and
if they accept insurance.
That is really hard to say. It depends a lot on what he caught. Some
sexually transmitted infections (STIs), like chlamydia and gonorrhea,
rarely have symptoms. If it is one of those infections, you both could
have had it for a very long time, and you may not find out about it at
all until you get tested. HIV has to be in your body for a minimum of
three months before a test will come back positive, and it takes a very
long time to develop symptoms of infection. Herpes and HPV (the human
papillomavirus, which causes genital warts) can be in your body for
years, sometimes decades, before you ever have symptoms or an outbreak.
Since all of these can be in your body a very long time before you ever
have symptoms, unless you two got tested at some point of your
relationship or had no previous sexual experiences, you can't be sure
that these infections weren't from before you two were dating. You
should go get tested to see if you have the same infection that he has,
or at least so you can ask your health care provider about the
infection.
"Does it cost anything to get a STI test done?"
Yes it does (this describes the practices of the Emma Goldman Clinic,
not necessarily all clinics). Here at the Emma Goldman Clinic, there is
a charge for the time that you spend with the nurse. Then there are
charges for the separate tests that you have run. The most common tests
people ask us to run are chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV. We also
regularly do tests for hepatitis B and C and syphilis. You don't
necessarily have to have every test run, just what you think is
necessary. If you aren't sure what to have done, you can talk to our
staff members over the phone, or talk to the nurse during your
appointment. We only do tests for herpes and genital warts (caused by
the human papillomavirus or HPV) if you have a sore present. If you have
a sore that you think may be herpes or HPV, you should be seen as soon
as possible so it can be identified. We have a sliding scale for all of
our fees as well as special rates for teens, so please call the clinic
to find out how much testing would cost.
That all depends on the test. HIV tests take about 3 months since the
possible exposure to give an accurate result. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and
really most other STIs need at least 3 weeks to give an accurate result.
Herpes and HPV (the human papillomavirus, which causes genital warts),
generally can only be tested for when you have an active outbreak, which
can take months if not years or decades. If you have any symptoms of
STIs (itching, burning, odd discharges, sores, or bumps) make sure you
show those to your physician right away. If a sore heals over or a bump
goes away before you get in, they will not be able to tell you what it
was.
There’s no way for me to tell what’s going on in your body. The only way to figure this out is to be checked out by a health care provider. We’re not lawyers here (we’re health care providers), and we’re not in Arkansas (we’re in Iowa City, IA). So, we don’t know what the laws are in your area, and what you can do without notifying a parent. The best way for you to find that out is to go to the “Clinic” section of your phone book, call a few, and ask them. You can also look at http://www.guttmacher.org/statecenter/spibs/spib_MACS.pdf which has a brief listing by state of what services a minor can receive without parental notification, along with what states have special regulations. I don’t think you should stop with being tested for syphilis. I think you should have an exam with the health care provider that you choose. They can look at these bumps you have over your body and identify them for you. They can also give you a pap smear, which is a test that ALL sexually active women need to have done regularly. She can also test for all the other STIs. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are both VERY common, and often do not have symptoms. She can check you to see if you have any signs of herpes or HPV (human papillomavirus, genital warts) infection. She can also help you if you want to consider going on birth control, which you should probably at least consider, since you have been having unprotected sex. In the future, you
need to insist on condoms every time that you have sex. STIs like herpes
and HPV are not curable, and will be with you for the rest of your life.
You need to be very careful if you want to avoid getting pregnant or
getting STIs.
Herpes Questions The herpes simplex virus (HSV) is responsible for genital herpes as well as the cold sores that you get on your mouth. The virus is incredibly common as well as incredibly contagious. As long as you didn't have an active sore on your mouth when you kissed your child, the odds of giving them herpes is lower, but not completely gone. It is possible that you have given herpes to your child. It's also possible to spread the virus by other common family practices, such as sharing a drinking glass. You get to decide for yourself whether or not you want to get your child tested. Even if the test is positive, it's impossible to tell where the child got it from. Again, the virus is incredibly common and contagious, so they really could have gotten it from anywhere. The test also won't tell when, if ever, your child will ever have an outbreak themselves. Many people just carry the virus, without actually showing symptoms. This is why we don't routinely recommend this test. It just doesn't give that useful of information. I also don't know here how exactly you were diagnosed with herpes. If you just had the blood test done, and haven't actually had outbreaks, you could be putting yourself under a lot of undue stress. Again, a positive herpes test doesn't mean you will ever have an outbreak.
I think the best thing you can do is to be
very careful. Whenever (if ever) you have an outbreak, you should try to
limit your mouth's contact with other people to try to prevent spreading
the virus around. If you do ever notice that your child has a cold sore,
you should be really careful to educate them on how to take care of
themselves. The biggest thing is to make sure they wash their hands
every time they touch the sore. If they touch the sore, then touch their
genitals, that can cause them to have genital herpes outbreaks. Also try
to teach them how to prevent spreading the virus to other family
members, for instance, not kissing when there's a sore present and
not sharing drinking glasses.
"What can happen if you get
pregnant and your partner has a herpes outbreak?" If your partner has a herpes outbreak, whether or not you are pregnant, it means that you both have to be very careful to try to prevent you from acquiring the virus. This means using condoms and dental dams for every sex act, whether it is vaginal, anal, or oral sex. You should never have sex at all, even with protection, when they are having a current outbreak.
The concern with herpes and pregnancy is
if you develop herpes outbreaks yourself, and you have an active
outbreak at the time you go into labor. If you have an active outbreak
at the time of delivery, you will have to have a caesarean delivery
(C-section). If you have a vaginal delivery when you have an active
outbreak it can cause severe complications for your child.
"Should I use pads or tampons when I get my period if I have herpes?" If you are having an active outbreak when you get your period, it's best to stay on the safe side and generally not insert anything in your vagina. Thus, use pads. This is because it's possible for you to push the herpes virus from the outside of your vagina to the inside, and then you get outbreaks inside of your vagina as well. Since many women don't notice when they have outbreaks inside their vaginas, this can make it more likely that you will give herpes to your partner.
If you are not having an active herpes
outbreak at the time of your period, it's safe to use tampons or
whatever you want.
"What are the possible things that can happen if
genital herpes doesn't get treated?" Herpes outbreaks traditionally aren't treated. Most health care providers will just recommend to their clients that they let the blisters heal on their own. There are a few things that people can do at home to help them heal a little faster, like taking baths and generally keeping the area clean, but the sores aren't treated the same way other infections, like genital warts, are. There are some new drugs on the market right now. There are antiviral drugs that people can take orally on a daily basis to prevent outbreaks, or people can just take them at the time of an outbreak to make it shorter and less severe. There are some studies that show that taking these pills daily can help prevent spreading herpes to others. In either case, treatment with those medications is completely optional. Nothing bad will happen to you if you don't take those medications, except that you may have more outbreaks, they can last longer, and be more severe than if you take the meds. There are other things that you can do to help reduce the number of herpes outbreaks that you can have. The main suggestion is that you do your best to keep yourself in good health. Try to reduce stress in your life. Make sure you get plenty of sleep, and maintain a healthy diet including keeping yourself hydrated. Generally, the better shape your immune system is in, the less outbreaks you will have. Even if you don't
currently have an outbreak present, and even if you take those antiviral
drugs daily, it is still possible to spread herpes. Do make sure to
always use safe sex practices (condoms and dental dams) with every sex
act to prevent spreading the virus to your partner.
The herpes virus can be in your body for years before you have an outbreak. Either of you could have passed the virus to the other, or you could have acquired the virus a long time ago in a previous relationship. Because of that fact, it's impossible to tell whether your partner has already gotten the herpes virus from you, or if they already had it in their body from a previous relationship. Your question about whether or not to use condoms is a hard one. I think that most health care providers would tell you that you should use condoms every time you have sex, and that you need to use dental dams and condoms for oral sex. This is just to do what you can to prevent your partner from acquiring the virus, if he hasn't already. It is very important that you avoid all sexual contact when you are having an active outbreak. You should also abstain for at least a few days after they have healed, and if you can tell when you are about to have an outbreak, you should abstain then as well. Even with all of that it's important to know that new studies have shown that up to 70% of people with herpes got it from partners when they weren't showing any symptoms. Ultimately,
however, the decision about whether or not to use condoms/dental dams
lies with you and your partner. It's important to tell them about your
herpes outbreak, and to make sure that they know what herpes means if
they have outbreaks of their own. If, after being completely informed
about herpes, your partner decides they are willing to risk acquiring
herpes, then they can decide that they don't want to use condoms/dental
dams. But, if they are not comfortable with that risk, you need to
respect that and use condoms/dental dams for every sexual contact.
To answer your second question first, no it isn't. Herpes is herpes. Whether you have cold sores on your lips or your genitals, it is the same virus. Herpes on your lips can cause cold sores on your partner's genitals, and herpes on your genitals can cause cold sores on your partner's lips. It's true that there are 2 different strains of the virus, herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2). It used to be that HSV1 was most commonly found on the mouth and HSV2 was most commonly found on the genitals, but neither virus is particular to where it sets up. In the last few decades as oral sex has become more common, the two strains of this virus are pretty much interchangeable. Here's a really good website about "Telling Your Partner About Your Genital Herpes". It's produced by the makers of Valtrex (a drug to suppress the herpes virus), so the rest of the website does try to sell that drug to you. It has great advice for having the "herpes talk". (One thing that they recommend on the Valtrex site that we here that the Emma Goldman Clinic do not is getting the herpes blood test. We do not recommend that test since it is VERY expensive, and doesn't give people very useful information. Up to 95% of people have HSV1 in their bodies, so the blood test will be positive and it doesn't give you any information about if or when you will have outbreaks.)
The other best advice that I can give is that you do your homework
first. It's very likely that he's going to have some questions for you
after you tell him this. There's a lot of good information on herpes on
the internet, or you can stop by the Emma Goldman Clinic (or your local
reproductive health clinic if you live out of town) where they can give
you information on STIs there too.
A pap smear does not check for any sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Pap smears are checking for cervical cancer, so all they really tell you is if you have cervical cancer, cells that could become cervical cancer, and sometimes they can tell you if you have the virus which causes cervical cancer. Pap smears don't tell you anything about herpes or any other STIs, so yes this could be herpes or any other STI. The best thing you can do is to go get in with your gynecologist or health care provider as soon as you can. If these sores heal over before you get in, then they will not be able to tell you what it was. If it does turn out that you do have herpes, it's not the end of the world. First, it doesn't necessarily mean anyone was unfaithful. Herpes can be in your body for years, if not decades, before you ever have an outbreak. It's also possible to get it without having vaginal intercourse. You can get it from oral sex, or sometimes from hand contact (if the hand touched a herpes sore and then touched you). Herpes is incredibly common; it's thought that as many as 95% of the general population has the virus in their system. Herpes isn't life threatening at all. It's just mostly an inconvenience.
Again, the best thing you can do is to get in with your health care
provider as soon as you can. It could also be nothing and the visit can
set your mind at ease.
That would depend on the doctor, the
severity of your herpes outbreak, and its location. Sometimes doctors
may be hesitant to perform the procedure, since it's possible to move
the infection from the outside of your vagina to the inside. If any of
our clients here has an active sexually transmitted infection we
recommend that, if it's at all possible, they get that treated before
having the abortion to prevent moving the infection into your uterus.
You should call the office where you will be having your abortion to see
what their preference is.
"Can one have a herpes outbreak around the edges of your
vagina?"
Yes, that's where herpes happens. If this is your first outbreak, you
need to go see your health care provider to make sure that's what this
is. They can also go over possible treatments with you (that you may not
need, but it's good to have the info), how you can take care of
yourself, and how you can protect your sexual partners.
First I want to give your boyfriend a big pat on the back for getting this looked at, and telling you about his concerns. It sounds like you're both doing all the right things to take care of this. Anytime anyone has any symptom that may be a sexually transmitted infection (STI) it is very important that they get seen right away. It's great that your boyfriend is getting this seen. His physician will be able to tell him if it is in fact herpes (which it may not be), and give him advice for treating future outbreaks. It is true that it can be years, even decades sometimes, after exposure before some people have their first herpes outbreak. Herpes outbreaks are usually pretty painful, so one usually notices when they are having one, but it could be possible to miss them. Remember that cold sores around your mouth are caused by the same herpes virus, so if either of you have had cold sores you could have been passing the virus back and forth between you two for a while. If it does turn out that he has herpes, this can be a very manageable condition. The big thing is to not have any sexual activity when he is having a current outbreak. (This also goes for cold sores on your mouth and oral sex.) This means no sex at all, even with condoms. Let the sores completely heal over before before you go back to having sex. It is very important to use condoms EVERY time you do have sex even if he doesn't have any more symptoms. This will help prevent him from spreading the virus to you. As for your question about whether or not you will ever have outbreaks: it is just about impossible to tell. First, until he gets his results back from the doctor, we aren't sure that this actually herpes. Just like your boyfriend not having an outbreak for over 10 years, you could be the same way. You may have outbreaks, you may have one in a few or 10 years, or the virus could just lay dormant in your body with you never having outbreaks. The best advice is to just generally take care of yourself. Make sure you eat right and get proper amounts of sleep. People who keep themselves healthy generally have fewer outbreaks.
If you do end up having outbreaks, it's not the end of the world. Herpes
outbreaks can be uncomfortable, but they go away in a few days. There
are medications out now that help people deal with outbreaks a lot
better (but you may not even need them). Also remember that herpes is
incredibly common, so you don't have to feel alone or singled out. The
same virus causes cold sores as genital herpes (and thus mouth cold
sores can cause genital herpes). If you do ever have an outbreak, still
go see your physician just to double-check with them and so they can
give you advice on how to take care of it.
"Is it possible to get pregnant after contracting herpes?" Yes. It's very rare that a sexually transmitted infection (STI) will affect your ability to become pregnant, or for guys to get a woman pregnant. Herpes will not affect your fertility at all. The big consideration regarding herpes and pregnancy is if the woman is having an active outbreak at the time that she goes into labor, she will have to have a cesarean delivery (C-section). This is because otherwise, the child can have herpes all over its body which can cause massive health problems.
Make sure you continue to use birth control if you do not want to become
pregnant. You need to use condoms every time that you have sex to
prevent spreading herpes to your partner. If you are ever having an
active outbreak, it is important to have no sexual contact at all,
because that is the highest risk time for spreading the infection.
“If you and your
partner both have HSV2
(Herpes Simplex Virus
2), and you have oral sex without condoms, can you get HSV2 in your
mouth?”
This is why it is very important to use safer sex practices during oral
sex. This means using condoms when performing oral sex on a penis, or
using dental dams (sheets of latex that lay between partners creating a
barrier) when performing oral sex on a vagina or the anus.
A blister caused on the genitals is pretty possibly caused by the herpes virus. Generally any lumps, bumps, blisters, or general weird or gross stuff should be brought to your physician, at least the first time they happen. Even if you have a pretty good idea what it is, it's important to get this confirmed. If you have a sore, it's best to go into the physician right away, since the test they will run can only be run on an active outbreak. If you go in after it seals over, they won't be able to tell you much.
It's important to get things like this seen, because (besides confirming
that's actually what the blister is) they can give you information about
possible treatments for outbreaks, how to take care of yourself to
prevent future outbreaks, and what you need to know to prevent spreading
this to future partners. A lot of people are disturbed or upset when
they have their first outbreak, and your health care provider should be
able to give you some good advice and support. Sometimes around here
there are some STI support groups, and your physician can refer you to
them.
"I've had fever blisters since I was a little kid. Could this be herpes, and is it dangerous?" That depends on what you mean by the term "fever blisters". "Fever blisters" sometimes refers to the case where someone with a high fever breaks out in blisters on their body. If you've had this your whole life, that's probably not the case. Some people use that term to refer to "cold sores" around the mouth. These usually happen around the outside of the mouth or on the lip. (if the sores are on the inside of your mouth, they are not cold sores and are most likely canker sores). Click here to see WebMD's article on cold sores, and it has a picture. If you are referring to "cold sores", then yes, those are most likely caused by the herpes virus (you will want to see your physician for a proper diagnosis). First of all, don't feel too bad about yourself. Most experts think that at least 90% of the general population or more have that virus in their system, whether or not those people ever have outbreaks. The reason so many people have it is because it is WILDLY CONTAGIOUS. It is very important that you do not perform oral sex on someone while you have cold sores present, because that can very easily cause your partner to develop herpes on their genitals. You should always use safer sex techniques, like condoms and dental dams, even when you don't have any cold sores present, because it can be possible to spread herpes even when you don't have any visible.
Now that I've scared the crap out of you, remember that this doesn't
mean that you can't have a very happy sex life. Just remember to keep
your partner informed and safe. Now to your question "is it dangerous",
that depends on what you mean by dangerous. We already covered that this
is WILDLY CONTAGIOUS, so it is very (very, very, very) easy to spread
this to someone else. However, while herpes is a pain and an
inconvenience, it not life threatening. The biggest problem it causes
for most people is that people with it have to occasionally have periods
of abstinence when they are having an outbreak, to prevent it spreading
to their partner. There are medications out now that suppress the herpes
virus and helps prevent outbreaks. If you have a whole lot of these oral
outbreaks, you may want to look into these medications. Remember though,
that even if you don't have outbreaks anymore, you still may be able to
spread the virus. Contact your physician to see if this is a good idea
for you.
Well, first of all, you are right. You do need to get a physical examination. There's no way to tell what you have going on right now without looking at the sore/area in person. You should go and get seen as soon as possible, because if this heals before you get in, they won't be able to tell you what it was. It is quite possible, if not very likely, that you did in fact acquire the herpes virus orally. The herpes virus has the ability to stay dormant in your body for very long periods of time before you have an outbreak. If your boyfriend gets cold sores, it's very likely that you did acquire oral herpes from him, but you just haven't had an outbreak yet. Herpes is VERY CONTAGIOUS. Just because you haven't had an outbreak, doesn't mean that you don't have herpes. If your boyfriend had a cold sore present when he performed oral sex on you, it's also highly likely that you have acquired the herpes virus in the genital area. I can't tell you if that's what the sore is that you're experiencing right now, but being that herpes is VERY CONTAGIOUS it's very likely that you now have the virus in your genitals. Remember that oral sex has risks, just like vaginal sex. As demonstrated here, you can get sexually transmitted infections (STIs) from oral sex. If your boy/girlfriend has a cold sore, whether it's on their lips or their genitals, you need to completely abstain from sexual contact until it is COMPLETELY healed. "Almost" doesn't count. It also doesn't work to avoid one side of the mouth when performing oral sex. Remember, herpes is VERY CONTAGIOUS. Even "just a little" contact with the cold sore is enough to transmit the herpes virus.
Again, the only way to be sure of what's
going on in your body right now is to go be seen by a health care
professional. In the future, you need to completely abstain from sexual
activity (including oral and anal sex) when any cold sore is present.
You should also be using safe sex practices EVERY time you have any
sexual contact (including oral and anal sex). This means using condoms
for every vaginal and anal sex act, and dental dams for oral sex. It’s hard to say –
it is possible to have contracted the other HSV (herpes simplex virus)
strain, or you could be having a more severe outbreak due to a depressed
immunity (a weakened immune system). People who are having an outbreak
are very contagious and can cause more a more severe infection.
Genital Warts and HPV Questions
"Can I use one of the home cryo wart removal kits to
burn off a small wart on my penis?" "What household
items could I use to get rid of my genital warts?" There is nothing that we would recommend for that. Genital warts should be taken to your doctor or health care provider for treatments. ("Cryo wart removal" refers to products that remove warts by freezing them.) That is probably not a very good idea. Every home wart removal kit that I have ever seen says very explicitly that those products are not for use on the genital area. Always follow the instructions that are given on any medical product, as they are put there for very good reasons. Whether you are using the products that freeze off warts, or the ones that use acids to burn the warts off, none of these are designed to be used on the genital area. Home wart removal kits are generally meant for use on the skin of your hands and feet, which compared to the skin on your penis, is very thick. Thus, any product designed to remove warts from your hands and feet is going to be way too harsh to be used on your penis (or vagina). I
recommend that you go to your health care provider. They will use
products specially designed to remove warts from the genital area. While
you are there you can ask them if there's any over-the-counter products
that can be helpful for you. The genital area is so incredibly sensitive
and delicate that it's a good idea to ask your health care provider
about ANY product that you're thinking of using down there.
It's hard to say if he contracted HPV (the human papillomavirus which
causes genital warts). HPV can be spread even with a condom is on,
because sometimes the warts can occur in areas that are not covered by a
condom. It is also possible to spread HPV when there are no symptoms of
infection. If he, and you, contracted HPV there's no way to tell when,
if ever, you will have warts develop on your body. HPV can sometimes be
in your system for months, years, if not decades before you ever have
an outbreak. The big thing that both of you have to do is keep a good
watch on your genital area. If you see any new bumps or lumps, you
should go be seen by your health care provider right away to see if they
are warts. If you are pregnant, it is important that you discuss this
situation with your obstetrician.
"If I had an abnormal pap and it showed up that it was because of HPV
(the
human papillomavirus, which can cause genital warts) will I get the
warts? Is there a difference between HPV that causes cancer, and HPV
that causes warts? Also, if I was treated for the HPV on my cervix, am I
spreading it to my boyfriend if we have unprotected sex?" There are over 100 different strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). While all strains of HPV can cause abnormalities on pap smears, about 30 of these strains are spread through sexual contact and cause warts, and about 10 of those strains can cause cervical cancer (information from the United States Centers for Disease Control). I would recommend that you visit or call your gynecologist to see if they know which strain you were infected with, and they will be able to give you more information specific to your case. Yes, you can spread this to partners from unprotected sex (which could be how you got the virus yourself, or at least that's the most common way to get the virus). It is very important to use condoms each time you have sex to prevent the spread of the virus. HPV is ridiculously common, especially among young people. Much like the herpes virus, many people will have the virus in their bodies for years, if not decades, before they have an outbreak (active warts or sores), if they have one at all. Also, like the herpes virus, it is possible to spread the virus even when there are no sores present, so it's very important to use condoms.
Call your gynecologist to find out more about the strain of HPV that you
have, and make sure you follow up with the abnormal pap smear and get
all the care you need to protect your health.
"Are you still able to
have children after being diagnosed with HPV or cervical cancer?" That depends on your individual diagnosis. HPV (Human Papillomavirus, the virus that causes genital warts) usually doesn't affect pregnancy to a great degree. HPV/genital warts infection is incredibly common. There could be a situation arise if you have an active outbreak at the time that you give birth. If that was the case there's a possibility your physician may recommend a caesarian delivery (C-section).
As for cervical cancer, again that depends on your situation. With
cervical cancer, it is common for parts of the cervix to be removed. If
a whole lot was removed, you may have to have a c-section. On the whole
though, cervical cancer does not affect a woman's future fertility. You
should talk over your concerns with the physician that is treating you.
They will be able to give you more information that is specific to your
diagnosis.
HPV stands for the Human Papillomavirus. There are hundreds of strains of HPV out there, and some of them cause genital warts. This is a VERY common condition, and it is also very common to not show symptoms for weeks, months, even years after the virus enters the body. If you have a genital warts outbreak it is important to be seen by your health care provider. There are a couple different treatment options available. For current outbreaks it is common for your health care provider to remove the warts by either freezing them or using an acid to remove them. There are also some medications now that your provider can prescribe that can strengthen your immune system to help prevent future outbreaks (this is called suppressive therapy). Sometimes HPV infection can cause cervical cancer and other genital cancers, so it is important to monitor this condition with your health care provider.
As far as current research can tell, once the virus is in your system,
it will be in your system for the rest of your life. So, even if you are
on one of these suppressive therapies it is important to use safe sex.
Even if you are not having an outbreak it may be possible to spread HPV. Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Questions "Can you get chlamydia from sharing underwear with someone who is infected with chlamydia?" Yes. If you are using someone else's underwear, then you are opening yourself to acquiring ANY infection that they may have. This isn't limited to chlamydia. If they have gonorrhea, a yeast infection, genital warts, herpes, or pretty much anything, you could get those as well. If you have already borrowed the underwear, it's a really good idea that you go and get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Unless you are sure that chlamydia is the only STI that this person has, you should be checked for others as well.
Rather than borrowing underwear, you're
MUCH better off just going to the store to get your own or "going
commando" (not wearing any underwear). It takes a lot of testing to determine a woman's fertility, and no one is going to be able to give you definitive answers over the internet. (Anyone who claims to be able to do that shouldn't be trusted.) There are a lot of factors that can affect a woman's fertility. Chlamydia can have an impact, but it depends on how long you were infected and how severe the infection was. Another factor that can be at work is age. Women's fertility naturally starts to decline after the age of 30. You didn't say how old you are, but it's possible that time could be slowing your fertility and not necessarily the chlamydia infection from 8 years ago.
Depending on how long you have been trying
to get pregnant, it may be time to see a fertility specialist. If you
are under the age of 30, they ask that you have been trying for one year
before seeing a specialist. If you are over 30, you can see a fertility
specialist if you have been trying for 6 months. In the meantime, you
can always check in with your regular gynecological health care provider
to see if they have any suggestions.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), fertility, pregnancy, and the human body don't function in a way that gives us easily defined "fertility levels" and doesn't allow us to definitively say that one person is 20% more fertile than another person. Questions like this are very hard to answer, because the answer is going to be completely different for everyone. Even 2 women who have been infected with chlamydia 3 times won't necessarily have the same outcome. It's not as much how many times you've had chlamydia as the severity of the infection each time and how long you were infected that causes the fertility problems. If you had chlamydia for a very long time (which is very possible, since chlamydia doesn't usually have symptoms), or if the infection was very severe that could have very large impacts on your fertility. However, if each time you were infected it was caught right away, then there will be much less of an impact. I recommend that you go talk to your gynecologist, preferably the one who treated you for your chlamydia infections. They will probably be able to tell you a lot more about your general health status and the severity of each of your chlamydia infections.
Generally, if you want to become pregnant,
you should start having regular sex with your partner. If you are under
the age of 30, and it has taken more than 1 year to conceive, then you
should see a fertility specialist. If you are over 30, you can go to the
fertility specialist if it's taken more than 6 months to conceive. You
may consider taking your chlamydia question to a fertility specialist
now to get their input, or you can just wait the 6 months to a year to
start speaking with them.
Washing your towels is just fine. Make sure that you're washing them regularly, not just because of this chlamydia, but just general hygiene too. Don't use the same towel for a month straight without washing, for instance.
If you're extra freaking out, you can use bleach in the laundry to help
put your mind at ease, but just regular detergent should be good enough.
Put them in the dryer, rather than air drying. (Just twenty minutes in
the dryer kills lice, just an FYI.) It's not necessary to buy new
towels. If that were true you would have to replace all your pants and
underwear too (but you don't). Again, with clothing just wash them
regularly and you're OK. Just take all your medications like they were
prescribed, and go to any follow-up visits that your health care
provider said you needed. Then you should be fine. To my knowledge Chlamydia can only be transmitted through bodily fluids and sexual contact. (Oral, anal and vaginal) Be sure to complete your treatment and abstain from sexual contact for the duration of that treatment. (Usually 7 days)
"I am being treated for chlamydia, and wanted to know if
the symptoms can still occur while taking the medication?"
The infection doesn't disappear immediately once you start the
medications, and can take a little bit to go away entirely. If your
symptoms are getting worse, or if they aren't gone by the time you
finish the medication, you should check in with your health care
provider. Make sure that you don't have sex with anyone until you have
finished the medications and all the symptoms have disappeared. It is
crucial that anyone you have had sex with gets treated, and that you
don't have sex with them until they have finished their treatments and
all their symptoms have gone. If you have sex with them without them
being treated, you will just get the infection again.
The most common way to be tested for gonorrhea (and chlamydia, which is very similar in its symptoms and effects) is by swab. For women, this inv |
