Syphilis Rash on Penis: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment
Chlamydia: The Facts
by ANDREA PERRY, femail.Co.Uk
Chlamydia is a very common disease, which is primarily transmitted through sexual intercourse.
It is known as the silent infection because it is often symptomless and can lie dormant for up to 20 years.
The symptoms of chlamydia in women are:
• Stinging feeling during urination
• Unusual vaginal discharge.
• Pain in the lower abdomen
• Pain during sex
• In some cases bleeding between periods
The good news is that chlamydia is easily treatable with a course of antibiotics. The patient's partner will also need to be treated so that the infection does not recur.
When treated early, there are usually no long-term consequences of chlamydia although if left untreated there can be serious complications.
Here are the facts you need to know about the disease.
• The infection accounts for one in four cases of infertility and some 40 per cent of the caseload at sexual health clinics.
• Chlamydia is a bacteria-like micro-organism passed on during sex, although using a condom can prevent infection.
• If left untreated, the organism can pass into the cervix through the fallopian tubes, causing scarring which blocks the tubes and makes normal conception impossible.
• Pilot screening programmes are now being tested in the UK as the Government considers whether to implement a full screening programme.
• Levels of gonorrhoea and genital warts have also risen dramatically among young women in recent years.
• Treating chlamydia on the National Health Service already costs an estimated £50 million a year.
• Mothers with chlamydia can infect their children during delivery. There are usually no symptoms at birth but some seven to 14 days after delivery, the infection starts to show itself and may result in pneumonia in the baby when two to three weeks old.
• It is a major cause of infertility and has also been linked to other serious health problems such as ectopic pregnancies and cervical cancer.
{"status":"error","code":"499","payload":"Asset id not found: readcomments comments with assetId=20875, assetTypeId=1"}Ohio Nurse And Mom Beats Cervical Cancer As Expert Shares Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore
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By entering your email, you are agreeing to Fox News Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. To access the content, check your email and follow the instructions provided.Each year, about 4,000 women die of cervical cancer in the U.S. And around 11,500 new cases are diagnosed. The vast majority of them are caused by HPV (Human Papillomavirus).
Bridgette Rillo, a registered nurse and mother of two in Dayton, Ohio, was just 35 when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2018.
Now 41, she is aiming to raise awareness of the link between HPV and cervical cancer.
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Before Rillo's diagnosis, she was running a few months late for her yearly screening.
"As busy moms, we tend to put our care to the side," she told Fox News Digital. "I just kind of put it off because I was busy with my kids and patients."
Bridgette Rillo, a NICU nurse and mother of two, is pictured with her husband at the Boonshoft Museum in Dayton during a fundraising event. (Bridgette Rillo)
After the screening, her doctor called and said the results were "abnormal" and that Rillo was positive for HPV. It's the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States, according to the CDC.
After further tests, doctors confirmed that Rillo had cervical cancer.
It was Stage 1A2, which means the cancer was between 3 and 5 millimeters deep.
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"I did not have any symptoms, so it was definitely not expected when I got the call," she told Fox News Digital.
"All of my screenings prior to that were fine."
As the doctors explained to Rillo, HPV can lay dormant in the body for years until something triggers it to activate and become positive.
In addition to cervical cancer, the Human Papillomavirus can also cause anal, vulvar, vaginal, mouth/throat and penile cancers. (iStock)
After receiving various treatments, Rillo was declared cancer-free.
Now that she has reached her five-year milestone, she will only need to get regular yearly screenings.
As a NICU nurse and busy mom, Rillo said her HPV and cervical cancer experience has changed how she prioritizes her own health and wellness.
"If I had not gone back to the doctor, my story could have been much different."
"In order to take care of other people, you have to take care of yourself," she said. "It's important that women go for their yearly screenings and get any other screenings their doctors recommend."
"My last screening just a year and four months prior was negative," Rillo added. "If I hadn't gone back to the doctor, my story could have been much different."
Connection between HPV and cervical cancerFor 90% of women with HPV, the virus clears on its own within two years without any symptoms or treatment — but for the remainder, it can cause health problems that include genital warts and various types of cancer, per the CDC.
In most cases, HPV does not cause any symptoms.
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In addition to cervical cancer, the virus can also cause anal, vulvar, vaginal, mouth/throat and penile cancers, according to Dr. Pari Ghodsi, a board-certified OB/GYN and Merck spokesperson who practices in Los Angeles.
"Anyone who is sexually active can be at risk of becoming infected with HPV," Ghodsi told Fox News Digital. "There's no way of knowing who will clear the virus and who won't."
There is a vaccine available to help prevent HPV, which is administered in two or three doses depending on age. (iStock)
"That's why it's really important to practice prevention and speak to your doctor about ways to prevent HPV-related cancers and to undergo HPV screening."
The average age of cervical cancer diagnosis is 50, but patients can range from age 20 to 80, the doctor noted.
"There's no way of knowing who will clear the virus and who won't."
"But it can take a long time for the HPV to progress into cervical cancer — it can take years or even decades," Ghodsi said.
There is a vaccine available to help prevent HPV, which is administered in two or three doses depending on age.
The CDC recommends that all females start the vaccine series at age 11 or 12.
Each year, about 4,000 women die of cervical cancer in the U.S. And around 11,500 new cases are diagnosed. (iStock)
"At any age, having a new sex partner is a risk factor for getting a new HPV infection," the CDC states on its website. "People who are in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship are not likely to get a new HPV infection."
Ghodsi recommends that everyone speak to their physician about ways to prevent HPV from progressing to cancer.
Warning signs of cervical cancerAlthough HPV typically has no symptoms, cervical cancer can come with some warning signs as it begins to progress.
Valentina Milanova, a U.K.-based women's health expert and founder of gynecological health company Daye, emphasized the need to be aware of these five often-overlooked red flags.
1. Abnormal bleedingThis is one of the most common symptoms of cervical cancer, Milanova noted.
"It can manifest as bleeding after sexual intercourse, between menstrual periods or post-menopause," she told Fox News Digital.
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"Any unusual bleeding should be reported to a health care professional immediately."
2. Pelvic painUnexplained pain in the pelvic region — the lowest part of the abdomen and pelvis — is another warning sign of cervical cancer.
Unexplained pain in the pelvic region — the lowest part of the abdomen and pelvis — is a warning sign of cervical cancer. (iStock)
"This pain can often be dismissed or attributed to other causes, but persistent pelvic discomfort with no apparent reason should be investigated," Milanova said.
3. Pain during sexual activityDiscomfort or pain during intimacy can be a symptom of cervical cancer, the doctor warned.
"It's important to communicate with your health care provider about any pain experienced during sexual activity," said Milanova.
4. Unusual dischargeChanges in vaginal discharge, such as an increase in volume, changes in consistency or a foul odor, can be indicative of cervical cancer, the doctor said.
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"Any significant changes in vaginal discharge should be discussed with a health care provider," she told Fox News Digital.
5. Urinary problemsAdvanced cervical cancer can cause urinary symptoms such as frequent urination, difficulty or pain during urination, or blood in the urine, according to Milanova.
Regular screenings and early detection are the best means of improving cervical cancer outcomes, experts say. (iStock)
"While these symptoms can be caused by conditions other than cervical cancer, they should not be ignored," she said.
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It's crucial to consult with a health care professional if you experience any of those symptoms, Milanova said.
"Regular screenings and early detection are our best tools in the fight against cervical cancer," she added.
For more Health articles, visit www.Foxnews.Com/health.
How To Reduce Shame And Stigma When You Have An STD
If you have a sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United States, you are not alone.
In fact, the country currently has been undergoing an epidemic of STDs (also called sexually transmitted infections or STIs), according to a 2023 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That analysis estimates that STDs surged by 7 percent between 2017 and 2021, jumping from 2.37 million cases to 2.53 million in four years, and the data suggests that the spread of these diseases shows "no signs of slowing."
CDC scientists note particularly jarring increases in syphilis and congenital syphilis (when a baby is born with the disease) between 2020 and 2021, when cases skyrocketed by 32 percent. During that year span, chlamydia and gonorrhea infections also climbed by about 4 to 5 percent.
RELATED: STDs Rise Sharply Among Older Americans
While STI rates have been increasing among both men and women, the CDC warns that women disproportionately bear the long-term consequences from these infections. In some cases, they can cause infertility. A woman's anatomy is more vulnerable to bacteria and viruses compared with a man's anatomy, and women are also less likely to have symptoms, so STIs can go unrecognized and untreated for a longer time.
RELATED: Common Types of Vaginal Infections
Less Emphasis on STI Awareness as Cases SurgeThe CDC suggests that the high rate of STIs may be a result of the national declaration ending COVID-19 as a public health emergency, issued on May 11, 2023. Testings, screenings, and treatments dropped off during the pandemic, so many of these infections may have gone undetected and spread. As people have returned to health facilities for care, more STIs have been reported.
Another factor, according to the CDC, is that public health resources for policies like STI contact tracing and education programs were diverted to fighting the spread of COVID-19. That may have led to a drop in awareness and knowledge, which could be contributing to the rise in cases.
"The subject is very stigmatized — has a lot of shame around it," said Sophie Miller, who shared her diagnosis of herpes in a posting on TikTok in the fall of 2023.
Within a few weeks, the 21-year-old's candid post gained more than 10 million views — a clear sign that people are concerned about STIs and seek a place where they can have an open discussion about the subject, get support, and gain a better understanding of the implications of getting an infection. Viewers voiced confusion about what an STD really means for their own health and their partner's health.
RELATED: STDs, Stigma, and Mental Health in LGBTQ+ Youth: What's the Connection?
Research has found that people tend to underestimate their risk of getting an STI, and both patients and healthcare providers can be reluctant to bring up the topic during routine checkups. But ignorance combined with silence is a recipe for increasing the spread of STIs.
Overcome Stigma by Learning the Facts"People [diagnosed with an STD] feel ashamed that they are somehow damaged and that no one will want them in the future," says Lindsay Henderson, PsyD, a psychologist in Pittsford, New York. Studies have found that fear of stigma keeps people from reaching out for testing or treatment.
RELATED: Few Sexually Active Teens Are Getting Tested for Sexually Transmitted Diseases
By learning about STDs and how manageable they usually are, you can help those feelings of shame and anxiety fade, says Dr. Henderson.
First, know that having an STD says nothing about you as a person. Anyone who has sex can get a STD. It doesn't matter how old you are or what your sexual identity or orientation are. Economic status, level of education, one partner or many — everybody can potentially get STDs.
Second, remember that few STDs are life-threatening. "With proper treatment, [most STDs have] very few health impacts. People can get to view having an STD as an inconvenience that they can deal with appropriately and responsibly," Henderson says.
You can have a good life despite having an STD. Most STDs are treatable, according to the World Health Organization, and some (including syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis) are curable. STDs that don't yet have a cure, including hepatitis B, herpes simplex virus, HIV, and human papillomavirus, can still be manageable with proper care.
RELATED: Living Well With HPV: 5 Steps for Safer Sex
To learn more facts about the various types of STDs, consult these sources:
Seek Medical Attention to Take Control of Your HealthIf you're concerned that you might have a sexually transmitted infection, see a healthcare provider. Don't just rely on information you find online.
"The internet can provide general resources, but a doctor will be able to discuss what is going on with you specifically and also be empathetic," says Henderson. "A medical professional can help you see that you're not a bad person. It's not a life sentence."
A healthcare provider can also tell you:
If you're not comfortable speaking to your primary care healthcare provider or don't currently have one, look for an STD or sexual health clinic in your area for diagnosis, treatment, and advice about protecting your sexual health in the future.
Planned Parenthood is a good source for testing and treatment. By entering your ZIP code into the search tool on the organization's website, you can find a health center near you that offers these services. The CDC has a similar tool.
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In addition, the CDC has screening recommendations according to gender and sexual preferences.
For those reluctant to visit a health center, at-home testing is available for many of the most common infections.
Your Partners Need to Know About STDs, QuicklyYou've gotten over shaming yourself, right? That's important, because if stigma keeps you from talking to your partners, you're putting others at risk.
In a study published in 2023 involving more than 1,800 young people, researchers explored the difficulties that those infected have with notifying their partners. "People would not want to tell [their partner] for a fear of rejection or being embarrassed," said one 20-year-old man in an interview.
"It's kind of hard to tell your partner even if it's not HIV," said a 20-year-old woman, adding that notifying a partner can be a "deal breaker" and end a relationship.
Partner notification is essential to containing the spread of STIs so that sexually active people get the testing and treatment they need to stay healthy.
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While notifying a partner can be difficult, these tips can help:
Be matter-of-fact. Once you have the facts about your STD diagnosis and feel in control yourself, it's time to tell your partner or partners. "You want to appear calm and confident, not ashamed or traumatized," says Henderson. Your composure can help the other person or people handle the news more calmly.
Consider scheduling a healthcare appointment with your partner. If you have a committed partner, you want to convey the idea that the STD is something you can deal with together, Henderson says. In such situations, going to see a healthcare provider together to get all your questions answered may make sense.
If your partner refuses to seek medical attention, though, you may be able to bring them the correct medication. This is called expedited partner therapy, and the CDC supports it as an option for cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea. Check whether your state allows it.
Try to speak face-to-face. If you're close to this person, talk in person, not by digital means. "No text messages, emails, or singing telegrams," advises Jenelle Marie Pierce, the executive director of the STD Project.
Even if you are not close with your partners, try to talk in person. You can help them process the difficult information, rather than leaving them alone with it.
But the main thing is to tell your sexual partners. You can opt to use anonymous services that will let your partners know they need to be tested and possibly treated, according to the CDC. Companies that perform STD testing may also provide this service.
Advice for Talking With a Longtime or New PartnerIf you're in a relationship, hearing you have an STD may make you doubt your partner's faithfulness, but before assuming the worst, remember that STDs don't always show up quickly. You or your partner may have become infected before you got together, without realizing it.
The following guidance from the Nemours Foundation can help you talk with either a longtime partner or a new one:
Put yourself in the other person's place. What would you want somebody else to do and say if they were sharing their STD diagnosis with you?
Take the direct, honest, open approach. Say which STD you have and how you caught it, if you know. Being willing to talk and answer questions can help put your partner at ease.
Give the conversation time and space to flow naturally. Listen carefully instead of talking constantly. Your partner may be shocked or panicky or have lots of questions. Or they may just want to think over the news.
Don't pressure a longtime partner to make instant decisions about sex or your relationship. You may want acceptance and reassurance after broaching such a difficult topic, but your partner may need breathing room. Be prepared to say something like, "I realize you probably want to think all this over," then give them space to do so.
Be open to questions. As best as possible, provide your partner with facts about the illness. But if you are not able to answer all of their questions, suggest that they see a healthcare provider — not just search online — to learn more.
Even when you follow all of these steps, conversations about STDs may not always go the way you hope. You can't control how others think or feel.
Regardless of the outcome with any one person, take pride in being honest about STDs. According to Henderson, "By having [these conversations], you are one of the strong people. You are truly making a difference in the conversation [about combating] stigma."
Additional reporting by Milly Dawson.
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