Typically, once an individual has become sexually active, periodic testing for HIV and other STDs is highly recommended. Especially those with multiple partners. As the number of sexual partners increases, so does the risk for contracting an STD. As the likelihood of contracting an STD increases, the need for testing for all STDs is extremely important.
Sexually active adults should keep in mind that a partner may unknowingly transmit an STD to them due to the lack of noticeable symptoms. Lack of symptoms, however, does not eliminate or even reduce transmission of an STD from one person to another and it certainly does not mean someone is STD free. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, and especially HIV are a few of the STDs that can be transmitted when no symptoms are present.
It is estimated that more than 50 million Americans, 20% of the population, suffer from allergic diseases. Allergy is a common cause of acute and chronic illness, accounting for approximately 16.7 million physician office visits annually and an estimated 4 million days of lost time at work and school. In addition to producing chronic respiratory problems, allergy can interfere with normal growth and development, may cause physical disability, and poses substantial social and economic burdens, the latter of which have been estimated in the US to exceed $6 billion a year for allergic rhinitis alone.
Hepatitis A, B & C
Hepatitis A:
A virus that causes infection and inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis A is found in the stool of an infected person and can be transmitted through improper handling of food or through oral-anal sexual contact.
Treatment Available: There is no one specific treatment for hepatitis A. Call a physician if you think you have contracted hepatitis A.
Hepatitis B:
a virus that causes inflammation of the liver. Transmission can occur through sexual contact, blood exposure , and perinatally (from mother to child). Infection may not be obvious through signs or symptoms, but may include nausea, jaundice, diarrhea, fatigue, dark urine, and light colored stool.
Acute hepatitis B: Most of the time goes away on its own. Treatment with medications is not needed during the early stages of infection. Home treatment usually will relieve symptoms and help prevent the spread of the virus.
· Chronic hepatitis B: Depending on what their doctor recommends and the patient's condition, patients may take one of two medications to treat chronic hepatitis B infection: interferon alfa-2b or lamivudine.
Treatment Available: Acute hepatitis B: Most of the time goes away on its own. Treatment with medications is not needed during the early stages of infection. Home treatment usually will relieve symptoms and help prevent the spread of the virus.
· Chronic hepatitis B: Depending on what their doctor recommends and the patient's condition, patients may take one of two medications to treat chronic hepatitis B infection: interferon alfa-2b or lamivudine.
Hepatitis C:
A virus that causes inflammation of the liver. Although it can be transmitted sexually, hepatitis C is most common among those sharing intravenous drugs. A person with chronic hepatitis C can be without symptoms for 10-20 years.
Treatment Available: Chronic hepatitis C may be treated with medications that fight viral infections. Standard treatment combines two antiviral medications: interferon and ribavirin. Talk to a physician for treatment and about side effects of these treatments.
Major Cities included in our network:
New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, Dallas, San Antonio, Detroit, San Jose, Indianapolis, San Francisco, Jacksonville, Columbus, Austin, Memphis, Baltimore, Milwaukee, Boston, Charlotte, El Paso, Seattle, Fort Worth, Denver, Nashville-Davidson, Portland, Oklahoma City, Las Vegas