Sex.co.nz

(STI’s formerly known as Prince, opps! We mean STD’s, of course)

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s) are very much more common than you might think and some of them you can catch from your grandmother. Ooooo! Seriously! The common ones in a nutshell: Herpes: Probably the most common STI can be passed on by a simple kiss from and infected person and they don’t have to stick their tongue down your throat

Before you read on...Remember the responsible thing to do if you are sexually active, for your own health and the health of those you are intimate with, is get yourself tested regularly. Lesson to learn here, if you’re not absolutely 100% sure of your partner, condoms go where you cum, every time! And, mind what you put in your mouth. As condoms go these are the best, check out the range Four Seasons , Four Seasons Four Seasons Four Seasons and Four Seasons and make sure you keep all your toys spotless with Pjur Med Clean. Now read on.

Herpes Simplex (HSV): Recurrent painful ulcers-can be treated, but the infection cannot be cured. Most people with herpes have no symptoms and are unaware of their infection. With or without visible symptoms, the disease can be transmitted between sex partners, from mothers to newborns, and can increase a person's risk of becoming infected with HIV. Testing: IgM Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Types 1 and 2 test, off to the doctor for this one. Symptoms in men and women are largely the same.

Chlamydia Is another very common STI whose symptoms can often hide behind other common diseases and infections. Known as a ‘silent’ disease, Chlamydia in women: Bacteria initially infect the cervix and the urethra (urine canal). Women who have symptoms might have an abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating. If the infection spreads from the cervix to the fallopian tubes (tubes that carry fertilized eggs from the ovaries to the uterus), some women still have no signs or symptoms; others have lower abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever, pain during intercourse, or bleeding between menstrual periods. Chlamydial infection of the cervix can spread to the rectum. Chlamydia in men: Men with signs or symptoms might have a discharge from their penis or a burning sensation when urinating. Men might also have burning and itching around the opening of the penis. Pain and swelling in the testicles are uncommon. Men or women who have receptive anal intercourse may acquire chlamydial infection in the rectum, which can cause rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding. Chlamydia can also be found in the throats of women and men having oral sex with an infected partner. Testing for Chlamydia: There are laboratory tests to diagnose chlamydia. Some can be performed on urine, other tests require that a specimen be collected from a site such as the penis or cervix.

HPV: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is one of the most common STD's, yet most people do are not familiar with it. Most people who are sexually active with a history of being with more than one person are at risk for becoming carriers of HPV. It is the leading cause of cervical cancer in women and a suspected cause in oral and throat cancers in both sexes. These diseases are not rare. Oral and throat cancers are the third most common cancer today. HPV is usually tested for in women at the time of their PAP smears.

HIV: Initially causes an acute illness with nonspecific or flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, headache, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes. Some people will not experience any noticeable symptoms. During this time period, the virus is present in large numbers and is carried throughout the body. HIV infects immune cells called CD4 T-cells (also called helper T cells) and slowly begins to decrease their numbers. HIV infection rates are growing in the heterosexual 45 plus age group. Testing: HIV Antibody testing, p24 protein for the detection of early stage infection, HIV Viral load to determine when threapy should begin and CDA4 T Cell count to monitor therapy.

Gonorrhea: Spread through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus. Ejaculation does not have to occur for gonorrhea to be transmitted or acquired. Gonorrhea can also be spread from mother to baby during delivery. People who have had gonorrhea and received treatment may get infected again if they have sexual contact with a person infected with gonorrhea. Some men with gonorrhea may have no symptoms at all. However, some men have signs or symptoms that appear two to five days after infection; symptoms can take as long as 30 days to appear. Symptoms and signs include a burning sensation when urinating, or a white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis. Sometimes men with gonorrhea get painful or swollen testicles. Symptoms of gonorrhea in women are often mild, but most women who are infected have no symptoms. Even when a woman has symptoms, they can be so non-specific as to be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. The initial symptoms and signs in women include a painful or burning sensation when urinating, increased vaginal discharge, or vaginal bleeding between periods. Women with gonorrhea are at risk of developing serious complications from the infection, regardless of the presence or severity of symptoms. Symptoms of rectal infection in both men and women may include discharge, anal itching, soreness, bleeding, or painful bowel movements. Rectal infection also may cause no symptoms. Infections in the throat may cause a sore throat but usually causes no symptoms. Testing: A doctor may want to take samples from an infected area or use a relatively simple urine test.

Hepatitis: The name of a group of viral infections that affect the liver. The most common types are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. The word "hepatitis" means inflammation of the liver. Toxins, certain drugs, some diseases, heavy alcohol use, and bacterial and viral infections can all cause hepatitis. Hep A is (HAV) does not result in chronic liver disease and is transmitted through person to person contact or via infected food and water. Hep B is a serious liver infection, can cause acute illness, cirrhosis (scarring)and chronic lifelong infection, liver cancer, liver failure and death. Hep B is transmitted through open wounds, infected needles and contact with mucous membranes such as the mouth and nose. Hep C (HCV) is often a silent, chronic infection that can lead to cirrhosis (scarring), liver failure and death. Hep C is a spread by contact with the blood of an infected person. Symptoms: Acute hepatitis is often suspected and testing done because of the appearance of symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, and nausea, often accompanied by dark urine, pale stools, and yellow discoloration of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice or icterus). Testing: Hep A Blood test. Hep B Anti-HBs+ indicates past or present infection and lasts indefinitely, IgM anti-HBc+ : Indicates recent infection with HBV, usually within 4-6 months. HBeAg +: Indicates active viral replication and high infectivity. Persistence for 6 months after acute infection indicates progression to chronic HBV. Hep C, a blood test.

Syphilis: Many people infected with syphilis do not have any symptoms for years, yet remain at risk for late complications if they are not treated. Although transmission occurs from persons with sores who are in the primary or secondary stage, many of these sores are unrecognised. Thus, transmission may occur from persons who are unaware of their infection. Symptoms: (when present) Chancres or sores. Testing: Syphilis can be diagnosed through a blood test of testing of the discharge from the chancres.