INFORMATION ON SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES:
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Thank you for visiting the Please Doctor Sexually Transmitted Disease Database. We hope you will again call on us when you need medical information about sexually transmitted diseases - stds - you can trust.

Preventing Sexually Transmitted Disease: Monogamy between two non-infected persons is the best route but that isn't really realistic for the millions already infected by some uncurable std such as herpes or hiv. Using a condom, and using it correctly, is vital. In cases of herpes infections, learning when your body is in prodome mode, the time just before an outbreak, can reduce risk but doctors say it is still possible to spread herpes, even if no prodome symptoms are happening. And here's a very important tip for women: The use of spermicides can actually irritate the delicate vaginal tissues and make it easier to contract an std or sti. An often-overlooked source of std infection is oral sex. Use a condom even if no penetration occurs, and there are latex sheets that can be used for oral sex in the vaginal area too if you are a male. Never have sexual contact when herpes infections are active. Preventing sexually transmitted diseases is the responsibility of both partners in a sexual relationship and is something that should be discussed before intimacy.

HPV and genital warts health complications more serious than originally believed:
We mentioned above that HPV and cervical cancer are linked. Althought most HPV infections will not progress to cancer, there are actually specific strains of HPV that cause, or are associated with different types of cancer. for example, some types of HPV can actually cause cervical cancer while other types are associated with cancers including vulvar cancer, cancer of the penis (this is a rare form of cancer) and anal cancer. Pap Smears are an important tool for detecting abnormal cervical cells. If your pap smear indicates that you do have abnormal cervical cells, then it becomes very important for you to schedule regular pelvic exams and pap smears into the future, to keep an eye on the abnormal situation and to allow for early treatment in the event that cervical cancer develops.

Additional online information on Sexually Transmitted Diseases: We recommend The American Social Health Association as another excellent resource for educating yourself on sexually transmitted diseases. asha features special sections on std's including Chancroid Chlamydia, Crabs, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis, Herpes Infections, HIV and AIDS, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, NGU, PID, Scabies, Syphilis and Vaginitis/Trichomoniasis. They also have excellent health articles on how to use a condom effectively, STD and STI statistics, prevention tips to help you avoid contracting an std or sti, and a sexual health glossary.
Sexually transmitted diseases can do more than affect your love life: According to the association, over half of all people will contract some form of sexually transmitted disease during their lifetime. With those types of odds, and considering the fact that scientific research suggests that many std's do more than just interfere with intimacy, it is reckless and even dangerous to be unaware. Educate yourself on how an std is transmitted, what you can do to protect yourself, how you can manage std's if you are already infected and other health risks associated with different forms of sexually transmitted diseases.

Cervical cancer and STD's: Both HSV and HPV have now been linked to cervical cancer. In fact, almost every woman who develops cervical cancer also has HPV. HPV is not a single disease but can occur in about 60 different types so it's important to know which type of HPV you have. The types of Human Papilloma Virus that are now most strongly linked with cervical cancer are HPV 16 and HPV 18.

Heart Disease and Herpes: Herpes infections have also been associated with some forms of heart disease. Researchers are finding evidence that infections, in general, may factor strongly in heart problems. However, recurrent infections like herpes which remain in the system are considered particularly significant in the development of atherosclerosis, according to an article recently published by BBC News.

PID and Infertility: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is considered one of the major causes of infertility in women today, due to tubal damage that can occur with this type of infection. Even a single acute PID episode can put a woman at risk for tubal damage resulting in infertility. An acute episode will get your attention and demand treatment because of the pain, vomiting and fever but a chronic case may go undiagnosed and cause infertility over time. If you have frequent pelvic pain or painful sex, you may have a chronic case of PID. It's a good idea to be tested anyway, if you have trouble getting pregnant, because some women have no symptoms at all. See your doctor to rule out pelvic inflammatory disease because the sooner this condition is treated, the less likely it is to cause tubal damage.

Scabies Infestation: Scabies are tiny parasitic mites that burrow under the skin. Symptoms of scabies include intense itching, especially at night, even to the point that sores develop from incessant scratching. There is also typically a rash which most commonly shows up in between fingers, on elbows and wrists, under the breasts, at the waist, around the knees, or in the shoulder blade area. Scabies are contracted by skin-to-skin contact with someone who is infested. Pets may also be infested with scabies. If your dog or cat has them (in an animal, this is called mange), and you have skin-to-skin contact with them while they are infested, you can catch be effected by mange mites. However, the mite that causes mange is different than the one that infests human skin so the effect of pet-to-owner infestation is very temporary. In other words, the mange mites may burrow and bite a person but they cannot live very long on a human host. There is another disease, called Morgellan's disease, that can mimic scabies so it is important to get a definitive diagnosis.

Getting rid of scabies: There are lotions that are effective for getting rid of scabies. The process is a bit tedious and requires neck to toe application. Also, all bedding and clothing should be washed in very hot water prior to treating the body or the scabies can reinfest. Note that pregnant women and children who are infested with scabies should look for milder versions of the lotion, or consider a naturopathic approach. Most anti-scabies lotions are prescription and you can ask your doctor about the choices after diagnosis. Most these lotions contain permethrin. If you have health concerns about applying permethrin to your skin, there are non-prescription alternatives available, such as these effective scabies remedies.

I treated but I'm still itching! Treating, and killing the scabies, doesn't mean the itching stops immediately. Itching can last for a couple of weeks after treatment, because your skin has been irritated by the presence of the mites (to be more specific, irritated by their excrement) and needs time to calm down and become normal again.