Warning signs of a new outbreak: itching, burning, tingling of area. Pain in lower extremities.
(You're getting more infectious now)
Infections, depression, stress, sun exposure, hormonal changes (menstruation, childbirth) may
be linked to flare-ups.
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Treatment: Acyclovir (Zovirax), Valacylclovir
(Valtrex) - these are antiviral drugs.
HPV: Human Papilloma Virus
Genital warts: Condyloma acuminata is the genital-area type. You can have HPV with no visible
warts (!)
#1 cause of abnormal PAP, and often the 1st indication that a woman has HPV.
They may be visible, or they may have to put a solution (acidic) on the area to see if anything
turns white.
Treatment involves removing visible warts. Antiviral meds may also be used.
Vaccine is now available for 4 strains of HPV.
Hepatitis: a disease of the liver.
Hep A (HAV) & B (HBV) - you can be vaccinated!
It's a 6-month process. You get A&B, then 1-2 months later you get your 2nd B, then you get
A&B 4-6 months after your first dose.
Hep B is 100 times more infectious than HIV.
Hep B vaccine may also help prevent a type of liver cancer.
Hep A (HAV) is transmitted via fecal material (don't drink the water), close personal contact,
contaminated food or water.
Hep B (HBV) through bodily fluids.
There are other strains of hepatitis, but no vaccines.
"HIV" = Human Immunodeficiency Virus
HIV kills white blood cells called T4 or CD4 lymphocytes - crippling your immune system. (T4
cells are in a managerial position: without them your system doesn't "know" what to do.)
Average incubation time, untreated: 10-12 years.
"AIDS" = Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Testing is for antibodies. ELISA screening, then Western Blot to confirm.
Oraquick, anyone can administer.
Wait 3 months after risky behavior for most accurate result.
HIV is a Retrovirus, so named for the Reverse ways in which it replicate within DNA & RNA. One
of the implications of this is that HIV can lie dormant for years before showing up
symptomatically. Another is that the HIV provirus remains in host-cell DNA for life.
Early symptoms of HIV disease:
fatigue
body aches
headache
swollen lymph glands
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fever
sweats
chills
night sweats
diarrhea
loss of appetite, weight
Later, with AIDS, opportunistic infections:
PCP
Kaposi's sarcoma
candida
CNS infections
mycobacterial/tubercular infections
Treatment addresses HIV reproduction. Combinations of antiviral agents (protease inhibitors)
are used.
Costs can be astronomical;
Treatment only works for about 50% of sufferers, long-term;
Compliance with the regimen must be rigid;
Side Effects can be difficult, & we don't know the long-term ones.
How to Acquire HIV: bodily fluids from an infected person. It's been found in all body fluids, but
in highest concentrations in blood & semen.
It's not the most transmissable virus.
Blood contact, sexual contact, perinatal (intrauterine, during birth, breast feeding)
STI PREVENTION
1.
Abstinence
2.
Mutual monogamy with tested, negative partner
3.
Condom use
4.
Don't use prostitutes
5.
Don't share needles
6.
Don't engage in sexual activities likely to produce even tiny tears in the flesh
7.
Make sure when you get a piercing or a tattoo that appropriate sterilization procedures
have been used
8.
Make sure blood or sperm have been tested
9.
Donate your own blood for surgery
10.
Don't share toothbrushes, razors, etc. with anyone who has or may have an STI
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