The Silent Epidemic of NYC Chlamydia: Symptoms, Statistics and Treatment

For those of us who engage in sexual activity it is important that we undergo STD testing. One of the most problematic of all STDs these days is chlamydia-especially in NYC, where the numbers have been steadily climbing over the past few decades.

Chlamydia is known in some circles as the silent epidemic for the reason that many people who are infected with this particular STD are unaware that they are so. Anyone who engages in sex of any sort, whether it be vaginal, anal or oral sex—should undergo testing for this sneaky disease. In NYC there are many places that such testing can be administered quickly and affordably.

This disease is not as dangerous as some of the other STDs out there—and there are over twenty five of them. But chlamydia affects both men and women at an alarming rate, and it is most common with guys and gals under twenty five years old.

If you have ever engaged in unprotected sex (even with one partner) it is important that testing is administered as chlamydia is easy to pass on and is out there in startling numbers. In fact, it is one of the most common STDs in the world, with an estimated two and half million Americans newly infected every single year. In NYC the numbers are slightly higher than in the rest of the country and the problem remains that most people who are infected with this disease show no symptoms at all.

As stated above chlamydia is a silent epidemic and the numbers prove this. Seventy five percent of women and over fifty percent of men show no symptoms of this illness while infected. The only way to know for sure that you are a carrier—that you have been infected and can spread the disease to others—is through testing.

There are serious side effects to chlamydia even though most people do not even realize they have it. According to the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention, chlamydia infections can progress to serious health problems that typically damage the reproductive organs.

If left untreated in women, this disease can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes, causing permanent damage. This damage can lead to chronic pelvic pain, and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancies. This is one of the reasons why chlamydia testing is so important. If a woman plans on having children at any time during her life, testing for a chlamydia infection should be administered as often as necessary.

In men complications do exist, however, they are not as serious as in women. In men, a chlamydia infection can sometimes spread to the epididymis, causing pain, fever, and rarely sterility. If a man is engaging in unprotected sex, he should get to a NYC certified STD clinic in order to not pass on a disease he may not even realize he has.

The following are the symptoms that both men and women should be aware of that may indicate they have contracted this disease and are in need of testing…

In Women
Painful urination
Abdominal pain
Lower back pain
Nausea
Fever
Painful sexual intimacy
Spotting between periods

In Men
Penis discharge
Painful urination
Itching at the tip of penis
Painful or swollen testicles

For those of us in NYC, please log onto STDCenterNY.com if in the market for testing for any or all STDs. This highly respected, clean, spacious and discreet clinic is located just blocks away from Grand Central Station in midtown Manhattan and is easily accessible by mass transit. Call 1-212-696-5900 to make an appointment today.

Genital Warts & Human Papilloma Virus—from A-Z Combating America’s Most Prolific STD

When is the correct time to discuss genital warts? Uhm… “never” comes to mind, but that’s taking the easy way out. Unfortunately, there are many problems that can arise if one is having sexual intercourse. One of those problems is genital warts. They are very common, believe it or not. Currently there are over twenty five separate medical issues that are classified as a sexually transmitted disease or a sexually transmitted infection. Each one comes with a unique set of symptoms and treatment options.

In this article we shall discuss genital warts. For sure, it doesn’t paint an agreeable picture in the mind’s eye, does it? Yet they are out there, waiting to strike, in abundance. In this article we shall discuss what exactly a genital wart is, what type of symptoms to be on the lookout for, and what type of treatment is available for genital warts. Let us begin at the beginning…

What are genital warts? Many times, genital warts are the symptom of a larger medical issue called human papillomavirus (or HPV for short). This virus is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States of America. To make matters even worse, there are over forty variations on HPV. HPV can cause devastating effects in untreated individuals including cervical cancer and infertility in women. Therefore, anyone with genital warts should be tested for the human papillomavirus at a certified STD clinic as soon as they can be.

As with other viruses, once you test positive for it there is no getting rid of it. It can only be treated and kept under control. This includes a minimizing or a disappearance of all symptoms—including genital warts. HPV is so common it is believed that if a person is sexually active for their entire lives at some point they will become infected. This is a daunting fact, but it is reality. No one ever said that something that feels so good (sex) would be responsibility free! All of us engaging in sexual activity have a major responsibility to our health and to the health of our partners and loved ones.

What are the symptoms of genital warts? Genital warts are pretty obvious unless they are tucked away internally, as in inside the vagina. Typically one will have genital warts visible in, on and around their sexual organs and anus. As mentioned above, they can also erupt inside of the body, as in the cervix or urethra. When genital warts are visible they resemble little irregularly shaped cauliflowers up close. When looking at them regularly they will resemble small bumps. It is important to thoroughly inspect your genitals often when sexually active. If you find something that doesn’t look right, or you have a burning or an itching, it is important to visit a certified STD doctor.

Where exactly will genital warts typically be found on the average infected individual? On women the areas are: the lips of the vagina (both inside and out), inside the vagina and cervix, and around the rectum. In men the areas are: anywhere on the shaft of the penis, scrotum and opening of the urethra, and around the rectum. Genital warts can also be found inside the mouth and extending down into the throat, but this is atypical.

Genital warts are spread by skin to skin contact including oral, vaginal and anal sex. Therefore, anyone engaging in sexual activity is at risk. One can also auto-inoculate themselves. This means that an infected person can spread the virus from one portion of their body to another. Always be aware of your physical status and take all precautions necessary. These are some of those aforementioned responsibilities.

What type of treatment is available for genital warts? Treatment includes the application of an acid-type or a freezing-type medicine to the affected area in order to remove the genital warts. These days many certified STD doctor will use a laser-type therapy to remove the warts. Without a doctor’s help, many of those infected will clear up within twenty four months. This does not mean that the virus is out of your body, it just means that the symptoms are gone. After genital warts are removed or disappear on their own safe sexual practices MUST continue. It is highly recommended that a certified STD doctor be utilized if one is infected.

If you happen to live in the NYC area—and would like more information on genital warts or any other STD—please log onto HPV treatment NYC. Located just blocks from Grand Central Station, this well-regarded certified STD testing Manhattan has been faithfully serving the New York City area for many years. They are safe, discreet and very affordable—and are run by a genuine certified medical doctor, not a nurse practitioner as at some other similar facilities. Call 1-212-696-5900 for an appointment today. Late weekday and weekend hours are available. Be safe, be protected, be responsible!

All You Need to Know About Gonorrhea Test For the NYC Woman

NYC is a swinging place, lots of clubs, bars, libraries, museums and bake-offs—all the right places to land that one-in-a-million guy. But what happens when Mister Right turns out to be Mr. Wrong-Because-He-Has-Gonorrhea? Simple…get to a walk in clinic in your neighborhood to receive testing and/or treatment. Gonorrhea is a way-too-common and devastating disease that affects over 500,000 people in the United States every year. That comes out to approximately 2,000 cases in NYC annually. And things don’t seem to be getting any better.

What is gonorrhea?

We may have all heard of this disease. Some of us may remember watching black and white films depicting its horrors in school. (Then again we may remember dinosaurs!) Things have changed since it was only a disease to be feared by sailors on leave in old Times Square, NYC.

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a type of bacteria that really enjoys growing in those warm moist pockets of human flash. As women, that’s the last place that we want anything growing—unless we are purposefully having a baby. Aside from the vagina, gonorrhea can also grow like wildfire in the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, urethra and the mouth, throat, and anus. In other words, everywhere we fear. Thankfully there is great testing available for this and other STDs at your nearest STD clinic.

How is contracted?

Well, it is NOT contracted from a toilet seat, so put all that nonsense to bed right now. Gonorrhea is contracted through oral, vaginal, and anal sex with an infected partner. Touching infected sex organs and then touching the eyes can also spread this infection. That’s it. No toilet seats, no sharing ice cream. Once again, testing and treatment is quick, easy and affordable—especially in a big city like NYC.

If a woman is pregnant and infected with gonorrhea, she can pass it on to her child during the birthing process. Infants that catch gonorrhea this way can become blind, get joint infections or a life-threatening blood infection. Come on, we’re hip women from NYC and we should know better than to open ourselves up to this kind of thing, but unfortunately our partners rarely where a sign that states they are infected with gonorrhea before we hop in the sack with them. This is where testing and treatment comes in.

One need not become a depressed ball of uselessness if they contract this awful malady. Gonorrhea treatment is easily done, but no one can get help if they do not realize they are infected. Testing is the only reliable way to find out if you have contracted this disease. Get to a NYC based STD clinic as soon as any of the following symptoms occur:

·       Painful urination

·       Vaginal discharge that is either bloody or yellow

·       Bleeding between periods

·       Pain during sex

Obviously, as women we all have suffered through some of these symptoms. It does not mean that you have definitely contracted gonorrhea, but it does mean it is time for testing to occur. Any STD clinic will be happy to proceed with testing at a nominal cost. Testing consists of several methods. They are all painless.

Since you are located in NYC, why not try gonorrhea testing in Manhattan STD Center of New York. They are located just blocks from Grand Central Station, so getting there is not a bother. Log onto STD doctor for more information or simply dial 1-212-696-5900 to arrange an appointment. 

Chlamydia Testing Made Simpler and Easier

When you hear the phrase “chlamydia testing,” your first instinct may be to get away as fast as you can. And who could blame you? Old habits die hard, and old horror stories sometimes never die. Much of the general population, especially sexually active adults, retains any number of crazy myths about the STD testing experience, and chlamydia is no exception. Compound this with the fact that STDs are a traditionally taboo subject in polite society, and it's no wonder that misinformation abounds.

Well, let's correct some initial misconceptions. Times and customs change, and you know what? So do medical practices. While we were out convincing ourselves not to get tested, the medical community has been busy improving their approach to STD testing and treatment. Plenty of money and research have contributed to a complete revamp of the experience: all sort of painful, invasive, and embarrassing procedures are now things of the past. Sample collection is a piece of cake, lab results are quicker than ever, and most clinics will give out smart counseling along with accurate results. For a curable disease like chlamydia, we're well on our way towards breaking down all those old myths and taboos. Let's learn a little more about the modern chlamydia testing experience.

Over Before You Know It

Forget hideously long Q-tips, forget injections. The most common and reliable testing methods take either a urine sample or a genital swab. The former is usually recommended for men because the urethra is the primary site of infection by the offending bacteria, chlamydia trachomatis, so any urine passing through will pick them up en route. For this reason, men should refrain from urinating beforehand so they can produce a decent sample. Women should prepare for a cervical swab, which literally takes seconds and can be done right there at the clinic.

Please inform your STD doctor or healthcare professional if you have engaged in receptive anal sex, regardless of your gender. They may need to take a rectal swab if that's the case. It's no more invasive than a cervical swab and takes just as little time.

How Long Did You Say?

The preliminary sampling period takes about 15 minutes, start to finish. Samples will be sent to a laboratory, which  typically provides results within five days. Unlike certain other STDs, chlamydia testing results are extremely accurate and usually do not require a backup. Some clinics offer rapid chlamydia tests based on urine samples; with this new technology, results can be available in as little as one hour. One quick but important note: be aware that it can take time for the disease to become detectable once you acquire it. Of course, you should definitely contact an STD clinic if you're worried, but you may be counseled to wait a few days before the actual testing procedure. This “window period” will last no more than one week.

What else?

And that's it! The modern chlamydia testing experience is not so much an ordeal as a routine, and definitely nothing to be afraid of. You should, however, be afraid of the long-term consequences of untreated chlamydia. It can cause permanent reproductive damage, make you more susceptible to other STDs, or affect a pregnancy for the worse. When the whole process is so simple and easy, it doesn't take a genius to recognize the importance of regular testing for sexually active adults. Go ahead and get it over with, you'll thank yourself. And get your sexual partners in, too! You can never be too safe, and you can trust your results once you have them. Should you receive a positive diagnosis, you'll be given exact instructions on which medications to take and how often. This counseling comes with the treatment and is informed by years of tests and studies.

In New York City, you can head to STD Center NY for unrivaled, board-certified medical attention for all of your chlamydia testing in Manhattan questions, concerns, or inquiries. Just blocks from Grand Central Station and easily accessible by train or bus, STD Center NY features affordable, private, state-of-the-art chlamydia testing services. Call 1-212-696-5900 for an appointment or log onto STD testing in NYC for more information. Be sure to check out their Travel Clinic as well. Now is the time to take care of testing in a safe, easy way.

ABC of Chlamydia Testing

If you think that you have Chlamydia, or, if you don’t know what Chlamydia is and you have symptoms that are worrying you—for women they include pain during sex, for men a burning feeling while urinating (we’ll discuss more symptoms later on)—you should go and get tested.

Chlamydia testing is simple. There are two ways of getting tested if you are a man: the first is a urine test. Most men will prefer this, because the second test involves the doctor taking a cotton bud to “swab” the urethra at the tip of the penis to test for the presence of Chlamydia. You’ll be happy to hear that, nowadays, most doctors prefer the urine sample test. However, it isn’t as reliable as the swab. There is also a quick urine test, which can take less than an hour to get your results.

The test is the same for women. The difference is that a swab can be taken from the vagina by the patient herself (or by a health care professional). For both sexes, results of Chlamydia testing that are sent to the lab can take up to a week. This is a reason why patients prefer the fast urine test: if you’re concerned, it’s good to know your status quickly. The quicker you know your status, the quicker you can start treatment: if you’re positive, that is.

So, let’s talk about treatment. It’s easy to treat Chlamydia with antibiotics. Primary care doctor recommend azithromycin, which comes in a single dose. Single dose antibiotics can be a little bit hard on the stomach, so if you prefer, take doxycycline twice a day for a week instead. Remember, though: to avoid spreading it, the main thing is to abstain from sex until you are negative for Chlamydia.

Although you might consider Chlamydia to be a minor league STD, remember that it can have worrying complications. In women, it affects the cervix, the neck of the womb, and if it is left untreated it can cause infertility in 10% to 15% of cases. The official name for this is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Chlamydia comes from the Greek word for “cloak”: which is appropriate, because often this STD infection has no symptoms. You have no way of knowing if you have it, unless you get tested.

Some of the symptoms are, for men, a discharge from the rectum or the penis; a tenderness or pain in the testicles and, as we mentioned earlier, a burning feeling while urinating. Apparently, men have more symptoms than women. Only about 30% of women have symptoms. These can include a discharge from the vagina, pain during intercourse, or a burning sensation while urinating. You will notice that the burning sensation is a symptom that Chlamydia has in common with a Urinary Tract Infection, so it is important to get tested in order to rule the latter out. You can’t treat Chlamydia with Cranberry juice!

More seriously, women who let the infection go for some time without being treated are at risk of PID, which is a bacterial infection of the fallopian tubes, the uterus or the ovaries. This complication occurs when the bacteria from a Chlamydia infection moves from the cervix further into the female reproductive organs. How is Chlamydia caused? Well, as with most STDs, it is caused by having unprotected sex with a partner who is positive for Chlamydia. A simple urine test can tell you if you have the infection. If you do, a simple antibiotic can clear it up. If you don’t, it can lead to infertility in women, and reduced fertility in men.

And, so, you see the importance of why you need to get chlamydia test. If you live in NYC and would like to get STD testing by a board certified STD clinic, log onto STD Clinic for more information. STD Clinic of New York is located just blocks from Grand Central Station and is therefore easily accessible by all means of public transportation. To ask any questions, or to book a convenient appointment, simply call 1-212-696-5900 to speak to a staff member.

ABC of Herpes screening

As our title suggests, the aim here is to give you the tools to (A) recognize the symptoms of Genital Herpes, and (B) know where to access the care to treat it. Before discussing the process of Herpes testing, a small amount of background is necessary. There are two types of Herpes (otherwise known as the Herpes Simplex Virus): HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 causes fever blisters, or cold sores, on the lips and mouth, and is more an annoying infection than a disease. HSV-2 is Genital Herpes.

However, similar to HSV-2, Genital Herpes can lie dormant in the nerves, becoming active when our immune system is low: in other words, when we are stressed, worried, under emotional pressure, or simply not taking care of ourselves. One worrisome aspect of the two different strains is that neither of them ever really goes away. While the first is more a bother than anything else, there is one complication that’s important to remember: if you have HSV-1(oral herpes), it can be transmitted during oral sex to the genital area of your partner from your lips or mouth. It is important to avoid intimacy during flare-ups of HSV-1.

Clearly, the easiest way of being infected with Genital Herpes is by engaging in some form of sexual contact with a person who already has the disease. Although some people never develop symptoms, the clearest physical sign of Genital Herpes is small, fluid-filled blisters around or on the penis, scrotum, vulva, or buttocks. The blisters can also appear on the mouth if they’ve been spread there during oral sex. When Genital Herpes is active, it can be painful to urinate; the lymph nodes in the groin can be swollen; aching muscles in the thighs, backside or knees, fever, and flu-ish feelings are also common. As with HSV-1, the skin tingles at the place where the blisters will appear. However, in Genital Herpes the blisters are much more painful, and the virus leads to ulcers on the skin, which is a good reason for Herpes testing if you think you have it!

The first type of Herpes test takes place when one already has an outbreak of blisters, or sores, on the skin on or around the genitals. The STD doctor at a clinic takes a very small sample of the liquid from the blister, which is the most accurate way of seeing if one has Genital Herpes. A blood test is another way of knowing if one has ever been infected with the Herpes. It’s important to remember that a blood test can be positive even if you have never had symptoms of Genital Herpes (HSV-2).

If a Herpes test is positive, your doctor will advise you about medication against the virus (acyclovir, for example), which will help stop the discomfort, and make the virus go dormant again. Genital Herpes has aspects to it that make it not as serious as some STDs, but it is much more serious than others. Some complications are as follws: pregnant women who have an outbreak of Genital Herpes at the time of giving birth can pass the virus to the baby. And, babies infected during pregnancy may be born premature, or develop meningitis, for example. In individuals who are HIV positive, the virus can affect other parts of the body (the spine, lungs, eyes, or the brain).

It’s important to stress that Genital Herpes, like HSV-1, can’t be cured, which means that if you become infected, it’s vital for you to take good care of yourself, because if you don’t, you can trigger another outbreak. Also, using medication can reduce the risk of passing the HSV-2 virus (genital Herpes) to another person.

Inform yourself, and remember how important Herpes testing is in staying healthy. If you live in NYC and would like to get STD testing by a board certified STD clinic, log onto genital herpes testing for more information. STD Clinic of New York is located just blocks from Grand Central Station and is therefore easily accessible by all means of public transportation. To ask any questions, or to book a convenient appointment, simply call 1-212-696-5900 to speak to a staff member. 

Herpes 1 and 2 Testing: The Essentials

Herpes immediately comes to mind whenever STDs are discussed, and for good reason: it's one of the most widespread diseases out there, with an estimated 16% of Americans aged 14 to 49 carrying the virus. That number increases drastically for major metropolitan areas, especially New York City. As with anything else, knowledge is power where herpes is concerned. This article will get you acquainted with the basics of the disease and then provide an overview of treatment practices and herpes testing options.

The Basic Facts

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is, as the name suggests, a viral disease belonging to the same family as chicken pox and shingles. There are two varieties of Herpes Simplex. Type 1 is more common and usually affects the face and mouth, producing characteristic cold sores during outbreaks. Type 2 usually affects the genitals with painful, itchy sores; this type is what most people mean by herpes and this type concerns us most. Both types cycle between active and remission periods. Visible outbreaks correspond with periods of weakened immune response, becoming less severe and frequent as time goes on. However, most individuals can go weeks, months, or even years without showing any symptoms. Make no mistake: genital herpes is just as contagious when asymptomatic. In fact, this is one of the better reasons to seek an STD clinic for yourself or your partner. While incurable, the disease need not hamper one's intimate relations. Timely and thorough herpes testing is the first step to mitigating the worst of this common STD.

How Testing Works: Viral Cultures

Herpes testing is most accurate within 48 hours of the first outbreak. For this reason, it's important to find a clinic as soon as symptoms appear—your doctor will have a better chance of pinpointing the diagnosis, and you'll have improved treatment options. In these cases, a culture test is administered by swabbing the sore directly. Results usually take one week and can be “typed” to distinguish between the strains (either type can show up anywhere on the body, but Type 2 is most often the culprit in the genitals). Remember that time is of the essence: the longer you wait, the more likely your results will return false negatives due to a lack of active virus. Thankfully, new DNA tests are improving precision, but that's no reason to wait it out or avoid seeing a medical professional.

Blood Tests

Blood tests are available when there is a lack of visible symptoms. This variety of herpes blood test detects antibodies produced by the immune system to signal the presence of the virus. Specifically, it looks for IgG antibodies—these develop soon after initial infection and remain in the blood thereafter. Blood tests can also distinguish by type and are known for being more accurate. Be aware that it takes time for the human body to develop antibodies, and thus the medical community recommends waiting 12 to 16 weeks from the last possible date of exposure to ensure detectable levels. Consult your doctor to find out which herpes blood test is best for you—there are several varieties, each catering to different use patterns, patient characteristics, and results windows.

Alternate Tests

A few alternate methods of herpes testing exist. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests are highly sensitive and superior to viral cultures, but they aren't yet readily available. Expect to see advances in this technology in the near future. Viral antigen tests are accurate only in the initial outbreak and have similar availability problems. Finally, the Tzanck herpes test relies on health care providers' judgment calls, a less rigorous and regulated protocol.

New York City residents, don't hesitate to contact STD Center NY to ask about herpes 2 testing NYC. They offer unrivaled, board-certified medical attention for all of your questions, concerns, or inquiries. Just blocks from Grand Central Station and easily accessible by train or bus, STD Center NY features affordable, private, state-of-the-art herpes testing services. Call 1-212-696-5900 for an appointment or log onto STD testing NYC for more information. Make a commitment to better health!