Author Archives: NWtoSE

About NWtoSE

LeDroit Park Public Safety Queen, job seeker, MPH, allergic to foolishness, youngin' supporter, unofficial public health enforcer & on my pursuit of happiness!

STD Awareness Month: Bacterial Vaginosis aka Bacteria in the Vagina

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Bacterial Vaginosis OR. . .

BACTERIA IN THE VAGINA!



THE FACTS
  • Bacterial vaginosis (/back TEER ee el/ /va gin NO sus/) (BV) is a condition in which there is an overgrowth of some kinds of bacteria in the vagina.
  • BV can cause symptoms such as vaginal discharge.
  • BV is common in women of childbearing age.
  • Washing the genitals, urinating, or douching after sex will not prevent BV or any sexually transmitted disease (STD).

How can I lower my risks for Bacterial Vaginosis?

Scientists do not fully understand BV and do not know the best ways to prevent it. However, it is known that having a new sex partner or having more than one sex partner increases your risk of getting BV.

To lower your risk of getting BV:

  • Do not have sex. (Just like my best friend Marcus said. . . :)
  • If you decide to be sexually active, limit the number of partners you have.
  • Do not douche.
  • Use all the medicine prescribed to treat BV, even if the symptoms go away.

How do women get BV?

Doctors don’t fully understand how people get BV. The disease may spread between women who have sex with women. Any woman can get BV, but you’re at higher risk of getting it if:


Women do not get BV from toilet seats, bedding, or swimming pools or from touching objects around them. Women who have never had sex rarely get BV.

How can I find out if I have BV?

A doctor must examine you and take a sample of fluid from your vagina to determine if you have BV.

What are the symptoms of BV?

Some women with BV don’t know they have it because they have no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you might notice:

  • An unusual discharge, with a strong fish-like smell, from your vagina. You are most likely to notice this after you have sex.
  • Itching around your vagina.

When should I be tested?

You should be tested for BV if you have any symptoms (like a vaginal discharge) or if your female sex partner has BV or symptoms that could be BV.

Can I get BV again after I’ve been treated?

Yes, you can get BV again.

What happens if I’m pregnant?

If you’re pregnant and have BV:

  • You’re more likely to give birth prematurely.
  • Your baby is more likely to be underweight (less than 5 pounds at birth).

How is BV treated?

  • BV can be treated and cured with antibiotics.
  • Finish all of your medicine to be sure you are cured.
  • Do not share your medicine with anyone. You need all of it.
  • If you still have symptoms after treatment, go back to see your doctor.

What happens if I don’t get treated?

  • You may have a higher risk of getting another STD, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.
  • You may have a higher risk of getting HIV infection if you have unprotected sex with an HIV-infected partner.

If I have BV, what does that mean for my partner?

Male partners do not need to be treated for BV, but BV may spread between women who have sex with women. This means that if you have BV and you have a female sex partner, your partner may have BV too.

A message for everyone
PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR PARTNER.

Talk openly and honestly with your partner about STDs.

For more information
* Talk to your doctor.
* Call 1-800-CDC-INFO.
* Visit www.cdc.gov/std/bv

STD Awareness Month: Bacterial Vaginosis aka Bacteria in the Vagina

Posted on by
Reply

Bacterial Vaginosis OR. . .

BACTERIA IN THE VAGINA!



THE FACTS
  • Bacterial vaginosis (/back TEER ee el/ /va gin NO sus/) (BV) is a condition in which there is an overgrowth of some kinds of bacteria in the vagina.
  • BV can cause symptoms such as vaginal discharge.
  • BV is common in women of childbearing age.
  • Washing the genitals, urinating, or douching after sex will not prevent BV or any sexually transmitted disease (STD).

How can I lower my risks for Bacterial Vaginosis?

Scientists do not fully understand BV and do not know the best ways to prevent it. However, it is known that having a new sex partner or having more than one sex partner increases your risk of getting BV.

To lower your risk of getting BV:

  • Do not have sex. (Just like my best friend Marcus said. . . :)
  • If you decide to be sexually active, limit the number of partners you have.
  • Do not douche.
  • Use all the medicine prescribed to treat BV, even if the symptoms go away.

How do women get BV?

Doctors don’t fully understand how people get BV. The disease may spread between women who have sex with women. Any woman can get BV, but you’re at higher risk of getting it if:


Women do not get BV from toilet seats, bedding, or swimming pools or from touching objects around them. Women who have never had sex rarely get BV.

How can I find out if I have BV?

A doctor must examine you and take a sample of fluid from your vagina to determine if you have BV.

What are the symptoms of BV?

Some women with BV don’t know they have it because they have no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you might notice:

  • An unusual discharge, with a strong fish-like smell, from your vagina. You are most likely to notice this after you have sex.
  • Itching around your vagina.

When should I be tested?

You should be tested for BV if you have any symptoms (like a vaginal discharge) or if your female sex partner has BV or symptoms that could be BV.

Can I get BV again after I’ve been treated?

Yes, you can get BV again.

What happens if I’m pregnant?

If you’re pregnant and have BV:

  • You’re more likely to give birth prematurely.
  • Your baby is more likely to be underweight (less than 5 pounds at birth).

How is BV treated?

  • BV can be treated and cured with antibiotics.
  • Finish all of your medicine to be sure you are cured.
  • Do not share your medicine with anyone. You need all of it.
  • If you still have symptoms after treatment, go back to see your doctor.

What happens if I don’t get treated?

  • You may have a higher risk of getting another STD, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.
  • You may have a higher risk of getting HIV infection if you have unprotected sex with an HIV-infected partner.

If I have BV, what does that mean for my partner?

Male partners do not need to be treated for BV, but BV may spread between women who have sex with women. This means that if you have BV and you have a female sex partner, your partner may have BV too.

A message for everyone
PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR PARTNER.

Talk openly and honestly with your partner about STDs.

For more information
* Talk to your doctor.
* Call 1-800-CDC-INFO.
* Visit www.cdc.gov/std/bv

UPDATE! James Duncan III Missing Howard Student FOUND Unharmed!

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Black College Wire Reported
April 14, 2009

“The university community was relieved when the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced on April 14 that missing Howard University student James Duncan III had been found. According to a university press release, Duncan was located Tuesday unharmed in an undisclosed location.”

James, I just wanted to let you know that I personally am very glad that you are safe. I just tried to look you up on facebook and I didn’t have any luck finding you. If this post finds you please know that people care about you. I care about you and the people the DC community does care about you.

God Bless.

UPDATE! James Duncan III Missing Howard Student FOUND Unharmed!

Posted on by
2

Black College Wire Reported
April 14, 2009

“The university community was relieved when the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced on April 14 that missing Howard University student James Duncan III had been found. According to a university press release, Duncan was located Tuesday unharmed in an undisclosed location.”

James, I just wanted to let you know that I personally am very glad that you are safe. I just tried to look you up on facebook and I didn’t have any luck finding you. If this post finds you please know that people care about you. I care about you and the people the DC community does care about you.

God Bless.

STD Awareness Month: Genital Herpes

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The Facts

  • Genital herpes (/JEN i tell/ /HER pees/) is a sexually transmitted virus.
  • Genital herpes is common in both men and women in the U.S.
  • Most people who have genital herpes don’t know it. There are often no symptoms.
  • If you have symptoms, the most common ones are painful blisters and sores.
  • You can pass genital herpes to others without knowing it.
  • There is no cure for genital herpes, but there are treatments for the symptoms.
  • Genital herpes does not usually cause serious health problems.

How Can I Lower My Risk for Genital Herpes?

  • The surest way to prevent genital herpes is not to have sex or to have sex only with someone who’s not infected and who has sex only with you.
  • Condoms can reduce your risk of getting genital herpes if used the right way every single time you have sex. But a condom protects only the area of the body that it covers. Areas the condom doesn’t cover can become infected.
  • Washing the genitals, urinating, or douching after sex will not prevent any sexually transmitted disease (STD).

What are the symptoms of genital herpes?
Genital herpes often doesn’t cause any symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you might notice:

  • Painful blisters or sores on or around the genitals or anus. These sores typically heal within two to four weeks.
  • Feeling like you have the flu when the sores are present.
  • Sores that come back several times within a year. The presence of the sores is called an outbreak.

There are two types of genital herpes virus – HSV1 and HSV2. Both types can cause sores or blisters on or around the genitals. HSV1 can also cause sores on the mouth or lips, which are called fever blisters.

How does someone get genital herpes?

  • You can get genital herpes by having sex with someone who has it. “Having sex” means having anal, oral, or vaginal sex.
  • You can also get genital herpes if your genitals touch the infected skin or secretions (like saliva through oral sex) of someone who has it.
  • You can get genital herpes even if your partner shows no signs of the infection.

What can I expect to happen if I have genital herpes?
Men and Women

  • You can expect to have several outbreaks (usually four or five) a year. Over time you can expect to have fewer outbreaks.
  • You have a higher chance of getting an HIV infection if you have unprotected sex with a partner living with HIV.
  • Knowing that you have genital herpes may make you feel worried or sad. Talk with a doctor about your concerns.

Pregnant Women

  • In rare cases, you could pass the infection to your baby.
  • If you have active genital herpes when you go into labor, the doctor may do a cesarean delivery (“C-section”).
  • Be sure to tell your doctor if you or your partner has genital herpes.

When should I be tested?

  • You should be tested for genital herpes if:
  • You have any symptoms (like an unusual sore).
  • Your partner has genital herpes or symptoms that might be genital herpes.

If I have genital herpes, what does that mean for my partner?

  • Your partner may have genital herpes, too.
  • Be sure to tell your recent sex partners, so they can go to their doctors to be evaluated and maybe treated.
  • Avoid having sex with an uninfected partner when you have visible sores or other symptoms.Be aware that even if you don’t have symptoms, you can still infect your partner.

Can genital herpes be treated?
There is no cure for genital herpes, but there are treatments for its symptoms.
Some medicines can prevent the blisters or make them go away faster.
If you have several outbreaks in a year, a treatment called daily suppressive therapy can reduce your chance of passing the infection to your sex partners.

A message for everyone PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR PARTNER.
Always see a doctor if your partner is being treated for genital herpes.
Also see the doctor if you or your sex partner notice any symptoms, such as an unusual sore.
If you have genital herpes, you should be tested for other STDs.
Be sure to tell your recent sex partners, so they can get tested too.

For PICTURES of GENITAL HERPES please click HERE
and HERE
and HERE
and HERE
***** WARNING these are PICTURES of the Genital AREA

Talk openly and honestly with your partner about genital herpes and other STDs.
For more information Talk to your doctor.
Call 1-800-CDC-INFO.
Visit www.cdc.gov/std/herpes

STD Awareness Month: Genital Herpes

Posted on by
11


The Facts

  • Genital herpes (/JEN i tell/ /HER pees/) is a sexually transmitted virus.
  • Genital herpes is common in both men and women in the U.S.
  • Most people who have genital herpes don’t know it. There are often no symptoms.
  • If you have symptoms, the most common ones are painful blisters and sores.
  • You can pass genital herpes to others without knowing it.
  • There is no cure for genital herpes, but there are treatments for the symptoms.
  • Genital herpes does not usually cause serious health problems.

How Can I Lower My Risk for Genital Herpes?

  • The surest way to prevent genital herpes is not to have sex or to have sex only with someone who’s not infected and who has sex only with you.
  • Condoms can reduce your risk of getting genital herpes if used the right way every single time you have sex. But a condom protects only the area of the body that it covers. Areas the condom doesn’t cover can become infected.
  • Washing the genitals, urinating, or douching after sex will not prevent any sexually transmitted disease (STD).

What are the symptoms of genital herpes?
Genital herpes often doesn’t cause any symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you might notice:

  • Painful blisters or sores on or around the genitals or anus. These sores typically heal within two to four weeks.
  • Feeling like you have the flu when the sores are present.
  • Sores that come back several times within a year. The presence of the sores is called an outbreak.

There are two types of genital herpes virus – HSV1 and HSV2. Both types can cause sores or blisters on or around the genitals. HSV1 can also cause sores on the mouth or lips, which are called fever blisters.

How does someone get genital herpes?

  • You can get genital herpes by having sex with someone who has it. “Having sex” means having anal, oral, or vaginal sex.
  • You can also get genital herpes if your genitals touch the infected skin or secretions (like saliva through oral sex) of someone who has it.
  • You can get genital herpes even if your partner shows no signs of the infection.

What can I expect to happen if I have genital herpes?
Men and Women

  • You can expect to have several outbreaks (usually four or five) a year. Over time you can expect to have fewer outbreaks.
  • You have a higher chance of getting an HIV infection if you have unprotected sex with a partner living with HIV.
  • Knowing that you have genital herpes may make you feel worried or sad. Talk with a doctor about your concerns.

Pregnant Women

  • In rare cases, you could pass the infection to your baby.
  • If you have active genital herpes when you go into labor, the doctor may do a cesarean delivery (“C-section”).
  • Be sure to tell your doctor if you or your partner has genital herpes.

When should I be tested?

  • You should be tested for genital herpes if:
  • You have any symptoms (like an unusual sore).
  • Your partner has genital herpes or symptoms that might be genital herpes.

If I have genital herpes, what does that mean for my partner?

  • Your partner may have genital herpes, too.
  • Be sure to tell your recent sex partners, so they can go to their doctors to be evaluated and maybe treated.
  • Avoid having sex with an uninfected partner when you have visible sores or other symptoms.Be aware that even if you don’t have symptoms, you can still infect your partner.

Can genital herpes be treated?
There is no cure for genital herpes, but there are treatments for its symptoms.
Some medicines can prevent the blisters or make them go away faster.
If you have several outbreaks in a year, a treatment called daily suppressive therapy can reduce your chance of passing the infection to your sex partners.

A message for everyone PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR PARTNER.
Always see a doctor if your partner is being treated for genital herpes.
Also see the doctor if you or your sex partner notice any symptoms, such as an unusual sore.
If you have genital herpes, you should be tested for other STDs.
Be sure to tell your recent sex partners, so they can get tested too.

For PICTURES of GENITAL HERPES please click HERE
and HERE
and HERE
and HERE
***** WARNING these are PICTURES of the Genital AREA

Talk openly and honestly with your partner about genital herpes and other STDs.
For more information Talk to your doctor.
Call 1-800-CDC-INFO.
Visit www.cdc.gov/std/herpes