STD and other medical related subjects.

[Nrlmus]

The fact that the only truly "safe sex" is abstinence. In fact don't smoke, don't drink. Every time you take a breath you breath in a lot of harmful particles and bacteria so cut that out too! Every time you breath out you're could possibly infect me with your germs, some of which could even be fatal (to me!)! I'd gladly provide you with a number to my attorney so we could work out an amicable settlement.

The infection rates are quite small given all the sexual relationships / activity occurring with a USA Population of over 325 million people.

Even when condom used, not completely safe for chlamydia, etc. Use of condom is only "SAFER SEX"!

Why-yep! That's what we need to do guys. Let's practice abstinence LOL.

[Longjblues]

The fact that the only truly "safe sex" is abstinence.

The infection rates are quite small given all the sexual relationships / activity occurring with a USA Population of over 325 million people.

Even when condom used, not completely safe for chlamydia, etc. Use of condom is only "SAFER SEX"!

https://www.masslive.com/expo/news/e...<br /> <br />

[Wabbitt9]

So why in 2018, decades after STIs first became a health concern and during an age where information is readily available on the internet, are more people becoming infected?

Because, despite years of being told how dangerous AIDS is, people still can't resist the sweet, tender embrace of raw dog.

Which is also why so many dirtbags shit out kids they can't afford and live on welfare forever. But that's an entirely different topic.

[JimXuper90]

https://www.masslive.com/expo/news/e...sis-no-on.html

That's why we need to regularly check up.

[PewPewPewPew]

https://www.masslive.com/expo/news/e...sis-no-on.html

The most frequently reported infection in Massachusetts in 2016 affected 26,448 people, the number of reported cases rising 60 percent in nine years, according to state data.

But not a lot of people talk about it because that infection is chlamydia.

Sexually transmitted infections -- also known as STIs or sexually transmitted diseases, STDs -- have been rising for years, and after a record-high of more than 2 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis were reported in the United States in 2016, CDC officials said there was an "urgent need for prevention."

Numbers in Massachusetts reflect the national statistics: STIs are rising and are disproportionately affecting teenagers and people in their early 20s. According to the CDC, 15- to 24 year-olds account for half of all new STD infections in the country.

Some have gone as far as to call STIs a public health crisis. Dr. Jonathan Mermin, the director of CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention called STIs a "persistent enemy" that is "outpacing our ability to respond."

So why in 2018, decades after STIs first became a health concern and during an age where information is readily available on the internet, are more people becoming infected?

[Spill]

From today's (7/26/2018) Boston Globe:

The outbreak of HIV among injecting-drug users in Lawrence and Lowell has spread to many more people than originally thought, resulting from the early arrival of fentanyl in northeastern Massachusetts and other factors, a federal inquiry has concluded.

Federal disease-trackers counted 129 new cases of HIV among injecting-drug users in the area since the beginning of 2015 — 33 percent more than state officials' original count last spring.

Homelessness and incarceration played an important role in the spread of the virus, by limiting access to treatment that suppresses it, according to the eight-page report released Wednesday. Other factors were a decline in HIV testing and in the practice of tracking down sexual or drug-sharing partners of infected people.

The 129-case count is "a very large outbreak of these infections in this population," said Kevin Cranston, director of the state health department's Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences.

"Now we really understand the scope of this problem," Cranston said, noting that for many years there had been little transmission of the virus among drug users in Massachusetts.

The spike in HIV cases was first noticed in Lawrence in 2016, a sign that overdoses are not the only deadly consequence of the opioid epidemic.

As the HIV numbers continued to increase and a similar cluster was detected in Lowell, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health called in specialists from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last spring. Some 19 CDC staffers came to the state in rotation over a five-week period that ended June 1.

Deploying sophisticated molecular techniques, along with on-the-ground interviews in the affected cities, the CDC was able to clarify the extent of the outbreak.

Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, started entering the illicit drug supply earlier in the northeastern part of the state, and the concomitant increase in overdose deaths also spiked sooner there, as well. In the CDC report, Lawrence was described as a "longstanding drug distribution hub" and "now a production hub for illicit fentanyl" where the drug is significantly cheaper.

"What's different about this part of the state is the timing of the introduction of fentanyl that helped trigger the outbreak," Cranston said. Because fentanyl produces a shorter-lived high, users tend to inject more frequently, increasing the likelihood of infection.

Asked whether he was worried about a similar outbreak elsewhere in the state, Cranston said state officials have long been concerned about HIV spreading in this population, as has already happened with hepatitis C.

Now, however, the CDC's experts have provided the software and training that will enable state health officials to quickly identify any future clusters or outbreaks.

The state has also been boosting prevention efforts by expanding its network of syringe exchanges, with 20 now in operation, including one that opened in Lawrence a few months after the outbreak was detected. Five additional cities, including Lowell, as well as the towns on Martha's Vineyard, have recently approved opening such programs, which provide clean needles and other services to people with addiction.

The state will also work to encourage health-care providers, including hospital emergency rooms, to test for HIV more frequently, Cranston said.

"Our job right now is to stay vigilant and to support those programs helping people prevent infection," he said.

Dr. Christopher Bositis, who heads the HIV program at the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center, said the findings do not identify anything unique about Lowell and Lawrence, but rather point to well-known societal failings.

In addition to the problems with fentanyl and homelessness, he mentioned limited access to effective treatment for addiction, especially in prisons and jails.

"This certainly could happen in other places," Bositis said. "This is a significant problem that was created by multiple complex structural and societal issues, so don't think there's going to be a simple answer.

"We have our work cut out for us. ".

[Longjblues]

Its not your body that becomes immune, but through overuse as well as not taking the antibiotic as prescribed, the particular bacteria becomes resistant to the antibiotic.

You are correct that there is some evidence that young children that are given antibiotics when very young, are more likely to be obese and experiencing weight problems through life. It is thought that the antibiotic exposure impacts their digestive tract "good" bacteria. The study has not been conclusive.

I think I was incorrect as to syphilis being one of the most common STI, its gonorrhea and chlamydia are the most commonly reported STI.

I have not heard of this but I would think that after a while of taking it, you will build an immunity to the antibiotic and would become ineffective. Also, your digestive system will have issues as the good bacteria would be slowly killed off. Just a thought.

[Oldmonger]

I read recently that some people that are higher risk for STI are taking a daily regimen of doxycycline which provides some protection for chlamydia and syphylis, the two most frequent STIs.

Anyone heard of that, or discussed with their doctors?

I would think that BBFS with an escort would be considered high risk.

Chlamydia and Syphilis are not the two most frequent STI's, and taking a daily regimen of doxycycline will solely produce negative outcomes.

Doxycycline is not the treatment of choice for Chlamydia, and for Syphilis, it must be used only in conjunction with close clinical and laboratory follow-up to ensure appropriate serological response and cure.

Using an antibiotic when it is not needed can cause it to not work for future infections. Antibiotics also kill the good bacteria in your digestive system, thus producing more negative outcomes.

[Britaly]

I read recently that some people that are higher risk for STI are taking a daily regimen of doxycycline which provides some protection for chlamydia and syphylis, the two most frequent STIs.

Anyone heard of that, or discussed with their doctors?

I would think that BBFS with an escort would be considered high risk.

I have not heard of this but I would think that after a while of taking it, you will build an immunity to the antibiotic and would become ineffective. Also, your digestive system will have issues as the good bacteria would be slowly killed off. Just a thought.

[Longjblues]

I read recently that some people that are higher risk for STI are taking a daily regimen of doxycycline which provides some protection for chlamydia and syphylis, the two most frequent STIs.

Anyone heard of that, or discussed with their doctors?

I would think that BBFS with an escort would be considered high risk.

[Mark IV]

Glad to hear you are clean! Was there an incident that happened that freaked you out? Or Gest general health check?

Peace.

Just Annual exam. Never had STD all my life. But I am planning on regular checkup at mass general.

[Enjoy65]

No news is good news. I had to call my doctor to find out I am clean. As expected though.

Glad to hear you are clean! Was there an incident that happened that freaked you out? Or Gest general health check?

Peace.

[Mark IV]

No news is good news. I had to call my doctor to find out I am clean. As expected though.

[Wabbitt9]

"Fish" antibiotics are readily available online without a script. They're the exact same pills (listed in the PDR), made by the same pharmaceutical companies, they just stick them in a bottle/package that says for fish only not for human consumption. They're also pretty cheap.

Just look up the appropriate antibiotic and dosage in the Merck Manual online (professional version, not consumer obviously).

Disclaimer: The above information is provided strictly for educational purposes and is not meant to represent medical advice, and/or establish a patient/medical provider relationship.

Stay safe, and happy hunting.

And I totally wouldn't concur with that due to me having first hand knowledge from having used fish antibiotics before. Both from my one brush with the clap and from the time I had an infected tooth and didn't have dental insurance.

Just saying.

[Longjblues]

Unbelievable. You can actually get the fish antibiotics in various antibiotics in various amounts. It actually costs more than the antibiotics for people that you can order with a prescription.

Of course, no prescription needed for the fish antibiotics. Amazing. Good to know, I guess.

Thanks, HoHunter.

"Fish" antibiotics are readily available online without a script. They're the exact same pills (listed in the PDR), made by the same pharmaceutical companies, they just stick them in a bottle/package that says for fish only not for human consumption. They're also pretty cheap.

Just look up the appropriate antibiotic and dosage in the Merck Manual online (professional version, not consumer obviously).

Disclaimer: The above information is provided strictly for educational purposes and is not meant to represent medical advice, and/or establish a patient/medical provider relationship.

Stay safe, and happy hunting.