Author: brian

Telling Your Partner(s) You Have An STD

Discussing sexuality and sexual health openly is a topic our society still has to overcome. The stigma surrounding STDs can be very damaging and increase the risk of STD transmission for fear of speaking up. 

So, what should you do if you test positive for an STD? Follow our advice and ensure that you and your partner(s) stay safe and find adequate help, treatment and support. 

Get Tested

If you believe you have contracted an STD, the first step you should take is to get tested. Take into account that most STDs don’t show symptoms in the early stages and can be asymptomatic altogether but can still be passed on to others.  

To ensure you are practicing safe sex, get tested at the beginning of any sexual relationship and again a few months later. 

Understand The Facts

Having an educated conversation about STDs and sexual health is key. Hence why it is advisable to talk to a medical professional and do some research before communicating with your partner(s). 

The more you know, the lower the risk of contracting an STD will be. 

Talk To Your Partner(s)

Whether your relationship is casual or long-term, it is extremely important to let your companion(s) know you have an STD before you have sexual intercourse. However, if you have oral herpes, it is important that you tell them before you kiss. 

This will give you all the opportunity to make informed decisions about your sexual health and life. Additionally, you will be able to take precautions and practice safe sex. 

Choose a Safe Place

When you feel prepared to have the talk with your partner(s), try to choose a place that makes you feel calm and comfortable. However, if you are worried their reaction will be violent, you do not have to meet face to face. 

Opt instead for a phone call or video chat that will allow you an escape if the situation turns sour.

Possible Questions To Ask

Try starting the conversation by letting your partner(s) know that you care about them and their well-being. Start by asking them about their sexual history and their knowledge about STDs. 

Once you tell them you have an STD, make them feel comfortable by offering to respond to any questions they may have and explain the different ways in which you can practice safe sex. 

Free STI/STD Testing in Pennsylvania

Maintaining a safe and healthy sex life is paramount and a part of your overall well-being. Here at Novus, our patients are our top priority; we vow to make you feel safe and welcome when you visit our centers.

Visit our website and schedule your appointment today to receive a free STD/STI test! 

 

Starting HIV Treatment and Achieving Undetectability

If you have recently been diagnosed with HIV, it is likely you have a ton of questions. The good news is that, even though there isn’t a cure for it yet, HIV is a treatable condition. The astounding medical advances of the past few years are making it possible for people living with HIV to lead long, normal, and healthy lives. 

We are here to guide you through different options and to answer any questions you may have about HIV treatment. 

Antiretroviral Therapy for People with HIV as Treatment for Prevention

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks and destroys a specific type of white blood cells, thus interfering with the body’s ability to fight infections. HIV is transmitted through certain bodily fluids, usually blood, semen, and breast milk. If left untreated, HIV can slowly turn into AIDS, the most advanced and dangerous stage of HIV infection. 

If you believe you may have contracted HIV, the first step you need to take is to get tested; ask your partner(s) to do the same. Even though there is no cure for the virus yet, it can be successfully controlled with the appropriate treatment. 

As soon as your diagnosis is confirmed, it is important that you see a trained provider who will be able to prescribe your HIV medication. The most effective medication to control HIV is called antiretroviral therapy (often referred to as ART). If followed exactly as prescribed, ART can reduce the amount of HIV in your body to undetectable levels, allowing you to continue to live a healthy life, all while protecting your partner(s) from infection. 

There are 31 ARTs approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat HIV. Although these treatments do not cure HIV or AIDS, they are excellent at suppressing the virus to undetectable levels. 

Pre-Exposure HIV Prevention to Prevent HIV Transmission

HIV- negative people can prevent becoming infected by taking a once-a-day pill. Pre-exposure HIV prevention, also known as PrEP, is a  safe medication that is considered very effective in putting a stop to HIV transmission. PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% and at least 74% from injection drug use. 

Since PrEP only protects against HIV, condom use is still advised for protection against other STDs. 

HIV Viral Load Test and Achieving an Undetectable HIV Status

The term “viral load” refers to the amount of HIV in your body. Antiretroviral therapy can reduce this viral load to very low levels; this process is called viral suppression. When this happens, the viral load becomes undetectable, allowing people living with HIV to lead a healthy life, all while suppressing the risk of transmitting the virus to their partners. 

Having an undetectable viral load does not mean you are cured of HIV; if you stop the ART treatment, it would increase and become, once again, detectable. 

Expert HIV Care and Starting Treatment for an Undetectable Status to Prevent Transmission of HIV

Finding a knowledgeable health care provider is the first step to managing HIV and staying undetectable. At Novus, we provide confidential services and support to sexually active adults. We are here for you regardless of your gender, sexual identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, or financial status. 

Additionally, while we accept most major insurance policies, we also have a reduced-cost patient assistance program for those who are under or uninsured, making effective HIV care accessible for all.

Request your appointment today on our website!

When You Should Get Tested for STDs/STIs

There is still a high percentage of our population that lacks the necessary knowledge and information to determine what to do when suspicious of having contracted a sexually transmitted disease. STDs and STIs are very common and spread easily, which is why it is essential to know their symptoms and act quickly if you believe you have contracted one. 

What Should I Do If I Think I Have an STD/STI?

If you believe you have contracted an STD/STI the first thing you should do is get checked by a medical professional. Most STIs and STDs can be successfully treated even if you don’t have symptoms; avoiding testing and treatment can lead to serious health issues. There are different tests for each STD/STI, so make sure you tell your medical provider which one you believe you may have been exposed to.  Once you have been diagnosed with an STD/STI, talk to your current sexual partners to let them know that they have been exposed and suggest that they undergo testing and treatment as well. 

Reliable test results can be obtained as soon as one week after exposure for gonorrhea and chlamydia, 2 weeks to 3 months for syphilis and 2 weeks to 3 months for HIV, Hepatitis C, and Hepatitis B. If you believe you have been exposed to HIV or hepatitis B seek care immediately. Now, if you have been infected in the past, it is advisable that you get tested again three months after treatment to make sure that the STD/STI is gone or under control.

Screening tests can help determine whether an individual has been infected when they may not have any symptoms. It is recommended that everyone with an active sex life gets STD/STI screening regularly; early diagnosis can help you recover faster if infected, depending on what you may have contracted.

Free STI/STD Testing in Pennsylvania

Every aspect of your sex life is important, especially maintaining a safe and healthy one.  Patients are our top priority here at Novus; we will make sure that you feel safe and welcome. To receive your free STD test, visit our website and schedule your appointment today!

How to Lessen the Chance of STDs

In 2019, the CDC shared that there were more than 2.5 million cases of chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea reported. This has led the U.S. to reach an all-time high (in terms of STD cases) for the sixth year in a row. Although that number did decrease in 2020, due to the global pandemic, sexually transmitted diseases are still a serious issue that must be taken seriously.

To help keep you and your partner safe during sexual activity, here are ways to help lessen the chance of STDs from being transmitted.

Get Tested

Without a doubt, it’s vital to know your status. Unlike the common cold, symptoms of STDs don’t present themselves right away; there’s a chance you could have acquired an STD from a partner and not be aware of it until it’s too late. And failure to know your status can result in not only spreading that STD to your partner but can also health-related problems for you, such as infertility. 

On average, those sexually active should schedule an STD test at least once a year, as well as an HIV test (even though HIV is technically classified as an STI — a sexually transmitted infection). However, the CDC recommends that sexually active gay and bisexual men should consider scheduling HIV testing at least once every three to six months.

Use Latex Condoms

Especially if you are having sex with a new partner, you should strongly consider using a latex condom. Although condoms are not 100% effective at preventing sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy, they are very effective when used properly. Also, if you are using a lubricant, you’ll want to make sure that it’s water or silicone-based — since oil-based lubricants can break down latex condoms, which can result in a rupture.

At Novus, we have free latex condoms at all of our locations.

Take PrEP

In addition to regular testing and using latex condoms, you may also want to consider taking PrEP to help lessen the chance of contracting HIV. Short for “pre-exposure prophylaxis,” PrEP is a once-daily NRTI (Nucleoside/Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor) that will help create a barrier around your CD4 cells (white blood/T cells).

When taken as prescribed, the antiviral medication will help your body reach maximum protection. This means that if HIV were to come face-to-face with your white blood cells, the barrier PrEP creates would help lessen the chance of the human immunodeficiency virus from replicating.

Free, Confidential STD Testing in Pennsylvania

For free and confidential STD testing in Pennsylvania, Novus is here to help. At each of our locations, every individual is offered testing for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, HIV, and Hepatitis C, as well as rapid testing for HIV, Hepatitis C, and Syphilis.

When your test is complete, a member of our staff will contact you (via phone) with your results. Of course, we also offer hard copies of test results as long as you provide us with identification at the time of your appointment.

Additionally, contact us today if you would like to begin taking PrEP or find out if PrEP is right for you. Our team will make every effort to provide you with a stress-free experience; we take care of all the paperwork. Plus, 99% of our patients qualify for no out-of-pocket expenses when prescribed this life-saving medication.

To request an appointment at Novus, fill out this form or give your closest location a call.

What Should I Know About PrEP and Its Role in HIV Prevention?

PrEP, which stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a once-daily medication that is safe and effective at preventing HIV. While PrEP is an excellent choice for those at risk of contracting human immunodeficiency viruses, some are skeptical of taking it; they may question how PrEP works and how effective it is. 

The team at Novus explains what everyone should know about PrEP.

What is PrEP? Understanding Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV Prevention

Classified under nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) antiviral medications, PrEP helps reduce the risk of contracting HIV through sex (anal and vaginal) by about 99% when taken daily. That said, PrEP reaches maximum protection for receptive anal sex in about seven days, while it takes about 21 days of daily use for maximum protection during receptive vaginal sex.

How Does PrEP Work to Prevent HIV? The Mechanism Behind PrEP Medication

Before diving into how PrEP works within the body, you must first know what happens when HIV enters the bloodstream. When an individual is diagnosed with HIV, the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome destroys the body’s CD4 cells — the white blood cells (also known as T cells and leukocytes) that help fight infection and support the immune system.

When an individual takes PrEP (as prescribed) and reaches maximum protection, this antiviral medication will create a barrier around the body’s CD4 cells. That way, if HIV were to come in contact with the body’s white blood cells, the “fence” that PrEP creates will help prevent HIV from replicating and destroying the T cells.

Discover How PrEP Medication Can Help You Prevent HIV in Pennsylvania and Reduce Your Risk of Getting HIV

If you would like to find out if PrEP is right for you, contact the Novus team today. We handle all of the paperwork to provide you with a hassle-free experience. Plus, 99% of our patients pay $0 for the medication with no out-of-pocket expenses. 

 

To request an appointment, fill out a quick form.