A question about STDs

[Daniel1395]

Please forgive for being naïve but to be honest I do not really know a lot about STDs and what I wanted to know is can STDs be cured by the human body’s own immune system instead of taking antibiotics?.

The reason I ask this is because I am not the type of person who likes to take antibiotics. And I have never taken any kind of antibiotics since October 2006.

I have never had sex so at the moment I don’t need to worry about any of this but I was just thinking there is always going to be a possibility of getting an STD and if I did it would be a shame if I had to start taking antibiotics.

[LoveLion]

I dont personally know much about them either, but l know there are many STDs, that are vary different from one another. Im sure there are some that will heal over time, some that will require meds, and others that there are no cure for at all. I would recommend going down to your local health clinic (if you can find one now adays) and asking them for some info. There is also lots of info on the web. Wikipedi.com is always the best place to start, they will give you a list of STDs each with its own article and links to other related sites. The best cure for any STD though is not getting one in the first place. Use condoms if you dont know the person's sexual history and if you are suspisious that someone might be unclean avoid sex, or at least use a condom there as well.

[Daniel1395]

Hey thanks for the advice lovelion. I can't believe I did not even think of the idea of going down to my local health clinic to find information but that is proberly because I have not been in a long time but anyway I will have to remember to go. :oh:

Thanks again

[welickit]

Take the proper steps to prevent them to begin with and you won't have to worry about a cure. While you are researching, read up on safe sex. Diseases out there today will kill you and it isn't worth the risk.

[Cogent]

Yikes, that kind of thinking is a of way to both catch something and spread something.

Here is a resource:

www.gmhc.org/index.html

safe sex is smart sex... and worrying is not fun... much less getting embarassingly and perhaps even fatally sick

[mindfinding]

You asked for it, lol........

Here is one site with some natural cures: Click here (http://www.pathlights.com/nr_encyclopedia/frames15.htm)

Here is another: Click here (http://www.moondragon.org/obgyn/disorders/std.html)

Hope this helps.

[DiamondDog]

Most of them you have to take antibiotics for since the body's immune system won't just "cure" them or destroy them itself and some you can have for years and not even known or show symptoms of like syphilis.

What's so bad about taking antibiotics for an STD? I'd rather take them and get cured than not take them and still have an STD, if I ever got an STD.

Here are some links for you:
http://www.thebody.com/

http://www.dph.sf.ca.us/sfcityclinic/stdbasics/stdchart.asp

[julie]

Hey thanks for the advice lovelion. I can't believe I did not even think of the idea of going down to my local health clinic to find information but that is proberly because I have not been in a long time but anyway I will have to remember to go. :oh:

Thanks again

hey Daniel,

i went to get my first sexual health check for about 20 years last week
:oh: and, like you, i was a little embarrassed by my own lack of knowledge about stuff that may require anti-biotics!

I am pretty up to date on HIV and Hep B and C but stuff like syphilis, herpes, gonorrhoea and chlamydia i was much more shaky on.

I learned that gonorrhoea and syphilis can both be contracted by unprotected oral sex..... but are very easily managed with antibiotics if caught early. So no unprotected oral with anyone who hasn't had the all clear is probably a wise move if you prefer not to use antibiotics..

Maybe getting yourself a STI screen and just learning the latest updates on all the grim stuff sexually active folk need to be aware of, could be a good start for you?... you may then feel more secure in making pretty stringent safe sex demands on those you choose to be intimate with, until you both/all get the all clear and then can make some informed choices about just how many barriers you wish to employ to find the exquisite mixture of wisdom and pleasure.... ;)

Just remember knowledge = power, so bath, best boxers on n down to the clinic at the earliest opportunity for Daniel? :bigrin:

I cant believe i left it so long... me a trained nurse too, always the worst! :rolleyes:

Grins Julie :female: xxx

[Solomon]

just to let ya'll know, for some diseases ya don't need to have sex in order to contract'em

and for the HIV virus... condoms aren't 100% effective seeing as the virus is smaller than the pores in the latex that the rubbers are made from...

however condoms do minimize the risk for most of the other stuff i think...

oh! and do yourself a favor, figure out how the condoms work BEFORE ya have sex!!

i can imagine that there's nothing worse'en gettin in the middle of gettin busy an find out ya don't have a clue how to work the bloody things lol!!

truthfully, i'm leary of the hiv testing that's present... what if they get the results screwed up an send me the results for the prostitute in town??? :yikes2: :yikes2:

oh yeah... stay away from the mints in the public toilets too.... if 'Madagascar's' any indication of anything that could be bad for ya lol!

[noostoo]

and for the HIV virus... condoms aren't 100% effective seeing as the virus is smaller than the pores in the latex that the rubbers are made from...

That fact is quite irrelevant and is mainly used as propaganda by those who are anti-condom. The virus needs an environment to survive in and cannot magically disassociate from its carrying medium (i.e. blood) and jump through a condom on its own.

Unless you are a fundamentalist catholic or barebacker seeking self-justification then ignore that one.

[Solomon]

AAHH!! ok!! so as long as the condom still contains the infected fluids, then the virus can't travel unless the fluids have an oppurtunity to mix!!

thanx! i appreciate being set straight on that... and it's a HUGE relief too!

i was thinking that condoms wouldn't do anything to stop the virus, and thus what good are they except for the bugs that we can just take the drugs for lol!!

phew!!

[julie]

That fact is quite irrelevant and is mainly used as propaganda by those who are anti-condom. The virus needs an environment to survive in and cannot magically disassociate from its carrying medium (i.e. blood) and jump through a condom on its own.

Unless you are a fundamentalist catholic or barebacker seeking self-justification then ignore that one.

Ditto! this is very dangerous propaganda....

I was really surprised to read much of Solomons post. It shows just how determined the fundamentalists are if they are getting these out of context 'facts' across to such well read, respected and intelligent folk.

I think we are lucky in the UK as such dangerous propaganda is quickly exposed as such through responsible media reporting.

The condom story you quote caused an outrage here and was quickly discredited. Mainly because of its impact on the work many AIDS charities are trying to do in places where there is already quite enough folklore and superstition surrounding the spread of the HIV/AIDS virus.

Julie

:female:

[Solomon]

Ditto! this is very dangerous propaganda....

I was really surprised to read much of Solomons post. It shows just how determined the fundamentalists are if they are getting these out of context 'facts' across to such well read, respected and intelligent folk.

I think we are lucky in the UK as such dangerous propaganda is quickly exposed as such through responsible media reporting.

The condom story you quote caused an outrage here and was quickly discredited. Mainly because of its impact on the work many AIDS charities are trying to do in places where there is already quite enough folklore and superstition surrounding the spread of the HIV/AIDS virus.

Julie

:female:

lol the concept of responsible media reporting in the states went out the window a very long time ago i think.... i know that CNN's making a hell of a killing on profits as a result, of which i am envious of the profits.... not the lack of respectability though

it might've created a fuss over here too and i just didn't notice 'cuz this was a while back... but apparently it stuck in my mind well enough, until i can now very thankfully discredit it in my brain :cool:

geez that nueron gets stretched sometimes lol

[Daniel1395]

Hey everybody thanks for all the replies, advice and links to web sites

Although the web sites are kind of depressing to read and have kind of put me off having sex at least I have learnt some useful info.

So thanks again xx

[noostoo]

Hey everybody thanks for all the replies, advice and links to web sites

Although the web sites are kind of depressing to read and have kind of put me off having sex at least I have learnt some useful info.

So thanks again xx

Remember that safe sex is called that for a reason so don't be scared. Saying that you do need to be aware.

Because of a long-term relationship, it's been many years since I've had to practice safe sex and the thought of it is a bit daunting for me right now but certainly isn't going to put me off sex.

Although I understand your reservations about antibiotics they shouldn't stop you having a life and if you need to take them for a serious infection, STI or otherwise, then you should. I would be a dead man without antibiotics because of several serious chest infections.

Get a good probiotic if you have to take antis and you'll be fine. They're not the great evil that certain people would have you believe - just not good to take too often.

[Rick30907]

Daniel:

Any disease, sexual or otherwise, that is caused by a virus CANNOT be cured at present (HIV, HPV--Human Papillomavirus [genital warts], Hepatitis [liver disease], are the most common viral STDs). Anything caused by a pathogen other than a virus IS curable (e.g., chlamydia, syphillis, gonorrhea, are the most common in the US). As U R in the UK, however, the prevalence of various STDs will be a bit different from that in the States, so I'd suggest U do a search, using Webcrawler.com or dogpile or whatever engine U prefer, and U will find a public health website specific 2 the UK where U can find some answers. Best wishes. Rick

[Rick30907]

I applaud noostoo (toonoos??) in the UK. The man knows what he's talking about. I can tell you that HIV (here in the States at least) is now, and has been for several years) a disease mainly (but not exclusively) of females who are members of racial minorities AND WHO DO IV DRUGS OR SWAP SEX FOR MONEY. As I said earlier, however, the prevalence will be a bit different in the UK no doubt. You might check the web for a public health site specific to the UK, OR you might go to a public library and read "The Lancet," which is the journal of the BMA (British Medical Association). Anyway, HIV is NOT a robust pathogen. That is to say that it is not EASY to get. Dessication (drying out) of bodily fluids quickly kills HIV. Of greater concern is Hepatitis, which can be contracted by oral-fecal contact (including "rimming" and "barebacking," so watch it with those activities). You might find it rather amazing that THE most common bacterial disease in the US is chalamydia, which is caused by a pathogen called "Chlamydia trachomatis." Fortunately, it is curable. BUT--it almost NEVER produces signs or symtoms IN MEN. Men are rather like "carriers." But a chlamydial infection, even though curable with antibiotics, is rather serious for women, as it can result in scarring of the fallopian tubes; tubal pregnancy (dangerous); pelvic inflammatory disease (PID--a chronic and painful condition); and infertility. And one form of the human papillomavirus (HPV--genital warts) is now known beyond doubt to cause cervical cancer in women. Syphillis is "the great deceiver." It often manifests itself in ways that make it seem to be something other than syphillis. So if you (or anybody) even remotely suspects an STD (STI), "get thee to a nunnery!" Oops. That is, get to a physician and BE HONEST AND FORTHRIGHT about what sexual activities you've been engaged in. That is NO time to be modest or reticent. Like clergymen, physicians have "seen it all," so they won't be shocked at whatever you might tell them, believe me. Well, I'm running on, I fear, so I'll close now. Best wishes to all. Rick

[DiamondDog]

just to let ya'll know, for some diseases ya don't need to have sex in order to contract'em

and for the HIV virus... condoms aren't 100% effective seeing as the virus is smaller than the pores in the latex that the rubbers are made from...

however condoms do minimize the risk for most of the other stuff i think...

oh! and do yourself a favor, figure out how the condoms work BEFORE ya have sex!!

i can imagine that there's nothing worse'en gettin in the middle of gettin busy an find out ya don't have a clue how to work the bloody things lol!!

truthfully, i'm leary of the hiv testing that's present... what if they get the results screwed up an send me the results for the prostitute in town??? :yikes2: :yikes2:

oh yeah... stay away from the mints in the public toilets too.... if 'Madagascar's' any indication of anything that could be bad for ya lol!

Actually with latex condoms it's easier to get a woman pregnant when using one than contract HIV when you use one.

With HIV testing there are so careful with NOT mixing up test results, even at anon. clinics. Every blood/saliva sample is tested twice and test result mixups are so rare that if they do get mixed up a clinic/test place can get sued for a lot of money.

Daniel1395-you might as well get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B as those can be VERY common and they're completely curable and you don't want them.

There's not a cure for C but I'm also careful about things and I don't have sex with IV drug users, barebackers, people who use meth, and I don't share razors/toothbrushes or blades since hep C can live for awhile on these objects.

[welickit]

Good advice on the Hep shots. I was never aware how serious it is until I went to work at a nuke med lab. I was given the option to get the shots (three of them) at company expense. I took them. Obviously I won't live forever but why push your luck?

[LoveLion]

Heres a question. I have herd alot of stories saying that condoms tend to break fairly often during anal sex because they wernt designed to be used for the tighter anus. Any truth behind that, and should I be worried about contracting aids or other STDs because of this?

[tink1978]

Heres a question. I have herd alot of stories saying that condoms tend to break fairly often during anal sex because they wernt designed to be used for the tighter anus. Any truth behind that, and should I be worried about contracting aids or other STDs because of this?


After much searching I found a post by Welickit on Questions about anal sex from April 7, 2007 "This is the first time Google didn't bring me back a site to verify. Condums break during anal sex? You must be using some old rubbers. Or, maybe you have some hemmroids that rip them. Nothing out there that supports your theory. I even wrote to Trojans to get their opinion on using rubbers for anal. They claim they have had no complaints."

I thought this was a very interesting post. Hope this answers your question lovelion.

Tink

[BreeIsMe]

certainly, prevention is the key

However, there are many types of STD's and many can be "asymptomatic" which means you may not feel anything until it is too late. This can occur with AIDS but also with syphilis (there was a terrible experiment years ago when black men with syphilis were simply "watched" to find out what would happen----all without their knowledge or consent!), which can results in fatal aneurysms of the aorta, etc.

It would be in ones best interest not to avoid the accepted treatment for these often dangerous diseases, if not for you own health, for others who may come in contact with you..

There are also significant legal precedents that if you know you have an STD and you do not seek appropriate care and you give that to another person, you can be prosecuted for "assult"


my advice: take the antibiotics!!

Bree

[noostoo]

Heres a question. I have herd alot of stories saying that condoms tend to break fairly often during anal sex because they wernt designed to be used for the tighter anus. Any truth behind that, and should I be worried about contracting aids or other STDs because of this?

There's always a risk that a condom will break during anal or vaginal sex - my best friend has an 8 year old son to prove this. The risk is bigger with anal but correct use is the most important thing. You should never carry through penetration without the condom "feeling right"



http://www.avert.org/usecond.htm[/url]"]
With anal intercourse more strain is placed on the condom. You can use stronger condoms (which are thicker) but standard condoms are just as effective as long as they are used correctly with plenty of lubricant. Condoms with a lubricant containing Nonoxynol 9 should NOT be used for anal sex as Nonoxynol 9 damages the lining of the rectum increasing the risk of HIV and other STD transmission.

[jeancarleo]

The best condoms are sico brand from Germany. For gay sex I found Triangulo (Mexican condom) to be the best because it's made for anal or rough sex and it's made out of sillicone. For oral sex use a flavoured condom such as Trojans. Just make sure the person you're haveing sex is clean. It's best to do a check up every 3 months and ask the people you're having sex with to do one too before having sex. It's always good to know about STD's. The best natural antiviral's garlic so eat plenty to keep u from getting sick and it's also a good afrodisiac.

[HardRockClimb]

A few helpful sites with information on STIs (sexually transmitted infections):
www.plannedparenthood.org
www.advocatesforyouth.org
www.sexualhealth.com

Hope this helps.

[julie]

...wow this is such an informative thread!

i've learned loads here :bigrin:
julie :female:

[Rick30907]

AAHH!! ok!! so as long as the condom still contains the infected fluids, then the virus can't travel unless the fluids have an oppurtunity to mix!!

thanx! i appreciate being set straight on that... and it's a HUGE relief too!

i was thinking that condoms wouldn't do anything to stop the virus, and thus what good are they except for the bugs that we can just take the drugs for lol!!

phew!!
================================================== =======
One caveat, however: lambskin condoms are, in fact *NOT* reliable barriers to transmission of STD pathogens. Stick with latex. And even then, do *NOT* use a petroleum-based lube, as that can cause even a latex condom to fail. Stick with *water-based* lubes if you use lubes.