Tag Archive for: Sexually Transmitted Infections

Massive drop in London HIV rates may be due to internet drugs

PrEP use has been rising in other countries, and some cities have also seen drops in new HIV diagnoses. San Francisco saw a 17 per cent fall in infection rates in 2015. “We are convinced that PrEP is responsible for the large decreases in new diagnoses,” Portman said in a tweet about the announcement.

Young Instagrammers Who Think Condoms are Sexy!

HIV and STIs remain high among the younger gay boys – a passionate moment might turn into sleepless nights, wondering if he was ‘clean’ or not. To combat this worry, condoms were invented as a protective measure with 99.99% being effective when used correctly.

Anal Cancer and HPV: What Do Gay Men Need to Know?

People who haven’t had the HPV vaccine should be on the lookout for persistent symptoms in the anus that aren’t due to other medical issues like hemorrhoids or a herpes outbreak. “If you’re having pain or bleeding, or a bump that’s otherwise unexplained then you should seek immediate medical attention,” explains Palefsky.

Sexual health cuts will cause STI ‘explosion’

“We’ve already seen the start of a potential explosion in syphilis and gonorrhoea in men who have sex with men, and it’s only a matter of time before the enthusiastic use of dating apps and antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea starts to have an effect on the heterosexual population,” he told The Guardian.

Chemsex linked to rising levels of HIV among gay men

Increases have been recorded for HIV and sexually-transmitted infection transmission among ‘chemsex’ party goers where NPS and other drugs are taken over a prolonged weekend period. The parties are usually sex parties primarily between men who have sex with men.

Professor Roy Chan explained why sexually-transmitted diseases are managed by dermatologists

Interview with Professor Roy Chan, former Director of the National Skin Centre and Founding President of Action for AIDS (Singapore). He explained why sexually-transmitted diseases are managed by dermatologists in Singapore, and also discussed the state of HIV social acceptance and management in Singapore

What The Heck is Syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexual transmitted infection and one of the many sexual transmitted infections (STIs) you will learn from Gayhealth.sg. We will make it simple for you so that you can be equipped with this “silent ” infections which can cause brain damage, nerves, heart, eyes and even blood vessels. Okay, go grab a refreshing drink, sit down on a comfortable chair and read this, or book mark this page, so in an emergency, you know where to get up-to-date, lay men information.

What is Syphilis?

Syphilis is caused by bacterial and is (easily) curable if detected early. However, late infections may leave permanent organ damage. Infection can be asymptomatic for a long time, only to surface later. As a result, many infected persons are unaware and continue to spread the infection to others.

How do I get it?

As with most sexually transmitted infections, one becomes infected through unprotected sexual intercourse. Unlike other STIs like HIV, Syphilis can be contracted through intimate skin to skin contact. You can get infected when any of your body parts including mouth or genitals, come into direct contact with someone who has an affected sore (Chancre), even with condom use.

What can it do to me? 

If you don’t seek treatments, syphilis can show up many years later and will cause severe damages to your organs as mentioned above.

Who should get tested for Syphilis? 

Anyone who is sexually active and if you think you came in contact with a painless sore (chancre) that is usually found in the genitals area and in the mouth. Makes you think twice about play Spin the Bottle huh

If it is a “silent” infection, how would I know? 

Ok relax. You can test for Syphilis by going for a blood test. Usually it will take 21 days to 3 months for the infection to show up after exposure.

Wait! Blood test?

Yes, of course! How else will they test for it? It’s a simple, quick and painless rapid (finger prick) test. Only a couple drops of blood is taken. It canbe done anonymously too.

Can you tell me the signs and symptoms? 

So you have stages of infection when left untreated. Ready?

Primary Stage: 

  • First signs usually occurs between 9 to 90 days following following infection.
  • It shows up as a painless sore (chancre) on the penis, in the mouth or anal canal.

Secondary Stage: 

  • After the chancre disappears, there is a period with no symptoms lasting three to six weeks.
  • Non-itchy rash, especially on palm and soles.
  • Wart-like growths on the genitals and anus.
  • Fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscles aches, and fatigue.

Wah! Why so many stages huh? 

It’s actually just one stage. Only when left untreated, it will progress. Now train yourself to include Syphilis testing with your HIV test so you can fix it before it becomes stage 2.

There is a cure for this, right? 

Yes there is. If detected within one year of infection, syphilis is easily treated with penicillin injections.  If you are allergic to penicillin you will get a different injection of  doxycycline or erythromycin. If syphilis is detected later than one year, you will require longer courses of treatment. It is currently felt that persons living with HIV may need a longer course of treatment to successfully cure a syphilis infection.

We have Syphilis testing at our Anonymous Testing Service (ATS) at 31 Kelantan Lane. See operating hour HERE.

You can contact us for more information.

MAILING ADDRESS:

9 Kelantan Lane #03-01
Singapore 208628
or
c/o DSC Clinic:
31 Kelantan Lane #02-16
Singapore 200031

TALK TO US

Tel : (65) 6254 0212
Fax :(65) 6256 5903
Email : info@afa.org.sg

Tag Archive for: Sexually Transmitted Infections