Nj Lawmakers Seeking To Expand Access To Std Treatment
Legislation to authorize so-called expedited partner therapy is scheduled for a vote in the state Assembly Commerce Committee today a companion version received the full support of the Senate health committee last week. Most states, including New York and Pennsylvania, have adopted similar laws in recent years.
Supporters of the Garden State proposal, which dates to 2016, consider it a sensible way to help curb the spread of highly contagious sexually transmitted diseases. Diagnoses of gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia the three most common infections have risen in recent years nationwide and in New Jersey, even though some studies suggest people are having less sex.
The proposal would allow specific providers to prescribe or directly dispense medications typically antibiotics or antiviral drugs to treat someone they have not diagnosed, if that persons sexual partner tested positive for an STD and had a high likelihood of having passed on the infection during sex. The clinician would also need to treat the infected patient, based on the diagnosis, and would be protected from liability for prescribing to the partner under the bill.
The bill is currently silent on who would pay for the cost of the partners medication, if that person is not covered under the patients plan.
How Do I Get Prep
You can get PrEP from some health clinics or Planned Parenthood health centers, local health departments, and doctors offices.
Your nurse or doctor will talk with you about the sex you have, the protection you use, and your medical history to see if PrEP is right for you. Theyll also give you tests for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and other STDs. And they’ll test your kidneys to make sure theyre working well.
Some nurses and doctors dont know about PrEP, or they dont want to prescribe it because they dont have all the facts about PrEP. If you dont have a doctor, or your regular doctor or nurse doesnt prescribe PrEP, you still have options. The doctors and nurses at your local Planned Parenthood health center can provide up-to-date, accurate, non-judgmental information about PrEP, and help you get a prescription if PrEP is right for you.
There are also other organizations that can help you get and pay for PrEP. Greater than AIDS has a tool that can help you find PrEP near you.
What Stis Should People Test For
Typically, sexual health clinics test for the more common STIs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. If people know that a previous partner has tested positive for a specific STI, it is advisable to get tested for the same STI. A person can also discuss their sexual and STI testing history with a healthcare provider, who can offer help and suggestions about appropriate tests.
To get a reliable test result, people should perform the test within a specific timeframe after exposure due to incubation periods. Below are some common STIs and their
notes that at-home testing kits are becoming more available and are likely to contribute to higher rates of testing and treatments.
Individuals have many options for STI testing, some of which include:
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Are There Any Tests That Can Only A Doctor Can Conduct
Most STI tests only require a urine, blood, or swab sample and do not typically require the assistance of a health professional. However, a healthcare professional will need to carry out a Pap smear, which checks for human papillomavirus , to ensure the safety and accuracy of the test. If a person is experiencing symptoms, such as warts, sores, or lesions, it is advisable to talk with a doctor.
Also, while individuals can order most tests online or buy them in stores, some states require a doctors order to authorize a lab test.
Some commonly asked questions that people may ask include the following:
How Is Chlamydia Diagnosed
Your doctor will ask you questions about your past health and your sexual history, such as how many partners you have. You may also have a physical exam to look for signs of infection.
Several types of tests can be used to diagnose chlamydia. Most use a sample of urine or a swab from the cervix, vagina, or urethra.
Since chlamydia can cause serious problems but may not cause symptoms, it’s a good idea to get tested once a year if you are sexually active and in your mid-20s or younger. Local health departments and family planning clinics usually offer low-cost testing.
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Noticing Other Medical Problems
Gregg noted that a side benefit of the app is that it can alert providers to problems with people who have been to a Planned Parenthood facility in the past.
She recalls the case of a woman who had requested birth control through the app, prompting staff members to check her health records.
They noticed that she had missed a follow-up appointment after the results of a Pap smear came back positive a situation that, if ignored, could turn into cervical cancer.
The discovery prompted them to get the woman back to the center for treatment.
As far as Amanda Megan is concerned, Planned Parenthood Direct is a lifesaver.
The 24-year-old college senior from Phoenix downloaded the app when she first learned about it on social media, figuring it might come in handy at some point.
Sure enough, Megan used the tool this spring when she returned from vacation only to develop a UTI.
Reluctant to ask her boss for more time off to see a doctor, Megan instead reached out for help via the app.
She described her symptoms and requested an antibiotic shed used for previous infections. A day later, she picked up the medication at Walgreens after she got off work.
Im one of those people who been through this, I know what I need to do I dont need someone to hold my hand. I just need to get going, said Megan. I really liked . It made it a lot easier.
Cost Of Std Treatment
To get treated for an STD, you first need to get tested to determine the proper course of treatment. The cost of STD testing and treatment depends on the type of health insurance you have. If you have health insurance, you normally pay the copay charged by your provider.
If you do not have health insurance, STD testing and treatment can get pretty expensive. Testing alone can cost anywhere from $108-$600 without insurance. Then, there are different costs associated with each treatment, depending on if you have a bacterial or viral STD.
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What Are The Side Effects Of Prep
PrEP is very safe. No serious problems have been reported in people who are taking PrEP.
PrEP may cause side effects like nausea, loss of appetite, and headaches. These side effects arent dangerous and they usually get better with time, once your body gets used to PrEP. Most people on PrEP have no side effects at all.
If you do have side effects that bother you and dont go away, talk with your doctor or nurse. They can help you figure out ways to deal with side effects and make sure everythings ok.
How Do You Treat Chlamydia
Chlamydia can be easily cured with antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare provider.
It is important to complete the full treatment, as prescribed by your healthcare provider, even if symptoms go away sooner. The infection stays in your body until you finish the antibiotics. Also, do not share your medicine with anyone or take someone elses.
Some healthcare providers may give a separate dose of antibiotics for your partner so you do not re-infect each other or anyone else. Do not have sex until you have finished treatment.
Get tested again in 3-4 months to make sure the infection is gone and you were not re-exposed.
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What Do I Need To Know If I Get Treated For Chlamydia
If youre getting treated for chlamydia:
- Take all of your medicine the way your nurse or doctor tells you to, even if any symptoms you may be having go away sooner. The infection stays in your body until you finish the antibiotics.
- Your partner should also get treated for chlamydia so you dont re-infect each other or anyone else.
- Dont have sex for 7 days. If you only have 1 dose of medication, wait for 7 days after you take it before having sex. If youre taking medicine for 7 days, dont have sex until youve finished all of your pills.
- Get tested again in 3-4 months to make sure your infection is gone.
- Dont share your medicine with anyone. Your nurse or doctor may give you a separate dose of antibiotics for your partner. Make sure you both take all of the medicine you get.
- Even if you finish your treatment and the chlamydia is totally gone, its possible to get a new chlamydia infection again if youre exposed in the future. Chlamydia isnt a one-time-only deal. So use condoms and get tested regularly.
South Carolina’s Std Problem Has A Lot To Do With Stigma
By|Feb. 20, 2019, 6:45 p.m.
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South Carolina laws have kept comprehensive sex-ed out of school. But the law isnt the only reason South Carolina has an STD problem. To name our larger societal ill: Stigma.
So that we all have an understanding of what I mean when I say stigma, here is the definition I am working with: a shared understanding that having an STD is morally wrong and/or socially unacceptable.
Heres an example of what I mean when I say, shared understanding and socially unacceptable:
Imagine you are at a dinner party with friends. This is a group of friends youve known for a while and with whom you feel close. One of your friends mentions that shes been on antibiotics for a sinus infection. She complains about the pain around her nose and eyes. Maybe she even grumbles about the side effects of her antibiotic.
Now imagine one of your other friends piping in with, Ugh, I feel you! I had chlamydia last week and Im also on antibiotics!
Take a moment to honestly ask yourself: how would you react in this situation? Do you consider a sinus infection and a chlamydia infection on the same level? If no, why not? Would you be able to announce to a group of friends a recent STD diagnosis?
There is an unspoken understanding that STDs are somehow different from other infections. And if you were to present your friends with this hypothetical scenario, there is a good chance they would your same instincts.
So, what can be done?
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How The Telemedicine App Helps Women Access Care
The app helps reduce barriers such as time, transportation, office hours, and appointment availability that interfere with healthcare, said McGill Johnson. We are committed to breaking down barriers and reaching people wherever they are. … By leveraging technology and combining it with the trusted expert care of our providers, we are determined to continue filling the gap in healthcare access so that more people can stay healthy and reach their life goals, regardless of their ZIP code or income, she said.
What does this mean for you?
Does Chlamydia Treatment Have Side Effects
An antibiotic called Doxycycline is the most common medicine used to treat chlamydia. Like most medicines, it can cause mild side effects. The most common side effects of Doxycycline are nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, loss of appetite, mild diarrhea, skin rash or itching, change in skin color, vaginal itching, or discharge. These side effects should go away after you finish taking the medicine. Talk to your nurse or doctor about any medicines youre already taking and any medical issues you already have before taking Doxycycline.
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What If I Dont Get Treated For An Std
Failure to properly treat STDs can lead to permanent damage to both the male and female reproductive organs, although some STDs are more dangerous than others. For example, untreated chlamydia can spread to your uterus and fallopian tubes, causing pelvic inflammatory disease . If left untreated, syphilis can damage your nervous system, brain and can even cause death. Gonorrhea can cause severe complications, including miscarriage, infertility, septic arthritis, and even blindness.
Ignoring symptoms, or avoiding routine testing, can be detrimental to your health. Getting routine STD screening is a responsible thing to do.
How Do I Use Plan B And Other Levonorgestrel Morning
Take levonorgestrel morning-after pills as soon as you can after unprotected sex. Simply swallow the tablet the way you would any other pill. Read the instructions that come in the package for more information.
You can take these morning-after pills up to five days after unprotected sex, but they work much better if you take them during the first three days.
Take a pregnancy test if you havent gotten your period within three weeks after taking the morning-after pill.
Dont take Plan B One-Step or other levonorgestrel morning-after pills if youve taken ella in the last five days.
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You Can Order Birth Control And Medicine To Treat Urinary Tract Infections From Your Device
The app can help you learn about different kinds of birth control and other womens health information, thus saving you a trip to a healthcare providers office. You can also order different kinds of birth control or urinary tract infection meds, which can be delivered to your home or fulfilled at a nearby pharmacy for pickup.
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How Telemedicine And Virtual Visits Work
With the app, Planned Parenthood practitioners can conduct virtual visits when required by state law in those states that dont require visits, patient-provider communications can happen by text. There is often a fee for a virtual visit, but in some states, video conferencing is free for birth controlrelated appointments. Providers speak with patients via videoconferencing or text in order to correctly diagnose and prescribe medications for a urinary tract infection or certain birth control methods. It can help people avoid an in-person visit when it isnt easy to get to an office. Doing so helps women get their questions answered, obtain an accurate UTI diagnosis, and get a prescription filled all remotely.
You can also learn about other birth control methods, such as the ring, the patch, the IUD, the shot, and the implant, which are available from a healthcare provider youd need to see in-person at a nearby Planned Parenthood clinic.
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How Does The Telemedicine App Work
In states where the app is live, you sign in for the state where youre located and note whether you are age 14 or older. If you are, the app asks if you are seeking birth control or UTI treatment, have a question, or want to make an appointment. There is also information in the app about how to learn about different health issues, including abortion, cancer, emergency contraception, general health and wellness, pregnancy, sex and relationships, sexual orientation and gender, and sexually transmitted infections. You can also find information about tracking menstrual periods and ovulation, health insurance, and the services Planned Parenthood offers.
Cost Of Chlamydia Treatment Without Insurance
Chlamydia is one of the most common bacterial STDs and is easily treated with antibiotics. Chlamydia is usually treated with one dose of a strong oral antibiotic. The cost of a one-gram dose of the generic antibiotic azithromycin is about $30, and for the brand-name equivalent, Zithromax, the cost is about $50 without insurance.
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What Happens If You Dont Get Treated For Chlamydia
Even though chlamydia is common and doesnt usually cause any symptoms, it can become a big deal if its not caught and treated early.
Chlamydia can spread to your uterus and fallopian tubes if it goes untreated for a long time. This can cause you to have pelvic inflammatory disease . PID can cause permanent damage that leads to pain, infertility, or ectopic pregnancy. So getting tested regularly for chlamydia really lowers your chances of getting PID.
If you have a penis, a chlamydia infection can spread to your epididymis if its left untreated, and can cause chronic joint pain. Rarely, it can make you infertile.
Having chlamydia may increase your chances of getting or spreading HIV.
If you have chlamydia during your pregnancy and dont treat it, you can pass it to your baby when youre giving birth. Chlamydia can also cause eye infections and pneumonia in newborns, and it also increases the risk of delivering your baby too early.
Testing and treatment for chlamydia is quick, easy, and the best way to avoid all of these problems.
Planned Parenthood Releases Std Home Testing App
Impatient
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Under the Affordable Care Act, some women who visit an in-network provider can get preventive chlamydia and gonorrhea screenings, without having to pay a copayment or coinsurance or meet a deductible. The law also says that higher-risk men and women can get preventive counseling for sexually transmitted diseases at no extra cost.
But for many people, there are still barriers to getting an STD test.
“There’s still a lot of embarrassment and shame” around the potential of having an STD, says Amy Rosenfeld, director of communications for Planned Parenthood Los Angeles. “People even delay getting treatment, or coming in to see a doctor, because of that stigma.”
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