Most HIV Infections Come From Undiagnosed or Untreated People: Study

 If an American becomes infected with HIV, chances are he or she contracted the virus from someone who didn't know they were infected or wasn't getting proper treatment.

That's the message of a new U.S. study, which found that undiagnosed and untreated people with HIV may be responsible for more than nine out of 10 new infections.

The findings "highlight the community-wide prevention benefits of expanding HIV diagnosis and treatment in the United States," a team led by Dr. Jacek Skarbinski, of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, wrote in the report.

Looking at 2009 data, Skarbinski's team said that about 45,000 new cases of HIV were transmitted that year, adding to the total of more than 1.1 million Americans who were already living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Using national databases, the investigators estimated that more than 18 percent of that total remained undiagnosed, while another 45 percent were aware of their status but were not getting medical care.

Only about one-quarter of HIV-infected Americans had managed to get their viral status under control by using the current standard of care known as antiretroviral therapy, the researchers found. These drugs can lower an HIV patient's viral load to undetectable levels.

The study findings are published in the Feb. 23 online edition in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.

The findings raise concerns about efforts to contain the spread of HIV, given that untreated patients are more likely to infect others than those who are receiving therapy and have been able to suppress the virus in their system, the study authors explained in a journal news release.

Treated patients who have been able to suppress their virus are 94 percent less likely to transmit HIV than those with undiagnosed HIV, the researchers found.

So the vast majority of new infections in the United States -- nearly 92 percent -- likely occur after contact with people who don't know they carry HIV, or do not receive treatment, according to the CDC team.

In a commentary accompanying the report, Dr. Thomas Giordano, from the DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston, wrote that "the study demonstrates that the steps of the cascade that propel HIV transmission in the United States are delayed diagnosis and inadequate retention in care."

However, Giordano added, "what is surprising is the magnitude of the effect of those steps."

Read the article and find an STD testing center near you.

Herpes Drug Might Help Control Spread of HIV, Too

A widely used herpes drug also seems to help people with the HIV virus, even if those people don't also have herpes, a new small study found.

The researchers said their findings challenge the belief that drug Valtrex (valacyclovir) requires the presence of herpes to benefit people with HIV-1. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.

The study included 18 HIV patients in Peru. When patients took Valtrex twice daily for two weeks, they had decreases in HIV-1 levels. Patients taking a placebo saw their HIV levels go up.

Experts thought that Valtrex worked against HIV by reducing inflammation caused by the herpes virus. This would give the HIV virus fewer active immune cells to attack, reducing the spread of the virus. But the drug doesn't depend on reducing inflammation to work against HIV, said study co-senior author Dr. Michael Lederman, a professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland.

This means that Valtrex can be used in a broader range of people with HIV-1, and also suggests promising new directions for creating new HIV drugs, the researchers said.

That's especially important because some forms of HIV-1 have become resistant to existing drugs.

"The drug might be an agent that can be used safely in some people with HIV infection who have a form of HIV that is highly resistant to other antiretroviral drugs," Lederman said in a university news release.

"Valacyclovir might well augment the cocktail of medications they take for reducing HIV replication. Valacyclovir is a well-tolerated drug, and it doesn't have a lot of side effects," he added.

The findings were published online in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.

Read the article and look for an STD testing center near you.

Learn the Effects of Hepatitis C on the Body

Hepatitis C is a viral disease that primarily causes inflammation of the liver, but the effects can be felt throughout the body.

Hepatitis C is caused by a virus that is passed through contact with the blood of an infected person. The infection leads to inflammation of the liver.

The liver processes blood and filter toxins so they don’t cause damage to your body. The liver also produces bile, which helps you to digest food and stores glucose and vitamins. Inflammation makes it difficult for the liver to perform these vital functions. In time, the hepatitis C infection can affect the entire body.

Early symptoms, including yellowing skin and fatigue, may be mild and easily dismissed. Chronic infection can cause scarring of the liver (cirrhosis). As the disease progresses, symptoms such as skin problems, blood disorders, and fever may appear.

In the long term, hepatitis C can lead to severe liver damage, liver cancer, and liver failure. Early treatment can help delay or prevent serious damage.

Read the full article and find a testing center near you.

3 reasons seniors should have HIV and STD testing done

Whether you’re dating at 18 or 78, there’s one thing that should take place: STD testing. STDs and HIV has been on the rise among seniors in recent years; the CDC reports that rates of chlamydia and syphilis among ages 45 to 64 have nearly tripled in the last decade. Gonorrhea is also on the rise. Here are three reasons for STD testing among this population:

1. Lack of sex education. Many people 50 years or older never had a formal sex ed course in high school and may not think this topic is relevant. However, while pregnancy may not be a consequence of sex anymore, STDs and HIV remain prevalent, and many seniors are unaware of the basics of STD and HIV prevention. Condoms provide excellent protection against most STDs, not just pregnancy. These prophylactics may seem alien to many seniors who relied on oral contraceptives and other forms of birth control during years of marriage and without proper condom use, STDs spread.
2. Menopause. After menopause, women no longer need to worry about unwanted pregnancies, which may lead to a disregard of condoms as mentioned in the first point. Furthermore, menopause causes bodily changes that make women more susceptible to HIV and STDs. Thinning of the vaginal walls and vaginal dryness can cause small, microscopic cuts which allow as an entry point for HIV.
3. Viagra and Internet dating. It’s actually two reasons, but combined, these elements increase ability and opportunity for dating among seniors. Combined with the lack of sex ed and no threat of pregnancy, this puts the demographic at risk for STDs and HIV. Seniors shouldn’t be denied dating, sex and companionship (80% of those between 50 and 90 are sexually active), but as we advise the rest of the dating population, safe sex is the best sex.

Testing is fast and easy. Find an STD testing center near you or go online and check out the home test kits (scroll to the bottom). Test in the privacy of your home when it's convenient for you. Everything you need is in the kit including postage.

What is online STD testing?

Online STD testing is a fairly new concept. The actual STD testing process doesn’t take place online; STD testing is available for purchase online and then testing is performed at a lab near you or at home.

Online STD Testing vs. Traditional Testing

Ordering STD tests online from a service like getSTDtested.com offers more convenience and privacy compared to traditional testing routes, and it's quick and easy. A doctor’s office or free clinic require appointments and often long waits. Online STD testing allows you to order a test from your computer, test immediately without an appointment and receive your results in about 3 days. Many of these labs are open on Saturday, so you can test around your busy schedule.

Online STD Testing Options

Testing is available at over 4,000 labs in the continental United States and Alaska. When testing at a lab there is no need to answer intrusive questions about your sex life or undress for an examination. Certified phlebotomists will take a urine and/or blood sample which are then shipped to a processing facility. From their the results come to us, not back to the lab, and you receive them as a password-protected pdf as soon as they arrive 

At-home STD testing is available for chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis and HIV. You can select STD tests online and have the kit mailed to your home or office. Everything, including postage, is provided. All you do is collect your sample and mail it to the lab for processing.

Online STD Testing is Confidential

Testing is confidential in most cases. STD testing is a personal matter, so your confidentiality is protected at all stages—from ordering to billing to treatment. Lab testing takes place at diagnostic laboratories that do more than STD testing (everything from cholesterol testing to diabetes screening), so no one will know the nature of your business execpt the phlebotomist who collects your specimen. And your personal information is never shared with insurance companies or third parties.

Testing is quick and easy. Find an STD testing center near you.

Survey says: friends with benefits use condoms more

According to one study, people in a “friends with benefits” relationship have safer sex. Those surveyed, primarily young adults in their mid-20s, use condoms during oral and vaginal sex more frequently than those in traditional relationships.

But don’t assume this makes friends-with-benefits sex safer, or riskier, than sex among those in committed relationships. Friends with benefits are much less likely to be monogamous (36% vs. 96%), have had more sex partners and didn’t use condoms during all encounters. Additionally, these survey participants were less sexually satisfied and had less communication about sex. 

Casual FWB relationships are common (there was even a recent movie with the same title); half of college students have engaged in this type of relationship. With the prevalence of these relationships, experts call for specific sex education surrounding these relationships.

So what can you do to keep a friends-with-benefits relationship healthy? Engage in open communication, continue using condoms, practicing safe sex and have regular STD testing performed.

Read the article and find an STD testing center near you.

Influential task force recommends routine HIV testing for all

The U.S. Preventative Task Force has recently recommended that physicians to administer a routine HIV test for everyone ages 15 to 65. The goal of this recommendation is to reduce the prevalence of HIV in the United States.

Among the nearly 1.2 million people infected with HIV, approximately 20 to 25 percent are unaware of their positive status. Most cases of HIV are asymptomatic making it difficult to diagnose but easy to spread. Routine HIV testing could potentially catch many of these undiagnosed cases and enable early HIV treatment to take place. Additionally, making a HIV testing a regular part of a check-up may reduce stigma around this important health practice.

Routine HIV testing would be similar like cholesterol testing—it’s just a normal part of a checkup!

What do you think about these new recommendations for routine HIV testing? Please share!

Read the complete article and find an STD testing center near you. 

What are early symptoms of HIV?

Let’s get right to the point: Early symptoms of HIV are difficult to diagnose. These signs are often vague and easily mistaken for other more common conditions, like the flu. Plus, some people never experience any discernible symptoms until the virus has seriously progressed several years later.

HIV is best treated and managed when diagnosed as soon as possible, but evaluating early symptoms of HIV is not a reliable way to diagnose this virus. The only way to diagnose this virus is through a routine HIV test.

When early HIV symptoms are present, symptoms may appear about 2 to 4 weeks after infection (but up to 3 months) and last a week or so before clearing up on their own. Signs of a recent HIV infection may include the following:

• Fever
• Headache
• Swollen glands
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Sore throat
• Rash

This symptoms are very vague and can indicate a number of viral infections, such as mono, the flu or hepatitis C. If you are concerned about an HIV infection, HIV testing can provide answers and peace of mind.

Testing is quick and easy. Find an STD testing center near you.

STD FAQ: Does male STD testing require swabbing?

A large number of men fear STD testing for one reason: the dreaded swab. Sure, there’s nothing appealing about having a cotton swab insert into the penis, but there’s also nothing appealing about chlamydia. STD testing is a must for men, and fortunately, new technologies have made swabbing a thing of the past. (Hepatitis, herpes and HIV testing require a small blood sample.)

Painless urine-based STD tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea eliminate the need to swab. (Men should have a chlamydia test and gonorrhea test as part of their routine STD testing.) For men, getSTDtested.com only uses urine tests at their local labs (phew!). There’s no pain and no need to undress with this process. STD testing has never been easier!

However, many locations (especially low-cost clinics) still rely on swabbing as a test method. Do your research before testing, so there are no unpleasant surprises at the lab or doctor’s office. 

It's quick and easy. Find an STD testing center near you.

How common is hepatitis?

In the U.S., the two most common strains of hepatitis are hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Hepatitis isn’t talked about much when it comes to STDs and STD testing, but these two infections are more common than you might have originally thought.

Hepatitis B has become much less prevalent in the U.S. since the vaccine was introduced. Still, 38,000 cases of hepatitis are reported each year. It’s estimated that many more people—somewhere between 800,000 to 1.4 million—are infected with this virus but don’t know it. Hepatitis B testing is recommended for anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated. Upon a negative result, the vaccine should be administered to prevent this virus.

Hepatitis C is more common than hepatitis B, although only 18,000 cases are reported annually. About 2.7 to 3.9 million people are living with hepatitis C, and like hepatitis B, most are unaware of their infection. Hepatitis C testing is recommended for all baby boomers (the generation born between 1945 and 1964), since the virus is prevalent among this group. IV drug users and anyone who have been exposed to infected blood should also be tested. Currently there is no vaccine for hepatitis C. 

Find an STD testing center near you.

STD treatment: A quick overview

Regardless of the infection, STD treatment is most effective when the STD is diagnosed and treated early. Routine STD testing provides a diagnosis sooner rather than later, avoiding complications and minimizing the chance of unknowingly spreading the infection further. Here’s an overview of four major STDs and their treatment:

Chlamydia treatment: This common STD is cured with antibiotics, typically azithromycin (and some doctors are adding cefixime). It’s important to avoid sex until the antibiotics have had time to fully cycle through the body. Also, all partners who may have been exposed to the infection should have a chlamydia test and receive treatment. Prompt chlamydia treatment is crucial in avoiding long-term repercussions.

Gonorrhea treatment: Gonorrhea treatment is similar to chlamydia treatment, however this STD requires a different antibiotic regimen. While gonorrhea symptoms and chlamydia symptoms are nearly identical, STD testing is required to determine the correct treatment. Like chlamydia, prompt gonorrhea treatment is necessary to avoid complications.

HIV treatment: Unlike gonorrhea and chlamydia, HIV is not curable. However, when diagnosed early, HIV treatment can manage this virus and help prevent it from progressing to AIDS. HIV treatment requires a combination of antiretroviral therapy (known as HAART), administered under a doctor’s supervision. Today, advances in medicine have made HIV a chronic, manageable illness enabling those infected to live long, healthy lives.

Genital herpes treatment: This STD is not curable, but is not life threatening. More than anything, genital herpes is a nuisance. Genital herpes treatment can help keep symptoms at bay and make those infected less contagious. Antiviral medication, like acyclovir, can suppress herpes outbreaks when taken daily.

Find an STD testing center near you. Get Lab Tested can provide scripts (with positive test results) for chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes and trichomoniasis in some states. Give us a call at 877-317-3178 to find out if this service is available in your area.

5 facts about HIV testing

Routine HIV testing (and STD testing!) is recommended for all sexually active adults and teens (anyone between the ages of 13 and 64). Here are a few things to know about this important - and super easy - health practice:

1. A person with HIV can develop a detectable level of antibodies within a few weeks of infection, with an average of 25 days. 97% of those with HIV develop detectable antibodies within 3 months. If concerned about a particular exposure, HIV testing should take at 3 months and then at 6 months.
2. HIV testing can be performed at home. An FDA-approved test kit is available for the most private, discreet testing. This HIV test requires a small blood sample that is mailed to a lab upon completion.
3. The HIV ELISA test is considered the “gold standard” of HIV testing with an accuracy rate greater than 99.9%. If positive, this antibody test is confirmed with the Western Blot.
4. DNA and RNA tests are available for HIV testing. These tests look for the genital material from the virus, rather than antibodies. This method can detect the virus 10 days after an exposure, but confirmation from the HIV ELISA test is recommended at 3 months post-exposure.
5. Routine HIV testing is the best way to detect an infection. HIV symptoms are often nonexistent, so a test is the only way to diagnose the virus.

Remember - HIV is best managed when caught early (look for an STD testing center near you).

Genital herpes by the numbers: How common is it?

In the U.S., genital herpes is very common. Probably more common than you think, in fact. This STD affects at least 45 million people. In other words, approximately 16% of the population has genital herpes caused by HSV-2. This number is likely higher since many genital herpes cases are caused by HSV-1, the strain most responsible for oral herpes.

Genital herpes is a widespread infection, but the majority of cases—up to 90%—are undiagnosed. This STD often doesn’t produce symptoms, or signs are so mild, they are mistaken for other common conditions.

When it comes to men and women, genital herpes affects the sexes disproportionately. This STD is more common in women due to anatomical differences. One in five women is infected with genital herpes from HSV-2, while the virus infects one in nine men.

Since genital herpes is difficult to diagnose, the best way to know your status is through STD testing. A blood test for genital herpes can detect this condition, even when symptoms aren’t present.

Find an STD testing center near you.