What Are the Symptoms & Signs of Chlamydia? - Head Start Testing

Had An Unprotected Sex? See, What Can Happen To You?

Well, talking about the increasing rate of STDs in the country, the count is on the go. The chances of catching any STD are even higher if a person had unprotected sex with different partners or one partner who is already having a disease. And the point of concern here is that many people who are suffering from these STDs don’t show any symptoms. 

Chlamydia is one of these most common Sexually Transmitted Diseases and most people who have chlamydia don't show any symptoms. Closely 3 million Americans get it every year, most commonly in the age of 14-24. Women have chlamydia in the cervix, rectum, or throat whereas men have chlamydia in the urethra (inside the penis), rectum, or throat.

Do I Have Chlamydia?

Chlamydia in women

Chlamydia is the most frequently reported sexually transmitted bacterial infection in the United States. Chlamydia is easy to grow because it's likeliness to have very mild or no symptoms, and thus many unknowingly pass it on to others. The CDC recommends that sexually active women get tested for STDs on an annual basis. Getting tested regularly is especially important since chlamydia infection increases the risk of contracting another STD such as HIV.

How chlamydia infects women

The chlamydia bacterium first infects the cervix (the passageway which joins the vagina and the uterus). Symptoms of chlamydia infection may include vaginal discharge, painful urination and stomach pain. From there, the infection may spread upward to the urethra (urine canal), the uterus (womb) and the Fallopian tubes (tubes that carry fertilized eggs from the ovaries to the uterus). If the infection is left untreated, it can reach to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). In addition, chlamydia can lead to serious consequences such as infertility and ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy in which the embryo develops outside of the womb).

Chlamydia Symptoms in Women

* Abnormal vaginal discharge (may have an odor) 

* Pain during urination

* Rectal pain, discharge or bleeding

* Inflamed eye 

* Bleeding between menstrual cycles

* Lower bellyache

* Lower back pain

* Nausea

* Fever

* Pain during sex 

* Sore throat

Chlamydia in men

When symptoms do occur in men, they may include a thick, yellow-white, milky or watery discharge from the penis and/or a burning sensation during urination. Pain and swelling in the testes may also happen, although such symptoms are less common. Untreated chlamydia infection in men can result in nongonococcal urethritis (NGU), an infection of the urethra, as well as epididymitis. For these reasons, men who frequently engage in sexual activity should value the importance of annual chlamydia testing.

Chlamydia Symptoms in Men

*Abnormal penile discharge (thick, yellow-white, milky or watery)

*Pain during urination

*Rectal pain, discharge or bleeding

*Inflamed eye

*Itching and burning nearby the opening of the penis

*Testicular pain and swelling

*Sore throat

If you are experiencing any of the above chlamydia symptoms, than you need to undergo chlamydia testing with a DIY Chlamydia rapid test kit provided by Head Start Testing.

Do I Have Gonorrhea? Get Absolute Details With Head Start Testing

Gonorrhea – often nicknamed “the clap” – can cause serious health complications if left untreated.

Gonorrhea – a most common Sexually Transmitted Disease in the United States – is caused by a bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Though it can be transmitted via any kid of sex – oral, anal, or vaginal.

Every year, approx 820,000 new gonorrhea infections crop up in the U.S. Physical contact with the penis, vagina, mouth or anus of someone carrying this bacterium can spread this infection. Young people – aging 15-24 years – are more likely to get infected.

Symptoms of Gonorrhea:

Talking about symptoms of Gonorrhea – in most of the cases – it doesn’t show any symptoms. Sometimes signs are so mild that you don’t even notice them. Consequently, lost of people don’t even realize that they are suffering from Gonorrhea. However, when signs appear, it can affect multiple sites in your body – probably the warm, moist areas of the body:

• Urethra
• Eyes
• Throat
• Vagina
• Anus
• Female reproductive tract

Symptoms are slightly different in Men & Women

For Women:

The Infection in Women appears much like as a vaginal yeast or bacterial infections – which makes it difficult to identify. However, most of the women do not possess any symptoms of Gonorrhea.

Symptoms include:

• Increased discharge in Vagina
• Pain or burning sensation while Urination
• A sore Throat
• vulvar swelling
• red, swollen, warm, painful joints
• bleeding after intercourse
• heavier periods
• Fever can occur if the infection spreads to upper genital tract

For Men:

The very first noticeable symptom in Men is a burning or painful sensation during Urination. However, some men may never develop any symptoms. With the progress of this infection in the body, the most common symptoms appear are:

• Green or yellow discharge from the penis
• pain in the testicles or scrotum
• itching, difficulty swallowing, or swollen neck lymph nodes
• inflammation (swelling) of the foreskin
• Peeing more often than usual

This Infection can cause rectal pain & bleeding in both Men & Women. However, if spreads to the blood – can cause rashes, arthritis-like pain and/or a fever. As per research, this infection rate for women is slightly higher than Men. Also, pregnant Women can give the infection to the babies during their birth.

If you or your sexual partner have any of these symptoms, test yourself now with Gonorrhea rapid test kit online – available at Head Start Testing. It is an easy-to-use test that gives you an accurate result in just 10 minutes. If testing is positive for this infection, the individual and their partner should immediately visit Doctor for undergoing treatment.

What Are the Stages of Syphilis?

Introduction:

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacteria known as Treponema Pallidum. The proportion of women with Syphilis has been declining in the United States, but the rate among men, particularly men who have sex with men, has been increasing. 

Syphilis can be challenging to diagnose. Someone can have it without showing any signs for years. However, the earlier it is detected, the better and easy it is to cure. If it remains untreated for a long period than can cause major damage to important organs, like the heart and brain. That is why, it is crucial to do Syphilis testing the moment you notice any Symptom.

Do I have Syphilis? 

The first symptom of syphilis is a small, painless sore. It can arrive on the sexual organs, rectum, or inside the mouth. This sore is called a Chancre. People often fail to notice it proper away. Syphilis is only spread by direct contact with syphilitic chancres. It can’t be spread by sharing a toilet with another person, wearing another person’s clothes, or using another person’s eating utensils. 

Stages of Syphilis:

It has four stages, Primary, Secondary, Latent, and Tertiary.

1.Primary Stage:

The primary stage of syphilis occurs around three to four weeks after a person contracted to the bacteria. It starts with a small, round sore called a Chancre. It is painless but it’s extremely infectious. This sore may develop wherever the bacteria entered the body, such as on or inside the mouth, genitals, or rectum. On average, the sore shows up around three weeks after infection, but it can take 10 to 90 days to appear. The sore lasts for anywhere between two to six weeks. Syphilis is spread by direct contact with a sore. This usually happens during sexual activity, including oral sex.

2.Secondary Stage:

Skin rashes and a severe throat may develop during the second stage of syphilis. The rash won’t itch and it usually found on the palms and soles but it may occur anywhere on the body. Some people don’t notice the rash before it goes off. Other signs of secondary syphilis are such as headaches, fever, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, weight loss, hair loss, and aching joints. These symptoms will go away whether or not treatment is taken. However, without treatment a person still has syphilis.

3.Latent Stage:

The third stage of syphilis is the latent stage. The primary and secondary symptoms disappear and there won’t be any noticeable symptoms at this stage. However, the bacteria remain in the body. This stage could last for years before progressing to the tertiary stage.

4.Tertiary Stage:

The last stage of syphilis infection is the tertiary stage. It can occur years or decades after the initial infection. This stage can be life-threatening. Some other potential outcomes of tertiary stage include are blindness, deafness, mental illness, memory loss, destruction of soft tissue and bone, neurological disorders, and heart disease.

If you have any doubt that you might have caught this hazardous infection, test yourself now with a DIY test for Syphilis – a Syphilis rapid test kit manufactured under strict quality controls at Head Start Testing. This easy to use kit gives precise and accurate results in the comfort of your own home. 

Gonorrhea Testing – Why It Is Required?

What is Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is one kind of STD which spread very easily and widely. It also generally referred to as "the clap" and is caused by the etiologic agent Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This bacteria was discovered in 1879 by Albert Neisser who gave his name to the group of organisms, Neisseria. The bacteria were brought to America by European settlers and explorers. Along with it, it was widely spread by sailors traveling from port to port passing it on. During this period, the treatment was mercury shot into the tip of the penis. After the discovery of penicillin in the 20th century, this form of treatment was eliminated.

How Gonorrhea Spread?

* Sexual activities such as Oral Sex - transfer of saliva, semen, and germs in your body through mouth of gonorrhea-infected person, Anal Sex - transfer of bacteria or infection to your body through the penis, and Vaginal Sex - transfer of gonorrhea germs to your body through vagina and penis intercourse – this is one of the major causes.

* If a pregnant woman has gonorrhea infection and his baby contracted with this infection during pregnancy then it can be passed to her child due to which the risk of miscarriage and premature birth is increased. 

* Babies born while the mother is infected have very high chances to get eye infections and other diseases & disorders that effects directly on eyes and other parts of the baby. 

Symptoms:

You might have symptoms in any of these areas:

Rectum: You may itch or be sore, have discharge, pain while bowel movements, or even bleed from your anus. If you're a woman, your rectum can be infected too if you haven't had anal sex. You may grow the bacteria when you wipe yourself after using the bathroom.

Throat: These symptoms can be mild, like a severe throat or swollen lymph nodes.

Joints: If the bacteria that cause gonorrhea infect your joints, it's called septic arthritis. You'll notice the affected joints are irritated, red, swollen, and warm to the touch. 

Eyes: If you touch your eyes after touching bodily fluids that are infected with gonorrhea, you could notice conjunctivitis (pink eye). 

Test & Treatment for Gonorrhea :

If you suspect that you have come in contact with gonorrhea or if you are experiencing symptoms then it is important to do Gonorrhea testing. You can either go to any Doctor or clinic for test or you can do it on your own with a DIY test for Gonorrhea.

Now the Head Start Testing - a test kit provider offers you the Gonorrhea test kit to detect this hazardous infection in just 10 minutes. Once you tested then you need to appoint with a doctor who can provide you the necessary treatment and answer all of your questions about gonorrhea.

Hepatitis B Testing During Pregnancy! Required or Not?

The chronic Hepatitis B virus is affecting approximately 350 million individuals worldwide. Half of this estimated figure get infected from this virus either perinatally or in early childhood. According to reports over 1 million people are died badly with HBV infection which is increasing every year. 

To rein this rapidly increasing infection, people need to be well aware from it - in order dodge its bad impacts that include cirrhosis, liver failure or hepatocellular carcinoma that occurs in 15%-40% of infected subjects. 

In most of the cases, it is noted that babies born to a mother - who is suffering from this chronic infection, have a greater chance of having chronic hepatitis B if they are not properly treated at birth. Thus it very much important for women to have Hepatitis B testing in the early stage. This testing is will render the exact status of this infection in order to prevent passing the virus on to their newborn baby during delivery.

Also, it will help the doctor to make the required arrangements for having proper medications in the delivery room to prevent your baby from being infected.

In the pregnancy period, this testing is especially crucial for women who fall into high-risk groups such as women from ethnic communities where hepatitis B is common, health care workers spouses or partners living with an infected person. 

Tests and treatments for Hepatitis B during pregnancy 

Generally standard and routine tests are performed on all pregnant women at or before their first pregnancy - mostly in 12 to 14 weeks of the pregnancy. If the woman is carrying the hepatitis B virus, her blood test result will show as being 'positive' for the 'hepatitis B surface antigen'

If the test is positive, then your newborn baby must be given two shots immediately in the delivery room:

• First is the vaccine dose of the hepatitis B 
• The second dose of the Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (HBIG).

The proper dose of these two medications can increase 90% chance of a newborn from being protected against a lifelong hepatitis B infection. You need to be very much specific with its treatment for the baby and mother so that the patient receives the remaining shots in the series according to schedule to ensure complete protection.

DIY Testing :- 

DIY testing for hepatitis B is one of the most prominent ways to examine the stage of this chronic infection. This testing approach keeps your results private as you can test it in the convenience of your home on your own. 

Where to get these DIY test kits? 

Before choosing this test kit you need to check that test kit should be medically approved and manufactured under strict medical instructions. Head Start Testing is one of the finest manufacturers of high-quality test kits – prominent to deliver highly accurate results.

For more information, visit us online at – www.testkitlabs.com

Gonorrhea Testing – Why Is It Important?

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease(STD) that affect both woman and men. It is a common infection that in many instances, causes no symptoms. It most often affects the urethra, rectum or throat, and can also infect the cervix. It spread during sex and babies can be infected in their mothers pregnancy if they are infected. In babies, gonorrhea most commonly affects the eyes. Gonorrhea is a common infection that in many instances, causes no symptoms. Therefore, you should keep on doing Gonorrhea testing to detect this hazardous infection in its early stages.
Refraining from sex, using a condom if you do have sex and being in a mutually monogamous relationship are the best ways to prevent sexually transmitted infections.

Do I have Gonorrhea?
Are you having a painful feeling during urination or unusual excretion from the penis or vagina? Worried and presuming that ‘Do I have Gonorrhea’? Get tested with our fastest and most accurate FDA approved DIY rapid test kit - reliable for both men and women.
Go through these symptoms to figure it out.

Symptoms in men-

• Greater frequency or urgency of urination.
• A pus-like secretion (or drip) from the penis.
• Swelling or redness at the opening of the penis.
• Persistent sore throat.
• Pain in the testicles.

Symptoms in women-

• Discharge watery, creamy, or slightly green liquid from
• the vagina.
• Pain or burning sensation while urinating.
• The need to urinate more frequently.
• Heavier periods or spotting.
• Sore throat.

Causes-

This STD comes from a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Even though it spreads through sex, a man does not have to ejaculate in order to pass it on to his partner. You can get gonorrhea from any kind of sexual contact, including:

• Vaginal intercourse
• Anal intercourse
• Oral intercourse (both giving and receiving)

As with other germs, you can get the bacterium that causes gonorrhea just from touching an infected area on another person. If you come into contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus of someone carrying this bacterium, you can get gonorrhea. These germs cannot live for more than a few seconds outside the body, so you can not get this STD by touching objects like toilet seats or clothes. But women who have gonorrhea can pass the disease on to their baby during vaginal delivery. Babies born by C-section cannot get it from their mother.

Treatment-

After a positive diagnosis for gonorrhea, appropriate and consistent treatment is necessary to successfully kill off the gonorrhea bacteria. Antibiotics often used to cure gonorrhea include azithromycin, doxycycline, ceftriaxone or cefixime. The CDC recommends dual therapy (i.e. using two antibiotics) for treating gonorrhea, due to this bacteria ability to sometimes become resistant to drugs. Speak to your doctor about what the best option is for you.

Prevention-

The most reliable ways to prevent gonorrhea are to:

* Abstain from sexual intercourse.

* Always use a condom during vaginal, oral, or anal sexual intercourse.

* Have a sexually monogamous partner who does not have the infection.

Since gonorrhea does not usually cause symptoms, it is important for people who are sexually active to get tested regularly. This is especially important if their partner has been diagnosed with gonorrhea. You can detect it simply via visiting a doctor but if you want to do it on your own, than you should go for a DIY test for Gonorrhea. Head Start Testing has come across with a rapid Gonorrhea testing kit that lets you detect this hazardous infection in the comfort of your own home.

Chlamydia – Symptoms, Diagnosis & Cure

What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is the most common Sexually Transmitted Disease that is caused by bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. 

How do you get Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is usually spread through sexual contact so it cannot be via casual contact such as - sharing food or drinks, kissing, hugging, holding hands, coughing, sneezing, or sitting on the toilet.

can get it:

by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has chlamydia.

if you are a pregnant woman, then you can also pass chlamydia to your baby during childbirth.

by using shared sex toys that aren't washed or covered with a new condom each time they’re used.

if you come into contact with infected semen (cum) or vaginal fluid or get them in your eye.

by touching of genitals together.

Do I have Chlamydia?

Most of the people who are suffering from Chlamydia have no symptoms. However, it can damage your reproductive system without causing any symptoms. 

Symptoms in Women:

• low-grade fever
• swelling in the vagina or around the anus
• burning sensation when urination 
• nausea
• painful periods

Symptoms in Men:

• a white, cloudy or watery discharge from the penis
• Pain and swelling around the testicles
• a burning sensation when urinating

How is Chlamydia Diagnosed?

In most of the cases, Doctors use a swab to take a sample from the urethra in men or from the cervix in women and then send it to a laboratory for results. However, if you want to detect it on your own, you can buy a DIY Chlamydia testing kit available online at Head Start Testing.

Can Chlamydia be cured?

Yes, with the right treatment on time, it can be cured completely. Your doctor will prescribe you oral antibiotics. When taken properly it will stop the infection and could decrease your chances of having complications later on.

MultiSTD test pack 

If you are doubtful that you are suffering from some sexually transmitted infection, but not sure which one? Here is the solution for you. Shop for a MultiSTD test pack – a pack of 4 test kits that ensure you are free from serious and highly infectious STDs such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis and Hepatitis B.