Here’s a quick update with some new things I’ve added to the site. I meant to send this out last week but didn’t have time for whatever reason. So here goes…
“Hello. We’re from ASHA and are here to pee in a cup. Is now a good time?”
Earlier this month, as ASHA launched our STI Awareness Month activities, I wrote a short letter that cheekily called on more people to “pee in a cup” (primarily to test for chlamydia). I wanted to point out that – along with lack of health insurance – social barriers (like stigma and lack of awareness) keep many individuals from seeking the sexual health care they need.
Every day ASHA interacts with thousands of people seeking information and support around issues of sexual health. We’ve urged countless individuals to take the initiative and talk with their health care providers about sexual health. This isn’t easy and, for many patients and providers, can be downright embarrassing. We gently acknowledge all this when chatting with our clients, but our message remains the same: Anyone can be at risk for STIs. Be smart. Have the conversation. Get tested.
Great advice. And I’ve never followed any of it.
I know better but have never felt the personal need to have the same conversation with my health care provider – or most of the tests – that we routinely urge for others. What do my staff and I really know of the anxiety provoked by “peeing in a cup” if we’ve never done it? It was time to try it out for ourselves.
With my inner iPod seemingly stuck on a lecture entitled “what’s good for the goose…,” one of my ASHA senior staff members and I headed to a clinic where we each peed in a cup and gave up a little blood. Then we waited for our test results for chlamydia, HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, gonorrhea, and herpes simplex virus 1 and 2.
Here we were, two seasoned professionals who work in the field of sexual health every day, and the idea of getting tested was not without a bit of nervous giggling. What would the clinic staff think, having us tested for eight different infections? Would they silently (or perhaps not so silently) judge us? Also, STIs can be silent for months or years, and a person with either infection can be unaware for many years, potentially even decades … What if? What if?
Soon, our test results were available. The wait almost unhinged my ASHA buddy – a veteran who’s been in the field 12 years and has more than a clue about STIs and his relative risk – who both compulsively checked the site to see if his results were back and declared he was throwing away his PIN because he’d rather not know.
We did this to better understand what it’s like for those who follow our recommendations to get tested for STIs, and the process certainly educated us. As unnerving as testing can be even for people well versed in this area, this experience drove home how difficult it might be for someone who isn’t as savvy. ASHA and others working in public health put so much energy into providing resources for those diagnosed with STIs, and that’s a good thing. But it’s important not to ignore the “front end” piece of preparing people to get tested in the first place.
I did it. I peed in a cup! Have you? Stay healthy!
I am a 49 year old male. I developed herpetic whitlow of the proximal phalanges of the left middle finger. There was no complications with bacterial super infection.
I had slightly pricked the side of my middle finger with a staple and the wound seemed to be healed over. A day or two later my partner and I had sexual relations during which I used my fingers for stimulation of my partner. She had developed a primary case of HSV2 in the perineum some 18 years ago. She had no current signs and has not developed any. Her last outbreak was almost 10 years ago.
The staple wound seemed to resolve, leaving behind only a tiny area of cellulitis. About 6 days later, the wound developed a larger area of redness, and I cleaned it with soap and water, applied some antibiotic cream, and covered it with a band aid. The following day when I changed the bandaid the redness had spread distally in a narrow band.
By that evening the typical vesicles began to develop. I was aware of herpetic whitlow and recognized the signs. I applied Abreva and changed it and the bandaid three times a day. I did not apply it more often due to the fragility of the vesicles.
After two days the infection covered the area on the phalanx from knuckle to knuckle and approximately 1/3 of the diameter of the finger, but did not seem to spreading beyond this point. I continued to apply Abreva and clean the area three times per day, carefully cleaning my hands after each dressing change. I also wore a cotton glove between dressing changes.
By the fourth day, the lesion was red and taut, but no longer particularly painful. There was an area of open skin about 15mm x 4mm. Primary drainage had ceased. Applications of hydrogen peroxide did not show any significant super infection. However, the area covered by the lesion and cellulitis had not changed.
At that time I visited my primary care physician. He confirmed the diagnosis and prescribed topical acyclovir. He also pointed out that Abreva is useful only against HSV1 infections and this was almost certainly HSV2, therefore it would have been advisable to seek medical attention earlier. The area began to scab over about a week later, but remained red and taut for another week.
After about 3.5 weeks the scab had detached and the lesion was smooth, although still quite red for a radius about about double the size of the lesion proper. After 5 weeks the redness has faded considerably, though not completely. I continue to cover it with a bandaid and will probably continue to do so until the skin returns to a normal color. I intend to avoid contact with any mucous membrane or my genitalia for at least two to three weeks subsequent to complete visual resolution.
I experienced some malaise, fatigue, and nausea the day previous to emergence of the lesion, and for two days thereafter. The lesion was not extremely painful, probably due to the location on the proximal phalanx, instead of the common location at the distal phalanx, where it can irritate the pulp underlying the fingernail.
The primary difficulties of management were the regular and somewhat risky dressing changes, and the concern about when I could resume free use of the digit with near-zero risk.
I would recommend that anyone developing identifiable symptoms seek medical treatment immediately so as to acquire topical acyclovir as soon as possible.
I’m going through and if the social group is linking to the page I’m leaving the link up. If there is a social group not linking the page I am taking it down.
I’m also going to remove the H Pal links on that page because we already have an H Pal home page and I want to try and keep it simple. It’s better not to be too repetitive.
If you have a social or support group you’d like listed on the SSNA page and you are already linking.. please let me know so that I can return the favor. Also, your support and/or social group can be about other health related issues.. not just herpes and hpv.
If you have a story to share I am still posting those here.
If you have an awareness letter that you’d like to share I am still posting those here.
If you would like to be an H Pal I am still posting those pages here.
If you are a blogger and would like to do a link exchange with me and my blog I’d love to participate.
That’s all I have for now. Other than that I am enjoying the beautiful spring weather here in Omaha and am looking forward to the weekend.
Is it truly contraception or it is abortion? The debate over the “morning after pill” may hinge on a single definition.
The Morning After Pill (MAP) is a term coined to describe a series of pills given to women within 72 hours of sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy. The pills, also referred to as “emergency contraception”, contain high concentrations of the hormones found in oral contraceptives.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved this off-label use of oral contraceptives in 1997. Currently, Plan B™ is the only product on the market that has been approved by the FDA for this purpose. Plan B™ contains a high dose of a hormone called progestin (levonorgestrel). The physiological mechanisms are not precisely known but there is general consensus in the medical community that these pills may operate in one of three ways:(1)
1. To delay or prevent ovulation (the release of the woman’s egg)
2. To prevent sperm from reaching the egg, preventing fertilization and acting as a contraceptive
3. To alter the lining of the uterus (endometrium), preventing implantation of an early embryo after fertilization
This last point is one of major debate and one that pivots on the definition of pregnancy. Traditionally, fertilization — the joining of sperm and egg to form a zygote — is recognized as the beginning of pregnancy. Biologically, fertilization marks the creation of a genetically complete human being that only needs time, nourishment, and a place to grow.(2) However, groups like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists define pregnancy as “beginning with the successful implantation of a fertilized egg.” (3)
Based on the fertilization definition of pregnancy, MAPs may cause an early abortion. This is information women have a right to know before taking the pills.
For more information on the possible abortifacient effect of EC, see: C. Kahlenborn, et al., “Postfertilization Effect of Hormonal Emergency Contraception,” The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, March 2002.
1 For example see “Plan B Prescribing Information”
3 Merriam-Webster’s Medical Desk Dictionary (1996) defines fertilization as “an act or process of fecundation, insemination, or impregnation” or to make pregnant.
4 “A Closer Look at Emergency Contraception” Fact Sheet, accessed on February 20, 2002 on the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Well… Is Plan B Contraception OR Abortion? I already know what I believe to be true. What do you believe? What are your thoughts on the answer to this question?
In response to a judge’s order, the Food and Drug Administration has decided to allow 17-year-old girls to get the morning-after pill — Plan B — without a prescription.
Plan B refers to a series of pills taken within 72 hours of sexual intercourse with the intent of preventing pregnancy. The pills contain high concentrations of the hormones found in birth-control pills. The FDA had forbidden over-the-counter sales of Plan B to minors because of a lack of long-term data on the effects.
“From a scientific perspective, I don’t think it makes sense to make this medication available to adolescents,” said Dr. David Hager, an OB-GYN who serves on Focus on the Family’s Physicians Resource Council.
Political pressure drove this decision, said Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America.
“Even the most aggressive advocates for Plan B have admitted that nonprescription access to the drug does not reduce pregnancies or abortions,” she said.
How can a 17 year old obtain Plan B over the counter and without parental permission? I don’t understand how this is possible since parents have to sign for everything else?
I’ve taken my teenager to the doctor and I am made to sign a form every time giving her permission to be seen and treated, etc. The teen has to bring home permission slips from school for everything. Teenagers are not allowed to have over-the-counter anything at school without parental permission.
It doesn’t make sense to me that teens now have access to Plan B at the age of seventeen without parental permission.
I think Carrie Prejean answered the question to the best of her ability. Anybody could see that she is not in favor of same sex marriage. She also took the time to explain where she is coming from. Anyone could deduct from her answer that she does not feel that the rest of the states in this country should follow Vermont.
Perez Hilton has been going on and on about it over on his blog. Carrie Prejean has been sharing what she thinks on Twitter too.
A few more celebs have been stating their opinions too:
Heidi Montag said, “God says in the bible that we should love our neighbor and he created us all as equals. I know in my heart that gays and lesbians should have the same government rights that Spencer and I will when we get married. So, yes, this blonde Christian believes in gay marriage and I hope to one day go to YOUR wedding, Perez!!!”
Miley Cyrus said, “Jesus loves you AND your partner and wants you to know how much he cares! thats like a daddy not loving his lil boy cuz hes gay and that is WRONG and very sad! like i said everyone deserves to be happy.”
Miley went on to say, “i am a christian and i love you [Perez] – gay or not. BECAUSE you are no different that anyone else! we are all gods children! i am not saying this so would be nice on your site (though that would be nice jk;) but because the LORD has spoken ‘love cuz god loves’.”
Britney Spears chimed in on twitter saying, “Love is love! People should be able to do whatever makes them happy!”
Obviously Perez Hilton is going to give her low scores because #1 he is gay, #2 he didn’t like her answer and #3 he’s a drama queen. I don’t even understand what he was doing as a judge for the Miss USA pageant.
Since when do we bring politics and religion into judging someone’s ability to do a job, win a pageant, or anything in life? Isn’t Carrie Prejean entitled to her opinion whether you like it or not?
Do Christians really believe in Gay Marriage? I’m a Christian and I don’t believe in Gay Marriage. I don’t believe that God created two men in the beginning OR two women in the beginning. He created Adam and Eve. Two men can not naturally procreate successfully and neither can two women. I believe marriage is between a man and a woman and God blesses the marital unions between a man and a woman if they are True believers in Him… right?
I don’t agree with what Britney Spears said at all. She comes from the mentality that if it feels good and it makes you happy then you should just do it. Many people feel good when they are smoking pot but that doesn’t mean they should do it. Many people feel good eating an entire bag of chips but that doesn’t mean they should do it. Many people like going to the beach and hanging out in the sun all day but that doesn’t mean they should do it. (I think you all get my drift?)
Yes the Bible does say that we are supposed to love our neighbor but that doesn’t mean we are supposed to agree with the sins that our neighbors are participating in… right? Isn’t that considered sinful? God forgives and He loves but if you continue to go down that same path and accept that sinful nature… doesn’t God frown on that?
Is Miley trying to say that people are born gay? If that’s the case then please explain to me the biological makeup of the child and what makes the child gay? What’s the biological and scientific response to that because I don’t believe anybody is born gay. I think it’s possible for human beings to be sexually charged when put in certain environments but again… just because you are turned on by something doesn’t make it right or acceptable in God’s view. What about adults that sexually abuse children? The act of abusing a child makes the abuser happy and satisfied sexually but that doesn’t make it right. What about people that feel good committing crimes? Is that ok?
Me not agreeing with gay marriage doesn’t make me homophobic, a bigot, or hateful. I’m entitled to my opinions and I’m free to worship Jesus and do my best to follow his word and commandments… right? So why are Christians everywhere being ridiculed for their beliefs? Why are their so many Christians out there in name only? Do these people not read their bibles?
We are only all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. That’s what the book of Galatians talks about in chapter 3.
God is the one that will judge in the end.. not me. I am called to love my neighbor but that doesn’t mean I’m supposed to go and sin with my neighbor just because it feels good and makes them happy. Go read the first few chapters of the book of Romans and you’ll begin to understand where I’m coming from.
Carrie Prejean is being picked on because she was honest about what it is she believes. She is against gay marriage. There is no politically correct way to express that.. especially when you’ve got Perez Hilton asking the questions. (Perez is a hateful guy)
Maybe somebody out there can explain how she could have worded her answer better…?
Originally posted on my political blog Domestic Divapalooza and my personal blog IamPooped.com – but let’s discuss this here too, k? :]
I have a product review page where people can write to me and tell me what think think of something that they’ve tried. Sometimes I get positive feedback about the items listed and other times I do not.
Not everybody is going to like the same things. I personally prefer to shop at Walmart because of the convenience and the price points. Things seem to be a lot more affordable at Walmart as compared to Target. There are things about Target that I like that Walmart just can not compare to. The furniture and home decor is stellar as compared to Walmart. People shop at different stores for different reasons.
What’s my point?
What I’m trying to say is that what works for one person isn’t going to necessarily work for the next and because human beings are such intricate creatures..our health and immune systems vary from person to person too. That’s a big reason why sometimes I get positive feedback and sometimes I get negative feedback.
What I can’t stand is when the company that makes the product contacts me privately attempting to BULLY me and DICTATE what I am to do with MY site. Uh HELLO… you’re not my boss. I don’t work for you. I don’t have to listen to you. I don’t have to respond to your e-mails. I can post whatever I want to on MY site. I am entitled to my opinion as is everyone else and especially since I live in the United States of America. We have freedom of speech in this country and I will not be HARASSED by anyone or anything. I don’t care how much money you have OR what kind of FOWL LANGUAGE you use to try and persuade me to listen to you OR ELSE.
Can you tell I don’t take too kindly to being threatened?
Everything that folks share with me to post on my pages is true for them and the circumstances that they are in. My advice to you is if you don’t like what you see on my site, don’t read it. If you are trying to find out about a product or service…and it pertains to YOUR health…please see your doctor. If you find a product OR site that sounds to good to be true…chances are…it probably is.
I can tell which items of interest are snake oil and which products are legit and offer comfort for people. It’s usually the people that make and sell the items that contact me CURSING me left and right and THREATENING me that make me believe that they don’t believe in their own product. Otherwise why would my little feedback pages cause such hostility?
Right?
YOU can’t tell me what to do with my site. You can’t tell me to take something down OR to add to it. It’s my site. You’re not my boss. I will not be BAMBOOZLED by your rudeness. You will not tell me to remove anybody’s comments as there comments and opinions do not belong to you and YOU are not the thought police OR mind control.
If you are so worried about your sales… stop fighting with me and work on your web site. It’s not very professional looking. Your goal should be to please the people that visit your site and stop looking at my site. I’m not the competition. I’m not selling these so-called “miracle cures.” YOU ARE. And I don’t work for you!!
I actually had some TWIT write to me just the other day to tell me the following:
“Please remove your irrelivant research. As it does not concern you or your viewers.”
Who the FLYING PURPLE PEOPLE EATER do you think you are telling me what to do with MY SITE???
Word of advice from my blog to your eyes… MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS and stop looking at my site if you don’t like what’s on it.
I just wanted to say that I think you have provided an INCREDIBLE website…one that is full of hope.
I was just diagnosed with HSV-2 today and am still numb by the conversation with my doctor. I have a boyfriend of 5 years whom I will be telling tomorrow evening about my discovery.
Your website has given me a new found strength for tomorrow’s mission. And I pray to God that he is accepting and understanding and supportive and doesn’t walk away.
You are a true inspiration and so I thank you for your candid honesty. Thank you, thank you for hope.
Okay, let’s put this drama to rest. No, it’s not a rude way to ask such a personal question. There was no inflection of an attitude when I asked that question. How she answered it (yes or no) would determine how I would respond to her post. There is a member on this site that WAS raped and consequently received The Gift at a very young age so SHE clearly didn’t sign up to have herpes but I have a feeling that that isn’t the case with this particular member. Does it make me angry at the American way of blatantly NOT taking responsibility of their own actions? Yes! Am I firm believer that YOU ARE THE MASTER OF YOUR OWN FATE? Yes, and yes I was yelling. “Acceptance” is the first step in healing but most of what I hear is that people don’t even want to accept their own role in contracting this virus. As a moderator, I feel like I have to be touchy-feely all the time but sometimes (just like Angela) I get ANGRY listening to the whiners that have no intention of taking our advice because they are too busy feeling sorry for themselves. “My dating life is over” … pfffft! Is that all you are??? A walking piece of flesh that’s only good for sex??? Do you plan on jumping into bed with EVERY person you go on a date with??? C’mon, people … raise your standards!
Yanno, when I was diagnosed with this at the age of 20, I stayed with the man that I was with at the time that may or may not have given this to me (if he had it first, he was asymptomatic). I went through all of the stages of grief including (and especially) anger. Eventually, I married him then he died in 2002. It was like being diagnosed ALL OVER AGAIN. I thought NO ONE would want me and I thought that the worst thing about herpes was that it wasn’t AIDS and it wouldn’t kill me and I would have to live with this for the rest of my life. I looked at myself, in essence, as a leper. I felt everything that all of you are feeling now TWICE. Through an unrelated support network, I came to realize that that is “stinkin’ thinkin’”, it was stupid and it wasn’t benefiting me at all. I am STILL beautiful, intelligent, witty, loyal … ALL of the things that I was before and, if you ask me (and even most men), I’m still better than most of the competition out there because I took the necessary time to learn who I am without a significant other. I don’t NEED a man to define who I am and I look at most of them as not being worthy of The Talk.
The problem with this virus is that it seems to be drawn to people that had poor self-confidence before and this is enough to send them over the edge. If you didn’t love who you were before your diagnosis, then take the time to make it happen now. What exactly is so terrible about not being in a relationship or dating anyone? I don’t get that but, then again, I was a totally different person when I was in my 20s and I wouldn’t go back to that period for all the money in the world.
Yes, we refer to this as a ’skin condition’ or as ‘not a big deal’ and someday (if you try), you’ll get there, too. I’m sure that we are all sorry that this obviously offends some of you but I’m not trading my attitude for the one you have. And you will NEVER find me doing something so irresponsible as having sex even once (for some of you, MORE than once) without disclosing my status. If you can’t hold your liquor, you may want to give it up because what you’re doing is not fair and it’s not moral.
