HIV is more easily transmitted to people with other STDs, such as genital warts. Those who have other STDs and are exposed to HIV through a sexual encounter should strongly consider taking HIV PEP, which is a medication regimen that can decrease the chances of a lifelong HIV infection.
HIV is one of the most feared sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). People with untreated HIV develop problems with their immune systems, and they begin to get other infections that wouldn’t normally be a problem for healthy people. Eventually, the disease progresses to its end stage, which is known as AIDS, and results in death. Medications are available, though they must be taken for life.
People who have certain other STDs have been shown to be more likely to acquire an HIV infection. That’s because these STDs cause a break in the mucous membrane of the genitals, and HIV can enter through that break more easily. Genital warts are one of the STDs that cause a higher risk for HIV infection.
Genital warts are one of the most common STDs. This is partly because the virus that causes %genital warts%, which is known as HPV, has no symptoms in many people. This allows it to be transmitted easily by people who don’t even know that they’re infected. Genital warts can also be very small and easily overlooked, although some warts are larger and may be painful or itchy.
If exposed to HIV, most people would like to do whatever is necessary to prevent themselves from developing a lifelong HIV infection. After an exposure, %HIV PEP% can help to prevent the virus from becoming established in the body. HIV PEP is a regimen of medications, taken for four weeks after the exposure. This helps to control the virus so that it can’t establish an infection.
%HIV PEP in Singapore% can be obtained at an STD clinic. You’ll need several HIV tests over a few months, to ensure that the virus hasn’t caused an infection. You may also need to be checked for other STDs, because it’s very common for more than one STD to be transmitted during a single sexual encounter. This makes an STD clinic the best place to go for your HIV testing and HIV PEP in Singapore.
Keep in mind that HIV PEP is intended to protect you after a single known exposure to HIV. If you have ongoing exposures (for instance, your regular sexual partner is HIV-positive), then PEP isn’t right for you. In this case, you could consider taking PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, to lower your chances of acquiring HIV. Discuss this with your health care provider if it applies to you.
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “HIV Basics – Testing.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published 5 May 2016. Accessed 21 Jun 2016. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/testing.html
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. “Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).” AIDS.gov. Published 21 Sep 2015. Accessed 21 Jun 2016. https://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/prevention/reduce-your-risk/post-exposure-prophylaxis/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Genital HPV Infection – Fact Sheet.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published 19 May 2016. Accessed 21 Jun 2016. http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm
Mayo Clinic Staff. “Genital Warts.” Mayo Clinic. Published 2 Jan 2014. Accessed 21 Jun 2016. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/genital-warts/basics/definition/con-20019380
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Anogenital Warts.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published 4 Jun 2015. Accessed 21 Jun 2016. http://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/warts.htm
References
Genital at Shim Clinic, Singapore