If you’re sexually active, it’s vital to take precautions to avoid contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Fellowship-trained urologist and sexual medicine specialist Dr. Joshua Gonzalez provides HIV and STI prevention solutions to protect you, reducing the risk of contracting or spreading sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Schedule an evaluation at Joshua R. Gonzalez, MD, in the West Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, by phone or request one online today.
HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention with Dr. Gonzalez involves strategies that reduce your risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease or STD. These diseases are caused by bacteria, parasites, or viruses that can spread from person to person during sexual contact. Some STIs are curable, while others (including HIV) are not but can be managed to prevent spreading them to others.
When not treated, HIV weakens the immune system and increases the risk of contracting other STDs, such as genital herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, human papillomavirus (HPV), trichomoniasis, and hepatitis A, B, and C.
HIV and other STDs pass from an infected person to their partner through vaginal secretions, semen, blood, or other bodily fluids. These infections can also spread to infants from their mothers during pregnancy or childbirth and via shared needles or blood transfusions.
Symptoms of STIs include:
Symptoms associated with HIV specifically include a fever, headaches, muscle aches, joint pain, a rash, and painful mouth sores. You might develop swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, diarrhea, oral yeast infections, or shingles.
If left untreated, HIV can worsen and progress to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition characterized by a very damaged immune system. You might experience frequent infections, chills, sweats, a recurring fever, rapid weight loss, weakness, and chronic fatigue.
Symptoms might appear within a few days, weeks, months, or even years after being exposed to HIV or another STI. However, these diseases don’t always cause noticeable symptoms.
Dr. Gonzalez develops a plan to protect you against contracting HIV and other STIs. Examples include:
STD testing consists of blood testing, urine tests, or fluid swabs from open sores.
If you have HIV or another STI, treating your condition with medications may cure it or reduce the risk of spreading your disease to someone else, a key element of STI prevention with Dr. Gonzalez. You might take antibiotics for a specified time or antiviral drugs, which may be required daily.
Schedule an evaluation at Joshua R. Gonzalez, MD, by calling his office or using the online booking feature today.
Reference:
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic