Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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 Questions related to sexually transmitted infections

{slider 1. What are the common symptoms of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in men?}

The symptoms depend on the STI you have. Mostly there will be few, or no symptoms and you might not know you have an STI. If there is risky sexual exposure, go to an STD clinic and get yourself tested. The symptoms of STIs in males are,

  • Discharge from the penis
  • Pain or burning sensation while urination
  • Painful blisters and ulcers around the genitals or anus
  • Warts are small, fleshy, mostly painless growths or bumps around the genitals or anus.
  • Lumps- Inguinal lymph nodes
  • Scrotal pain

{slider 2. What are the common symptoms of STIs in women?}

The symptoms depend on the STI you have. Mostly, there will be few, or no symptoms, and they might not know that they have an STI. The symptoms of STIs in females are,

  • abnormal Vaginal discharge: it could be yellowish, greenish, frothy, foul-smelling, or blood-stained.
  • Pain or burning sensation while urination
  • Painful blisters or ulcers around the genitals or anus
  • A tingling or itching around the genitals
  • Warts are small, fleshy, mostly painless growths or bumps around the genitals or anus
  • Pelvic pain
  • Dyspareunia causes pain while having sex
  • Lumps- Inguinal lymph nodes

{slider 3. Is there a treatment for STIs? Can STIs be cured completely?}

Yes, treatment is available for STIs, Some STIs can be completely cured. Some can be controlled to relieve symptoms. STIs caused by bacteria can be treated with antibiotics, but STIs caused by viruses may not be cured, although they can be managed.

{slider 4. Is there a connection between HIV and other STIs?}

HIV and other STIs can impact each other. The presence of STIs in an HIV-infected person can increase the risk of HIV transmission by increasing the HIV viral load. An HIV-negative person who has an STI can be at an increased risk of becoming infected with HIV through sex. This can happen if the STI causes ulceration or breaks in the skin (e.g. syphilis or herpes), or if it stimulates an immune response in the genital area (e.g. chlamydia or gonorrhea). HIV transmission is more likely in those with ulcerative STIs than in non-ulcerative STIs. Using condoms during sex is the best way to prevent the sexual transmission of infections, including HIV.
 

HIV-related questions

{slider 5. What is HIV?}

HIV is a virus. HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Viruses such as HIV cannot grow or reproduce on their own, they need to infect the cells of a living organism to replicate (make new copies of themselves). The human immune system usually finds and kills viruses fairly quickly, but HIV attacks the immune system itself - the very thing that would normally get rid of a virus.

{slider 6. What is HIV and what is AIDS?}

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which attacks our body’s immune system and weakens it. The immune system helps our body fight against infections. When a person is infected with HIV, the virus gradually attacks the immune system and damages the cells if remains without treatment, immune system functions fail, and it leads to the AIDS stage. AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It takes about 8–10 years to progress from HIV infection to the AIDS stage.

{slider 7. What are the symptoms of early HIV infection?}

You may get flu-like symptoms in the early stages of HIV infection, where you can have a fever, sore throat, skin rashes, and body aches, and they will go away without any treatment. You might not even get any symptoms at an early stage. Even if you get some symptoms, HIV infection can be easily missed unless you strongly suspect it.

{slider 8. What are the symptoms of late HIV infection? }

Until you reach the AIDS stage, you could be completely asymptomatic. At the AIDS stage, you will get opportunistic infections, and symptoms of them can be a significant loss of weight, loss of appetite, chronic cough, chronic diarrhoea, AIDS-related cancers, etc.

{slider 9. How could I know that I’m infected with HIV?}

When infected with HIV, you might not feel that you are infected, or others might not see from outside that you have an infection. The only way to find out if you are HIV infected is by doing an HIV test. HIV can be tested with blood or saliva.

For further info

{slider 10. Where can I get tested for HIV?}

You can get tested for HIV from any STD clinic, or a private laboratory after a discussion with the doctor/health care worker. Everyone who is tested for HIV should be offered a private and confidential pre- and post-test discussion with an experienced health professional. This discussion should provide you with the opportunity to discuss your concerns, gain information, and access support. At STD clinics trained medical staff carries out pre and post-test counselling maintaining confidentiality. There are 41 clinics island-wide where you can get a free HIV test. Also if you are unable to visit there is an HIV self-test freely available.

{slider 11. What is AIDS?}

AIDS is a medical condition. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. A person is diagnosed with AIDS when their immune system is too weak to fight off infections.

{slider 12. What is the immune system?}

The immune system protects your body against foreign objects and subsequent illnesses. It is made up of white blood cells, technically known as leukocytes. Approximately 2% of white cells are in the blood. The rest are elsewhere in the body, concentrating in places like the liver, spleen, and lymphatic system.

{slider 13. How does HIV cause AIDS?}

AIDS is caused by HIV. HIV gradually attacks cells in the immune system. As HIV progressively damages these cells, the body becomes more vulnerable to infections. When the immune system is weakened to a very low level, a person is said to have AIDS. It can be years before HIV has damaged the immune system enough for AIDS to develop.

{slider 14. What are the symptoms of AIDS?}

A person is diagnosed with AIDS when they have developed an AIDS-related condition or a symptom, called an opportunistic infection, or AIDS-related cancer. The infections are called ‘opportunistic’ because they take advantage of the opportunity offered by a weakened immune system.
Someone can be diagnosed with AIDS even if they have not developed an opportunistic infection. AIDS can be diagnosed when the number of immune system cells (CD4 cells) in the blood of an HIV-positive person drops below a certain level.

{slider 15. Is there a cure for AIDS?}

Worryingly, many people think there is a 'cure' for AIDS - which makes them, feel safer, and perhaps take risks that they otherwise wouldn't. However, there is still no cure for AIDS. The only way to stay safe is to be aware of how HIV is transmitted and how to prevent HIV infection.
There are drugs called antiretrovirals that can control the multiplication of the virus. As a result, the viral load is lowered, the immunity is restored, and the survival rate is increased. These drugs cannot completely kill HIV.

{slider 16. How long does it take for HIV to cause AIDS?}

Without any medication, about half the people with HIV would develop AIDS within 10 years of becoming infected. This time varies greatly from person to person and depends on many factors. There are host-specific and virus-related factors that influence the progression of HIV infection.

Anti-retroviral treatment has dramatically changed the progression time between HIV infection and the development of AIDS.

{slider 17. How well does HIV survive outside the body?}

HIV is unable to reproduce outside its living human host (unlike many bacteria or fungi, which may do so under suitable conditions), except under laboratory conditions; therefore, it does not spread or maintain infectiousness outside the human body.

{slider 18. Can I get HIV from kissing?}

HIV is not transmitted by kissing, so kissing on the cheek is very safe. Your unbroken skin is a good barrier even if the other person has the virus. No one has become infected by such ordinary social contact as dry kisses, hugs, and handshakes.

Open-mouth kissing is considered a very low-risk activity for the transmission of HIV. However, prolonged open-mouth kissing could damage the mouth or lips and allow HIV to pass from an infected person to a partner and then enter the body through cuts or sores in the mouth.

{slider 19. Can I get HIV from oral sex?}

The virus is present in blood and semen which means that this is a possible transmission route. There may be an increased risk if there is ejaculation, bleeding gums or sores anywhere in the mouth or around the lips (or genitals), or inflammation caused by common throat infections or sexually transmitted infections.

{slider 20. Can I get HIV from sharing a meal?}

No

{slider 21. Can I get HIV from using the same toilet?}

No

{slider 22. Can I get HIV through mosquito bites?}

No

{slider 23. Can a woman who has HIV pass on the disease to her unborn child or her newborn child through breastfeeding?}

An HIV-infected pregnant woman can pass the virus on to her unborn baby either before or during birth. HIV can also be passed on during breastfeeding. If a woman knows that she is infected with HIV, there are drugs she can take to greatly reduce the chances of her child becoming infected. Other ways to lower the risk include choosing to have a cesarean section delivery and avoiding breastfeeding. Today there is evidence that if a mother wants to breastfeed, she is encouraged to do it exclusively for 6 months without mixed feeding. Ideally, the mother should be on antiretroviral therapy so that her viral load is low and the risk of transmission through breast milk thus becomes low.

{slider 24. Can I get HIV from visiting barber saloons, getting a tattoo, or through body piercing?}

When visiting the barber saloons, there is no risk of infection unless the skin is cut and infected blood gets into the wound. Traditional 'cut-throat' razors used by barbers now have disposable blades, which should only be used once, thus eliminating the risk of blood-borne infections such as Hepatitis and HIV. There are no reports that the virus has been transmitted in this manner. If instruments contaminated with blood are not sterilized between clients and are used for skin piercing then there is a risk of HIV transmission. However, people who carry out body piercing or tattooing should follow procedures called 'universal precautions', which are designed to prevent the transmission of blood-borne infections such as HIV and Hepatitis B.
 

{slider 26. Can a person be HIV positive and be healthy looking?}

Yes of course. During the early stage of HIV infection even though the virus is replicating in the body there are no symptoms. But that person can transmit the virus to another person. This has been the case among most of our HIV-infected persons. The person with whom they had had a sexual encounter appeared healthy and did not suspect that the person may be carrying HIV.

{/sliders}

{slider 27. What is the period we should wait to get an HIV test done following risky sexual exposure? ( Window period)}

The only way to find out whether you are infected with HIV or not is to get an HIV test done. There is no test to identify HIV just after infection. There is a time lag between HIV entering the body and when a test can detect the virus or the antibodies developed in the body against the virus. It is called the "window period."

So, if you test too soon, there is a possibility that you may get a falsely negative result. The window period varies according to the test that you are being tested with. The combined antigen-antibody test, which is used in our clinics for screening, can pick up the viral antigen (P24) in 2 to 6 weeks after infection.

But the window period from finger prick rapid detection or oraquick (Saliva) test may take a little longer.  Almost every HIV-positive individual has detectable antibodies at 3 months.

{slider 28. Is there treatment available for HIV?}

Yes, there are treatments available for HIV to control the viral replication and they will help to lead a near-normal life.

{slider 29. Can HIV be cured with available treatment?}

No. The available treatment cannot cure HIV, but it can control the virus. So, you have to take the medicine for life and lead a quality, normal life.

{slider 30.How does HIV pass from one infected person to another?}

There are only three ways in which HIV can be transmitted from one person to another.

  • Having unprotected sex with an HIV-infected person
  • From an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy, at the time of delivery, or via breast milk.
  • By injection or transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products, donations of semen (artificial insemination), skin grafts or organ transplants taken from someone who is infected. Sharing unsterilized injection equipment that has previously been used by someone who is infected is a very efficient mode of HIV transmission.

Important to note,

  • HIV is not transmitted by sharing meals, sharing clothes, holding hands, lip kissing, or using the same toilet.

{slider 31.Is it possible to avoid HIV infection after a risky sexual encounter (Post-exposure prophylaxis following sexual exposure-PEPSE)?}

PEPSE is a short course of HIV medication taken soon after a possible exposure to HIV to prevent the virus from infecting your body cells. It must be started within 72 hours of possible sexual exposure, and it will be of no use if it is taken after that. Therefore, you must visit the nearest STD clinic for PEPSE if you are doubtful about the safety of sexual intercourse, since every hour counts. But PEPSE can only prevent HIV if taken correctly as advised by your doctor, and it cannot prevent sexually transmitted infections other than HIV. PEPSE is not a substitute for correct and consistent condom use.

{slider 32. Can HIV and STIs be transmitted by oral sex?}

HIV is present in blood and semen, which means that this is a possible transmission route.

There may be an increased risk if there is ejaculation, bleeding gums or sores anywhere in the mouth or around the lips (or genitals), or inflammation caused by common throat infections or sexually transmitted infections. Other STIs like syphilis, herpes, and gonorrhoea can be transmitted through oral sex.

{slider 33. Will I get HIV by kissing?}

HIV is not transmitted by kissing, so kissing on the cheek is very safe. Your unbroken skin is a good barrier even if the other person has the virus. No one has become infected by such ordinary social contact as dry kisses, hugs, and handshakes.

Open-mouth kissing is considered a very low-risk activity for the transmission of HIV. However, prolonged open-mouth kissing could damage the mouth or lips and allow HIV to pass from an infected person to a partner and then enter the body through cuts or sores in the mouth.

{slider 34. Will I get HIV by sharing food, clothes, or toilets with an HIV-infected person?}

No

{slider 35. Will I get HIV from mosquito bites?}

No

{slider 36. Can I get married if I have an STI or HIV?}

True. There is no barrier to getting married if you have an STI or HIV. But you must take all the precautions to prevent your marital partner from acquiring the illness from you. If it is HIV, you should come to regular clinic visits, keep your viral load undetectable, and always use condoms.

We encourage the divulgence of your status to your partner, which helps in a healthy and responsible relationship.

{slider 37. If I’m already infected with HIV, can I prevent HIV transmission to my sexual partner?}

Using condoms correctly and consistently can prevent HIV transmission from an infected person to a partner. If you are already infected, taking HIV medicines as prescribed by your doctor is of utmost importance since the transmission risk is zero if your viral load is undetectable. (U=U Undetectable=Untransmittable).

If there is a difficulty in using condoms consistently, there is another method of HIV prevention called Pre- Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) where people who don’t have HIV take HIV medication to reduce their risk of getting HIV. PrEP is also available in STD clinics, and you can discuss with the doctor your suitability.

{slider 38. If I’m already infected with HIV, can I have healthy babies?}

An HIV-infected woman can transmit the virus to her baby during pregnancy, at the time of delivery, and via breastfeeding. By taking HIV medicines as prescribed by your doctor correctly and having an undetectable viral load, and by regularly being followed up at the HIV clinic, you will be able to have healthy babies. Having a cesarean section as the mode of delivery and avoiding breastfeeding can further lower the risk of transmission. But if the mother wants to breastfeed, she is encouraged to do exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months while ensuring an undetectable viral load, but mixed feeding has to be avoided.

{slider 39. What should I do if I sustain a needle prick injury?}

If you are a healthcare worker and you sustained a needle stick injury, visit the nearest STD clinic with a blood sample of the source person in a plain tube. Post-exposure prophylaxis following occupational exposure is available at ST's clinics and more details are available on this website. Further info
 
General Questions

{slider 40. Is masturbation bad?}

Masturbation is a healthy form of sexual gratification. It does not have a risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted infection or any chance of pregnancy.

It can help you reduce stress, improve your mood, and relax.

But some people don't masturbate. Those people are also considered normal. 

But it will be problematic if you get addicted to masturbation and addicted to pornography, which would affect your day-to-day activities and lead to low sexual sensations during sexual intercourse.

{slider 41. Is there significance in the size of the penis?}

The size of the penis varies among different individuals. A micro penis is an abnormality that is diagnosed medically when the size of the erect penis is less than 3 inches, but it is only present in less than 1% of the population.

The size of the penis does not affect the sexual satisfaction of the male or his partner, and there are no approved medications to increase the size of the penis.

{slider 42. Can I book an HIV test and come for testing?}

Yes, you can get an appointment through www.know4sure.lk
 
General Questions

{slider 43. Can I get treatment for Sexual dysfunction from STD clinics?}

Yes, STD clinics provide sexual health services including treatment for Sexual dysfunction.

{slider 44. What is PEP?}

It is a method of HIV prevention following exposure to HIV infection. It should be taken as soon as possible not after 72 hours. This is available from the STD clinic network

For further info

{slider 45. What is PrEP?}

It is a method of HIV prevention to be taken before possible exposure to HIV infection. It can be taken daily or event-driven basis. This is available from the STD clinic network.

For further info

{slider 46. How to get free condoms and lubricants?}

You can come to an STD clinic and get free condoms and lubricants.

{slider 47. What are the clinic hours?}

Weekdays 8-4 pm and Saturday 8-12 am. For further info link up the Clinic schedule.

{slider 48. Do you need a doctor’s referral to come to an STD clinic?}

No need, you can walk into any of the STD/Sexual health clinics without a referral.

{slider 49. I had unprotected sex today- what are the services and tests available for me?}

A range of services including counselling, testing, and Post Exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is available for you. Please visit the nearest STD clinic or call the PEP hotline for further information.

Click here for more info

 

{slider 50. Can masturbation lead to sexual dysfunction?}

No

{slider 51. How to get a self-test? }

Call the self-test hotline at 0716379192.

{slider 52. How to get PrEP? }

Call the hotline at 0716379192 or call 0112667163.

{/sliders}