Dating and having an active social life is hard for those who are infected with herpes because people are so afraid in this day and age that they back off in fear of catching something. This is why anyone who lives with herpes should be forthright and honest with their partners because it’s not fair to them if you’re intimately involved with them and they have no idea you’re infected with a contagious virus. It hurts some people when they’re being pushed away when they have to disclose their status to someone. Some people who are not out here to intentionally infect people are likely to have an active social and dating life. They usually feel comfortable with someone who is also in the same predicament because then they don’t feel like social pariahs when they can be at ease with someone who is also a carrier of herpes. Technology has gotten pretty savvy in terms of having the dating world come to you straight off the screen of a computer and you can look for a date in the privacy and comfort of your own home.

   There are countless websites that are geared towards people who have medical issues to be able to still have a dating life. Two of the most popular is Antopia and Positive Singles which are geared towards people who have HIV, Herpes, and other sexually transmitted diseases since they will likely never get responses from anyone if they joined sites like Match.com and Eharmony.com. It’s a great concept so that people who do have herpes aren’t feeling left out and possibly ostracized for having an STD and it gives them a chance at having normal relationships and marriages like everyone else in the world. It’s not easy to live with an incurable viral infection because it can harbor your social and love life because of the intense fear many people go through dating someone who they learn has a contagious disease or virus. For those who are dealing with and living with herpes can do a search on Google under dating for people with herpes or diseases.

    It’s practical for these sites because it gives those who live with herpes and other diseases like HIV, HPV (human papiloma virus), and AIDS to be able to still enjoy the same things everyone else does which are having an active social, dating, and love life.

No tags

Part-Time Phlebotomist- Any Lab Test Now!

McKinney, TX

Reports To: ANY LAB TEST NOW Owner and Manager

The Phlebotomist will be responsible for all operations when the owner/manager is not at the site.  It’s important that the phlebotomist has both strong people and clinical skills. 

If interested, email resume with references to plano@anylabtestnow.com.

No tags

Full Time Medical Assistant/Chief Phlebotomist-Any Lab Test Now

McKinney, TX

Reports To: ANY LAB TEST NOW Owner

The Medical Assistant will be responsible for all operations when the owner is not at the site.  It’s important that the MA has both strong people and clinical skills. 

If interested, email resume with references to plano@anylabtestnow.com.

No tags

Fox News reported earlier this month that Washington D.C. had implemented free STD testing to 3,000 high school students.  A whopping 13% came back positive for either an STD, mostly gonorrhea and/or chlamydia.  Should Dallas implement a similar free STD testing program?

STD Testing Center Dallas

Being a conservative my knee-jerk reaction is to say “no” at the first mention of government spending, and calling hand-outs from the government free STD testing is a slap in the face to the hard-working middle class that will surely pay for this program.

Sadly, I must create a hypothetical to get my mind over this hurdle.  Let’s say that this program will be funded by a new drug program where we take all the marijuana confiscated in a school district and ship it to California to be sold as medicinal marijuana. 

Moving along, will this program solve or create problems.  There is an ongoing argument over teaching teens abstinence or safe sex.  What problems could this possibly create?

• Would providing free STD testing in Dallas encourage or deter promiscuity?
• Would another “free” government program add yet another brick to the entitlement mentality?
• Would the program have to cover high school dropouts and illegals?

All in all, I would have to admit that I believe that this program would be a good thing.  Anyone that has had an STD test knows the anxiety that follows.  How many times you promise yourself will never have premarital sex again and how sex isn’t worth the stress. 

Teens are among the highest risk group considering they are walking hormones and are notorious for making poor decisions.  It would be my hypothesis that if you can reduce the STD rate among teens than you will also see a reduction in the STD rate among adults. 

STD testing in Dallas is a booming industry at the moment and shows no signs of slowing down.  Heck, I created an entire blog devoted to this specific topic.   You would be amazed how ignorant people are when it comes to being educated and aware of the problems and dangers of sexually transmitted diseases.  Men are the worst.  If they have some lunatic uncle that believes it is only women that can have an STD without showing symptoms than they believe it. 

I also get emails from time to time from hypochondriacs.  These poor souls.  I am not a doctor so the only advice I can give is references from credible sources and an offer to get them tested.  A negative result is met with short-lived relief and soon a new medical fear emerges.

No tags

The Virgin Cure Myth

Have you ever heard of the “Virgin Cure” for HIV/AIDS?  Everyday in Africa approximately 60 young children are raped because some nut job believes it will cure HIV and/or AIDS.

Currently, there are estimated to be from 4.2 to 4.7 million individuals affected by the pandemic in South Africa and these figures are projected to rise to well in excess of 6 million by the year 2010.  Approximately 1700 new HIV/Aids infections occur daily in Ninety-five percent of new infections occur in developing countries.  HIV kills 3 million people worldwide, 580,000 of them children younger than 15 yrs old.

According to the South African Police Service, 21,000 child rape cases were reported last year.  Although this figure is staggering it is believed that only one in 35 rape cases are actually reported. 

The Virgin Cure myth is not constrained to Africa.  Most developing countries have cultural sects which embrace this perverse belief.  India and Thailand for example, have entrenched the so-called Virgin Cure within its belief systems.  The origin of the Virgin Cure goes has been traced back to 16^th century Europe.  Although this pre-dates HIV infections, sex with a virgin was believed to be a cure for syphilis, gonorrhea, and other sexually transmitted diseases.  Syphilis is fatal in later stages; however, stage I syphilis may have symptoms that disappear on their own.  This natural disappearance may have been falsely attributed to some sicko molesting a child.  The Virgin Cure myth spread massively across the globe post-WWII when the troops headed home. 

This may lead one to the conclusion that South Africa must have an unusually high number of pedophiles in its population given the incidence of sexual violence against children. This may not be the case considering most pedophilic activities are generally premeditated.  It is also important to note that the vast majority of child sexual abuse cases occur within the family, and this most often does not fit reported cases in Africa. 

It is important to distinguish between child and infant rape.  Child rape of children from five years and over occurs all over the world but the rape of infant girls occurs much more often in Africa. Many attribute the belief in the Virgin Cure to South Africa’s political and socio-economic. The motives as to why people rape infants also do not conform to the traditional motives as to why people commit rape. Infant rape does not have the power and sexual motive.

No tags

Herpes of the Mouth

 There are several ways to test for the herpes virus. Among the tests available are a herpes viral culture, a herpes virus antigen detection test, a polymerase chain reaction test, and antibody testing. Some tests are less convenient because they require an active sore to be present. This raises a problem since some people are asymptomatic meaning they have no visible sores or symptoms.

 The herpes viral culture can only be performed when an active sore is present. Cells from the sore are collected with a swab and tested. This test is known for producing false negatives, meaning that it fails to find the virus even when it is present.

 The next type of testing, herpes virus antigen detection testing, is often done in combination with the viral culture. Again, this test requires an active sore to be present. Cells from the sore are scraped off and smeared onto a slide. This test looks for antigens on the surface of the cells.

 The polymerase chain reaction test finds the DNA of the virus. This can be done on cells or fluid from a sore although this is not common. It can also use blood or spinal fluid to determine if herpes has caused an infection on or around the brain. This type of test can distinguish between HSV-1 and HSV-2 (genital).

 The antibody test is a blood test to detect antibodies made by the immune system to fight the herpes virus. This test cannot tell the difference between a current active herpes infection and an infection that occurred in the past. If one has recently been infected, this may not produce a positive since the antibodies take time to develop after the first infection. This test is convenient since an active sore does not have to be present.

 Currently in the Dallas area, Any Lab Test Now is a lab testing facility that performs the antibody test for herpes. Early detection is the best way to prevent spreading this virus.

No tags

One out of five people living in Dallas are infected with herpes.  It comes to no surprise that women would be concerned about herpes during pregnancy. Many outbreaks and symptoms of herpes are so mild, they may go unnoticed. This concerns many women that have ever had unprotected sex in the past. They may have contracted genital herpes without even knowing. On the other hand, some women may already know that they are infected. The concern of the effects this could have on an unborn child could lead to stress which in turn could cause problems during pregnancy.

 The risk of a baby contracting herpes during birth is extremely small. Transmission risks are lowest for women who acquired herpes before pregnancy and who have no signs or symptoms of an outbreak at delivery. The chances of transmission are highest when a woman acquires genital herpes late in pregnancy since her body may not have had time to pass the antibodies to the baby through the placenta. This fact, however, doesn’t eliminate the future parents’ fears.

Pregnant with Herpes?

The results can be tragic when an infant does contract neonatal herpes. Only around half of the infants treated with antiviral medication avoid permanent damage. Others, however, may suffer serious neurological damage, mental retardation, or even death. Many people undergo STD testing before trying to become pregnant. Still others receive the testing once they are already pregnant at their ob/gyn appointment. The problem is that this testing usually only consists of chlamydia and gonorrhea tests. Even if a patient requests herpes testing, they are often told that the testing cannot be done unless there is a current outbreak with visible sores. In the Dallas area, over one million people are infected with herpes. Luckily, there is a solution for being tested even if one has never had an outbreak. Select testing centers located in the Dallas area such as Any Lab Test Now in Plano offer confidential blood tests which are able to detect the herpes virus.

Early detection during pregnancy can help healthcare providers manage the infection and minimize the risk. There is the possibility of C-section delivery to avoid the risk of transmission. Although it may be an uncomfortable topic to discuss with one’s practitioner, it is important to keep the baby’s well being in mind. If in doubt, the best course of action is to be tested and inform one’s practitioner of any concerns.

No tags

Test Results in 24 hours

I personally have experienced the anxiety that comes with getting a HIV or STD test.  It would be ideal to get a rapid or instant STD test, but that isn’t realistic.  I was speaking with the MA at Any Lab Test Now in North Dallas and she said they usually have test results back within 24hours.  This is phenomenally quick considering most doctors’ clinics take 1-2 weeks. 

Confidential Lab Testing Center

Any Lab Test Now in North Dallas is discreetly located on the second floor in a Plano shopping center.  Typically, there are no more than 2 people there when you show up.  This also means you can be in-and-out within 15 minutes from the moment you walk in the door.  All their employees are certified MA’s and trained in HIPAA rules and regulations. 

Any Lab Test Now in North Dallas

There is currently a location in Plano with three more scheduled to opening the North Dallas area within the next 2 years.  Any Lab Test Now in McKinney has set a Grand Opening date of October 1^st.  Apart from being a choice STD testing center, their business includes every lab test imaginable. 

STD Testing Centers to avoid

I am not going to tell you where not to go.  Instead, I will give you a list of things to consider. 

• Price – Watch out for hidden specimen processing fees.  Any Lab Test Now in North Dallas does a comprehensive STD panel for $229.
• Anonymity – I don’t know about you, but I did not want to provide my name.  Any Lab Test Now allows you to list your name as “Anonymous”.
• Speed – Make sure you visit a STD center that can get results back fast.  Typically 24-48hrs. 

No tags

Asus – Eee PC Netbook

MISSION: Write an article discussing “sexually transmitted diseases” in order to create public awareness of STDs & Any Lab Test Now in Plano, TX. This may include(but not be limited to) an anonymous STD experience of someone you know, Plano/Dallas STD awareness or Dallas STD facts & statistics.

Instructions:

1. Write & post a 400+ word article pertaining to the topic: Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
2. Spell Check & Proof your article.
3. Email your article in .doc or .pdf format to Promo@AnyLabTestNorthDallas.com
4. Include your name, phone number & address.
5. You will receive a confirmation email in approximately 24-48hrs with a link to your article.
6. Winner will be notified and prize mailed October 1st, 2009.

Winning Criteria: 

This promotion is created to drive web traffic to our website. Therefore, the winner of this contest will be determined on who writes the most acceptable “STD” & “Dallas” related articles.

Prize: Asus – Eee PC Netbook (follow link for more information)

• Asus Eee PC Netbook with Intel® Celeron® Processor
• 4-cell lithium-ion battery
• Software: Microsoft Works, Adobe Acrobat Reader and Windows Live

Restrictions & Information: Poorly written articles will not be accepted. “Poorly written” constitutes bad grammar, irrelevant content, plagiarism, or misspellings. This promotion is only for the Any Lab Test Now® in Plano, TX. This franchise is locally owned, and franchise owner Greg Johnson assumes all responsibility with this promotion.

Legal Disclaimer: Any Lab Test Now® in Plano, TX reserves the right to alter this promotion at any time in order to comply with local or federal laws.

No tags

A friend of a friend who is a nurse got accidently stuck the other day with a used needle at work.  The hospital he works for has a great policy about when to get tested, get retested and they even provide psychological support.  However, when should regular folk get tested?  Whether you shared a dirty needle or slept with someone nasty this should be your personal policy. 

HIV Virus Invading a Cell

First things first, get an HIV test asap.  Even if the event occurred yesterday, it is a good idea to make sure you can establish that you were HIV negative before the event.  This question will constantly be on your mind if you do show up HIV positive.  Doubt will creep in your mind, and you will wake up in a panic at the thought that you may have spread the HIV virus unknowingly to others.  If you show up HIV positive, it is your business only and I doubt you want to hunt down everyone you have ever been with to alert them that you are HIV positive and that they may be as well.  Additionally, the first thing that will happen when you tell someone they gave you HIV is that they will deny it.  For your wellbeing as well as others, get this test as soon as possible. 

If you live in the Dallas area, I suggest you get tested at Any Lab Test Now in Plano, TX.  It only costs $39 with a coupon.  You can give them an alias, no appointment needed, and your results are ready in 2 business days.  You may be waiting 2 weeks or more if you go to your physician or a free clinic.  Regardless of where you get tested, expect to get a call when your results are ready.  This is required by law and does not mean you are HIV pos or HIV neg.

Your next test should be 30 days from the possible transmission.  HIV tests actually look for antibodies, not the virus itself.  It takes 2 to 8 weeks for these antibodies to be produced to a measurable amount.  This 30-day test is more of a possible early detection HIV test.  A negative HIV test does not put you in the clear.  It just gives you a little piece of mind.  Do not give into fears if you have weight-loss, weird bumps/pimples or night sweats.  It is too early to get symptoms.

Your best early detection HIV tests comes around 90 days.  This test is common in most hospital policies for accidental sticks.  If you get an HIV negative result then, it is pretty safe to say you are in the clear. 

It is also advisable to get a yearly HIV test even if you have not been in a high risk category.  If you have learned anything from your scare it should be that early detection and public awareness is essential in battling HIV. 

 If you are HIV positive, do not think your life is over.  Currently, there are medications that can keep the virus so low it can not even be detected.  There are millions upon millions of research dollars being put towards HIV research.  It won’t be long before someone finds a vaccine or cure.

No tags