Dear Counsellor:
Is there a cure for AIDS? My son has been infected with AIDS for some years now and he is doing well except that he gets sick every now and then. I heard that there is herbal treatment that could get rid of the virus from the body. Is there any truth about this herbal treatment?
Concerned Mother
Dear Concerned Mother:
I'm sorry to hear that your son is infected with HIV the virus that causes AIDS. There is still no known cure for HIV or AIDS, although a concentrated research effort continues in hope of finding one.
Researchers are working on several types of treatment, including the use of antiviral drugs to prevent HIV from reproducing. These drugs have been helpful in prolonging the lives of some patients with opportunistic infections. There are also drugs to boost the immune system, surgery, radiation and other drug treatments to help patients overcome infections, cancers and other illness associated with HIV/AIDS. However, no treatment has yet been successful in completely getting rid of the virus from the body.
Can i get infections
from birth control?
Dear Counsellor:
I am on the birth control pill but my boyfriend says I should stop taking it because it can give me a bad infection in my vagina and my tube. Is that really true about the pill?
Loving Girlfriend
Dear Loving Girlfriend:
The contraceptive pill will not cause you to have infections in your vagina or your tube. The contraceptive pill may cause certain changes in a woman's vagina, for example, women on the pill will usually notice that they have a little more discharge from their vagina, and are moister than before they started taking the pill. The birth control pill is a very effective method of birth control, therefore, any decision not to use it must be based on consultation with your health care provider and a suitable alternative be recommended. It is important for you to know that women on the pill like any other women should practice safer sex to prevent infection with sexually transmitted infections.
What is gardnerella?
Dear Counsellor:
I did a pelvic examination and my doctor told me that everything is fine except that I have an infection called gardnerella. What are the symptoms of this infection? I have never heard of it!
Sister
Dear Sister:
Gardnerella is a vaginal infection caused by bacteria called gardnerella vaginalis and it is not as well known as a yeast infection or trichomoniasis ('trich').
Symptoms include a moderate discharge from the vagina with an unpleasant smell, which is noticed especially during sexual intercourse. The discharge is grayish and may be frothy, but seldom causes an irritation unless another infection is present. Please follow your doctor's instructions carefully and it is best to avoid sexual intercourse until treatment is complete.
Am i gay?
Dear Counsellor:
Do you have to have sex before you know whether you are straight or gay?
Worried Person
Dear Worried Person:
No. It is all about whom you are attracted to, who makes you tingle, and who turns you on. You could be a virgin on your wedding night and still you are attracted to your wife/husband. You don't have to have sex to prove anything to anyone, including yourself.
For more information on condom use HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections call the AIDS/STD Helpline at 967-3830, 967-3764 or toll free at 1888-991-4444 or write to AIDS Affairs, c/o the Star, 7 North Street, Kingston.
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