Disclaimer: If you think you have been exposed to HIV, please talk to a health care provider about PEP as soon as possible (within 72 hours). Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is an emergency Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention method where individuals start a 28-day course medication within 72 hours of HIV exposure in order to prevent an infection….
Tag: HIV
Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an HIV prevention method that involves HIV-negative individuals at risk of HIV infection taking a daily medication before being exposed to the virus. “Pre-exposure” means before coming into contact and “prophylaxis” stands for preventative treatment.1 At the time this article was updated, only two medications, under the brand names Truvada® and Descovy®, have been…
Sex and Poppers
“Poppers” is an informal term used to describe small vials or bottles containing a class of chemicals called alkyl nitrite, usually amyl nitrite, in liquid form. Originally, these bottles were given the name “poppers” from the sound the bottles made when opened or crushed. Each bottle contains a small amount of a highly volatile, clear…
Non-Sexual Transmission of STIs
Sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, are conditions typically passed from one person to another through sexual contact.. Despite their name, it is possible to transmit STIs through non-sexual interactions; however, non-sexual transmission of STIs is less common and often treatable. Misunderstanding what constitutes sexual activity, poor hygiene practices, and transmission from a pregnant parent to…
The History of the Condom
Background Condoms are a barrier method of contraception that can prevent unwanted pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted infections. A male condom is a thin sheath that is placed over the user’s erect penis before sexual activity to prevent direct contact of the penis with the partner’s skin, mucosa, and genital secretions.1 Though not…
A Timeline of HIV/AIDS
*This timeline primarily focuses on the AIDS epidemic as it was in the United States. For details on the origin of HIV/AIDS, click here. 1981 A cluster of patients in the United States are reported with a rare lung infection, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, and a rare type of cancer, Kaposi’s sarcoma. These conditions are usually…
The Origin of HIV/AIDS
The Origin of HIV/AIDS In 1981, the first reported cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) came to light in the United States. After many years of research into this new disease, scientists discovered human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and found evidence that this virus led to AIDS.1 While a novel popularized one man, Patient Zero,…
Male Circumcision
Male circumcision refers to the removal of the foreskin which surrounds the glans of the penis. This medical procedure—often considered to be the oldest documented surgical procedure—is mostly performed on infants, but it is not uncommon for adults to undergo circumcision as well.1 While it most likely began as a religious practice, circumcision is the…
The Pap Smear
A Pap smear, also known as a Papanicolaou test or Pap test, is a procedure that checks for abnormal cells on the cervix.1 It is named after George Papanicolaou, M.D., who is credited for developing the Pap smear.2 The Pap smear drastically transformed how early cervical cancer can be detected in females.2 The cervix is…