AIDS

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a result of HIV that is untreated and/or medication non-compliance. AIDS can be reversed to HIV with proper medical care and medication compliance. Progression to AIDS is determined by lab work and the presence of at least one opportunistic infection.

Symptoms of AIDS include rapid, unintentional weight loss, recurring fever, prolonged swelling of lymph nodes, diarrhea lasting more than a week, extreme and unexplained tiredness, and sores of the mouth, anus, and genitals.

If you have any of these symptoms, please let your provider know and as soon as possible.

HIV

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. If left untreated, HIV will lead to AIDS. The minimum time from exposure to being able to detect HIV via a test (incubation period) is about 21 days. Early symptoms of HIV are similar to the flu, low grade fever, headaches, joint pain, muscle pain, etc, and these symptoms make last for 2 – 3 weeks. The average person is HIV positive for 2 years before diagnosis.

The group with highest cases of NEW diagnosis is in African American males, between the ages of 14 and 24, who have sex with other men. Anyone who has sex with someone who has HIV is at risk for contracting HIV. The most effective way to prevent HIV is not having sex, followed by PrEP and condoms. NMPHC prescribes PrEP and provides condoms to our patients.

Today we treat HIV with Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). When taken as prescribed, people with HIV have the opportunity to live long, happy, healthy lives. We treat HIV as a chronic disease similar to the way we treat hypertension and diabetes with regular visits with your provider, regular bloodwork, and daily medication. The goal is to keep the viral level at an undetectable level. Rapid HIV screenings are available at no cost at all of our locations.

People with HIV are at a greater risk for opportunistic infections including pneumonia, tuberculosis (TB), and hepatitis. People with HIV are at greater risk for a simple infection becoming more serious and need to seek medical care for symptoms that worsen or do not improve in 2 – 3 days. People with HIV also have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, inflammatory disease, and mental health conditions.

For more information, go to www.hiv.gov.

ART (Anti Retroviral Therapy)

We prescribe both oral and injectable ART medications.

Cabenuva is injectable and follows the same administration schedule as Apretude.

Biktarvy and Dovato are the two oral medications we prescribe.  Both are taken daily. 

All these medications can be obtained through prescription assistance.

 PrEP and Doxy PrEP

Pre Exposure Prophylaxis aka PrEP. This is medication traditionally given to patients who live a high risk lifestyle or simply request PrEP.  PrEP is taken to prevent an infection with HIV.  When taken properly it is 98% effective.

PrEP comes in two forms, oral and injectable.  We offer both.

Descovy is oral PrEP for people who are not having vaginal intercourse.  It is taken daily to prevent HIV.  It is typically prescribed with Doxycycline (Doxy PrEP). Doxycycline 200 mg is to be taken within 24 hours of any unprotected sex to prevent syphilis.

Truvada is oral PrEP for people who do have vaginal sex.  It is taken daily to prevent HIV and is prescribed as Doxy PrEP as well.

Apretude is injectable PrEP.  We do prescribe this as well.  First dose wait 30 days, take the second dose, then it’s every other month.  It is also prescribed with Doxy. This medication is used for people who do and do not have vaginal sex. 

Patients may start PrEP immediately upon receipt of a negative HIV test. 

Prescription assistance is available for all these medications.  The forms require a provider signature. We can print the forms and submit them from the office. Apretude has to be sent directly to the clinic. 

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis (Trich) is a parasitic (Sexually Transmitted Infection) STI transmitted by unprotected intercourse. Symptoms may include genital itching, burning with urination or a foul smelling, frequently green in color, discharge. Symptoms usually appear between 5 and 28 days of exposure. 70% of people who have Trich have no symptoms. Left untreated Trich may cause infertility or pregnancy complications.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection transmitted via unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal intercourse. Symptoms may include painful urination, genital discharge, or abdominal pain. Many people have no symptoms. Chlamydia is the most common STI. Left untreated Chlamydia may cause infertility and pregnancy complications. Anyone who has unprotected sex may contract Chlamydia.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a curable bacterial infection transmitted via unprotected sex. It may spread through oral, vaginal, or oral sex. Symptoms may include burning with urination or genital discharge, though many people have no symptoms. Left untreated Gonorrhea may cause infertility. Contact your local NMPHC clinic for testing and treatment.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a bacterial infection. It is mainly spread through sexual contact (especially with any open sores) in the vaginal, anal, and oral areas. Syphilis can be spread from mother to child. This is congenital syphilis and has increased 1000% in the last year in Mississippi and be fatal to infants. Syphilis cannot be contracted through contact with a toilet seat, doorknob, etc.

The first sign of syphilis is a painless chancre at the site of the infection. As chancre is painless it is often unnoticed. It first appears about 3 weeks after contact with an infected person and disappears in about 3 – 6 weeks.

The second sign, and often the most noticeable, is a rash. This rash is frequently not itchy and red or reddish brown in color. The rash usually starts on the trunk of the body before spreading across the rest of the body including the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. You may also have fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, fever, or a sore throat.

Once the rash resolves, Syphilis enters the “hidden” or latent stage. This phase may last for years with no symptoms. Left undetected, Syphilis may entire the last stage or “tertiary syphilis”. Tertiary syphilis may affect the brain, eyes, and other body parts.

Anyone concerned about current or previous syphilis should contact the nearest NMPHC clinic and request a rapid syphilis test. Syphilis screenings are available at no cost at all of our locations.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a liver infection spread through contact with blood and body fluids (typically sexual contact or sharing needles).  Hepatitis C is frequently seen in people with HIV and those who use IV drugs.  Hepatitis C may be  cleared by the body spontaneously or may become chronic.  Medication is available to treat Hepatitis C.  A simple blood test is used to diagnose Hepatitis C.

Herpes Simplex

There are two types of Herpes Simplex Virus or HSV.  Shingles (caused by herpes zoster) is a cousin to HSV.  It is not a sexually transmitted infection.

HSV 1 is the type of Herpes virus that typically causes cold sores.  In recent years, HSV 1 has increasingly caused genital herpes outbreaks.

HSV 2 is primarily found in the genital region and is transmitted oral, vaginal, or anal sex.  

Herpes usually presents with painful, itchy, fluid filled blisters.  From time of transmission to first symptoms is normally 6 – 8 days, though it may take up to 26 days for symptoms to appear.  Outbreak frequency and timing vary from person to person. Herpes may be spread by people without symptoms or an active outbreak.  Condoms will help prevent the transmission of Herpes. Herpes increases the risk of HIV because open sores provide additional access points for the virus.