Foods to Avoid with Herpes: A Practical Guide

Living with herpes can be challenging, but making smart food choices can help manage outbreaks and improve your quality of life. Many people don’t realize that diet plays an important role in herpes management. Certain trigger foods might exacerbate outbreaks or make symptoms worse, while others can actually help prevent flare-ups. Key Takeaways Foods high…

Understanding Brown Vaginal Discharge

Vaginal discharge is a normal bodily function that helps maintain a healthy environment by flushing out bacteria and dead cells. While clear or white discharge is common, brown vaginal discharge can sometimes raise concerns.   Characteristics of Brown Vaginal Discharge Brown discharge can vary in color, consistency, and timing. It may appear as follows: Light brown…

How Long Does it Take for Herpes to Show Up?

When you’re worried about herpes, waiting for symptoms can be stressful. Maybe you’ve had an encounter that’s left you concerned, or you’ve just learned a partner has herpes. Whatever your situation, understanding the timeline of herpes symptoms can help you make informed decisions about your health. Key Takeaways Herpes symptoms typically appear 2-12 days after…

Can You Get Hepatitis C from a Tattoo?

Getting a tattoo is an exciting way to express yourself, but it’s important to be aware of potential health risks. One concern that often comes up is the possibility of contracting hepatitis C virus (HCV) from tattooing. In this article, we’ll explore the connection between tattoos and hepatitis C, discuss the risks, and provide guidance…

Can You Spread HIV by Breastfeeding? What You Need to Know

Breastfeeding is one of the most natural and nurturing ways a mother can infant feed, but for parents living with HIV, it comes with important considerations. If you are wondering whether an HIV infection can be transmitted through breastfeeding, the short answer is yes—it is possible. However, the risk varies greatly depending on factors like…

HIV Transmission in Serodiscordant Couples

Today’s post focuses on preventing HIV transmission in discordant couples, or “serodiscordant couples,” in which one member of the couple is HIV-positive and the other is not. The first and perhaps simplest way to reduce rates of transmission in discordant couples is the use of barrier methods, such as condoms. However, condoms can–and sometimes do–break….

My Partner Has Herpes

Wow. You just met Mr. Wonderful and he informs me that you has genital herpes.  What should you do? This is quite a common question in sexual health clinics.  Let’s start with checking your herpes status.  Remember, 45 million Americans have genital herpes and its estimated that only 10 – 20% of those folks know…