STD Pictures: Herpes, Genital Warts, Gonorrhea, STD Symptoms ...
Three 'painless' Symptoms That Could Be First Red Flag Signs Of Testicular Cancer
Testicular Cancer: Expert details main sign and symptomsAbbas Kanani, Pharmacist at Chemist Click Online Pharmacy, detailed the first symptoms of testicular cancer and how to check yourself.
Typically considered to be the first red flag of testicular cancer is a painless swelling or lump in one of the testicles, said Kanani.
The swelling or lump can be about the size of the pea, but it may be larger.
The expert added: "Any change in shape or texture of the testicles can also be a first red flag sign."
Other symptoms can follow, such as:
How to check for testicular cancer
A warm shower will help to relax the scrotum and the muscles holding the testicles, advised Kanani.
He continued: "Starting with one side, gently roll the scrotum with your fingers to feel the surface of the testicle. Check for any lumps, bumps or unusual features."
Kanani clarified: "Most lumps or swellings in the scrotum are not in the testicle and are not a sign of cancer, but they should never be ignored.
"See a GP if you notice a swelling, lump or any other change in one of your testicles."
While finding a lump could be scary, symptoms of testicular cancer can be very similar to other conditions.
Kanani explained: "A variety of conditions can cause signs and symptoms that are similar to those seen in testicular cancer, such as inflammation of the testicle."
There may be inflammation of the epididymis, too, which can cause swelling and pain in the testicle.
Compared to other cancers, testicular cancer is quite unusual as it tends to affect younger men.
The NHS states testicular cancer most commonly affects men between the ages of 15 to 49.
"The number of cases of testicular cancer diagnosed each year in the UK has roughly doubled since the mid-1970s," the health body adds.
While the reasons for this are unclear, testicular cancer is the most treatable type of cancer, so do not hesitate to book a doctor's appointment if you have symptoms.
How Long Does It Take For STD Symptoms To Show?
STDs, or STIs, usually pass from person to person through sexual contact. In most cases, a person can get an STI test within a few weeks of exposure.
Each STI has its own incubation period, which is how long it takes for symptoms to appear. In some cases, it can take months for an STI to show up on tests. In other cases, it may only take days.
This article explores the incubation periods of different STIs, how soon people can get tested, and the importance of testing.
The incubation period is how long it takes for symptoms to appear after exposure. The window period is how long it takes to get a positive test result for the infection after exposure. These periods are often similar.
Some general symptoms that indicate a person might have an STI include:
However, some STIs do not cause symptoms for many years, even though a person can still get a positive test result. This is why it is important to rely on testing, not just symptoms.
In most cases, a person can get an STI test within a few weeks of exposure. If a person has a curable STI, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, they may need a retest after treatment.
People at high risk of certain STIs should ask for a retest, even after a negative result. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend annual HIV testing for people at risk, such as those whose partners have HIV or people who share needles.
The testing window for common STIs is as follows:
HIVA nucleic acid test analyzes a blood sample for HIV. It can indicate a positive result 10–33 days after exposure. The antigen/antibody test, also a blood test, looks for HIV antibodies. It also looks for an antigen that the body produces before antibodies appear. It can get results 18–45 days after exposure.
The antibody test uses a blood or saliva sample to look for HIV antibodies. It takes the longest to get a reliable result, at 23–90 days after exposure. A person can be confident they do not have HIV if they get a negative test during the window period and have no subsequent contact with someone who could have the virus.
ChlamydiaA doctor can test for chlamydia by swabbing the vagina, cervix, rectum, or throat, or by taking a urine sample. If symptoms appear, they usually present within 7–21 days of exposure. A test can normally detect chlamydia within 1–2 weeks of exposure.
GonorrheaA doctor can test for gonorrhea with a urine sample. In some cases, they may also swab the urethra, anus, throat, or cervix to get a more reliable result.
Most tests can detect the infection within 5 days to 2 weeks of exposure. If a test is negative shortly after exposure, a doctor may recommend retesting 2 weeks later, particularly if a person has symptoms.
Gonorrhea symptoms usually appear from 1 day to 2 weeks after exposure.
HerpesHerpes symptoms usually appear quickly. On average, they present 4 days after exposure, and the typical range is 2–12 days. In some cases, however, symptoms can be so mild that a person does not notice them.
A blood test can confirm a herpes diagnosis. The test may be positive within a month, and by 4 months, blood testing finds most cases.
HPVWhile it is possible for males to pass human papillomavirus (HPV) on to a partner, the CDC have not approved a male test. Instead, doctors may test for symptoms of the relatively rare cancers that HPV can cause, including penile cancer.
In females, HPV rarely causes symptoms. If there are indications, they could appear months or years later. The most reliable test is a Pap smear, which involves swabbing the cervix. This can detect HPV 3 weeks to a few months after exposure.
HepatitisIn some cases, hepatitis B and C may not cause any obvious symptoms for years. If they do appear, hepatitis B usually produces signs within 6 weeks to 6 months. Hepatitis C symptoms may appear as early as 2–6 weeks, but can sometimes take as long as 6 months.
A blood test can look for both types of hepatitis. The hepatitis B testing window is 3–6 weeks, while the hepatitis C testing window is 2–6 months. Early testing at 2 months may miss some cases, so a doctor may recommend retesting at 6 months.
TrichomoniasisA doctor can test for trichomoniasis with a swab of the rectum, penis, or vagina. Many people do not have symptoms, but some may notice a discharge or burning sensation within 5–28 days of exposure. It is possible to get a positive test within a week of exposure, though some people need to wait up to a month.
SyphilisSyphilis usually begins with a sore on the genitals called a chancre. Blood tests can detect the bacteria within 1–2 weeks after the chancre appears. Chancres are typically painless and usually develop within 3 weeks of exposure, so the total testing window is about 4 weeks.
Because the development of syphilis varies from person to person, doctors often recommend retesting about 3 months after exposure.
Some STIs live in the body for many years without triggering any symptoms. Doctors may refer to them as dormant, meaning a person can never diagnose themselves based on symptoms alone.
This also means if a person is untested, they can unknowingly pass a dormant STI on to a sexual partner.
Examples of STI that can lay dormant include HIV, herpes, hepatitis C, chlamydia, syphilis, and HPV
The CDC recommend that all sexually-active adults with new or multiple partners seek testing for most STIs at least once per year.
STI testing, even for incurable infections, can save lives. It also slows the spread of STIs. Some benefits of testing are below:
The right STI testing depends on many factors, including a person's medical history, sexual history, risk of exposure, and prior history of STI tests.
It is important for people to regularly test for STIs, particularly if they have sex with multiple partners.
Early detection can make treatment easier and possibly prevent serious health issues. To reduce the risk of STIs, people should also practice safer sex techniques, such as using a condom.
What Is Testicular Cancer?
Testicle pain or pain around the stomach and scrotum needs medical attention. Testicular pain may also be a symptom of testicular cancer. Dr. J.B. Sharma, Senior Consultant in Medical Oncology with Delhi based Action Cancer Hospital explains what is testicular cancer, signs and symptoms with testicular cancer, causes and types of testicular cancer and who are prone to it. He also explains the treatments and prevention for testicular cancer.Dr. J.B. Sharma explains in simple words, "Testicular cancer happens when normal cells in one or both testicles change into abnormal cells and grow out of control. The testicles are found inside a skin sac called the scrotum. The testicles make sperm and male hormones." Hence it is important to check with the doctor if you experience sudden and prolong testicular pain.Signs and Symptoms of Testicular Cancer: Congratulations!You have successfully cast your vote
Login to view result "The first symptom of testicular cancer is often a lump or swelling in the scrotum that is not painful," says the oncologist. Lumps and swellings should not be ignored; other symptoms can include:"A dull ache or heavy feeling in the low belly, or around the anus or scrotum Pain in the testicles or scrotum which generally occurs in about 10 percent of men"Causes of Testicular Cancer:- Cryptorchidism, or undescended testicle- Family History- Age- Body size
Types of Testicular Cancer:
There are two types of testicular cancer, Dr. Sharma takes us through it and explains in details, "More than 90 percent of testicular cancers develop from germ cell- a type of cell in the testicle. Thus, they are called testicular germ cell tumours which are mainly of two types - seminoma and nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCTs). Approximately two-thirds of all testicular germ cell tumours are NSGCGTs and the remaining are seminomas. Both the tumours occur in men between the ages of 15 and 35 years old, although seminomas occur in a slightly older group of men."
Testicular Cancer in India:
"Testicular cancer accounts for 1 percent of total cancers in men," says the oncologist. "Though there is no concrete data available for India, one population based cancer registry, from Chennai (Individual Registry Data: 2001-2003) showed 1.2 cases per one lakh population of India are affected by testicular cancer."
But he goes on further to explain who are prone to testicular cancer, "There is a bimodal distribution of these tumours; they are found in boys who undergo early puberty- generally in the age group of 6 to 10 years - and in men between the age of 26 to 35 who present with a testicular mass, gynecomastia, impotence, and loss of libido."
Treatments for Testicular Cancer:Diagnosing testicular cancer and studying the staging is important, Dr. Sharma informs, "Before the start of treatment, cancer staging is done to find out if the cancer has spread beyond the testicles to other parts of the body. Staging usually involves blood tests, CT scans, or other imaging tests."
Only after staging we look at the various treatments that are applicable for testicular cancer, "Removing the testicle is the first part of treatment. Further treatment depends a lot on the type and stage of the cancer, and on where it has spread. Some men whose testicular cancer is small might not need any further treatment after their testicle is removed."
Treatments for Testicular Cancer:
Other men with testicular cancer might have to undergo one or more of the following treatments:
"Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is the term used to describe the usage of a group of medicines that kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy: Radiation kills cancer cells. Surgery: Testicular cancer is sometimes treated with surgery to remove nearby lymph nodes, which are bean-shaped internal organs. This surgery can help prevent the spread of testicular cancer in the body. A doctor might also do surgery to remove a mass in another part of the body if the cancer has spread." Testicular Cancer Prevention: Dr. Sharma lays bare the truth about testicular cancer, "As such, there are no preventive measures for testicular cancer. Therefore, monthly testicular self-examinations are recommended to detect the disease at an early stage."Read more Personal Health, Diet & Fitness stories on www.Healthmeup.Com
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