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where to get birth control Local Clinics and Providers Although the video is based in Planned Parenthood there are local clinics that can provide you with almost all of the same services with the same respect. Scroll down to find a clinic and way to get there. Local Clinics and Providers Although the video is based in Planned Parenthood there are local clinics that can provide you with almost all of the same services with the same respect. Scroll down to find a clinic and way to get there. Waterfall Community Health Center Confidential and affordable services available for anyone regardless of age, gender identity, or race. Services include: STI screening and treatment, contraceptives, and family planning for both men and women. Call or drop in to make an appointment. Patients are accepted with or without insurance. Waterfall Community Health Center Waterfall Community Health Center School Based Confidential and affordable services available for anyone regardless of age, gender identity, or race. Services include: STI screening and treatment, contraceptives, and family planning for both men and women. Call or drop in to make an appointment. Patients are accepted with or without insurance. Waterfall Community Health Center School Based Bay Clinic An appointment must be made with a provider. Most insurance providers are accepted. Services include all aspects of sexual and reproductive health. Bay Clinic North Bend Medical Center An appointment must be made with a provider. Most insurance providers are accepted. Services include all aspects of sexual and reproductive health. North Bend Medical Center Coast Community Health Center Confidential and affordable services available for anyone regardless of age, gender identity, or race. Services include: STI screening and treatment, contraceptives, and family planning for both men and women. Call to make an appointment. Patients are accepted with or without insurance. Coast Community Health Center Planned Parenthood Eugene-Springfield Planned Parenthood provides complete sexual and reproductive health services regardless of age, race, gender identity or immigration status. Patients are accepted with or without insurance. Planned Parenthood Eugene-Springfield

Disclaimer and Privacy Policy Disclaimer The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Coos Health and Wellness does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions or other information that may be mentioned on this website. Reliance on any information appearing on this website is solely at your own risk. Privacy Policy Privacy Policy Coos County Public Health built the The Sex Talk app as a Free app. This SERVICE is provided by Coos County Public Health at no cost and is intended for use as is. This page is used to inform visitors regarding our policies with the collection, use, and disclosure of Personal Information if anyone decided to use our Service. If you choose to use our Service, then you agree to the collection and use of information in relation to this policy. The Personal Information that we collect is used for providing and improving the Service. We will not use or share your information with anyone except as described in this Privacy Policy. The terms used in this Privacy Policy have the same meanings as in our Terms and Conditions, which is accessible at The Sex Talk unless otherwise defined in this Privacy Policy. 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Who Can I Talk To About My Sexual Orientation? Lots of people assume that everyone around them is straight, or have old-fashioned ideas about what LGBTQ people are like. That can make you feel bad about yourself, especially if you’ve ever been bullied about it. But actually, you’re not alone at all, and it definitely doesn’t make you bad. It may not seem like it in high school, but being LGBTQ is pretty common — and it’s a huge source of pride and happiness for lots of people. Talking with someone you trust, someone who’s going through the same thing as you, or has gone through it in the past, can really help. Here are some ways you can find people to talk with. Going to a Gay/Straight Alliance meeting at your school Visiting your local LGBTQ community center Q Chat Space is a way for LGBTQ+ teens to connect with each other through live-chat group discussions — no matter where they are. Checking with your nearest health center for other resources in your area Checking out LGBTQ organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), The Trevor Project, and Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Searching for online communities of LGBTQ people Thinking about this stuff can bring out a lot of feelings. If you’re having a really hard time, the Trevor Project has a 24/7 hotline where you can talk about what’s going on. 1-866-488-7386 Remember that deciding who to come out to and when is totally up to you. Figuring out your sexual orientation and coming out are both processes — they take time. Don’t rush yourself.

Characteristics of Healthy Relationships 50 Characteristics of Healthy Relationships If you can say yes to most of these, it's very likely you're in a healthy relationship: 1. You can name your partner’s best friend and identify a positive quality that the person has. 2. You and your partner are playful with each other. 3. You think your partner has good ideas. 4. You’d like to become more like your partner, at least in some ways. 5. Even when you disagree, you can acknowledge that your partner makes sensible points. 6. You think about each other when you’re not physically together. 7. You see your partner as trustworthy. 8. In relationship-relevant areas, such as warmth and attractiveness, you view your partner a little bit more positively than they view themselves or than most other people view them. 9. You enjoy the ways your partner has changed and grown since you met. 10. Your partner is enthusiastic when something goes right for you. 11. When you reunite at the end of the day, you say something positive before you say something negative. 12. You reminisce about positive experiences you've had together in the past. 13. You can name one of your partner’s favorite books. 14. You know your partner’s aspirations in life. 15. You can recall something you did together that was new and challenging for both of you. 16. You kiss every day. 17. You’re comfortable telling your partner about things that make you feel vulnerable, such as worries about getting laid off. 18. You have your own “love language” (pet names or special signs you give each other). 19. You know your partner’s most embarrassing moment from childhood. 20. You know your partner’s proudest moment from childhood. 21. You never, or very rarely, express contempt for your partner by rolling your eyes, swearing at them, or calling them crazy. 22. You can list some positive personality qualities which your partner inherited from their parents. 23. If you have children together, you can list some positive personality qualities your partner has passed on to your children. 24. You enjoy supporting your partner’s exploration of personal goals and dreams, even when this involves you staying home. article continues after advertisement 25. You have a sense of security: You’re confident your partner wouldn’t be unfaithful, or do something to jeopardize your combined financial security. 26. When you argue, you still have a sense that your partner cares about your feelings and opinions. 27. Your partner lets you into their inner emotional world—they make their thoughts and feelings accessible to you. 28. You frequently express appreciation for each other. 29. You frequently express admiration for each other. 30. You feel a sense of being teammates with your partner. 31. You know your partner’s favorite song. 32. You have a sense that your individual strengths complement each other. 33. When you say goodbye in the morning, it’s mindful and affectionate. 34. If you’ve told your partner about trauma you’ve experienced, they’ve reacted kindly. 35. You don’t flat-out refuse to talk about topics that are important to your partner. 36. You respect your partner’s other relationships with family or friends and view them as important. 37. You have fun together. 38. You see your partner’s flaws and weaknesses in specific rather than general ways. (For example, you get annoyed about them forgetting to pick up the towels, but you don’t generally see them as inconsiderate.) 39. You’re receptive to being influenced by your partner; you’ll try their suggestions. 40. You're physically affectionate with each other. article continues after advertisement 41. You enjoy spending time together. 42. You feel a zing when you think about how you first met. 43. You can name your partner's favorite relative. 44. You can name your partner's most beloved childhood pet. 45. You can articulate what your partner sees as the recipe for happiness. 46. When you feel stressed or upset, you turn toward your partner for comfort, rather than turning away from your partner and trying to deal with it yourself. 47. You have a sense that it's easy to get your partner's attention if you've got something important to say. 48. You like exploring your partner's body. 49. You can name your partner's favorite food. 50. If you could only take one person to a deserted island, you'd take your partner. THE SAFE PROJECT The SAFE Project provides emergency services and advocacy to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. *24-Hour Crisis Line *Emergency Shelter *Crisis Response Team *Assistance to clients who have been victims of domestic violence or sexual assault Call NOW

how to deal with bullies BE STRONG People who experience homophobic, biphobic, or transphobic harassment often feel alone and are afraid to tell anyone what’s happening. You should never have to face harassment. If you’re a young person who’s experiencing harassment in school, it’s important to tell someone, even if that seems scary. If you don’t seek help and just accept it, the harassment will probably continue, or maybe even get worse over time. This can make it hard to keep up with grades, activities, and school in general. Q&A Coos County The Trevor Project The Trevor Project offers accredited life-saving, life-affirming programs and services to LGBTQ youth that create safe, accepting and inclusive environments over the phone, online and through text. READ MORE

How Can I Protect Myself? COVID-19 spreads easily from person to person, mainly by the following routes: Between people who are in close contact with one another (within 6 feet).Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, breathes, sings or talks....

Adoption Is adoption right for me? Some people choose adoption when faced with a pregnancy. Information and support is important, but the decision is personal and only you know what’s best for you. Why do people decide to place their babies for adoption? If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, you’re not alone. About half of all women in the U.S. have an unplanned pregnancy at some point in their lives, and some decide to give birth and place their baby for adoption. The process of adoption is when you give birth and then choose someone else to parent your child. It’s a permanent, legal agreement where you agree to place your child in the care of another person or family permanently. You are in charge of your choice. There are many families throughout the country that are hoping to build their families through adoption. There are laws in every state guiding adoptive families and protecting you, so it’s important that you speak with an adoption agency or attorney. The decision to place a child for adoption is personal, and you’re the only one who can make it. Everyone has their own unique and valid reasons for choosing adoption. Some of the many different reasons people decide to place a child for adoption include: They’re not ready to be a parent. They can’t afford to raise a child. They don’t want to be a single parent. They want to be the best parent possible to the kids they already have. It’s not a good time in their life to raise a child. They want to finish school, focus on work, or achieve other goals before parenting a child. They’re not in a relationship with someone they want to parent a child with. They believe adoption is the best chance for their child to be well-cared for. They’re in an abusive relationship or were sexually assaulted. They just don’t want to be a parent right now. What can I think about to help me decide? Family, relationships, money, school, work, life goals, personal beliefs, and the well-being of your future child — most people think carefully about all of these things before choosing adoption. But every person’s situation is different, and only you can decide what’s best in your case. Here are some things to ask yourself: Do I feel comfortable letting someone else parent my child? Do I believe my child will be treated well by the adoptive parent(s)? Do I feel I can’t care for a child now? Would I consider abortion or parenting? Is someone pressuring me to choose adoption? Am I ready to go through pregnancy and childbirth? Am I prepared to cope with the feelings of loss I may have? Will I feel okay if I visit my child and their family 2 or 3 times a year, or possibly never see them again? Do I have people in my life who will support me through my pregnancy, birth, and adoption process? There can be lots of stuff to consider, and it’s totally normal to have many different feelings and thoughts when making your decision. That’s why it’s important to get factual, non-judgmental information about your pregnancy options. Support from other people you trust can also help you figure out if adoption is right for you. Who can I talk to about adoption? Talking with your partner, someone in your family, a friend, a religious advisor, or a counselor can be helpful when you’re making a choice about an unplanned pregnancy. Lots of people lean on others to help them with their decision. It’s good to choose people who you know are supportive of you and won’t be judgmental. An adoption agency can give you information and help you think through your decision. Many family planning clinics have specially trained staff that can give you accurate information about all your options and other resources. The staff at your local health clinic listed on Clinics and Providers can also refer you to adoption agencies or other resources in your area. No one should pressure you into making any decision about your pregnancy, no matter what. At the end of the day, only you know what’s right for you. You might be wondering how to start the adoption process. Here are some things to look for when you check out adoption agencies: They have an authentic, transparent, unbiased website. They listen to you. You’re treated with dignity and respect. They don’t judge you. They have fact-based answers to your questions and support you no matter what you choose to do. When you make your choice — no matter what it is — they’ll help connect you with the resources you need. If you’re having a hard time finding someone in your life to talk with, check out All-Options 1-888-493-0092 or The National Pro-Choice Adoption Collaborative. Both offer free hotlines that give you a confidential space to talk about your feelings about your pregnancy. They’ll give you judgement-free support no matter what you decide to do. How does it feel to place a baby for adoption? It’s really normal to have a lot of different feelings after placing your child for adoption. Lots of people who choose adoption are happy knowing that their child is living with a family who loves and cares for them. They may feel empowered as birth parents, because the decision they made helped give their child a good life. Some people find that the sense of loss is deeper than they expected. It’s totally normal to feel grief after the adoption is complete. You might also feel reassured and relieved. Having many different feelings is very common, and your feelings might be complicated for a while. Talking with a counselor who’s experienced with adoption and talking with other people who’ve been through adoption can give you support and help you work through your emotions, both during and after the adoption process. If you work with an adoption agency, they may provide counseling. If you have an independent adoption, you can request counseling through a local adoption agency. No matter which type of adoption you decide on, it’s important to find people who will support you during and after your pregnancy and the adoption. You can also call All-Options and The National Pro-Choice Adoption Collaborative for judgement-free support anytime. When do I have to decide about adoption? It’s important to take the time you need to make the best decision for you. Some people start planning their child’s adoption early in their pregnancy, and others begin later in pregnancy. A few even start the adoption process at the hospital after the baby is born. Your timeline for making an adoption plan depends on you and your needs and situation. It’s a good idea to talk to a nurse or doctor as soon as you can so you can get the best medical care possible. The staff at your local health center are always here to provide expert medical care and support, no matter what decision you make.

MSM Safer Sex Today, the modern gay and bisexual man has a variety of options to prevent HIV, none of which should come with fear or hesitation when it comes to his sex life. A lot has changed since 1983. Bangs are out, beards are in, and condoms are no longer the end-all when it comes to HIV prevention. Today, the modern gay and bisexual man has a variety of options to prevent HIV, none of which should come with fear or hesitation when it comes to his sex life. Unfortunately, the pitiful sex education provided to gay youth fails to mention a practical approach to gay sex. To make up for it, here is a quick and easy guide to selecting the safe-sex method that works for you. Condoms There haven’t been enough studies on the efficacy of condoms in anal sex, but in a nutshell, condoms are the easiest and cheapest way to prevent HIV. However, if condoms were all it took to prevent HIV, new infections wouldn’t be on the rise among young gay and bisexual men. The majority of gay men reported that they failed to wear condoms 100 percent of the time. Overall, attempted consistent condom use has been found to be 70 percent effective in preventing HIV infection. In other words, condoms work, but only if you use them. If you are someone who doesn’t always manage to slip on a rubber, condoms aren’t the fail-safe method you might have thought. Safe-Sex Suggestion: The standard condom was created for vaginal sex. Buying extra-strong condoms or anal condoms, decreases your risk of condom failure. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Although pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, for HIV prevention might not be as easy to use as condoms, that very well may be why it works better for you. PrEP requires you to take real action to ensure your sexual safety. The use of PrEP requires a prescription from your doctor for Truvada, the only drug so far approved for PrEP, and regular checkups to ensure your health and compliance. When taken daily, the drug is 99 percent effective in preventing the user from contracting HIV from a partner. Even if a user misses one or two doses per week, PrEP’s efficacy remains high. The key difference between PrEP and condoms is how it is administered. The PrEP drug is taken with your morning breakfast or right before you go to sleep. Although it directly impacts your sexual health, taking PrEP is separate from the sexual experience. Let’s face it; “forgetting” to wear a condom is not the same thing as forgetting to take a pill. Safe-Sex Suggestion: Set a reminder on your phone so that you never miss a dose. We all forget from time to time. Condoms + PrEP Even if you take PrEP religiously, it does not protect against other sexually transmitted. If you are unfamiliar with your sexual partner and wish to further protect yourself, the use of condoms and PrEP is your best bet. Treatment as Prevention Think of treatment as prevention, or TasP, as PrEP for HIV-positive people, but with the added benefit of keeping you alive and healthy. Of course, if you are living with HIV, there are numerous reasons for you to stay compliant with your medication, but its use as TasP is probably the most applicable to your everyday dating life. When you achieve an undetectable viral load through treatment, which is often just a pill a day, you reduce your risk or transmitting the virus by 96 percent. But don’t let that 4 percent risk trip you up. To date, there has never been a confirmed case of someone with an undetectable viral load transmitting HIV. Safe-Sex Suggestion: Stay on top of your health and use a pillbox. It is all about the pillbox. Condoms + TasP As with PrEP, combining condoms with TasP protects against other STIs as well as HIV. It may also place you or your sexual partner at ease if either of you are not yet comfortable with the science of TasP. The use of condoms in addition to TasP is 100 percent effective and leaves you worry-free. Safe-Sex Suggestion: If you or your partner is still nervous, check out Gay Sex Ed: A Guide to Worry-Free Anal Sex. Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP, is not a first-line effort to prevent HIV, but a secondary option if you believe you have been exposed to HIV and TasP, PrEP, or condoms weren’t involved. You can elect to take PEP up to 72 hours after exposure, although it is ideal to start within 24 hours. The treatment regimen usually involves two or three drugs over a 30-day period and will be monitored by your doctor. PEP reportedly reduces the chance of HIV infection by 83 percent but can often come with some unpleasant side effects such as vomiting, nausea and fatigue. Still, PEP is an excellent option if you believe you have been exposed to HIV and you run a risk of seroconversion (becoming HIV-positive). Safe-Sex Suggestion: Don’t wait until you are under stress. Talk to your doctor about PEP and PrEP before you find yourself in a precarious predicament. Sero-sorting Molly, you in danger, girl! Sero-sorting is the act of choosing your sexual partners based on their HIV status, and it is an outdated, antiquated, and ineffective way to prevent HIV. One in eight people living with HIV are unaware of that fact, and they account for one out of five new infections. A study presented at the 2012 Conference of Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections found that restricting sex to partners who you think are HIV-negative does not work as a prevention strategy. The problem is that many people are unaware they are HIV-positive, and they assert that they are HIV-negative.

Cost of Diapers and Formula The average baby goes through six to 10 diapers a day, which, according to the National Diaper Bank Network, can set you back $70 to $80 per month, or about $900 a year. If you choose not to breastfeed, formula can cost up to $150 per month, or about $1,800 a year.

Scabies Scabies is an infestation of the skin by the human itch mite (Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis). The microscopic scabies mite burrows into the upper layer of the skin where it lives and lays its eggs. The most common symptoms of scabies are intense itching and a pimple-like skin rash. The scabies mite usually is spread by direct, prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with a person who has scabies. Scabies is found worldwide and affects people of all races and social classes. Scabies can spread rapidly under crowded conditions where close body and skin contact is frequent. Institutions such as nursing homes, extended-care facilities, and prisons are often sites of scabies outbreaks. Child-care facilities also are a common site of scabies infestations. Crusted scabies is a severe form of scabies that can occur in some persons who are immunocompromised (have a weak immune system), elderly, disabled, or debilitated. It is also called Norwegian scabies. Persons with crusted scabies have thick crusts of skin that contain large numbers of scabies mites and eggs. Persons with crusted scabies are very contagious to other persons and can spread the infestation easily both by direct skin-to-skin contact and by contamination of items such as their clothing, bedding, and furniture. Persons with crusted scabies may not show the usual signs and symptoms of scabies such as the characteristic rash or itching (pruritus). Persons with crusted scabies should receive quick and aggressive medical treatment for their infestation to prevent outbreaks of scabies. If a person has never had scabies before, symptoms may take as long as 4-6 weeks to begin. It is important to remember that an infested person can spread scabies during this time, even if he/she does not have symptoms yet. In a person who has had scabies before, symptoms usually appear much sooner (1-4 days) after exposure. The most common signs and symptoms of scabies are intense itching (pruritus), especially at night, and a pimple-like (papular) itchy rash. The itching and rash each may affect much of the body or be limited to common sites such as the wrist, elbow, armpit, webbing between the fingers, nipple, penis, waist, belt-line, and buttocks. The rash also can include tiny blisters (vesicles) and scales. Scratching the rash can cause skin sores; sometimes these sores become infected by bacteria. Tiny burrows sometimes are seen on the skin; these are caused by the female scabies mite tunneling just beneath the surface of the skin. These burrows appear as tiny raised and crooked (serpiginous) grayish-white or skin-colored lines on the skin surface. Because mites are often few in number (only 10-15 mites per person), these burrows may be difficult to find. They are found most often in the webbing between the fingers, in the skin folds on the wrist, elbow, or knee, and on the penis, breast, or shoulder blades. The head, face, neck, palms, and soles often are involved in infants and very young children, but usually not adults and older children. Persons with crusted scabies may not show the usual signs and symptoms of scabies such as the characteristic rash or itching (pruritus). Scabies usually is spread by direct, prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with a person who has scabies. Contact generally must be prolonged; a quick handshake or hug usually will not spread scabies. Scabies is spread easily to sexual partners and household members. Scabies in adults frequently is sexually acquired. Scabies sometimes is spread indirectly by sharing articles such as clothing, towels, or bedding used by an infested person; however, such indirect spread can occur much more easily when the infested person has crusted scabies. Diagnosis of a scabies infestation usually is made based on the customary appearance and distribution of the rash and the presence of burrows. Whenever possible, the diagnosis of scabies should be confirmed by identifying the mite, mite eggs, or mite fecal matter (scybala). This can be done by carefully removing a mite from the end of its burrow using the tip of a needle or by obtaining skin scraping to examine under a microscope for mites, eggs, or mite fecal matter. It is important to remember that a person can still be infested even if mites, eggs, or fecal matter cannot be found; typically fewer than 10-15 mites can be present on the entire body of an infested person who is otherwise healthy. However, persons with crusted scabies can be infested with thousands of mites and should be considered highly contagious. On a person, scabies mites can live for as long as 1-2 months. Off a person, scabies mites usually do not survive more than 48-72 hours. Scabies mites will die if exposed to a temperature of 50°C (122°F) for 10 minutes. Yes. Products used to treat scabies are called scabicides because they kill scabies mites; some also kill eggs. Scabicides to treat human scabies are available only with a doctor’s prescription; no “over-the-counter” (non-prescription) products have been tested and approved for humans. Always follow carefully the instructions provided by the doctor and pharmacist, as well as those contained in the box or printed on the label. When treating adults and older children, scabicide cream or lotion is applied to all areas of the body from the neck down to the feet and toes; when treating infants and young children, the cream or lotion also is applied to the head and neck. The medication should be left on the body for the recommended time before it is washed off. Clean clothes should be worn after treatment. In addition to the infested person, treatment also is recommended for household members and sexual contacts, particularly those who have had prolonged skin-to-skin contact with the infested person. All persons should be treated at the same time in order to prevent reinfestation. Retreatment may be necessary if itching continues more than 2-4 weeks after treatment or if new burrows or rash continue to appear. Never use a scabicide intended for veterinary or agricultural use to treat humans! Anyone who is diagnosed with scabies, as well as his or her sexual partners and other contacts who have had prolonged skin-to-skin contact with the infested person, should be treated. Treatment is recommended for members of the same household as the person with scabies, particularly those persons who have had prolonged skin-to-skin contact with the infested person. All persons should be treated at the same time to prevent reinfestation. Retreatment may be necessary if itching continues more than 2-4 weeks after treatment or if new burrows or rash continue to appear. If itching continues more than 2-4 weeks after initial treatment or if new burrows or rash continue to appear (if initial treatment includes more than one application or dose, then the 2-4 time period begins after the last application or dose), retreatment with scabicide may be necessary; seek the advice of a physician. No. Animals do not spread human scabies. Pets can become infested with a different kind of scabies mite that does not survive or reproduce on humans but causes “mange” in animals. If an animal with “mange” has close contact with a person, the animal mite can get under the person’s skin and cause temporary itching and skin irritation. However, the animal mite cannot reproduce on a person and will die on its own in a couple of days. Although the person does not need to be treated, the animal should be treated because its mites can continue to burrow into the person’s skin and cause symptoms until the animal has been treated successfully. Scabies is spread by prolonged skin-to-skin contact with a person who has scabies. Scabies sometimes also can be spread by contact with items such as clothing, bedding, or towels that have been used by a person with scabies, but such spread is very uncommon unless the infested person has crusted scabies. Scabies is very unlikely to be spread by water in a swimming pool. Except for a person with crusted scabies, only about 10-15 scabies mites are present on an infested person; it is extremely unlikely that any would emerge from under wet skin. Although uncommon, scabies can be spread by sharing a towel or item of clothing that has been used by a person with scabies. Scabies mites do not survive more than 2-3 days away from human skin. Items such as bedding, clothing, and towels used by a person with scabies can be decontaminated by machine-washing in hot water and drying using the hot cycle or by dry-cleaning. Items that cannot be washed or dry-cleaned can be decontaminated by removing from any body contact for at least 72 hours. Because persons with crusted scabies are considered very infectious, careful vacuuming of furniture and carpets in rooms used by these persons is recommended. Fumigation of living areas is unnecessary. Scabies mites do not survive more than 2-3 days away from human skin. Items such as bedding, clothing, and towels used by a person with scabies can be decontaminated by machine-washing in hot water and drying using the hot cycle or by dry-cleaning. Items that cannot be washed or dry-cleaned can be decontaminated by removing from any body contact for at least 72 hours. The rash and itching of scabies can persist for several weeks to a month after treatment, even if the treatment was successful and all the mites and eggs have been killed. Your health care provider may prescribe additional medication to relieve itching if it is severe. Symptoms that persist for longer than 2 weeks after treatment can be due to a number of reasons, including: Incorrect diagnosis of scabies. Many drug reactions can mimic the symptoms of scabies and cause a skin rash and itching; the diagnosis of scabies should be confirmed by a skin scraping that includes observing the mite, eggs, or mite feces (scybala) under a microscope. If you are sleeping in the same bed with your spouse and have not become reinfested, and you have not retreated yourself for at least 30 days, then it is unlikely that your spouse has scabies. Reinfestation with scabies from a family member or other infested person if all patients and their contacts are not treated at the same time; infested persons and their contacts must be treated at the same time to prevent reinfestation. Treatment failure caused by resistance to medication, by faulty application of topical scabicides, or by failure to do a second application when necessary; no new burrows should appear 24-48 hours after effective treatment. Treatment failure of crusted scabies because of poor penetration of scabicide into thick scaly skin containing large numbers of scabies mites; repeated treatment with a combination of both topical and oral medication may be necessary to treat crusted scabies successfully. Reinfestation from items (fomites) such as clothing, bedding, or towels that were not appropriately washed or dry-cleaned (this is mainly of concern for items used by persons with crusted scabies); potentially contaminated items (fomites) should be machine washed in hot water and dried using the hot temperature cycle, dry-cleaned, or removed from skin contact for at least 72 hours. An allergic skin rash (dermatitis); or Exposure to household mites that cause symptoms to persist because of cross-reactivity between mite antigens. If itching continues more than 2-4 weeks or if new burrows or rash continue to appear, seek the advice of a physician; retreatment with the same or a different scabicide may be necessary. No. If a person thinks he or she might have scabies, he/she should contact a doctor. The doctor can examine the person, confirm the diagnosis of scabies, and prescribe an appropriate treatment. Products used to treat scabies in humans are available only with a doctor’s prescription. Sleeping with or having sex with any scabies infested person presents a high risk for transmission. The longer a person has skin-to-skin exposure, the greater is the likelihood for transmission to occur. Although briefly shaking hands with a person who has non-crusted scabies could be considered as presenting a relatively low risk, holding the hand of a person with scabies for 5-10 minutes could be considered to present a relatively high risk of transmission. However, transmission can occur even after brief skin-to-skin contact, such as a handshake, with a person who has crusted scabies. In general, a person who has skin-to-skin contact with a person who has crusted scabies would be considered a good candidate for treatment. To determine when prophylactic treatment should be given to reduce the risk of transmission, early consultation should be sought with a health care provider who understands: the type of scabies (i.e. non-crusted vs crusted) to which a person has been exposed; the degree and duration of skin exposure that a person has had to the infested patient; whether the exposure occurred before or after the patient was treated for scabies; and, whether the exposed person works in an environment where he/she would be likely to expose other people during the asymptomatic incubation period. For example, a nurse or caretaker who works in a nursing home or hospital often would be treated prophylactically to reduce the risk of further scabies transmission in the facility. < Previous Next >

Making Sex Safer If you have anal, oral, or vaginal sex, the best way to prevent STIs is using barriers like condoms and dams. Lube can also help make sex safer (and better!). Do condoms prevent STIs and make sex safer? They sure can help! Condoms are one of the best ways to help prevent STIs. (And bonus! They help prevent pregnancy, too.) There are two kinds of condoms: regular condoms fit snugly on the penis. Internal condoms (also called female condoms) are worn inside the vagina or anus. Never use a regular condom with a internal condom at the same time — just use one or the other. Condoms and internal condoms put a barrier between the penis and the other person’s anus, vagina, or mouth. This barrier protects both partners by keeping fluids that can carry infections (like semen and vaginal fluids) out of the other person’s genitals. By covering the penis or inside of the vagina or anus, condoms and internal condoms also prevent skin-to-skin touching that can spread certain STIs (like herpes and genital warts). But condoms may not work as well to prevent skin-to-skin STIs, because they don’t cover every body part that can be infected (like the scrotum or labia). Put on a condom before your penis even touches your partner’s mouth or genitals, or they won’t work as well to prevent STIs. Most condoms are made from latex, a kind of rubber. There are also condoms made out of thin, soft plastics like polyurethane, polyisoprene, and nitrile. Internal condoms are made from nitrile, too. Plastic condoms are great for people who have latex allergies or sensitivities. Condoms made of lambskin or other animal membranes DO NOT protect against HIV or other STIs — they only help to prevent pregnancy. Only latex or plastic condoms and internal condoms help stop STIs. It’s also a good idea to use condoms on sex toys if you share them with other people (use a new condom any time a new person uses it), to avoid swapping body fluids that can carry STIs. Condoms without spermicide are better at preventing STIs than spermicidal condoms. If you use spermicide many times a day, it may make you more likely to get an STI. That’s because nonoxynyl-9 (a chemical in most spermicides) can irritate your skin, which can make it easier for infections to get in your body. Do dental dams make oral sex safer? Yes indeed! Dental dams — aka “dams” for short — are thin, square pieces of latex that help prevent STIs during oral sex on a vulva or anus. Dams protect you by keeping vaginal fluids out of your mouth, and preventing skin-to-skin contact between your mouth and a vulva or anus. They also protect you during oral-to-anal sex from germs that can cause digestive infections. Dams are easy to use. You lay them over a vulva and/or anus, and then do your thing. You don’t need to stretch the dam taut or press it tight against the skin — just hold it gently in place. Dams may even cling to your body on their own because of vaginal moisture or static. Dams can sometimes be hard to find in stores. If you don’t have a dam handy, you can cut open a condom and lay it flat on your partner’s vulva or anus. (By the way, they’re called dental dams because dentists also sometimes use them to protect their patient’s mouth during dental work.) Can I use lubricant to make sex safer? This is a great idea! Many people don’t realize that lube can make sex safer AND increase comfort and pleasure at the same time. The friction that happens when you rub your genitals together during sex can irritate your skin, or even cause small tears in your sensitive genital skin that make it easier for STIs to get into your body. Friction also makes condoms break more easily. Lube keeps sex nice and slippery, cutting down on the friction and leading to safer and more comfortable sex. Using lube doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you or your partner. Things like medicine, hormonal changes, stress, and age can change the way your vagina lubricates (gets wet) during sex. Lots of people use an extra lubricant just because they like the way it feels. It’s especially important to use lube if you have anal sex. Unlike a vagina, your anus can’t lubricate itself at all. Without lube, anal sex can be super painful and even dangerous. Dry anal sex leads to irritation and tears in your anus and rectum, putting you at a higher risk for STIs like HIV. Most condoms come pre-lubricated, but adding more lube helps condoms feel extra good and keeps them from breaking. Put a few drops on the head of your penis or inside the tip of your condom before you roll it on, and/or spread lube on the outside of the condom once you’re wearing it. Always make sure your lube is safe to use with condoms. This means only using water-based or silicone lube with latex condoms — lube with oil in it can break down latex and cause condoms to tear. It’s also a bad idea to use lotions, baby oil, or Vaseline as sexual lubricants, because they can irritate your genitals and break condoms. Sexual lubricants that you get in the condom aisle at the drugstore are usually safe to use with condoms. You can always read the package or directions, just to be sure. Spermicide can make your chances of getting an STI a little higher, especially if you’re using it many times a day, so it’s better to use lube that doesn’t have spermicide in it. Spermicide usually has an ingredient called nonoxynyl-9 that can irritate the skin in your anus or vagina, which can make it easier for you to get an infection like an STI.