1、LOVE AND CAREFOR MYSELFPLEASE, LOOK AFTER YOURSELF: ITS YOUR HEALTHIn Italy the results of your HIV test areconfidential and even if you test positive youare free to accept medical treatment or not.In some centres (see the addressesattached) you dont have to give your nameif you dont want toNo one c
2、an force you to take a test: its yourchoiceIts a simple blood testSee the addressesattached1to6months afterrisky behaviour.test any time of day;no need to go on anempty stomach.Some hospitalshowever request doingtest on an emptystomach.Sharing needles, sharpobjects such as razorsand nail scissors, a
3、ndtoorhbrushes;Unsafe sex (without acondom)1)To know if Im positive or negative (forexample I could pass it to my baby duringpregnancy)2)Because I care for the people close to me3)Because if Im positive I might get sometreatment; risky behaviour may mean cat-ching a stronger form of it4)Because if I
4、m negative I dont want tocatch HIV through risky behaviourWHY HAVE A TEST?WHAT IS IT?WHERE DO IGET IT?WHEN CAN ITAKE THE TEST?WHAT IS RISKYBEHAVIOUR?HIV test = AIDSHave you got lower abdominal (belly) pain whenmenstruating (period, bleeding)?Have you got a temperatureof more than 38C(underthe armpit
5、). Are your painssharp?Are you sure you are notpregnant? If in doubt, buy apregnancy test at thechemists (no doctorsprescription needed)If you have recently had anabortion, lost a baby(miscarriage) or had a hightemperature (over 38 C) andsharp pains: dont wastetime go to the hospital!If you have pai
6、ns but notemperature, no bleedingand no cramps, wait 2-3days and then check forsymptoms againYoud better go straight tothe doctor: you may have aninfection in the womb orovaries. Be carefulespecially if bleeding in-between periodsWhat can be wrong if it feels as though Iam burning when I urinate (pe
7、e)?you may have avaginal infection(see: vaginaldischarge) especiallytrichomonas orgonorrheaif it doesnt disappear in a fewdays, and you still itch andburn: you nees antibiotics andanti-infiammatory medicines.If not cured, it will get worseand you may find you wetyour pants easily. Go to thedoctor if
8、 it persistsyou may have aninfection of theurinary systemYOU MAY HAVEBOTHI think Im pregnantGo to a chemists and buy apregnancy test: the test canbe used from the day youwere expecting your periodThe test is negative Imnot pregnantIwant the baby: go to your family doctor or toyour local Consultorio
9、Familiare (FamilyPlanning Clinic)If the test is positive:you are pregnantIf I have had an abortionwhat must I worry about?WORRY DONT WORRYStrong bleeding (like a cut) that goes on formore than 7 daysAhigh temperature (over 38.5-39 C undertthe armpit), strong painsIf more than one symptom is present
10、go to adoctor or to the hospitalA little bleeding?-Itcanhappenforupto7daysIf you feel tired.Rest- Use special care for hygiene, keep clean,no bath for 15 days (take shower) no tam-pax, no sex, use condoms if you have sex-You can get pregnant after an abortion, souse contraception immediatelyIdont wa
11、nt the baby:I can go to theConsultorio (FamilyPlanning Centre) orto the doctor to askfor an abortion. InItaly it is legal andfree for residentsNon-residents haveto pay, and can bookat a hospitalVAGINAL DISCHARGENAME Yeast, thrush orcandidiasisTricomonas(Trick)Bacterial infection orinfectionsGonorrhe
12、a or clapCOLOURWhite. It can have grey andgreen stripesYellow, it can have greenstripsMore likely whitish in acutephase different dark colorsGreenSMELL Sour, like yeast for breadStrong, fish-like.The smell gets strongerand strongerFoul, strong, bad smell FoulCONSISTENCYTEXTUREYogurt-like Liquid, wit
13、h occasionalrushesRunny Vagina and vulva cover ofgreen pusAMOUNT Varies Usually a lot Varies At first phase very thickDOES IT ITCH?Yes: some women itch andscratch from the beginning,others laterYes, it can be itchy It may A sense of heaviness pain,itchDOES IT LOOK OR FEELLIKE ANYTHING ELSE?Not reall
14、yYes, can be confuses withGonorrhea if discharge ismore green than yellowNo NoDOES IT COME WITHOTHER DISEASES?Yes it is possible, it caneasily develop afterprolonged use of antibioticsNo Yes NoTREATMENTAnti-mycotic drug an thechemists, or go to theConsultorio to test. Getyour partner treated as wellConsultorio to test.Get your partner treated aswellAntibioticsConsultorio to testVery serious disease: takea test, go to doctor. If youhave a coil take it out toavoid infecting your womb.Get your partner treated aswell.
