the next presentation was from Ms Nyima Camara from Hands on care, Brikama.the topic is Sexually Transmitted Infections. she asked them to list the STIs. (Sexually Transmitted Infections) they are familiar with. They name Gonorrhea, Syphilis and HIV.Nyima explained that women because of their biological nature as receptors are mostly infected. she said in gonorrhea, men because of their biological nature get signs and symptoms immediately whereas the women take longer to get signs and symptoms. Nyima explained that in polygamous relationships the virus spread faster. she asked participants to speak out and seek for help if they notice any abnormality in their genitals.she said the newborn children with pussy eyes, scalded skins and patches are signs of STIs from the mother. Nyima asked about the signs of HIV. ?There are no signs or symptoms. you cannot tell by looking. It is the final stage of AIDs when the person cannot do any thing and is at the stage of death, when she/he needs our care and love and can no longer infect us when society name and stigmatize them.? Nyima explained. she said her organisation checks on people, counsel at its clinics and/in outreach programmes and gives anti-retroviral drugs. Nyima lamented that males are reluctant to come to hospital that they have to be coaxed and cajoled to do so. she said in their clinics they give priority to men as a means of encouragement. she said women should know their Status as a Right to Health and also to know the Health Status of their Partners. Nyima said in the mode of transfusion 35% is sexual and the rest through blood transfusion, using contaminated instruments, through vaginal, anal and oral avenues. she said the HIV virus does not live outside in the environment. Nyima urged couples to go for premarital testing to know their status if negative they remain negative forever, if positive, they go for counselling and plan their lives together. she said as Health Workers they signed an element of confidentiality as required by law but as couples both partners have a right to know. she said women should exercise their Right to self Protection. Nyima said the Global Fund enables, Traditional Birth Attendants, Corpse Dressers who can be infected by liquids coming out during delivery and from corpses, who need gloves and masks for protection, she said a TBA as old as 90 years got infected. Nyima spelt out the ABCD Protection Techniques A- Abstinence until you are ready economically, physically and emotionally to shoulder responsibility of a child. B ? be faithful to your partner(s) as in polygamy, to stay negative for ever, if positive to plan your lives together.C- use condom when you are not sure of partner(s).D- Do you know your status? Nyima said if STIs are not treated, they can lead to severe complications such as urethral restriction, barrenness, mental illness, premature birth, abortion, ectopic pregnancy, blindness and still birth. Nyima said they have clinics in Brikama Hands on care and Banjul polyclinic. the next topic was deliberated by Mr. Juma Jallow Nurse/ midwife. his topic is Safe Sexual and Reproductive Life for Visually Impaired People.He lamented on the poor service at Government Health Centres. the attitudes of female nurses are not acceptable to the female patients who complained of neglect and arrogance and they do have a right to go to a health centre of their choice. Juma said the Private Health Centre Nurses are more polite than Government Nurses. He said the former works on business, while the late works for complacent and ?maslaha? basis ?lassez affaire?. He said Health Centers should work on Birth Preparedness plan and patients? rights should be respected. He lamented the poor salaries and high rate of attrition in government service and urged government to invest in Health Service Sector. . Juma said Government Health Centres give quantity while Private Health Centres give quality services according to him but some patients thought differently. He said Government Health Centres are facing a lot of challenges. He asked parents to help discipline their girl children especially those working in essential services. He said male delivery practice was introduced in 1981 amidst the protest of some Muslim Clerics that it is against the ethics of Islam but he said when they conducted a survey in some affected areas female patients said they are more comfortable with male nurses then female nurses. (As Gender Activists we are concern and there is urgent need to sensitize females working in essential services that matters most to women. my experience up country is different though because women are complaining that they are ashamed to be delivered by their sons. They are asking for their daughters to deliver them. but those daughters need gender sensitization to be abled to deliver effectively and efficiently. Amie?s comment.)When asked about a Health Disability Policy. He was not sure of the Global, overall Policy but said it is mentioned in the Sectoral Units.He urges GOVI to advocate for a Stake Holders Meeting with the Ministry of Health to raise their concerns.He said the Health Policy is about to be Mid-Term Reviewed and GOVI should ensure it captures their concerns. Participants lamented that Security Forces are harassing them off the streets and taking them to court when they are not given any alternative means of survival. They lamented that the buildings have no ramps, that they are discriminated against in officialdom especially in hospitals and other service providers outlets, they lamented that government has not yet ratify the UN Convention on Disability, no Policy to back Disability and the need for a Sign Language to be introduced in Officialdom. Also that the communities and the homes are still discriminating against them. Oustas Muhammad Loum form Sheikh Mass Kah Academy, spoke on FGM/C. He said Islam?s position is that doing it or not doing it does not make you less religious. That it is a cultural practice which precedes both Christianity and Islam. That Islam abhors any practice that is harmful to human beings. Ms Ndey Secka spoke on Violence against Visually Impaired People. she reemphasized all the above complaints and said the Visually Impaired People need information, education to know their rights to fight for Social Justice and Social Inclusion. Ms Amie Sillah reechoed the same that the Visually Impaired People need Social, Economic, Political, and Cultural Rights as all of us and aspire to live a life of liberty, dignity and prosperity. That any one of us can suffer from one form of Disability in a lifetime through illness or accident.Resolution the participants called for Social Justice and Social Inclusion for them to realize their economic, social, political and cultural rights in order to live a life of dignity, liberty and prosperity. Muhammad Cora closed the workshop.

Can various STDs be detected before they show any symptoms? I heard that some of those remain dormant in such scenario is there any way in which they can be detected? What is the minimum incubation period if I have to get myself tested for all STDs? Its almost 3 weeks since last exposure. Fortunately I still didn't feel any abnormality.

it boggles my mind that people are still having unprotected sex with all the diseases we have now. why, oh why don't you use a condom???? it is so dangerous- there are diseases out there that will kill you- sex isn't worth dying for-be more careful, and protect yourself, ok? HIV can remain dormant for months and months-they cant always detect it as soon as 3 weeks.

well every body's body is diff. if you have ?'s u need to get checked, with my body i started noticing that i was discharging a lot more then normal,and wasn't just feeling good & i went to get checked and i had an std..chlamydia, after i got treated everything went back to normal,

you dont need ANY symptoms at all to have an std.

i believe some can and some cant.

go to a clinic and ask them, (or check their website) they would know there.

they will probably take blood samples and such to check you for whatever you may think you have.

Easily… get it checked by a doctor

In order to understand the causes of skin cancer, it is very important to analyze closely the disease cancer in itself. A normal alteration in the DNA of the cell results in abnormality within the cells. The malformed cells thereby start forming clusters and leads to tumor formation.

The controlled growth of the tumor is not that dangerous and does not lead to cancer. however, when the growth becomes uncontrolled and spreads to other tissues and cells cancer takes birth.

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in humans. This cancer affects the skin cells or the epithelial cells commonly. however, there are many variations of skin cancer and is normally caused by extreme exposure to sunlight.

When the skin is exposed to the harsh UV rays for a long duration of time, the harmful rays can easily initiate alteration of the cells. Invisible radiations coming from the sun is responsible for the destruction of the DNA and thereby results into skin cancer.

Cancer is an entirely cellular problem and spreads through the blood from tissues to tissues. Thus, genetic constitution can primarily be held responsible for the problem when a strict history of cancer runs down the family. normally, you will not try to consider certain eruptions on your skin as important and would just ignore them.

However, small eruptions on the skin or some kind of mole formation or even a bruise can give rise to cancer overtime.However, there is not much of a chance of the moles or eruptions to take the shape of cancer. Nevertheless, taking precautions will help you keep the chances at a distance and thereby help you stay secured.

Continuous exposure of the skin to any kind of synthetic harmful radiations can also lead to skin cancer by simple alteration of the cells.Skin cancer though can be treated if diagnosed at an early stage, but once the cancer travels locations and reaches other parts of the body it becomes disastrous.

Normally skin rashes, incurable eruptions or some kind of discoloration and rough patches signals the alteration of cells. when these notable signs do not fade away within a few days, consultation of the doctor is a must.