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Hospitality Jamaica

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Dear Counsellor

19-y-o battling a recurring infection

Dear Counsellor:

I'm a 19-year-old female who has a serious problem that I think requires urgent help. At age 16, I started to notice a discharge that came with a bad odour and it itched. When I visited a clinic they told me I had a yeast infection which I figured I got from having unprotected sex. I told the person who gave it to me but he said it couldn't have been him because men don't have it. I told him it had to be him because nothing was wrong with me until I had unprotected sex with him. It was my first time going without protection. I also did an HIV test which came back negative.

I was treated but somehow it didn't help. I went to another clinic and told the doctor about the problem. There, they didn't run any test; they just told me it was a yeast infection. They also said if I was taking any other medication it could trigger it again. They made me do another HIV test and urine test also. Again, I was HIV negative but I had bacteria 1 in my urine. I got treated for that also.

I still have the problem now, except that the discharge no longer itches. Sometimes it smells and there are times when it feels watery. Could I still have a yeast infection or could it be another infection such as bacteria vaginosis? What do you think?

- Concerned Teen

Dear Friend:

I am a mental-health doctor, not a medical doctor, therefore, I am not the best person to advise you. I would suggest you get a medical doctor's opinion.

Having said that, however, it does suggest you could have some other infection, hence seeing a doctor is a great idea. Yeast infections are also known as candida. Candidiasis is an infection caused by a group of microscopic fungi or yeast, and there are more than 20 species. The truth is, you can develop a yeast infection around dentures, under the breasts, vagina and lower abdomen, nail beds and beneath skin folds. Yeast infections tend to become more common with increased age but can occur at any age and are known to cause vaginal odours.

Many women suffering from yeast infections resort to the remedies found in a drugstore: creams, suppositories and other 'medical' remedies. The problem with these is that they tend to help for only a short time before the yeast comes back with a vengeance. There are, however, remedies which even some medical doctors say are more effective in combating this evil menace.

Try garlic

Garlic is a big enemy of yeast! This is one of the most effective home remedies found for instant relief. Inserting one garlic tab or a garlic clove into the vagina every few hours or as needed provides soothing relief. If you use garlic tabs, be sure the ingredients are natural and pure. Of course, garlic can be taken orally, as well. If you don't mind the smell, you can press a whole garlic clove and drink it down quickly with water. Many women report that this is very effective. Do it as often as necessary.

Garlic is one of nature's amazing 'drugs' that has a number of other health benefits, including lowering blood pressure and reducing bad cholesterol. Try it and see how it works for you but remember to go see a medical doctor for another opinion. Hope this helps!

Counsellor

dearcounsellor@hotmail.com

 
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Write to Dear Counsellor Rev.Stephen-Claude Hyatt at Youth Link, The Gleaner Company, 7 North Street, Kingston; Fax: 922-6223; e-mail lifestyle@gleanerjm or dearcounsellor@hotmail.com


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