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Drugs Sold on the Internet to Treat STDS Unsafe

By Madison Brown-Moffitt, High School Writer, and PAMF Staff

Teens — Beware! There are dangerous natural products sold on the Internet that falsely claim to treat and prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STD).

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety warning about ineffective products sold on the Internet. These products are falsely advertised to treat and prevent STDs such as herpes, Chlamydia, human papilloma virus (HPV), cervical dysplasia and HIV/AIDS.

These products are dangerous because they have not been proven to work. They give people false hope that may keep them from seeking treatments that have been proven in scientific studies to be effective. These unsafe products include topical solutions, creams, lip balms, pills, light treatment lamps, electromagnetic devices and lubricants. Some of these products actually harm you. While it may look like the problem is gone, it could co me back, perhaps even worse than before. None of these things have been proven to work, and if they did, your doctor would be the first to support their use!

If left untreated, STDs can cause long-term problems, including infertility. If you ever suspect you have an STD, you need to make an appointment with your doctor. They can help you figure out if you have anything, and if so, what. After you're 12 years old (depending on what state you live in), anything you discuss with your doctor is private and cannot be shared unless you give your permission. (We suggest you call the doctor's office first and verify this.)

In California, you are allowed to ask your guardian who has accompanied you to the doctor to leave the room so that you may speak privately with your doctor. In the states where this is allowed, the law says that you are able to have private conversations with your doctor, and if it is offered in the state where you live, you may exercise this right.

Drugs Removed from Market

The FDA has removed the following from the market:

Product name	Falsely sold to treat	What it contains or delivers
Safe Lips by Tetrasol	Oral Herpes (Cold Sores)	Silver oxide Essential oils
Aviralex topical solution	Oral and Genital Herpes	Ammoniated acid Sulphur Lemon Balm Saint John's Wort
Oxi- MED cream	Genital Warts — Human papilloma virus (HPV) Oral and Genital Herpes	Bio-oxidatives Salicylic Acid L-Lysine
Imulux Lamps Device	Oral and Genital Herpes and Shingles	UV light treatment
Beta-mannum	Human papilloma virus (HPV) Genital Warts Plantar Warts Cervical Dysplasia	Aloe vera
Micronutrient	Genital Warts – Human papilloma virus (HPV) Oral and Genital Herpes	Spirulina platensis Olive Leaf Extract Red Marine Algae Colostrum
Qina Device	HIV/AIDS Cancer	Device that generates electro magnetic energy
SlicPlus Lubricant	HIV/AIDS Chlamydia Genital Herpes Hepatitis B	Multivitamins

A word of advice: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. And if in doubt, or if it sounds shady or suspicious, ask your doctor or a trained health care professional that you trust.
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