Recent advancements in technology and medical practices are helping curb the HIV pandemic that has haunted the globe for decades. HIV can never be completely eliminated from the body and this deadly virus infects 2 million people annually. Therefore, efforts are being made worldwide to: help those affected by the virus; help prevent the virus… Continue reading
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus known as HIV attacks a person’s immune system making them susceptible to infections like tuberculosis, opportunistic infections and even tumours. These are diseases that would normally not affect people with a strong immune system. Although studies show that there is no cure for HIV, there are drugs available that can slow… Continue reading
Most people have heard of HIV, herpes, syphilis and gonorrhoea but most would be hard pressed to say what the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is. However, you are more likely to encounter HPV than all the others combined. The Center for Disease control advises that HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the USA… Continue reading
A study was conducted in two Australian cities namely Melbourne and Sydney to determine the effectiveness of a new drug for the treatment of HIV. A small sample group of 100 healthy non-HIV infected gay men who were eligible for HIV PEP (Post-exposure Prophylaxis) were part of the study. Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is a medical… Continue reading
You hear the words, “wish I got a prenup!” far more often than the words “we are going to get a prenup”. People are encouraged to look at their financial health before committing to a marriage. You don’t want to hook up only to find you have acquired a string of credit card debt along… Continue reading
U.K’s Teen Tech Awards recently granted top honors to a group of three teenagers for their groundbreaking STD-detecting condoms. The teens, Daanyaal Ali (14), Muaz Nawaz (13), and Chirag Shah (14), named their concept S.T. Eye. These three students from the Isaac Newton Academy in England have initiated the development of condoms which change color… Continue reading
In 1993 a fishing trawler came into port after three months at sea. The skipper presented to a clinic with urethral discharge that lab reports identified as gonorrhoea. The symptoms had not appeared until well into the voyage and it was clear the STD was contracted during the months at sea. The crew was all… Continue reading
Of all the letters in the English language, few are feared as much as the simple combination of H.I.V. Once you’re infected, the impact on your health and on your family can be devastating. As careful as you may be, there are still scenarios which can result in exposure to HIV. Instead of worrying and… Continue reading
The New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute (NYSDHAI) recently tasked their Medical Care Criteria Committee (MCCC) to update their HIV PEP (Post-exposure Prophylaxis) guidelines. PEP refers to the treatment required and administered after exposure to HIV – a sexually transmitted disease (STD). This exposure is categorised as resulting from sexual assault, occupational exposure,… Continue reading
What is it? HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a human specific (can only infect humans) virus that attacks the T-cells of the immune system. T-cells are the detector cells of the immune system, attacking foreign antigens they encounter in the blood stream. The HIV virus invades the T-cells. Once in they take… Continue reading