Health promotion and disease prevention are the cornerstones of a healthy society. Decades of research have changed the focus of medicine and healthcare from treating illness to preventing it in the first place. We also now know that one size does not fit all in healthcare. Different groups of people have different health risks and needs. These groups may be defined by age, gender, social life, ethnicity, genetics, and many other characteristics. Women’s health is a specialized area of ... [Read More]
HIV prevention
How Does PrEP Work to Reduce HIV Infections?
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication is a recently developed strategy for the prevention of HIV infection. HIV-negative individuals are prescribed PrEP therapy (in the form of a daily pill) to lower the risk of becoming HIV-positive when exposed to the virus. PrEP is a proven prevention treatment that was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2012. Why It Works If exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) occurs, PrEP can stop the virus from taking residence and ... [Read More]
Flu Shots: How Safe Are They?
Many believe the flu is nothing more than a very bad cold; however, the flu can be deadly. Because it weakens the immune system, the flu can leave you vulnerable for opportunistic infections – notably bacterial pneumonia – the results of which can be devastating. Since it’s nearly impossible to avoid coming into the contact with the virus, your best protection is to get a flu shot. Here’s why getting a flu shot is the safest, most convenient way to avoid getting the flu this or any other ... [Read More]
The Long-Term Effects of STDs
Almost 20 million Americans contract a sexually transmitted disease (STD) each year. That statistic may or may not surprise you, but those who are afflicted with an STD – both men and women – could face dire consequences if they allow the embarrassment and stigma attached to these diseases to prevent them from seeking immediate medical help. The most common STDs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, chancroid, herpes, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis B and C. Some of these diseases respond quickly and ... [Read More]
Important Information About HIV
HIV is an acronym for human immunodeficiency virus. The virus spreads from an infected person through the exchange of certain bodily fluids and attacks the body’s immune system. This large-scale destruction of the body’s T-cells compromises the body’s natural immune response, rendering it vulnerable to bacterial or viral infections like HIV. Some population groups are more likely to get HIV, due to risky behaviors such as IV drug use and unprotected sex. While there is no cure for HIV, it can ... [Read More]