The key to defeating AIDS may be early testing and therapy. By giving a child early anti-retroviral therapy, the Doctors are happy to announce the first child pronounced cured from HIV. Anti viral therapy works by stopping the HIV virus from reproducing. But disease remnants remain, and if therapy stops, AIDS returns. By starting the therapy early, the disease was stopped before the reservoirs formed. So, now the child does not need therapy. This method is also an undocumented, "off label" use: If a Health Care Professional should be accidentally exposed, they will begin therapy immediately. Many infections have been prevented. "The case was declared a major landmark in the battle to find a cure for the disease" "This is great news and a proof of concept that curing HIV infection is a possibility." "‘We can’t promise to cure babies who are infected. We can promise to prevent the vast majority of transmissions if the moms are tested during every pregnancy."
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Early treatment with anti-retroviral drugs sharply cut the risk by 96 percent that infected patients will transmit HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. All the study subjects got health care, HIV testing and counseling on safe sex and condoms. All reported high rates of use. Early treatment with antiretrovirals dropped the contagion rate by 96%. A generation without AIDS is now possible.
HIV Prevention Scientific Breakthrough Of 2011
The journal Science has named research led by Myron S. Cohen, MD., of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as the 2011 Scientific Breakthrough of the Year
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"Not all women are the same." "The type and abundance of bacteria found in the vagina vary over a short time interval in some, and in others it tends not to change." In healthy people "these bugs protect against infection," by keeping the vagina acidic. Sexual activity, followed by the menstrual cycle are the strongest drivers of change. Nurse William suggests that all things are interconnected in the mystical dance of life. Untangling the Environmental Influences will prove to be one key to unlocking the incredible health benefits of Probiotics. "We can develop multiple probiotics ... that will do a more effective job of covering the diversity of women found in the general population."
Temporal Dynamics of the Human Vaginal Microbiota
stm.sciencemag.org
↵† Present address: Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, The Huck Institutes for the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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Of fertility treatments, only ICSI, the injection of sperm into an egg , resulted in higher rates of birth defects, raising the level to about 10%. Why this is happening is unclear. Suggested reasons include: possible damage to the sperm in the injection, or perhaps in IVF the competition of about 10,000 sperm results in the most vigorous sperm reaching the egg. Suggested recommendations include: using ICSI only in cases of male infertility and the development of a database of ICSI children. ICSI adds about $2000 to the cost.
Reproductive Technologies and the Risk of Birth Defects — NEJM
Original Article from The New England Journal of Medicine — Reproductive Technologies and the Risk of Birth Defects
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Weight loss may increase fertility, increasing the pregnancy rate by 34% "For women, obesity reduces fertility and is an independent risk factor for obstetric complications for both mother and fetus," The women used a "very-low-energy diet" for the first 6 weeks, followed by a less restricted-calorie diet. Other advantages included: reduced maternal and fetal risk factors, and improvements on metabolic, hormonal, and psychological measures. Because of the high cost of in vitro fertilization, couples saved about $9,216.
Medical News: Shedding Pounds May Hike Success of Fertility Tx - in OB/Gyn, Infertility from MedPage
Shedding Pounds May Hike Success of Fertility Tx By Crystal Phend, Senior Staff Writer, MedPage TodayPublished: May 08, 2012Reviewed by Robert Jasmer, MD; Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco.
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Healthy is sexy. Adult males with strong immune systems are seen as more sexually attractive. A strong immune system plays a greater role in attracting women to men, than great bodies or muscles. Men with healthy immune systems tend to have higher testosterone levels, and it is the healthier immune system that causes attractiveness. The immune system can be improved and strengthened by proper exercise, nutrition and rest.
Immune System Drives Male Attractiveness
Adult males with strong immune systems are seen as more sexually attractive to females, researchers from the University of Abertay Dundee, Scotland, wrote in the journal Nature Communications
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45% of women overestimate the effectiveness of the Pill, condoms, the hormonal patch, the hormonal vaginal ring and the injection hormone Depo-Provera. 0.2 to 0.8% of women who use an IUD will have an unplanned pregnancy within a year. 0.05% with a contraceptive implant. The pregnancy rate with the Pill with "typical use" is about 9% per year. With condoms, it's between 18 and 21%. 30% of health providers incorrectly doubt the safety of IUDs for women who have never given birth. This is not a risk of IUDs. Side effects of implants include irregular menstrual bleeding. The Mirena IUD generally makes periods lighter. The ParaGard IUD may increase menstrual bleeding and cramping.
Knowledge of contraceptive effectiveness
American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Volume null, Issue null, Pages null, null, Authors:David L. Eisenberg, MD, MPH; Gina M. Secura, PhD; Tessa E. Madden, MD, MPH; Jenifer E. Allsworth, PhD; Qiuhong Zhao, MS; Jeffrey F. Peipert, MD, PhD
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Circumcision has already been shown to reduce HIV transmission by 60%, and provide a 27% reduction in genital herpes. Circumcision may also reduce prostate cancer by up to 15%. "Recent work has also shown that circumcision reduces risk for acquiring STIs." There is a also 50% higher risk of prostate cancer in men after any STI. "Therefore, if we assume that STIs play a role in prostate cancer, and accept that circumcision can reduce the incidence of STIs, it is then plausible that circumcision may also reduce the risk of prostate cancer."
Medical News:Less Prostate Ca Seen in Circumcised Men - in Infectious Disease, General Infectious Di
Men had a 15% lower risk of prostate cancer if they had been circumcised before first sexual intercourse, data from two case-control studies showed.
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"Circumcision is a powerful, life-long prevention of infection." Circumcision led to a reduction of 27% in the risk of genital herpes. (Herpes can make people more susceptible to HIV infection, and it can make HIV-infected individuals more infectious. Even high-dose antiviral suppressive therapy does not appear to prevent spreading of herpes.) And other studies show that circumcision cuts men’s risk of HIV infection by 60% or more. “This is the equivalent of a 60% effective vaccine for men."
Medical News:Circumcision Tied to Drop in Herpes, Too - in , CROI from MedPage Today
SEATTLE -- African men who underwent circumcision not only reduced their risk of contracting HIV infection, they also were significantly less likely to be infected with herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) – also known as genital herpes, researchers reported here.
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Most genital herpes is caused by HSV-2. One out of six people 14 to 49 years of age have genital HSV-2 infection. Herpes can make people more susceptible to HIV infection, and it can make HIV-infected individuals more infectious. Even high-dose antiviral suppressive therapy does not appear to prevent spreading of the virus. This finding: "should encourage patients to use condoms and adopt safe sex practices, especially since increase of the treatment dose would not further reduce the risk of transmission to patients' partners."
HSV2 Suppressive Therapy Does Not Eliminate Viral Shedding
: Suppressive medicine for genital herpes reduces the number and duration of outbreaks but does not appear to prevent viral shedding that can result in transmission of virus.
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All drugs have side effects. Erectile dysfunction (ED) rises in likelihood and severity as the number of medications a man takes increases. Decreases or changes in the amount of or type of medication may significantly improve a man's quality of life because his ED may improve from moderate to mild. "These men would benefit from lifestyle changes such as changes in their diet, regular exercise, and not smoking, which would help control their hypertension, diabetes, and stress and reduce erectile dysfunction risk."
Polypharmacy Linked to Erectile Dysfunction
: Taking multiple medications is associated with an increased risk for erectile dysfunction as well as worsened severity, according to a large survey of men aged 45-69 years.
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Young men who consume a diet of grains, fruits, and vegetables, and avoid trans fats, are more likely to have healthy sperm. "Intake of trans-fatty acids was associated with lower sperm concentrations but was unrelated to motility or morphology," "We are starting to get a better idea of how nutrition affects fertility, but we still have a lot to learn."
Medical News: ASRM: Healthy Diet Boosts Semen Quality - in Meeting Coverage, ASRM from MedPage Today
ORLANDO -- Young men who consume a diet of grains, fruits, and vegetables, and avoid trans fats, are more likely to have more motile sperm in their semen, researchers reported here.
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Doses of saw palmetto extract up to three times the standard did not reduce lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). "There is ... [an] unwarranted psychological fear of loss of sexual ability with prostate medications. As such, men convince themselves that herbs are natural and do not interfere with their sexual ability."
Medical News: Saw Palmetto No Help for Enlarged Prostate - in Urology, BPH/LUTS from MedPage Today
Doses of saw palmetto extract up to three times the standard did not reduce lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia, a randomized placebo-controlled trial showed.
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IUD usage cuts the risk for cervical cancer in half. The protective benefits are not seen in already human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive women. Women still "need to have safe sex, (and) pap smears as indicated."
Intrauterine Device Use Tied to Lower Cervical Cancer Risk --Doctors Lounge
TUESDAY, Sept. 13 (HealthDay News) -- Intrauterine device (IUD) use is associated with a lower risk of cervical cancer, but the protective association is not seen in human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive women, according to a study published online Sept. 13 in The Lancet Oncology.
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Better sex is another reason for Healthy Lifestyles. "The results add to and strengthen existing knowledge that healthy dietary habits and increased physical activity are important components of health to improve quality of life in men by improving sexual health."
Reducing Cardiovascular Risks Lessens Erectile Dysfunction : Internal Medicine News
Lifestyle modifications and pharmacotherapy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease can also improve sexual function in men who have erectile dysfunction, according to findings from a meta-analysis first posted online Sept. 12 in Archives of Internal Medicine. Erectile dysfunction (ED), with a...
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Circumcision cuts men’s risk of HIV infection by 60 percent or more. “This is the equivalent of a 60 percent effective vaccine for men." Benefits from removing the foreskin, which is more susceptible to harboring the virus and transferring it to the bloodstream, are powerful and immediate. Circumcision also has advantages over medications, and possibly even potential vaccines.
Small Fixes: Slow Progress in Circumcising Men to Fight AIDS in Africa
The goal of circumcising 20 million men in 14 African countries by 2015 is slowly progressing; less than 3 percent have been circumcised so far
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Please remember: Condoms help prevent STDs. Scientists have found a "superbug" strain of gonorrhea in Japan that is resistant to all recommended antibiotics.
Scientists find first superbug strain of gonorrhea
LONDON (Reuters) - Scientists have found a superbug strain of gonorrhea in Japan that is resistant to all recommended antibiotics and say it could transform a once easily treatable infection into a global
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All drugs have side effects. Progestin-only hormonal methods, intrauterine devices, and condoms, are safe to use immediately after delivery. New restrictions are now in place because combined hormonal contraceptives carry a slightly elevated risk of venous thromboembolism (Blood clots) in healthy women of reproductive age.
Medical News: New CDC Advice on Postpartum Contraception - in OB/Gyn, General OB/GYN from MedPage To
The CDC has recommended further restrictions on the use of combined hormonal contraceptives -- those that contain both estrogen and progestin -- in the postpartum period among women who are not breast
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This works. Please remember that condoms help prevent STDs. Gonorrhea may be losing its susceptibility to cephalosporins, the only available antibiotic class remaining to treat the sexually transmitted infection. "We are now at impasse, as we have no new drugs to switch to."
Medical News: CDC Fears Rising Treatment Resistant Gonorrhea - in Infectious Disease, STDs from MedP
Gonorrhea may be losing its susceptibility to cephalosporins, the only available antibiotic class remaining to treat the sexually transmitted infection, the CDC is warning.
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Researchers found that men who took fenugreek extract twice a day for six weeks saw significant improvements in their love life. Fenugreek has also been used for treating menopausal symptoms, inducing childbirth and solving digestive problems. Men with good sexual health live longer. Please pass the curry.
Get it to the Fenugreek? How Curry Can Seed Your Sex Life
Is the missing ingredient in your love life hiding in your spice rack? Researchers certainly think so. According to a new study in Australia, the herb fenugreek significantly improved male libido. The research,...
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HIV testing is not fully reliable. It is always after the fact. More than 20% of people with HIV do not know they are infected. Undiagnosed HIV among persons aged 13--24 years is 58.9%
HIV Surveillance --- United States, 1981--2008
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Sexism, misogyny, womens' status as second-class citizens, and the social control of womens' sexuality cause young women of reproductive age (15-24) to be the single most vulnerable demographic worldwide for new HIV/AIDS cases.
source: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/HIV/Pages/HIVIndex.aspx
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Condoms and testing help us stay healthy.
CDC: Too Many Americans Underestimate HIV Risk | USA | English
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The United States has warned that far too many Americans underestimate their risk for HIV or mistakenly believe the virus that causes AIDS is no longer a serious health threat.