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Substance Use Complicates HIV

You'll get no argument here; a diagnosis of HIV is a tough thing to deal with. There are ways to cope with your new diagnosis but some of those only complicate the matter; substance use will make coping more difficult.

The Dangers of Substance Use

AIDS / HIV Spotlight10

AIDS / HIV Blog with Mark Cichocki, R.N.

Strain of Swine Flu (H1N1) Resistant to Tamiflu

Wednesday July 8, 2009
A 16 year old girl traveling from San Francisco to Hong Kong set off a high temperature alarm at the airport in Hong Kong. She was found to be infected with a strain of H1N1 flu that turned out to be resistant to the flu medication Tamiflu. Unlike two other cases of Tamiflu resistant swine flu, this girl had never been exposed to Tamiflu, suggesting that the resistant form of H1N1 can be spread from person to person as well. The standard strain of swine flu is already resistant to older flu medications. The good news is that this new Tamiflu resistant strain is still sensitive to the other flu medication Relenza. "We do need to really monitor for the potential of a Tamiflu-resistant novel H1N1 strain to spread," CDC flu expert Tim Uyeki, MD says. "If it does, this would be quite a concern because we have limited choices of antiviral medications. For now, the CDC's recommendations on handling swine flu cases remains unchanged.

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FDA Panel Suggests Bans on Vicodin and Percocet

Saturday July 4, 2009
An FDA advisory committee has voted to recommend limits on the non-prescription pain medication acetaminophen; the active ingredient in Tylenol. In another more, the panel also recommended that the narcotic prescription pain medications Vicodin and Percocet be ban because of their potential liver damage caused by the acetaminophen contained in the pain killers. Acetaminophen has long been known to cause liver damage when taken in excess. The panel suggests lowering the recommended daily dose of acetaminophen from 4 grams to 3 grams daily. Their suggested ban on Vicodin and Percocet was called for because of the amounts of acetaminophen taken by people using increasing doses of the two drugs. Acetaminophen is contained in the two drugs to prolong the action of the narcotic pain killer contained in each drug. While the FDA does not have to act on the panel's suggestion, it will be interesting to see what the FDA's next step will be.

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Disposing of Old and Unused Medication

Monday June 29, 2009
When we think of medical waste, we typically think about old syringes, bloody gauze, or items contaminated with bodily secretions. Few people realize that there is another type of medical waste right in our own medicine cabinets. And this type of medical waste poses a health hazard to all that live in the home. I'm talking about the prescription medication in our homes; specifically expired and unused prescription medication. Like other types of medical waste there are special ways to dispose of old prescriptions and unused medication. Follow these simple guidelines to protect you, your family, your pets and the environment.

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You Have HIV - How To Tell Your Kids

Sunday June 28, 2009
Along with the many challenges a parent with HIV or AIDS faces, there's also the issue of what to tell your kids. For some parents, the decision is an easy one, it's how to "disclose" that is the problem. Others are unsure whether they should even disclose or not. Should kids be told about their parents' HIV? The answer depends largely on what you feel is best for your family. This will help.

In More News - HIV Rates Among Young People on the Rise

Michigan's Department of Community Health (MDCH) has reported that HIV among the young people of Michigan is on the rise. According to surveillance data, infection rates among 13 to 24 year olds in the state have doubled between 2002 and 2006. Currently Michigan has an infection rate of 9.7 cases per 100,000 people ages 13 to 24. The MDCH says that infection rates among this age group are up across the US. Michigan will be holding an HIV Prevention Leadership Summit in Detroit later this month.

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