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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National Testing Day - Get Yourself Tested Today!
Saturday June 27, 2009
Today is National HIV Testing Day. What a better way to show the one you love just how much you care by getting tested for HIV together. Let your friends and family know that they can get tested at any local HIV testing site; usually free of charge. Get tested today...the peace of mind will do wonders.
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Michael Jackson Raised AIDS Money and Awareness
Friday June 26, 2009
Say what you will about Michael Jackson. His reputation as the King of Pop is undisputed. The rumors of unhealthy relationships with young boys is for each of us to decide as being true or false. His history of compassion and contribution to HIV and AIDS causes made him a true friend of the HIV community. Along with Elton John, he aligned himself with the AIDS community and supported the likes of AIDS sufferer Ryan White. He helped raise HIV and AIDS awareness, bringing it to the forefront during a time when people seemed not to care. The HIV community has much to thank Michael Jackson for; his support and compassion will be missed.
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Porn Industry Taking Steps to Prevent HIV
Sunday June 21, 2009
In response to concerns expressed by film makers, the adult film industry is tightening controls designed to prevent the spread of HIV between their actors and actresses. The move came as production companies expressed concern that they could be unknowingly filming actors and actresses who were quarantined after last week's disclosure that a female adult film performer had tested positive for HIV. Much of the confusion occurred because an actress continued to work even though she did not have a current negative test. The industry has set limits stating actors and actresses have to have a documented negative test within 30 days of filming. The woman in question allegedly had her last negative test on April 30, 2009 but filmed on June 5, 2009, meaning her last negative test was older than 30 days. To make sure test results are current, producers are being warned that unless they can confirm an actor or actress is negative using the HIV and STD testing database maintained by the industry, they should not use the performer. In fact production companies are being cautioned that paper test results should not be used instead of the database. Simply, doctors are saying if performers are not listed on the database as being negative then they should not be filmed.
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What Activities Put You at the Highest HIV Risk?
Wednesday June 17, 2009
HIV can be transmitted from person to person in many different ways. But which activities are the riskiest? Which activities carry the highest risk of HIV infection? Understanding how you place yourself at risk will help you make healthy choices. Remember, when it comes to HIV transmission it only takes once, regardless of the perceived risk or the transmission rates. Let's look at your risky behaviors.
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STDs Rates Continue to Climb
Wednesday June 17, 2009
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that the number of two STDs, syphilis and chlamydia are on the rise while gonorrhea is holding steady. The numbers from 2007 showed that over 1.1 million cases of chlamydia were reported; the largest number of chlamydia cases ever reported by the CDC. That equates to about 370 cases per 100,000 people, a 7.5 percent increase over the previous year. At the same time, syphilis cases rose 15 percent, including over 400 babies infected with syphilis at birth. Overall, more women than men had STDs in 2007.
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Undeserving Dad Gains His Son's Forgiveness
Wednesday June 10, 2009
When Brryan Jackson was 11 months old, he contracted HIV. How you ask? Believe it or not his father admitted to intentionally injecting the infant with HIV tainted blood. By 1996, Brryan was near death, suffering from AIDS defining infections. Two years later his father was found guilty and sent to prison. Today Brryan is 18 and a high school graduate. He is healthy on his 5 medications but more amazing is that he forgives his father for injecting him and giving him HIV and AIDS. Siting his religious beliefs, Brryan says God wants all of us to forgive; so that's what Brryan has done. While he no longer speaks to his father and has changed the spelling of his first name, Brryan has forgiven him and in the process has been able to move forward. As Brryan puts it, "I have to be the better person." I think he has done just that.
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