Health

Understanding STDs and the Facts You Need to Know

The STDs that are incurable include hepatitis-B, Herpes, HIV, and HPV. If you have been diagnosed with these STDs, then you have to relay this information to any current or new partners. There are preventative medicines they can take to combat against contracting some of these infections (like Herpes and HIV).

Published

5 years ago

December 28, 2019

Bchcomber

As soon as you become sexually active, you should be concerned about your sexual health. Whether you have one partner or several, you should always take into account the spreading and contracting of STDs.

Also how your status can affect your body and the bodies of others you are sexually engaging with. The more you know about how to prevent an STD infection, the more precautions you can take.

Even if you do find yourself infected with an STD, usually, it’s a learning experience. An experience that can make you more careful going forward. If you think you might have contracted an STD from unprotected sex, then find your nearing testing center. You can also search self collect testing to test yourself at home.

If you need some quick facts about STDs to help you get started on becoming more knowledgeable about your sexual health, sexually transmitted diseases are:

Women are more susceptible to STDs than men.

Women contract STDs more easily because of their anatomy. It’s also easier to transmit an infection from a man to a woman.

Infections that progress due to STDs are also riskier for women.

Women are more likely to have their fertility affected by a long-term infection, while they are also at risk of passing some STDs to their babies while they give birth. Particular STDs, like HPV, can also increase the risk or even cause cervical cancer in women. For this reason, women need to be extra careful about their sexual health.

There are more than 25 known STDs.

The most common STDs are chlamydia, gonorrhea, crabs, HPV, Herpes, hepatitis-B, and trichomoniasis.

STDs are most commonly contracted through oral, vaginal, and anal sex.

Some people believe that STDs cannot be transmitted orally, when in fact, they can.

Most STDs are passed through vaginal fluids, semen, and blood.

Some, like scabies, are passed simply through skin-to-skin contact.

While many STDs are treatable, not all can be cured.

Many STDs, especially the most common ones, are asymptomatic.

This means that sometimes after you’ve been affected by an STD, the infection will not cause any symptoms to appear. The most common STDs — HPV and chlamydia often show no symptoms in those infected. That’s why you should be tested after every unprotected sexual encounter.

Men who have sex with men have the highest risk of contracting syphilis and HIV.

70% of those diagnosed with syphilis from 2013 to 2017 were men, while only 6% of those people were women. There are two stages of syphilis, which is a disease that is highly contagious and can have severe side effects if left untreated. Symptoms include the appearance of a rash, sores, and flu-like symptoms.

Each year, there are an estimated 20 million new STD infections in the United States alone.
Those who are sexually active between the ages of 15 and 24 account for 50% of newly infected people each year, although the people in that age group only account for 25% of the sexually active population.

Many young people start experiencing sexual ages early or might be pressured into engaging in sexual activity before they even know what they’re getting into. Because of this, they pass STDs to each other at a faster rate. If they were to be more educated about how to properly protect against STDs, then this percentage might decrease over time.

1 in 4 teens contract an STD each year.
HPV (human papillomavirus) is the most prevalent STD contracted in the U.S.
The U.S. has the highest rate of STD infection in the global first world.
Less than half of those between 18 and 44 have been tested for any STD other than HIV in their lifetime.

Even though HIV used to be a life-threatening virus, and is still prevalent in the U.S. and globally, the likelihood of transmission has gone down significantly in recent decades.

Get tested before you infect anyone else

For those men who are engaging sexually with other men, it still should be a topic of discussion. Also something you are tested for after every instance of unprotected sex with a partner.

It is less likely to occur after vaginal sex (unless those who are engaging are also using heavy drugs that involve needles and could already be infected with the virus). Regardless, everyone should be tested for HIV every six months or after being sexually active without using protection.

Anytime a person has sex with a partner unprotected (and they aren’t in a mutually monogamous relationship in which both partners have been tested before engaging sexually), they should be tested for potential STD infection. Many people are deterred by the stigma attached to STD infection as well as naivety about “knowing” their partner. Having sex with a person unprotected means that you’ve now been exposed to any other partners they’ve had or currently have. Get tested before you infect anyone else.

Condoms don’t protect against two of the most prevalent STDs being spread in the U.S. — HPV and genital herpes.
It isn’t just intercourse that can be the cause of an STD infection; STDs can also be passed through oral sex, mutual masturbation, and anal sex.
It is not routine to test for STDs at your doctor’s office.

For women, it is recommended to visit the gynecologist and have a pap smear yearly. Not everyone has access to those services, but those who do know that they will ask you whether or not you want to be tested for STDs during the visit. This is a good option in killing two birds with one stone – you can make sure that your vaginal and ovarian health is in order, and that your sexual health is being taken care of.

Health

Report Causes Pfizer Stock to Climb Approximately $1 Billion Acquired by Starboard

Published

2 months ago

October 7, 2024

Salman

(VOR News) – According to a rumor that activist investor Pfizer Starboard Value has taken a holding in the struggling pharmaceutical business that is expected to be worth around one billion dollars, the stock of Pfizer (PFE) is on the increase in premarket trading on Monday.

This comes after the report was made public. The report was made available to the general public following this. Starboard Value was successful in moving forward with the acquisition of the position.

Starboard is said to have approached Ian Read, a former chief executive officer of Pfizer, and Frank D’Amelio, a former chief financial officer, in order to seek assistance with its goals of boosting the performance of the company, according to the Wall Street Journal. Read and D’Amelio are both former Pfizer executives.

The purpose of this is to facilitate the accomplishment of its objectives, which include enhancing the overall performance of the firm.

In their previous jobs, D’Amelio and Read were chief financial officers.

It is stated in the report that the hedge fund is of the opinion that Pfizer, which is currently being managed by Albert Bourla, who succeeded Read as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in 2019, does not demonstrate the same level of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) discipline that Read did. Bourla took over for Read in 2019. Read was succeeded by Bourla in the year 2019.

Pfizer, a multinational pharmaceutical conglomerate, has made substantial investments in the acquisition of more companies that are involved in the research and development of cancer medicines.

These businesses have been acquired for billions of dollars. The biotechnology company Seagen, which was acquired by Pfizer in the previous year for a price of $43 billion, is included in this category. One of the businesses that can be classified as belonging to this category is Seagen.

In spite of the fact that the S&P 500 Index experienced a 21% increase in 2024.

No major trading occurred in Pfizer stock that year.

Due to the fact that the demand for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines fell after the firm reached its pandemic peak in 2021, the share price of the corporation has decreased by over fifty percent since that time.

This drop has occurred ever since the company’s shares reached their maximum peak, which was during the time that this decline occurred. Not only have they not changed at all, but they have also remained essentially stable. This is in contrast to the S&P 500, which has gained 21% since the beginning of this year.

Recently, the corporation was forced to take a hit when it decided to recall all of the sickle cell illness medications that it had distributed all over the world.

Fears that the prescription could lead patients to experience severe agony and possibly even death were the impetus for the decision to recall the product. In spite of the fact that Pfizer’s stock is increasing by almost three percent as a result of the news that followed the company’s decision, this is the circumstance that has come about.

SOURCE: IPN

Health

New Study Reveals Drinking Soda Pop Increases the Risk of Stroke

Published

2 months ago

October 6, 2024

VORNews

If you drink too much soda, fruit juice and coffee, beware!

A recent report from global research indicates that excessive consumption of coffee or soda pop is associated with an increased risk of stroke, although the intake of black and green tea is correlated with a reduced risk. Excessive consumption of soda pop or coffee warrants caution!

Recent research indicates that it may substantially elevate the risk of stroke.

Consuming four cups of coffee daily elevates the risk of stroke, according to studies, although ingesting 3-4 cups of black or green tea daily typically offers protection against stroke. Additionally, consume more coffee; it may reduce your risk of mortality.

Recent findings from global research studies co-led by the University of Galway and McMaster University, alongside an international consortium of stroke researchers, indicate that soda, encompassing both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened variants such as diet or zero sugar, is associated with a 22 percent heightened risk of stroke. The risk escalated significantly with the consumption of two or more of these beverages daily.

Stroke Risk Fizzy Drinks and Soda Pop

The correlation between fizzy drinks consumption and stroke risk was most pronounced in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America. Women exhibit the most elevated risk of stroke from bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage) associated with fruit juice beverages. Consuming over 7 cups of water daily diminishes the likelihood of stroke due to a clot.

Researchers observed that numerous items advertised as fruit juice are derived from concentrates and have added sugars and preservatives, potentially negating the advantages often associated with fresh fruit and instead elevating stroke risk.

Fruit juice beverages were associated with a 37 percent heightened risk of stroke resulting from bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage). Consuming two of these beverages daily increases the risk thrice.

Consuming over four cups of coffee daily elevates the risk of stroke by 37 percent, although lower consumption levels do not correlate with stroke risk. Conversely, tea consumption was associated with an 18-20 percent reduction in stroke risk. Additionally, consuming 3-4 cups daily of black tea, such as Breakfast and Earl Grey varieties, excluding green and herbal teas, was associated with a 29 percent reduced risk of stroke.

Consuming 3-4 cups of green tea daily was associated with a 27 percent reduction in stroke risk. Notably, the addition of milk may diminish or inhibit the advantageous effects of antioxidants present in tea. The lower risk of stroke associated with tea consumption was negated for individuals who added milk.

Disclaimer: This article is intended solely for informational reasons and should not be considered a replacement for professional medical counsel. Consistently consult your physician regarding any inquiries pertaining to a medical problem.

Starbucks Faces Sales Decline Amid Price Fatigue and Rising Competition

Starbucks Faces Sales Decline Amid Price Fatigue and Rising Competition

Health

Following a Diagnosis of Breast Cancer, What Else Should You Know?

Published

2 months ago

October 5, 2024

Salman

(VOR News) – Even though breast cancer affects one in eight American women, receiving a diagnosis can make a woman feel isolated.

Experts in breast cancer from the American College of Physicians (ACS) advise patients on how to manage their disease so that they may better cope with this awful information.

First, the kind and stage of breast cancer dictates the course of your care.

In addition to immunotherapy and chemotherapy, there are various surgical options available for the treatment of breast cancer.

Women of African descent are disproportionately affected by triple-negative breast cancer, an extremely aggressive form of the disease that has never proven easy to treat.

According to the American Cancer Society, pembrolizumab (Keytruda), an immunotherapy, has been shown to be helpful when combined with chemotherapy and is currently the recommended course of treatment for certain combinations of triple-negative breast cancer.

In her presentation, Dr. Katharine Yao said, “It’s really important that the patient and physician discuss the patient’s preferences and values when deciding what type of treatment to pursue and that they have an honest, individualized discussion with their care team.”

She is currently responsible for developing breast cancer treatment recommendations for more than 575 hospitals and institutions nationwide in her role as chair of the American College of Surgeons’ National Accreditation Program for Breast Institutions (NAPBC).

Yao, vice chair of research at Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals in New York, pointed out that each decision made about a patient’s treatment plan should take her preferences and diagnosis into consideration.

She ought to think about whether she would prefer a mastectomy—a surgical procedure that involves removing the entire breast with or without reconstruction—or a lumpectomy, which involves a surgical procedure that spares part of the breast tissue.

She stated that “the breast cancer you have may be very different from the breast cancer you hear about in your neighbor, colleague, or friend” in a press release issued by the American Cancer Society (ACS).

“Consider that while discussing breast cancer with others.”

Throughout your journey, it is critical that you look after your emotional health because having breast cancer may have a detrimental impact on your mental health.

“Getting a cancer diagnosis does not mean that everything in your life stops to be normal.” Director of the Fellowship in the Diseases of the Breast program at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas and state head of the American Cancer Society Commission on Cancer for Arkansas, Dr. Daniela Ochoa She thinks adding the burden of a cancer diagnosis and treatment to all the other pressures in life may be taxing.

“Managing stress and emotional health is vital component of a treatment plan.”

Ochoa recommends clinically trained psychologists and social workers who have assisted people in coping with cancer to anyone receiving treatment. Learning coping techniques might also be facilitated by joining cancer support groups or cancer wellness initiatives.

Breast cancer specialists say your care team is crucial.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) defines comprehensive care as having support at every stage of the procedure from surgeons, oncologists, patient navigators, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and other specialists.

After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, women should see a surgeon or medical oncologist to explore their options; nevertheless, treatment shouldn’t be discontinued after just one appointment or after surgery is over.

Additionally, you can ask trustworthy friends or family members to accompany you to appointments and aid you with research or notes. They could serve as a network of support for you.

Yao stated in his talk that “one of the most important things is that patients should search out a team they have confidence in, that they trust will have their back when they need it, and a team they feel they can get access to and that will help them when they are in need.”

SOURCE: MP