Category Archives: Diseases & Conditions

The Result

Posted by getPHYT in Diseases & Conditions and tagged with , , ,

He said “I am broken. No one is ever going to love me.”

You see, it was my job to let him know he had HIV. He had just turned 23.

The room had stopped, he took several deep breaths. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale.

“Positive” read the results on the confirmatory and this young man felt it was the end of his journey.

In 7 minutes I witnessed a person go from feeling whole to feeling deeply incomplete.

His back hunched over, he continued to look down at his feet.

But you see, it was not only about him, his partner had been a virgin… until they slept together.

No protection was used, so my patient’s worries ensued.

How does he tell his partner his results?

Where does he begin?

What if the results held the same fate as him?

All he could feel was guilt and confusion.  Reality trickled in for him; this was no dream or illusion.

His aura was filled with strife. He wondered if he had put a death sentence on his partner’s life.

It was no longer about him, but the life of another.

Someone he cared deeply about, a friend and a lover.

We think of love and we think trust; But what about lust?

We tend to see the surface alone when it comes to people. But everyone has a reason and a story.

We’re living in the 21st century, but the HIV rates are still rising.

You and I, we have the power to keep the death rate declining.

There is no face to HIV, there is no look, no special walk nor talk.

HIV doesn’t discriminate; but it continues to eliminate.

It could greet your mother or your little brother.

Sexual orientation, socioeconomic status or religion does not exempt you.

As long as the antibodies infect the blood, this diseases wrath still holds true.

When it comes to HIV, it is not just about you or me, but it is about “us”, the “we” … educating our community.

So take control of your life when you can; know your status like the back of your hand.

By FIONA HARVEY

Photo by Alyssa Llamas

Photo by Alyssa Llamas

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The Notorious Norovirus

Posted by getPHYT in Diseases & Conditions and tagged with , , , ,

Image Source: The Buglish

Google “norovirus” and you’ll probably come across headlines such as New Norovirus Strain Rips Through the US, Norovirus: Why washing your hands isn’t enough, or ‘Super Bug’ Norovirus Invades U.S., Symptoms Appear in 48 Hours. Sounds terrifying.

So what’s the deal with the norovirus? It seems like within a few days the norovirus has managed to steal the spotlight from influenza (flu virus). While “norovirus” may sound unfamiliar, most of us have probably gotten sick because of the notorious norovirus. According to the CDC, there are about 20 million norovirus cases each year in the United States. That means about 1 in 15 Americans will get the norovirus this year!

The more common names of norovirus illness are “food poisoning” and “stomach flu.” However, not all food poisoning cases are caused by the norovirus. Also, the stomach flu is not related to the flu (influenza). Norovirus causes gastroenteritis, which is inflammation of the stomach and intestines.

Image Source: healthwise-everythinghealth.blogspot.com

You can probably guess the symptoms for norovirus illness: diarrhea, throwing up, nausea, and stomach cramping! Ew. Fortunately, most people get better in 1-2 days. Other, less common symptoms may include low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and general sense of fatigue.

In addition, norovirus can cause dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration include a decrease in urination, a dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up. If infected, make sure to drink plenty of fluids like water and Gatorade. Try to stay with your normal diet as much as possible, but try to avoid foods that are high in fat and sugar. Also avoid spicy foods, alcohol, and coffee for 2 days after all symptoms have disappeared.

Aside from eating foods or drinking liquids contaminated with norovirus, you can also get it by:

  • Touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus and then putting your hand or fingers in your mouth.
  • Having direct contact with a person who is infected with norovirus (for example, when caring for someone with norovirus or sharing foods or eating utensils with them).
Don't Infect. Disinfect. Photo by Alyssa Llamas

Don’t Infect. Disinfect. Photo by Alyssa Llamas

People with norovirus are contagious from the moment they feel sick until at least 3 days after they recover. If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, hide in your room. I’m kidding, but not really. Stay home and get better! Unfortunately, there is no vaccine nor treatment for norovirus.

So, what are we supposed to do? Do we stand a chance against this SUPER BUG that has RIPPED THROUGH THE U.S.? Follow these tips from the CDC and hopefully you won’t catch the norovirus (or it won’t catch you!).

  1. Wash your hands! I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it: Clean Hands Save Lives! Make sure to wash your hands with soap and water after using the bathroom (#1 AND #2) and before eating!
  2. Take care in the kitchen! Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and cook oysters and other shellfish thoroughly before eating them. Check out A Recipe for Safe Cooking!
  3. Do not prepare food while infected! People with norovirus illness should not prepare food for others while they have symptoms and for 3 days after they recover from their illness.
  4. Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces! After throwing up or having diarrhea, immediately clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces by using a bleach-based household cleaner as directed on the product label. Clorox wipes? Buy them. Use them.
  5. Wash laundry thoroughly! Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated with vomit or stool. Handle soiled items carefully—without agitating them—to avoid spreading virus.

By ALYSSA LLAMAS

I’ll Be Fine…

Posted by getPHYT in Diseases & Conditions, Healthy Living and tagged with , , ,

I’ll take some antibiotics and (fill in the blank) will be gone tomorrow!  Antibiotics are wondrous drugs that can cure infections and contagious, life-threatening diseases. But, antibiotics aren’t always the answer.

image source: Cartoon Stock

Antibiotics are fantastic for curing bacterial infections, but they are powerless against infections caused by viruses, such as flu, colds, most sore throats, bronchitis, and some ear infections. They won’t keep others from catching the disease either. In fact, unneeded antibiotics may lead to future antibiotic resistant infections. Repeated and improper uses of antibiotics are primary causes of the increase in drug-resistant bacteria.

Antibiotic resistance has become a major concern and public health problem.

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria changes in way that enables it to NOT be affected by antibiotics. Each time a person takes antibiotics, the sensitive (non-resistant) bacteria are killed, but then there are the rebels, the antibiotic-resistant bacteria, that survive and multiply. When exposed to antibiotics, the resistant bacteria says, “Eh, Antibiotics. NBD.”

image source: cspinet.org

But it’s a big deal for us! According to the CDC, “Almost every type of bacteria has become stronger and less responsive to antibiotic treatment when it is really needed.” Just like other bacteria, these antibiotic-resistant bacteria can quickly spread from person to person. If the bacteria is resistant to many drugs, then it can become difficult or impossible to treat. So is there anything we CAN do to stop this from happening?

Yes! Here are some tips from the CDC on how you can prevent antibiotic-resistant infections:

  1. Talk with your healthcare provider about antibiotic resistance:
    • Ask whether an antibiotic is likely to be beneficial for your illness
    • Ask what else you can do to feel better sooner
  2. Do not take an antibiotic for a viral infection like a cold or the flu.
  3. Do not save some of your antibiotic for the next time you get sick. Discard any leftover medication once you have completed your prescribed course of treatment.
  4. Take an antibiotic exactly as the healthcare provider tells you. Do not skip doses. Complete the prescribed course of treatment even if you are feeling better. If treatment stops too soon, some bacteria may survive and re-infect.
  5. Do not take antibiotics prescribed for someone else. The antibiotic may not be appropriate for your illness. Taking the wrong medicine may delay correct treatment and allow bacteria to multiply.
  6. If your healthcare provider determines that you do not have a bacterial infection, ask about ways to help relieve your symptoms. Do not pressure your provider to prescribe an antibiotic.

For more information, check out CDC’s FAQ on antibiotic resistance.

We’re 10 days away from the official start of winter (and the end of the world??) but it’s already getting cold! So bundle up! Drink lots of fluids! And get plenty of rest!

Stay warm!

By ALYSSA LLAMAS

Don’t Let the Grinch Steal Your Christmas!

Posted by getPHYT in Diseases & Conditions, Immunization and tagged with , , ,

The holiday season is upon us! Christmas decorations are up! Peppermint mochas and eggnog lattes are back at Starbucks. Christmas music has taken over the radio. The parking lot at the mall is a nightmare. And there’s a Christmas movie on TV almost every night! I just watched Elf last night! It’s only a matter of time until you watch Love Actually (You know this is true).

image source: fanpop.com

image source: fanpop.com

Not to be a Grinch, but it’s also flu season. No one ever wants to be sick, especially this time of the year! So DON’T LET THE FLU GET TO YOU! FIGHT BACK AND GET YOUR FLU SHOT ASAP! 

Imagine this: While all of your friends are celebrating the holiday together, eating delicious food, exchanging gifts, singing karaoke, and playing Monopoly Deal (best game ever), you’re stuck in bed, sick with the flu and looking at all the pictures they’ve Instagrammed. If that doesn’t convince you to get vaccinated for the flu, then here are 3 reasons from the CDC on why you should:

  1. The annual vaccine is the best way to protect yourself from the flu.
  2. New flu vaccines are released every year to keep up with the rapidly changing flu viruses, so last year’s vaccine may not protect you from this year’s viruses.
  3. People with certain medical conditions, such as children younger than 5, senior citizens, pregnant women, and people with asthma, are at a greater risk of developing flu-related complications.

This week (December 2-8) is National Influenza Vaccination Week. So if you haven’t gotten your flu vaccine yet, get it this week! Click here for more information from the CDC.

By ALYSSA LLAMAS

The Buzz on West Nile Virus

Posted by getPHYT in Diseases & Conditions and tagged with , , ,

At every summer event, no matter how well you plan, I can almost guarantee you will have a few uninvited guests: mosquitoes. Not only are mosquitoes annoying, buzzing around your head looking for a piece of exposed skin to leave the gift of itchy, red bumps, but they also can carry a potentially dangerous virus called West Nile.

West Nile Virus first appeared in New York in 1999 and now is a common summertime problem in many states. According to the CDC, in 2011 over 700 people in the United States were infected with West Nile Virus and 43 died as a result of the dangerous (but rare!) neurological complications of the virus. Most people infected have either no symptoms or experience mild symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches or skin rash that often go away on their own. MayoClinic advises people to seek a doctor when they experience symptoms such as stiff neck, high fever, convulsions and pain, which  can be signs of a serious neurological infection such as encephalitis, which is swelling of the brain, or meningitis, swelling of the brain tissue and spinal cord, which are both life threatening.

When a mosquito bites an infected animal, usually a bird, that mosquito can become infected with the West Nile virus. So when that mosquito bites you, you can also become infected. The good news is that most mosquitoes don’t carry West Nile so your chances of getting sick are pretty slim. Also, you can’t catch it from someone else like the common cold virus by touching or kissing another person.  Since it is impossible to tell if a mosquito is infected with West Nile, it’s best to take precaution, especially if there are West Nile infections in your area. Be sure to check your local news to see if West Nile is making any uninvited appearances nearby.

image source: City of Berkeley Environmental Health

Although there is no vaccine for West Nile Virus, there are some preventative steps you can take. Here’s what the CDC  recommends you do:

  1. Use insect repellent when you are outdoors.
  2. Mosquitoes are most active from dusk to dawn, so if you are going to be outside during that time be sure to wear insect repellant and wear long sleeves and pants.
  3. Make sure you don’t have any holes in your window screens.
  4. Mosquitoes breed in pools of still water, like water in a bird bath or water sitting in a tire swing. Be sure to empty out water in trash cans, empty pots, buckets, pet dishes and kiddie pools when they are not being used.
  5. Your community may also participate in spraying for mosquitoes. Pay attention to your local news on when sprayings occur.

Spritz on your bug spray, light up some citronella tiki torches and don’t let mosquito crashers ruin your summer!

image source: fewings

By HEATHER KOWALSKI

#2 Pencil Not Required

Posted by getPHYT in Diseases & Conditions, Reproductive & Sexual Health and tagged with , , , ,

image source: The Cornerstone

SAT, DAT, GRE, MCAT, PCAT, LSAT: All tests that none of us want to take but kinda have to. They are painfully long exams that usually require hours and hours of studying. Despite the endless chemical reactions, complex math equations, and critical reading passages, these tests are worth the blood, sweat, and tears. College, dental school, grad school, med school, pharm school, law school: All are stepping stones to a better and brighter future.

Unlike the MCAT and LSAT, the HIV test doesn’t require any studying. You just need to show up. Like the MCAT and LSAT, the HIV test is so worth it. It wouldn’t just be a stepping stone. It would be a stepping boulder to a better and brighter future. A lot of us are willing to sacrifice an entire summer studying for a standardized test, so why not sacrifice 20 minutes to get tested for HIV?

In honor of National HIV Testing Day, here are 5 reasons why you should get tested for HIV:

1. Knowing your status is empowering. If you test positive, you can seek medical treatment that will help you live a longer and healthier life. If you test negative, then you can take steps to stay negative, such as using condoms correctly every time you have sex. Take the test and take control of your life.

2. HIV has no boundaries. Regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual preference, home address, job, etc., HIV doesn’t care. HIV is primarily transmitted through unprotected sexual contact, which includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It could have just been that “not so smart decision” you made that “one time.” Just get tested.

3. There is no vaccine or cure for HIV yet. Medication, however, is available. The only way you will know that you need medical treatment is if you get tested.

4. It takes 20 minutes. You can watch an entire episode of Modern Family commercial free and still have 1 minute and 34 seconds to spare. The rapid test, which is an HIV screening test, usually uses oral fluid to detect HIV antibodies. It’s absolutely painless.

5. It can save your life.

For more information on HIV, check out MTV It’s Your (Sex) Life – HIV/AIDS 101.

Click here to find a testing site near you.

By ALYSSA LLAMAS

Are You Making a Sissy?

Posted by getPHYT in Diseases & Conditions and tagged with , ,

According to “the Poolman” of Poolinfo, the swimming pool chemical that turns pee blue (as seen in Grownups) does not exist. “The limit does not exist!” (Mean Girls was on this morning). Anyways, just because there isn’t a chemical to detect urine doesn’t mean you should be peeing in the pool! Please, don’t pee in the pool!

But isn’t that why there’s chlorine? What’s the big deal about going number one in the pool anyways? When urine and chlorine are mixed, this produces irritants that cause skin rash and red eyes (Water Quality and Health Council). Not to mention the fact that you’re swimming in another person’s pee. The Water Quality and Health Council reported that 1 in 5 people admitted to peeing in the pool. I’m assuming that the actual number is probably higher. No one wants to swim in a toilet, so don’t pee in the pool.

Chlorine does not kill germs instantly. In fact, it can take minutes to days for chlorine to kill them (CDC). Even swallowing just a tiny bit of water that contains germs can make you sick with a recreational water illness (RWI). So, avoid getting pool water in your mouth (that’s kinda tricky). But most importantly, don’t swallow the pool water.

You can also get an RWI by “breathing in mists or aerosols of, or having contact with contaminated water in swimming pools, hot tubs, water parks, water play areas, interactive fountains, lakes, rivers, or oceans” (CDC). Chemicals in the water or chemicals that evaporate from the water and cause indoor air quality problems can also cause RWIs.

RWIs can be a wide variety of infections, including gastrointestinal, skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurologic and wound infections. And the most common RWI is diarrhea, which can be caused by germs such as Crypto (short for Cryptosporidium), Giardia, Shigella, norovirus and E. coli O157:H7. This is really obvious, but I gotta say it anyways, “Don’t swim when you have diarrhea.” GROSS.

To help prevent RWIs, it is important to practice good hygiene. The CDC recommends showering with soap before swimming and washing your hands after using the bathroom. Remember, clean hands save lives.

How much do you know about water safety? Test your knowledge and take the quiz!

By ALYSSA LLAMAS

p.s. Don’t make a sissy!

image source: wizzley.com

Hand + Foot + Mouth

Posted by getPHYT in Diseases & Conditions and tagged with , , , , ,

image source: cartoonstock

Equals disease. Wait, what? Can you get it by putting your hand or foot in your mouth? Foot in mouth? GROSS. No, no, no. Let me clarify: Hand, food, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a viral contagious illness that commonly affects infants and children. Most cases of HFMD appear in the spring, summer, and fall. Just like its name, HFMD affects the hand, food, and mouth. An infected person  could have a rash, mouth sores, a combination of symptoms, or none at all. Symptoms include:

  • fever
  • poor appetite
  • malaise (fancy term for “feeling vaguely unwell”)
  • sore throat
  • painful sores in the mouth
  • skin rash with flat or raised spots on the palms of hands and sole of feet and sometime on the buttocks (rash may blister, but won’t itch)

Anyone can get HFMD. Once a person gets HFMD, he or she develops immunity to the specific virus that caused the infection. But there’s a catch! You can still get the disease if you’re infected by a different HFMD-causing virus. These viruses can be found in an infected person’s nose and throat secretions (saliva, sputum, or nasal mucus), blister fluid, or feces. HFMD spreads from an infected person to others through:

  • close personal contact (kissing and hugging)
  • the air by coughing and sneezing
  • contact with feces
  • touching objects or surfaces that have the virus on them

Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for HFMD, but over-the-counter fever reducers/pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can be taken. Also, you should also drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. HFMD usually isn’t serious. In fact, most patients recover in 7 to 10 days without medical treatment. Though complications are not common, a person with HFMD can develop viral meningitis, polio-like paralysis, or encephalitis (brain inflammation) (CDC). Since there isn’t a vaccine to prevent HFMD, it’s important to reduce your risk of getting the disease. The best offense is a good defense.

  • Wash your hands. Seriously, clean hands save lives.
  • Thoroughly clean objects and surfaces that may be contaminated with a HFMD-causing virus. Invest in Clorox wipes.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are infected. That means no hugging or kissing your HFMD-infected boyfriend or girlfriend.

And just in case you were wondering, hand, foot, and mouth disease is NOT the same as foot-and-mouth disease. Foot-and-mouth (aka hoof-and-mouth) disease affects cattle, sheep, and swine and is not a threat to human health. For more info on foot-and-mouth disease, visit USDA: Animal and Plan Inspection Service.

 By ALYSSA LLAMAS

Underneath It All

Posted by getPHYT in Diseases & Conditions and tagged with , , ,

image source: Cartoon Stock

Have you noticed scaly and itchy skin on your hands, feet, or behind your knees and elbows? Do you have embarrassing, recurring rashes? Well, you might want to ask your doctor if you have eczema. Eczema is a skin condition, more common in infants and children, that causes itching (sometimes called the “itch that rashes” because itching comes first) (A.D.A.M Inc). Eczema is usually referred to as atopic dermatitis. Usually eczema is caused by lacking certain proteins in the skin. The lack of proteins cause the skin to become red and inflamed, dry and blistered, and painful or itchy.

For people who do have eczema, they have to be careful of certain triggers (A.D.A.M. Inc):

  • cold and dry air
  • stress
  • contact with irritants (like fragrances in lotions and perfumes)
  • sudden weather changes
  • allergies
  • and even exposure to water

Various symptoms include (and these can be localized or spread throughout various parts of the body) (A.D.A.M. Inc):

  • dry skin
  • blisters
  • red and inflammed skin
  • rough, leather-like skin
  • skin color changes

Also, the age of the infected person can determine where the rashes will occur. So, in infants, rashes are usually found on hands, face, scalp, and feet. On anyone older, rashes usually occur behind the knees and elbows, neck, hands, and feet.

image source: Dermstore

There is no cure for eczema, which is a bit disheartening because the symptoms are more embarrassing than anything. But, its symptoms can be treated! If you do have eczema, explain why your skin reacts this way to your friends and family. The more you talk about it with people you know, the less self-conscious you will be. Also, it is so important to bathe briefly (to cleanse the skin and have as little contact with water as possible) and then moisturize as quickly as possible. The National Eczema Association recommends you use Cetaphil, but I say Aveeno is good too (they have a moisturizer specifically for people dealing with eczema).

There are different baths a person can take, to help reduce symptoms: bleach, apple cider vinegar, oatmeal, baking soda, bath oil, and salt baths. For measurements on water and soluble content, refer to The National Eczema Association. Some doctors say that doing the bathing/moisturizing process right before going to bed is best so that more moisture is retained. There are also prescriptions drugs that people can take to help reduce symptoms, but knowing the basics of bathing and moisturizing, and combining the two, definitely help lessen irritation on your skin.

If you have eczema, know that you are not alone! There are support networks, kids’ camps, and many doctors willing to help youth with eczema.  And learn to take extra care of your skin!!!

By ARIELLE COLON

Whoop! There it is.

Posted by getPHYT in Diseases & Conditions, Immunization and tagged with , , , , , , ,

image source: tenthamendmentcenter.com

WHOOP! There it is…in Washington. Washingtonians are currently in the midst of a whooping cough outbreak. It’s only May and there have already been 1,100 confirmed cases. “That’s 10 times as many as this time last year, and health officials fear the number may rise,” reports NPR.

Whooping couch (also known as Pertussis) is a very serious and contagious illness caused by Bordetella pertussis. Pertussis is spread by coughing or sneezing while in close contact with others. One person coughs or sneezes the bacteria out and another person breathes it in (gross). So make sure to cover your nose/mouth when you sneeze/cough. And please, wash your hands!

image source: http://www.achd.net

Pertussis starts off with the typical cold symptoms: runny nose, congestion, sneezing, cough, or fever. But after 1-2 weeks, the cough gets really bad. “Pertussis can cause violent and rapid coughing, over and over, until the air is gone from the lungs and you are forced to inhale with a loud ‘whooping’ sound‘” (CDC). What does it sound like? Click here to find out. Babies may have apnea, which is “a pause in the child’s breathing pattern” (CDC). If that happens, take him or her to the hospital asap.

Though whooping couch is highly contagious, it’s also preventable and treatable. Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent pertussis. Parents should also keep infants away from anyone who has cold or cough symptoms. In the United States, DTaP is the recommended pertussis vaccine for children. It’s a combo vaccine that protects kids against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. 3 for the price of 1? What a steal. Here are the vaccination recommendations from the CDC:

  1. infants and children: For max protection, a series of 5 DTap shots are given over the course of 4 to 6 years.
  2. pre-teens/teens: The protection power of the vaccine they got as kids may have decreased, so it’s recommended they get the Tdap booster vaccine.
  3. pregnant women: “By getting Tdap during pregnancy, maternal pertussis antibodies transfer to the newborn, likely providing protection against pertussis in early life, before the baby starts getting DTaP vaccines” (CDC).
  4. adults: If they didn’t get the Tdap vaccine as preteens or teens, then they should get one dose of Tdap.

That list pretty much covers everyone. According to the CDC, about 1 in 5 infants with pertussis get pneumonia. The CDC explains that “many infants who get pertussis are infected by parents, older siblings, or other caregivers who might not even know they have the disease.” So protect your loved ones and yourself and make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date.

Though pertussis vaccines are very effective, they aren’t 100% full proof. If the pertussis bacteria is making its way through the community, there’s still a chance that a vaccinated person can catch the disease. If you or a child develops a cold or severe cough that just doesn’t go away, get checked by your doctor asap. Pertussis is generally treated with antibiotics. It’s important to get treated early on before the whooping starts.

WHOOP! There it is…the 411 on WHOOPing cough.

image source: canitbesaturdaynow.com

By ALYSSA LLAMAS