FitSugar

Another Virus to Worry About: Chikungunya

FitSugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 03:00:53 -0700

As of late, West Nile Virus was the only virus we worried about here in the States that could be contracted by mosquito bites, but it looks like there's a new virus that could be flying our way - Chikungunya. The mouthful of a virus has spread across Africa, India, the French Island of Reunion, and there have also been cases found in Italy and France since 2005. Health officials are worried that this virus will soon infect those living in Europe and the US.

Chikungunya, which name means "that which bends up," was first discovered in Tanzania in 1952. The virus is spread by infected Asian tiger mosquito, a species that can be found in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, Australia, and New Zealand. Unlike the West Nile Virus where nine out of 10 people infected show no symptoms, those who contract the Chikungunya virus experience a fever, headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and muscle and joint pain. Symptoms can last a few weeks, and some have reported pain lasting for months. There is no cure for the virus yet.

Health officials are worried that since this little bugger can be transported through air travel, it could eventually affect every country in the world. Great. One more thing to worry about. The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to steer clear of damp areas where mosquitoes thrive, wear long sleeves and pants when outside, and don't forget the bug spray.

When Did You Get Your Last Tetanus Shot?

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:30:00 -0700

Do you remember getting a tetanus shot as a kid? They were so painful. When explaining why a tetanus shot is important, people always mention stepping on a rusty nail. Apparently rusty nails aren't the only things to worry about. Tetanus is a disease caused by bacteria that live in dust, animal waste, or soil. If you get a cut, burn, splinter, puncture, insect bite, or any other break in your skin, your wound can become infected with these bacteria. When the bacterial spores multiply in your body, they create a poison that affects your muscles and causes uncontrollable spasms. It can even affect your breathing and result in death. Yikes!

As a child, you most likely were vaccinated by the time you were six years old. Every 10 years after that you should get a booster shot. Since I'm sure many of you are walking around barefoot this Summer, I was wondering . . .

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Are You Worried About Catching the Bird Flu?

FitSugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:15:00 -0700

The bird flu (known as H5N1) has been in the news a lot, and recently a case of human-to-human transmission was confirmed in China. A father caught it from his son, and unfortunately the son passed away. The father took antivirals and participated in an H5N1 vaccine trial and luckily has survived.

Flu experts worry that this human-to-human transmission may cause the virus to mutate, sparking a pandemic which could kill millions worldwide. That worries me, too.

So what about you . . .

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Heal Disease Without Medication

FitSugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 02:00:00 -0700

Medicine is not always, well, the best medicine. Don't get me wrong, I am all for fixing what ails you, even if it takes a pill but medication can be pricey and have unpleasant side effects. The latest issue of the Harvard Health Letter takes a look at seven common conditions and gives insight on how to manage them without taking medication. Here are some tips that are useful for everyone:

Arthritis: There’s a good chance that losing weight will make arthritis less painful. Combine weight loss with exercise and you may have less pain and more mobility. Even for those who don’t need to lose weight, exercise that doesn’t put “load” on the joints reduces pain.
Cholesterol: Your LDL level may drop by 5% or so if you keep foods high in saturated fat off the menu. Additional soluble fiber may reduce LDL levels as well. So can margarines fortified with sterols.
Cognitive decline: Memory training and other “brain exercises” seem to help healthy older people stay sharp. But physical exercise may benefit the brain more than mental gymnastics.

There are more suggestions including remedies for depression and osteoporosis so read more.

Depression: Studies have shown that regular physical activity can have a potent antidepressant effect.
Diabetes: Regular physical activity is a powerful brake on blood sugar levels as well, because exercised muscle becomes more receptive to the insulin that helps it pull sugar in from the bloodstream. Eating fewer sweets and easy-to-digest carbohydrates also helps control blood sugar levels.
High blood pressure: Losing weight, getting more exercise, and eating less sodium all lower blood pressure.
Osteoporosis: Weight-bearing exercise puts stress on bones, and bone tissue reacts by getting stronger and denser, fending off osteoporotic processes. Extra vitamin D and calcium top the list of dietary recommendations.

Fit's Tip: Always talk with your doctor before stopping or starting any new regime to fight disease.

STIs Explained: Trichomoniasis

FitSugar — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 14:30:30 -0700

Since things are heating up everywhere these days, I thought it might be the time to tell you to cool down a little bit and play smart. Yep, it is time to fill you in on a fairly common STI (sexually transmitted infection - it not a disease since it is curable), Trichomoniasis. Tricky to say maybe, but not tricky to prevent!

STIs are considered 100% preventable if you abstain from sex, but let's be reasonable here, that seems pretty unlikely. However you and your partner can both get tested for STIs before you have sex, so you both know you are in the clear.

Since trichomoniasis, also known as trich, is transmitted through genital contact, using latex or polyurethane condoms can greatly reduce your risk in contracting the infection. On the other hand, being in a mutually monogamous relationship is an awesome way to keep yourself safe.

While this may not be a pretty subject, it is good to know what is out there so you can make good decisions and hopefully avoid having to deal with the organ and tissue damage trich can cause. In women, if left untreated trich can cause the fallopian tubes to become inflamed and can also potentially damage your cervix. If your man needs some convincing to get tested tell him that in men, prolonged infection of trich can potentially damage the bladder as well as the prostate. Hopefully that caught your attention!

So for more details about trichomoniasis, then read more

STI	Symptoms	How do you test for it?	Treatment
Trichomoniasis	Can be asymptomatic yellow-green vaginal discharge Vaginal odor Discomfort during intercourse Painful urination or ejaculation	Samples of vaginal discharge or secretions from the penis are examined under a microscope - these protozoan can be seen swimming (eww).	This parasitic infection can be cured with the prescription drug, metronidazole (a pill you take orally)

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STIs Explained: HIV and AIDS

FitSugar — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Since today, June 27, is National HIV Testing Day, I thought I could dispel some myths and lay out the facts about HIV and AIDS. It is a serious issue so let's get down to business.

HIV - the human immunodeficiency virus - is a virus that kills your body’s "CD4 cells," (also called T-helper cells), that help your body fight off infection and disease.

HIV can be passed when an infected person's bodily fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluid, or breast milk) come in contact with an uninfected person's mucous membranes. The HIV virus can be passed during any type of sexual contact - including oral and anal sex. Sharing needles can also transmit HIV from one user to another. HIV-positive mothers can also pass it onto their babies when they are pregnant, when they deliver, or if they breastfeed.

AIDS - the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome - is a disease you get when the HIV virus destroys your body’s immune system. That means that viruses, parasites, fungi and bacteria that usually don't cause any problems can make you very sick since your immune system is damaged.

To prevent HIV and other STIs in the first place abstaining from sexual contact is your best bet, but the likelihood that happening is rare. So always use a latex or polyurethane condom when having sex. Or better yet, have you and your partner get tested before you get intimate.

Fit's Tips: Many people who have HIV do not show symptoms for many years, so the best thing to do is get tested just to make sure.

Want to know more about HIV and AIDS? Then read more

STI	Symptoms	How do you test for it?	Treatment
HIV and AIDS	rapid weight loss dry cough extreme fatigue swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck diarrhea that lasts more than a week white spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue, in the mouth, or in the throat red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids memory loss, depression, and other neurological disorders pneumonia	Anonymous HIV testing is available in many places and it's usually free You can have a blood test, or a simple oral test that checks for HIV antibodies. People who have HIV antibodies are called HIV-positive.	There are treatments to help HIV symptoms, but there is no known cure yet

STI

Symptoms

How do you test for it?

Treatment

HIV and AIDS

rapid weight loss
dry cough
extreme fatigue
swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck
diarrhea that lasts more than a week
white spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue, in the mouth, or in the throat
red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids
memory loss, depression, and other neurological disorders
pneumonia

Anonymous HIV testing is available in many places and it's usually free

You can have a blood test, or a simple oral test that checks for HIV antibodies.

People who have HIV antibodies are called HIV-positive.

There are treatments to help HIV symptoms, but there is no known cure yet

Source and Source

More Popular Than Gonorrhea?

FitSugar — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 17:15:00 -0700

I just read about a relatively new STI that I've never heard of, known as Mycoplasma genitalium. It was first discovered in the 1980's and is now becoming more prevalent that Gonorrhea! I just read about it on That's Fit and thought I should share some of the details with you.

Mycoplasma genitalium is one of the tiniest free-living organisms, and it can cause a number of common diseases.

It can cause respiratory infections, as well as inflammation of the urethra in men, and inflammation of the cervix and the lining of the uterus in women, possibly leading to infertility. You may notice cloudy discharge when urinating, stinging, or burning. However, many people are symptom-free.

It can be passed just like other STIs - when an infected person's bodily fluids like blood, semen, or vaginal fluid comes in contact with the mucus membrane of an uninfected person.

If you suspect you have this infection, see your doctor right away. They can take a swab of the infected area, test it, and prescribe antibiotics to treat it if necessary.

Fit's Tips: Since this is an STI, being in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone you know is uninfected is a great way to keep yourself safe. Also, when latex or polyurethane condoms are used consistently and correctly, that can also reduce the risk of transmitting Mycoplasma genitalium.

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STIs Explained: Syphilis

FitSugar — Tue, 15 May 2007 17:15:00 -0700

Since Spring has arrived and romance is in the air, let's talk more about STIs.

STI stands for "sexually transmitted infection." The reason this term is used instead of STDs (sexually transmitted disease) is because the word "infection" is more accurate since many of these are actually curable (except for Genital Herpes, Genital Warts, and HIV). Also, the word "infection" carries less of a negative social stigma than the word "disease."

STIs like Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Genital Herpes, and Genital Warts are 100% avoidable, so your best bet is to abstain from vaginal, anal, or oral sex altogether. Since that's not much fun (and not going to happen), it's a good idea for you and your partner to get tested for all STIs before you have sex.

Using latex or polyurethane condoms is also a great idea, but not completely effective. Being in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone you know is uninfected will keep you safe and STI-free.

Make sure to see your gynecologist annually to get tested, because early detection of syphilis (in the first stage) can help prevent permanent organ damage to the heart, eyes, brain, nervous system, bones and joints.

Want to know about Syphilis? Then read more

STI	Symptoms	How do you test for it?	Treatment
Syphilis	Stage 1: One or more painless reddish-brown sores (called chancres) appear on or near the genitals. Sores can also appear on the lips, mouth and fingertips. Stage 2: A skin rash develops anywhere on the body. Flu-like symptoms such as mild fever, fatigue and sore-throat appear. Stage 3: Late stage symptoms include brain damage, mental illness, blindness, organ damage, heart disease and death.	There are 3 ways to test: a doctor's recognition of its symptoms microscopic identification of syphilis bacteria and blood tests	Since syphilis is a bacterial infection, a single injection of Penicillin or other antibiotic will cure a person who has had syphilis for less than 1 year. Additional doses are needed for someone who's had it longer.

STI

Symptoms

How do you test for it?

Treatment

Syphilis

Stage 1: One or more painless reddish-brown sores (called chancres) appear on or near the genitals. Sores can also appear on the lips, mouth and fingertips.
Stage 2: A skin rash develops anywhere on the body. Flu-like symptoms such as mild fever, fatigue and sore-throat appear.
Stage 3: Late stage symptoms include brain damage, mental illness, blindness, organ damage, heart disease and death.

There are 3 ways to test:

a doctor's recognition of its symptoms
microscopic identification of syphilis bacteria
and blood tests

Since syphilis is a bacterial infection, a single injection of Penicillin or other antibiotic will cure a person who has had syphilis for less than 1 year.

Additional doses are needed for someone who's had it longer.

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STIs Explained: Gonorrhea

FitSugar — Tue, 01 May 2007 17:15:00 -0700

Warm weather has arrived and since Spring Fever is in the air, I thought I'd take the time to talk about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Fun stuff, I know.

STIs like Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are 100% avoidable. Abstaining from sex altogether is the surest way to keep yourself STI-free, but since that's not realistic, definitely have you and your partner get tested before you have sex.

Gonorrhea is spread through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus, so being in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone you know is uninfected is also a great way to keep yourself safe. When latex or polyurethane condoms are used consistently and correctly, that can also reduce the risk of transmitting gonorrhea.

Make sure to see your gynecologist annually to get tested, because if left untreated, gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or arthritis.

Want to know about Gonorrhea? Then read more

STI	Symptoms	How do you test for it?	Treatment
Gonorrhea (The #2 STI in the U.S.)	Frequently asymptomatic (no symptoms) Discharge from vagina, penis, or rectum Burning or itching during urination Sore throat	Samples of the infected fluid or urine must be taken	Since gonorrhea is a bacterial infection, several antibiotics can successfully cure it. However, drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea are increasing in many areas of the world, including the United States.

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Part 2: Are You in the "Pre" Phase of Disease? Prehypertension

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 11:45:00 -0700

I've been talking a lot about Diabetes and if you're putting yourself at risk or not. So, along with Diabetes, what are the identifiers of common health diseases? Medical News Today has outlined four "prediseases" to watch for, here is the second:

Prehypertension:

Why It's Important: About one-third of Americans have prehypertension, which increases the risk of hypertension (high blood pressure) and doubles the risk of heart disease. According to the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, prehypertension especially ups the odds of heart disease among African-Americans, obese people and those with diabetes.
How to Identify: You have prehypertension when your systolic blood pressure (the top number) is 120 to 139 or your diastolic (the bottom number) is 80 to 89.

Don't forget to check out the other three prephases of disease.

Fit's Tips: If you suspect you are at risk for any disease, you should definitely see your doctor.