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What types of pain can HIV cause?

What types of pain can HIV cause?

Experiencing pain is common among people living with HIV. Types of HIV-related pain can include headaches, joint pain, and abdominal cramping. Pain can have a profound, negative impact on people’s overall quality of life. One study revealed that people with HIV were more likely to experience pain than those without HIV. The researchers also found […]

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Hepatitis C and HIV coinfection

Hepatitis C and HIV coinfection

Hepatitis C is a contagious viral infection that affects the liver. People living with HIV are at higher risk of contracting hepatitis C because of the effect HIV has on the immune system. In this article, we discuss the relationship between hepatitis C and HIV. We also cover symptoms, prevention, and treatment for hepatitis C. […]

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Cancer cells’ use of sugar holds the key to their destruction

Cancer cells’ use of sugar holds the key to their destruction

Scientists have suggested a way to improve treatments that use viruses to attack cancer. It exploits the fact that cancer cells need a lot of glucose and must metabolize it rapidly to survive. Cutting down cancer cells’ sugar supply could make them more vulnerable to treatment. Oncolytic viruses specifically target and enter cancer cells and […]

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Depression: Electrical stimulation can ‘significantly’ improve mood

Depression: Electrical stimulation can ‘significantly’ improve mood

New research shows that deep brain stimulation can tackle treatment-resistant depression. Stimulating a brain area called the orbitofrontal cortex led to “significant” improvements in mood for people with moderate to severe depression. Using DBS to target certain key areas may relieve symptoms of severe depression. Major depressive disorder affects over 16 million adults per year […]

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Infections could trigger cardiovascular disease

Infections could trigger cardiovascular disease

Researchers find a higher risk of coronary events during the 3 months after an infection. The body’s immune response, they suggest, may explain why infections “trigger” heart attack and stroke. Scientists encourage everyone to have their flu shots this year, as simple influenza viruses may trigger cardiovascular events. The term cardiovascular disease (CVD) covers a […]

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Swine Flu

Swine Flu

Is it possible to prevent swine flu if the swine flu vaccine (or other flu strain vaccines) is not readily available? Although vaccination is the best way to prevent the swine flu, there may be times in the future when the swine flu vaccine may not be available. There are no shortages of the trivalent […]

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Rapid Strep Test

Rapid Strep Test

What is a rapid strep test? The rapid strep test is a quick and accurate diagnostic tool used to determine whether or not strep bacteria are present in the patient’s throat. The same test may be used to evaluate for the presence of Streptococci in other infected areas (for example, perianal infection in either gender, […]

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Secondhand Pot Smoke Can Harm an Asthmatic Child

Secondhand Pot Smoke Can Harm an Asthmatic Child

Latest Asthma News THURSDAY, Nov. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A 6-year-old boy with severe asthma wasn’t responding to the usual treatments. It was only when family members stopped smoking marijuana at home that his breathing got better, according to his doctor. The boy’s case shows that exposure to secondhand pot smoke can worsen asthma […]

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What is an HIV viral load?

What is an HIV viral load?

Viral load refers to the amount of HIV in a person’s blood. HIV treatments aim to reduce the viral load until the virus is no longer detectable, which mean it is also untransmittable. In this article, we discuss what viral load means for people living with HIV and their partners, the links between viral load […]