HEALTH

SEX WART VIRUS IN MANY PEOPLE’S MOUTHS

The HPV group that causes genital warts and cancer was found in a survey of a huge population to be in 11.5% of men and 3.2% of women. That would make 11 million men and 3.2 million women. It causes genital and oral and esophageal (food tube) cancer.

One type of cancer causing HPV (HPV 16) was found enough that they think 1.7 million men and 270,000 women have it. Shine a light in your mouth to see if you have any suspicious, painless bumps. See a provider if you want a good check under the tongue and between the gums and cheeks.

 

Doctor examining his patients ganglion

 

THE GOVERNMENT’S WAR ON SCIENCE

From our President: As reported by the Washington Post, the CDC was not allowed to use certain words when justifying their budget:

  1. Vulnerable. But shouldn’t the government be concerned with and helpful to vulnerable people and populations?
  2. Science-based and Evidence-based. The alternative is decisions made by faith, belief, rather than what the evidence supports. Many beliefs have been shattered by science, e.g. vitamins are always good for you, fats are bad, carbs are good, diet sodas and fruit juice are healthy, calcium and milk are good for the bones.
  3. Fetus. This accepted medical term is what can turn into a living, healthy baby, but not always. This looks like an anti-abortion ruling.
  4. Transgender. Do we ignore these precious people in the budgets?
  5. In diversity is strength and wisdom. All white and all male organizations are not as strong as diverse ones.
  6. Are not those who live here entitled to have efforts to promote their health?

FLU ASSOCIATED WITH HEART ATTACKS.

Not only does flu lead to pneumonia in some, which may kill them, but it also increases the risk of a heart attack.  A study found that the risk about 6 times more for the 7 days after the start of the flu as compared to those without the flu.

 

HEALTHCARE WORKERS CAN OBJECT TO GIVING YOU CARE YOU NEED, BASED ON THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.

From the president: Most think this is targeted at abortions but will they get a blank check to not treat, e.g. gays for sexually transmitted diseases? It looks like it affects nurses, physicians, and mid-level providers.

 

OBESE MEN AND THIN WOMEN AT RISK OF COLON CANCER FROM RED MEAT, ETC.

They are talking about red meat, processed meat (ham, bacon…), and organ meat which are pro-inflammatory—meaning that they cause a mild inflammation like gum disease and HIV which are associated with accelerated hardening of the arteries and cancer. If the person drank alcohol, then the risk was canceled out.  We know that a drink or two a day can help reduce heart disease.

 

PEP FOR SYPHILIS AND CHLAMYDIA NEEDS CONFIRMATION

The IPERGAY study has shown that giving doxycycline after sex in men who have sex with many men was effective. Last year at the CROI conference there was a presentation that wasn’t strong enough to recommend it as practice and the authors of this say the same thing. I’ll be at this year’s conference the first week of March to hear their conclusions and the debate.

 

STILL USING METH AS HE SLOWLY FADES AWAY

I have a patient who was a very happy, friendly, and lively man, but now is confused, has diarrhea, poor memory, and imbalance. He is confused and stays in his room and poops and pees all over this room.  His MRI showed much brain shrinkage due to HIV. He is becoming more passive; he only speaks if spoken too now, but is always courteous. Even in this poor state of health he is taking meth!  He may be taking his HIV medications. We are trying to get him into a nursing home where he can be clean, eat regularly. and not miss his pills.

Taking meth, avoiding health care, and not taking the antivirals has reduced this wonderful person to a shadow of his former self.  His poor choices have caused the loss of a good partner, friend, son, uncle, grandson, and brother. This is such a waste.

 

HIV TESTING KEEPS IMPROVING

First, we had the blood draw HIV test with the 3 month window, then the blood drop test for this, then the saliva one. The same pattern developed for the one-month window test. Now we have the saliva one-month test that tells us if the HIV infection started just a few weeks ago. These patients must be treated ASAP since we can stop the virus from taking up residence in the sanctuaries: lymph node tissues, brain, prostate, etc. Get tested regularly if you are at risk!

 

KICK AND KILL HIV STRATEGY STILL NOT CLOSE

This is the strategy where a medication wakes up the virus from dormancy so that antivirals can kill it. I called it shaking the bushes to force the virus where we can kill it.  This virus is very hard to hurt and it takes millions of dollars and thousands of researchers to make a dent. Give it more time.

 

Stay Safe!

 

Daniel Pearce, D.O., FACOI, AAHIVMS

Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine

Adjunct Professor of Internal Medicine and HIV, Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine and Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine

HIV Specialist, Assistant TB Physician, Riverside University Healthcare System, Public Health (Department)

Member, Coachella Valley Clinical Research Initiative

 

REFERENCES: Medscape®