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Std

All articles tagged with #std

health1 year ago

"Early-Stage Trial of Chlamydia Vaccine Shows Promise"

An early-stage clinical trial in the U.K. and Denmark showed promising results for a Chlamydia vaccine, with the experimental vaccine found to be safe in non-pregnant women and men. The next phase will focus on the vaccine's effectiveness in preventing Chlamydia infection, as the disease can cause serious reproductive health issues. The trial, conducted from 2020 to 2022, involved participants receiving the vaccine or a placebo, and the results were reported in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

sciencenature1 year ago

"Trillions of Hyper-sexual 'Zombie Cicadas' Infected with STD Fungus to Invade US in Rare Double-Brood Emergence"

A sexually transmitted fungus called Massospora cicadina is expected to infect millions of cicadas in the US, causing them to exhibit hyper-sexual behavior and spread the infection as they emerge from the ground. The fungus takes over the insects' bodies, causing their genitals to fall off and making males pose as females to pass on the infection through sex. While less than 5% of the trillion cicadas expected to emerge will likely be infected, scientists are concerned about the potential impact on other wildlife that consume the infected bugs.

nature1 year ago

"Cicada Invasion: Unusual Pee, Zombie STDs, and Massive Emergences Set to Hit U.S."

Periodical cicadas, about to infest parts of the United States, are known for their peculiar traits such as being the strongest urinators in the animal kingdom, feeding on tree roots for over a decade, and rescuing caterpillars. They are also being affected by a sexually transmitted fungus that turns them into zombies, causing their private parts to fall off and spreading hallucinatory effects to birds. This strange phenomenon has been observed in the Midwest, with up to 10% of cicadas being infected.

health1 year ago

"Gonorrhea Hotspots: Florida's Most Affected Counties"

The CDC has released data on gonorrhea cases in the U.S., with Florida ranking 25th in the nation. Miami-Dade, Broward, and Orange counties reported the highest numbers within the state. The disease can be spread through various types of sexual activity and poses a greater risk to sexually active individuals between 15 and 24 years old, those with multiple sexual partners, and certain other populations. Prevention tips include abstinence, reducing sexual encounters, using condoms, and getting tested regularly.

health-epidemic1 year ago

"Rationing Penicillin to Curb Deadly Syphilis Epidemic Amid 70-Year High in STD Rates"

Doctors in the US are facing a shortage of penicillin, the first-line treatment for the alarming surge in syphilis cases, which have increased by over 2,000 percent since 2002. The shortage has led to rationing of the drug, with priority given to pregnant patients due to the risk of congenital syphilis. The epidemic is partly attributed to a drop in condom use and the popularity of dating apps, while a wider drug shortage in America has left many without treatment for bacterial infections. The situation is exacerbated by manufacturing issues and supply-chain disruptions, with the pandemic also increasing demand for medication and equipment.

health1 year ago

"Surging Syphilis Epidemic: U.S. STD Rates Reach Decades-High Levels"

The US is facing a major syphilis outbreak, with cases reaching their highest level since the 1950s, according to the CDC. In 2022, 207,300 cases were diagnosed, marking a 17% rise in a year and an 83% surge compared to five years ago. There's also a 30% rise in cases of congenital syphilis, raising concerns due to the risks it poses to infants. The outbreak is attributed to various factors including falls in condom use, fewer sexual health clinics, and rises in substance abuse. The US Department of Health and Human Services is establishing a taskforce to address the issue, while experts emphasize the need for updated prevention strategies and increased testing.

health2 years ago

"Alarming Surge: Area County Experiences Highest Contagious Disease Rate in 30 Years"

Cases of syphilis in Montgomery County have reached a 30-year high, with more than 80 reported cases this year alone. The sexually transmitted disease is also impacting babies, as pregnant women are passing it on, leading to health problems such as hearing loss, vision loss, and developmental delays. The CDC reported over 3,700 cases of syphilis in babies in the US last year, resulting in over 200 stillbirths and more than 50 deaths. Syphilis can also be deadly for adults if left untreated, affecting various organ systems. Health officials emphasize the importance of using protection and getting tested regularly.

health2 years ago

"AI Identifies Potential Vaccine for STD Infecting 700k Americans; MultiCOVID: A Multi-Modal Deep Learning Approach for COVID-19 Diagnosis"

Researchers from Massachusetts and Denmark have used artificial intelligence (AI) to identify two antigens on gonorrhea that could be used to develop a vaccine against the sexually transmitted disease. Gonorrhea is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, raising concerns among doctors. The AI technology, similar to facial recognition, analyzed different combinations of proteins from the surface of gonorrhea to suggest the best formula for a vaccine. Mice immunized with the proteins FtsN and NGO0265 showed the strongest immune response. The researchers are now considering a Phase 1 clinical trial for the vaccine, but any vaccine based on this research is still years away. Gonorrhea infects around 700,000 Americans annually, and recent years have seen a rise in infections due to factors such as antibiotic resistance and a lack of testing.

relationships2 years ago

"Love and Loss: Navigating Life with HIV"

A woman is upset with her best friend for not making a quilt from T-shirts she had collected, despite promising to do so, and considers asking for the fabric back to have someone else make it. In another letter, a woman discovers she contracted HIV from her new boyfriend who initially denied being HIV-positive, and seeks advice on how to inform her family and move forward with treatment.

health2 years ago

Rapid Test Targets Unknown STD Outbreak.

A new, affordable finger-prick diagnostic test developed by Washington State University researcher John Alderete could help combat the prevalent but underdiagnosed sexually transmitted infection, Trichomonas vaginalis. The test delivers results in just five minutes and costs under $20. Trich is easily curable with metronidazole but is often only diagnosed when symptoms are present. Alderete’s test requires only a drop of blood to detect a specific antibody unique to Trich, making it more accessible and user-friendly. The test aims to meet World Health Organization “ASSURED” standards for disease detection, with hopes of benefiting low-resource countries and curbing the spread of the infection.