According to recent data, despite the worldwide decrease, the rates of AIDS and HIV cases in South Koreans have risen sharply over the past ten years. The HIV and AIDS infections have decreased worldwide by more than 35 percent from 2000 to 2015, as stated by the data gathered by the World Health Organization.

However, in South Korea, the HIV cases quadrupled in the same period. While in 2010 there were only around 220 newly infected patients with HIV, in 2015 the number could reach more than 1,018 new patients. Starting 2013, the number of newly infected patients each year did not go under 1,000. More than 93 percent of the infected patients were men in their early 20s and 30s.

Though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in South Korea’s spend nearly $8.2 million each year to prevent and fight HIV infections, their strategic methods and efforts appear not to be able to lower the number of HIV-AIDS patients in the region. The first HIV-positive individual was recorded in the country in 1985. Last year, the number of people living with HIV in the country reached 10,502, which marked the first time that the 10,000 limit was surpassed in the history of the disease in South Korea.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the US there were nearly 6,955 deaths associated directly with HIV and more than 12,900 deaths of individuals diagnosed with HIV diseases categorized as AIDS in 2013.

HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system which is considered the organism’s genetic defense system against all diseases. When a person is infected with the virus, they will find it almost impossible to fight diseases and infections.

As the HIV advances, AIDS syndrome is produced. This syndrome appears when the body is too weak to fight most of the infections. It is considered the last stage of HIV when the body is attacked by many diseases and infections because it can no longer protect itself. Ultimately, if the illnesses are not treated properly, it will lead to death.

Though there is currently no known cure for HIV or AIDS, there are many individuals who can live a long and healthy life with the disease by administering proper treatment and dealing with potential side-effects.

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Who would have thought that the tough Vikings were travelling with cats across Europe? Researchers discovered an ancient cat DNA that proves that before becoming one of the most common pets in the United States, cats had the journey of their lives with the Vikings.  There were always people who wondered how cats spread in so many countries and when they became so common in our houses.

Researchers from the Institut Jacques Monod, in Paris, used data from 290 cats which were found from more than 30 archeological excavations in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. They were also able to find some cat remains in a Viking grave.

According to the researchers, ancient felines most likely spread in two waves. The first one happened due to earliest farmers in Europe. The second one was when cats went from Egypt to Asia and Africa. In this second wave, Vikings were also travelling with cats during their journeys.  Researchers have also the evidence for this. They found out that the cat remains from the Viking grave were similar to those from the Egyptian cat mummies.

It was easy for the Vikings to travel with cats on ships because they are small animals. Moreover,  there were a lot of mice on those ships, so cats were helping the Vikings against them. The furry creatures managed to go to places such as Greenland and now they are one of the most popular in the world. According to the American Pet Products Association, almost 96 million cats are only in the United States. There are 37 percent of American houses who own a cat and more who wish to have one. This thing happens also in Europe, where dogs and cats are the most common animals people keep in their houses.

Even though now cats are common, during the Viking age, they were rare and also expensive. This could be unusual for us, but in the ancient times, these felines were connected to gods. Things changed and now we can find them on the streets, in shops so we do not pay so much attention to them. It is interesting to find out that the tough Vikings, who scared so many people, were having cats with them during their journeys.  Cats were having a close relationship with humans from the ancient times.

Image source: Pixabay

 

Researchers were concerned because gonorrhea could become resistant to antibiotics and it seems that they were right. There are only two pills that are able to cure this disease and they are less efficient. Moreover, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has already found a case in Hawaii where the virus showed resistance to one of the drugs. There will not be much time before the second antibiotic will not be able to treat this disease.

Scientists are not trying to use the two drugs in combination, hoping they will find a way to treat the bacteria. However, things are not looking so good.  Researchers will have to find another treatment in the future because those who we already have do not seem to be efficient. Since 2005, there were more cases of people who got gonorrhea and they were not able to cure. This case, found in Hawaii, is the first one discovered in the United States. We do now what will happen, but a new treatment has to be found if we want to have a chance against this disease.

Dr. Jonathan Mermic, director of CDC’s National Center for STD, said that if the treatment will fail, 800 000 Americans will be in danger every year. There were six men and a woman who got infected with gonorrhea in Hawaii and they were all cured, but it took a big effort to do that because the antibiotics did not seem to work.

Researchers are trying to find a better treatment, but there will be years before we will be able to use it. For now, our only hope is the combination of those two drugs. If that will not work, we will be in danger.

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease than can infect men and women, especially those between 15 and 24 years-old.  Every person who is sexually active can be infected with this disease. It affects our genitals and throat and is can be really dangerous if it is not treated. The best way to prevent this disease it to use condoms every time you have sex and also make sure your partner has been tested for STD.

Doctors will test your urine to see if you are infected and if the test is positive, they will start the treatment. We are hoping another treatment will be on the market in a few years because gonorrhea becomes resistant to antibiotics.

Image source: Public domain image

A new study shows that giving eggs and peanuts to babies can reduce the allergy risk. It seems that it timing is really important. If you give these products to our child when he/she is still a baby, there could be a lot of benefits regarding the allergy risk.  There are a lot of kids who are allergic to common food, such as eggs. Researchers wanted to find what are the effects if kids will get them from an early age.

They used data from 140 studied that talked about the risk of food allergies for children. They discovered that kids who eat peanuts between the ages of four and eleven months had a 70 percent reduced peanut allergy risk. Moreover, a similar thing happened to those who ate eggs from an early age. It is like our body gets used to some food products when we are younger and protect us from allergy risk.

Even though doctors were advising the parents to delay giving their kids food like egg, peanut or fish, it seems that this new study has a different opinion. If parents introduce egg and peanuts at an early age, they will be able to prevent allergies. Researchers also studied milk, fish, and almonds, but there was not enough evidence that introducing these foods can reduce the allergy risk.

Of course, those who have kids that have already a food allergy should pay more attention. The best thing to do is to go to your doctor before giving your child eggs or peanuts. If he is already developed an allergy, giving him these products will make things worse. Doctors are advising parents to give their children small pieces of eggs or peanuts and see how they are doing after. If they do not develop any side effects, your child should not have any problem in the future regarding the matter.

This study is the largest one on the effect that some foods can have on babies. It seems that introducing eggs and peanuts into your kid’s diet, at an early age, can really reduce the allergy risk. When your child develops a food allergy, his/her life would be more difficult. It is hard to find food who does not involve eggs, for example. If there is one chance to prevent the allergy, you should try it when your kid is still at an early age.

Image source: Public domain pictures

 

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the main reason people die in the United States. With no official treatment to cure the disease, we have to find ways to prevent it. One of the best solutions to pay attention to your diet. There are some fruits and vegetables that improve our memory and help us fight against this disease.

If you did not by now, dark berries and olive oil are really good in protecting the brain’s glial cells. They are more than the nerve cells and they have a lot of neurological functions that help us think clear and have a normal life. Pay attention to them and try to use olive oil instead of the normal one because it is healthier.

Spinach and asparagus are also really helping with our cognitive ability. We know that not many people enjoy eating them, but they have a high vitamin K content. This vitamin helps older people to not develop Alzheimer’s. Spinach is recommended to seniors and they should have at least one meal in a day that contains this vegetable.

For those of you who are not enjoying vegetables, you could try the green tea. Researchers discovered that it has benefits for older people. The green tea is able to protect your brain from cognitive disorders. Moreover, it is good for your health and it gives you a good feeling.

Fish is also one of the best options for your diet if you want to prevent Alzheimer’s. The omega-3 acids that can be found in salmon or fish oil will help you with your memory. Do not forget that the human body is not able to produce omega-3 acids, so you have to take them from your food.

Another important advice is to eat small meals. This way your blood sugar level will be balanced. Researchers found there is a connection between the high blood sugar and mental issues. Moreover, having small meals more times in a day is also better for your weight.

Diet can’t cure Alzheimer’s, but it can prevent it. Eating healthy food will also protect you from many other diseases and you will feel better. What you eat can improve or damage your health.

Image source: Wikipedia

 

 

Federal health officials announced that nearly 10 million adults in the United States thought about committing suicide last year. SAMHSA which represents the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration revealed that the rates of suicide had increased 27 percent since the year 2000.

According to the survey, 1.4 million adults tried to kill themselves but were unsuccessful while more than 3 million adults reflected on death. However, over the past eight years, the rates of people trying to take their own lives have remained constant.

According to a recent SAMHSA survey, the rates of suicidal thoughts have increased in young people aged 18 to 25. The rates enhanced to 8.3 percent from 7.5 percent in 2014.

Moreover, in 2015 there has been a 2 percent rise in young women who have failed to commit suicide.

More than 42,000 Americans die from suicide each year. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this is the 10th cause of death in the United States. Being the National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, SAMHSA asks for $88 million in funding to further prevent suicides amongst Americans of all demographics and age groups.

Kana Enomoto, the Principal Deputy Director of the agency, said that more effort should be made in raising awareness of the fact that suicide is preventable. Everyone in need should be provided science-based, efficient services. All these programs during the National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month are designed to assure people that there is a brighter future for them and to save lives.

Everyone including friends, family, co-workers, teachers, faith community leaders and healthcare providers could reach someone in need and assist them in getting the help they require.

The report noted that individuals who are heavy drinkers or consume drugs are more likely to have suicidal thoughts than in people who do not drink alcohol or take drugs. Only 4 percent of individuals who do not abuse such substances had suicidal thoughts in comparison to more than 10 percent of the other adults.

According to the statement, more than 30 percent of people who experienced depression considered suicide, while 10 percent of them made an actual plan of how to do it and 4 percent failed to commit suicide.

Another troubling result of the report was that of all these individuals who considered taking away their lives, only 50 percent of them received counseling or mental health treatment.

Image source: Wikipedia