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Some adults still avoid clinical STD tests
Date: 2013-02-05 00:00:00

STD tests can help ensure early detection of potentially deadly diseases as well as prevent the spread of viruses and infections. Some individuals feel, though, that there are government agents making use of these results behind the use of these tests and refuse to take them, especially in older populations. Clinicians are fighting back against the falsehood that STD test givers carry any nefarious motives, but some Americans still feel to the contrary. 

The Gerontologist​, an Oxford Journal, featured a study revealing that one-fourth of all HIV and AIDS patients today is over 50, but many of these individuals will go undiagnosed until it's too late for clinicians to provide  effective care. What's more, a simple STD test could have helped them determine if they were at risk of carrying these diseases. Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles looked at more than 200 people seeking medical attention in California medical clinics over the age of 50 to see how many of them tested positive for HIV or AIDS. Participants in the clinical study were reporting to health centers for various physical ailments that they did not feel were associated with an STD.

The study showed that about one-third of participants said they believed AIDS was a government conspiracy, while three-fourths said they held other beliefs about civil agencies regarding AIDS and HIV. This indicates that some people may avoid getting adequate STD testing out of fear of secondary uses of their blood samples and other biological materials in a professional healthcare environment.

Other tests still an option... Full Story

What encourages African-American women to practice safer sex?
Date: 2013-02-08 00:00:00

Sexually active individuals need to understand that it's important to regularly get tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) to help ensure that they are healthy. Furthermore, community leaders and health advocates need to stress that the most effective ways to prevent the spread of STDs while engaging in sexual activity is to wear a condom and utilize STD testing services after each new partner. Unfortunately, studies have shown that some populations are less likely to engage in safer sex practices than others. For example, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 have the highest rate of STDs.

Furthermore, African-American women also seem to have a greater chance of contracting STDs and HIV than other populations. In response to this, researchers from the University of California, Berkley set out to determine what motivates these women to engage in sexual activity and when they are more likely to use protection.

What encourages people to be safe?... Full Story

Could social media be used to curb STD rates?
Date: 2013-02-07 00:00:00

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV are serious business and, if left untreated, can cause serious problems such as infertility or even death. Unfortunately, many people may not even know that they have an STD until it has already progressed. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one out of every five people with HIV is unaware that they have the virus​, underscoring the importance of regular testing. While increased testing is one way to help curb the rate of STDs and HIV among high-risk populations, recent research suggests that social networking technologies may also help.

Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles recently set out to determine how Facebook and other social media tools could be used to help reduce STDs and HIV in high-risk populations.

Combating infections with the internet ... Full Story

Is HIV getting enough attention in the U.S.?
Date: 2013-02-22 00:00:00

While the U.S. is in a much better place than it was 30 years ago in its fight against HIV, the battle isn't over yet. People still need to regularly utilize STD testing services to screen for the virus. Some people may mistakenly believe that HIV is no longer a major issue in America, which could lead to carelessness when it comes to safer sex and testing. Recently, The Huffington Post published an article by Seth Rosen, managing director of development for Gay Men's Health Crisis, who said that HIV in the U.S. may not be getting the attention it deserves.

According to the article, every 9.5 minutes another person in the U.S. contracts HIV, and out of the 1.2 million Americans with this virus, one in five is unaware they have it.

Still a major issue ... Full Story

People with HIV may have trouble recognizing facial cues
Date: 2013-02-27 00:00:00

There may be some people out there who believe that it's not important to use STD testing services because they don't have any signs of a condition. However, it's important to understand that many of these infections and viruses don't have any symptoms until they are in the late stages, or the signs may not be something that they would normally associate with having an STD or HIV. For example, researchers from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome recently discovered that one sign of HIV may be a lack of ability to recognize emotions in people's faces.

The scientists discovered that people with HIV have a more difficult time recognizing fear or even happiness in the faces of others, compared to those who do not have the virus.

A surprising issue... Full Story