Wednesday Is National HIV Testing Day

HealthDay – 32 mins ago TUESDAY, June 26 (HealthDay News) -- More than 1 million people in the United States are living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, but 20 percent of them don't know they're infected.

Federal health officials are urging everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 to get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care.

And there's no better time to start than Wednesday, June 27 -- National HIV Testing Day.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual testing for people at higher risk of HIV infection, including intravenous drug users, gay and bisexual men, or people who have multiple sex partners. Sexually active gay and bisexual men may benefit from even more frequent testing -- perhaps every three to six months, the CDC said.

The CDC also urges pregnant women to get tested early in their pregnancy so they can take the steps necessary to keep from passing HIV to their babies.

As part of National HIV Testing Day, the CDC recommends:

Asking your doctor for an HIV test or finding a place to get tested in your community. For help in finding a testing place, go to www.hivtest.org, call 1-800-CDC-INFO or text your zip code to "KNOW IT" (566948). Getting tested once a year, or more often if you have more than one sex partner, inject drugs, or are a gay or bisexual man. Lowering your HIV risk by having sex with only one partner -- someone you know is uninfected. Or using a condom every time you have anal, vaginal, or oral sex. Getting medical care as soon as possible if you have HIV to stay healthier longer and to keep from passing the virus to others.

More information

To learn more about HIV/AIDS, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Surgeons Seek Repeal of Transplant Ban Between HIV-Positive People

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Failed IVF attempt tied to depression, anxiety

Reuters – 1 hr 40 mins ago NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women who are stressed and anxious before in vitro fertilization (IVF) are no less likely to have a baby, new research suggests. But if the treatment fails, it may take a toll on their mental health.

In two separate studies in the journal Fertility and Sterility, researchers found women with anxiety or depression symptoms were just as likely as others to become pregnant.

One study focused on women undergoing IVF and the other followed women trying to conceive naturally.

"Our findings are consistent with the most recent research," said Lauri A. Pasch, a clinical psychologist at the University of California, San Francisco Center for Reproductive Health, and the lead researcher on the IVF study.

Based on that body of research, she told Reuters Health, "I think we can safely say to women,

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FDA Approves Weight Loss Drug Belviq

a foot in the door for pharmacological treatment of obesity," said Dr. Robert Eckel, a professor of medicine at the University of Colorado -- Denver. "However, the effects are moderate at best."

Obesity is becoming an epidemic of massive proportions. According to the World Health Organization, by 2015 2.3 billion adults will be overweight, and more than 700 million will be obese. Obesity is associated with a host of health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attacks, asthma, cancers and strokes. Indeed, obesity, along with tobacco, is a leading cause of preventable death.

The main treatments for obesity are diet and exercise. If those interventions are not effective, then a person can consider medical therapy or bariatric surgery. However, bariatric surgery, though effective in leading to weight loss, is also a surgical procedure with serious risks.

"Clearly

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German court bans circumcision of young boys

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FDA approves Arena obesity drug; first in 13 years

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Possible outcomes in pending health care law case

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FDA Approves Weight Loss Drug

But new studies by Arena Pharmaceuticals found no increased risk of heart valve problems and only a small risk of cancer. And in May 2012, an FDA panel voted 18 to four to approve the drug, stating the benefits of Belviq outweigh the potential risks when used in a population of overweight and obese people.

"For the half of America that seriously needs some help in reducing energy intake, this has some promise," said Dr. Barry Popkin, a professor of nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Other experts have expressed more caution.

"The approval of

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Health Tip: Stay Healthier as You Age

HealthDay – 31 mins ago (HealthDay News) -- There is no single secret to staying young, but there are things you can do to help ensure that you stay healthier as you age.

The Cleveland Clinic offers these suggestions:

Don't smoke, and limit alcohol use.Practice a regular, balanced exercise routine.Maintain a healthy body weight.See your doctor regularly.Engage in frequent social activity, and try new ways to have fun.Work on maintaining relationships.Challenge your mind by furthering your education.

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Health Tip: Living With a Pacemaker

HealthDay – 31 mins ago (HealthDay News) -- A pacemaker is implanted in the upper chest to help regulate an irregular heartbeat. Once you have the device, you should avoid "close and prolonged contact" with electronics and appliances that emit magnetic fields, the U.S. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute says.

The agency offers this additional advice for people living with a pacemaker:

If your doctor recommends so, avoid participating in high-contact sports or activities that could damage or dislodge the pacemaker.Ask your doctor to inspect your pacemaker regularly.Have the pacemaker's battery checked regularly.Let any medical professional whose services you use know that you have a pacemaker.

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Wednesday Is National HIV Testing Day

HealthDay – 31 mins ago TUESDAY, June 26 (HealthDay News) -- More than 1 million people in the United States are living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, but 20 percent of them don't know they're infected.

Federal health officials are urging everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 to get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care.

And there's no better time to start than Wednesday, June 27 -- National HIV Testing Day.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual testing for people at higher risk of HIV infection, including intravenous drug users, gay and bisexual men, or people who have multiple sex partners. Sexually active gay and bisexual men may benefit from even more frequent testing -- perhaps every three to six months, the CDC said.

The CDC also urges pregnant women to get tested early in their pregnancy so they can take the steps necessary to keep from passing HIV to their babies.

As part of National HIV Testing Day, the CDC recommends:

Asking your doctor for an HIV test or finding a place to get tested in your community. For help in finding a testing place, go to www.hivtest.org, call 1-800-CDC-INFO or text your zip code to "KNOW IT" (566948). Getting tested once a year, or more often if you have more than one sex partner, inject drugs, or are a gay or bisexual man. Lowering your HIV risk by having sex with only one partner -- someone you know is uninfected. Or using a condom every time you have anal, vaginal, or oral sex. Getting medical care as soon as possible if you have HIV to stay healthier longer and to keep from passing the virus to others.

More information

To learn more about HIV/AIDS, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

View the Original article

To Improve School Nutrition, Involve Teachers and Parents

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