Category: Sexually Transmitted Disease
MPOX CASES ON THE RISE IN KING COUNTY
In September of this year, 45 new cases of mpox were reported in King County residents. This is the highest number of cases in a month since the initial mpox outbreak in King County in 2022. Increases in the number of mpox cases have also been reported in Chicago, San Francisco and New York.
Denmark close to wiping out leading cancer-causing HPV strains after vaccine roll-out
Denmark has effectively eliminated infections with the two biggest cancer-causing strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) since the vaccine was introduced in 2008, data suggests.
King Holmes, who led pioneering research in sexually transmitted diseases, dies
Nearly single-handedly, Holmes brought the study of sexually transmitted diseases field to the forefront of medical research.
Health News Headlines
FDA may green light new Covid vaccine soon – Home test for syphilis approved – Blood banks need type O – Polio in Gaza
Oral sex is now the leading risk factor for throat cancer
Over the past two decades, there has been a rapid increase in throat cancer in the west, to the extent that some have called it an epidemic. This has been due to a large rise in a specific type of throat cancer called oropharyngeal cancer (the area of the tonsils and back of the throat). The main cause of this cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV), which are also the main cause of cancer of the cervix. Oropharyngeal cancer has now become more common than cervical cancer in the US and the UK. HPV is sexually transmitted. For oropharyngeal cancer, the main risk factor is the number of lifetime sexual partners, especially oral sex. Those with six or more lifetime oral-sex partners are 8.5 times more likely to develop oropharyngeal cancer than those who do not practise oral sex.
Science Falls Behind as Syphilis Stages Another Comeback
Despite being one of the oldest known sexually transmitted infections, with possible origins in the 14th century — as well as intense public health initiatives over the past many decades — syphilis receives little attention from researchers.
Sexually active women 45 and under who have not been tested for syphilis since Jan. 2021 should be tested, say King County health officials
There has been a nearly 5-fold increase in syphilis in cisgender women since 2015
Viral shedding ebbs over time with HSV-1 genital infections, UW study finds.
People with HSV-1 genital infections frequently shed the virus in the months after infection, but the shedding declined rapidly during the first year.
Gonorrhea became more drug resistant while attention was on COVID-19 – a molecular biologist explains the sexually transmitted superbug
Around half of gonorrhea infections are asymptomatic and can only be detected through screening. Infected people without symptoms can unknowingly spread gonorrhea to others.
How does monkeypox spread?
The current monkeypox epidemic is a bit unusual in a few ways: First, the sheer scope of the current epidemic; Second, the way symptoms are appearing may facilitate spread among people who don’t yet know they are infected.
What You Need to Know About Monkeypox
Monkeypox is a viral infection, a close cousin of smallpox. But it causes a much milder disease. It is transmitted through close contact, including sex, kissing, and massage — any kind of contact of the penis, vagina, anus, mouth, throat, or even skin. In the current outbreak, monkeypox has primarily been transmitted sexually.
Babies Are Dying of Syphilis. It’s 100% Preventable.
There was a time when CDC officials thought they could eliminate syphilis among adults and babies. But the effort lost steam and cases have crept up again.
What is Mycoplasma genitalium, the common STI you’ve probably never heard of
What is it? How do I get it? How common is it?
Syphilis eludes immune attack by altering a single gene, UW study finds
By shuffling DNA in and out of one gene, syphilis stays a step ahead of the immune system to resist eradication.
Cancer Surgeries and Organ Transplants Are Being Put Off for Coronavirus. Can They Wait?
The elective procedures being postponed because of coronavirus aren’t all optional, but cancer patients and organ recipients are being forced to wait.