GENERAL HEALTH

What is HIV?
In 1985, scientists discovered the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV is a virus that is transmitted from person to person through the exchange of body fluids such as blood, semen, breast milk and vaginal secretions. Sexual contact is the most common way to spread HIV, but it can also be transmitted by sharing needles when injecting drugs, or during childbirth and breastfeeding. As HIV reproduces, it damages the body's immune system and the body becomes susceptible to illness and infection. There is no known cure for HIV infection.
What is AIDS?
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS, is a condition that describes an advanced state of HIV infection. With AIDS, the virus has progressed, causing significant loss of white blood cells (CD4 cells) or any of the cancers or infections that result from immune system damage. Those illnesses and infections are said to be "AIDS-defining" because they mark the onset of AIDS. Like HIV, there is no known cure for AIDS.
What Are the AIDS-Defining Illnesses and Infections?
Are HIV and AIDS the Same Thing?
Explore the HIV and AIDS Connection
How Long Does it Take for HIV to Cause AIDS?
HIV/AIDS - More Than Just a Disease
Soon after the emergence of the AIDS epidemic, it became evident that HIV was much more than just a disease. Unlike any other disease, HIV not only touches the lives of those infected, but it also impacts the lives of virtually everyone on earth. One would be hardpressed to find any group not affected by the HIV epidemic in some way. Simply put, it is probably the single most important public health issue of our time.

What Is the Cold/Flu?

What Is the Common Cold?
On average, American adults will suffer from 2 to 4 colds per year and children will get between 6 and 10 colds per year. The common cold is probably the most common illness in the United States today, but it is also the most common reason for doctor's visits, even though there is no cure for the cold.The cold, like the flu, is a virus and cannot be treated with antibiotics. Unfortunately, the only true treatment is to wait until has run it's course. Want to know more?
What Is the Flu?:
The flu is similar to the common cold but the symptoms are usually much more severe. Five to 20 percent of the American population come down with the flu each year. It can be very serious and even fatal.The flu is a virus called influenza. It cannot be treated with antibiotics, but may be prevented with a flu shot and new antiviral medications, such as Tamiflu, may help shorten the duration of the flu.

Dental Care

Easier - Care of your teeth includes following a good diet, cleaning your teeth after eating, and having regular dental checkups.Harder - Most tooth decay and gum disease could be prevented if people gave proper care to their teeth and gums. Dentists recommend that (1) you eat well-balanced meals that include a variety of foods and provide the nutrients (nourishing substances) needed by your teeth and gums, (2) you clean your teeth by brushing after every meal and using dental floss once a day, and that (3) you have a dental checkup at least once a year.

Drug

Drugs are chemicals that change the way a person's body works. You've probably heard that drugs are bad for you, but what does that mean and why are they bad?Medicines Are Legal DrugsIf you've ever been sick and had to take medicine, you already know about one kind of drugs. Medicines are legal drugs, meaning doctors are allowed to prescribe them for patients, stores can sell them, and people are allowed to buy them. But it's not legal, or safe, for people to use these medicines any way they want or to buy them from people who are selling them illegally.Cigarettes and AlcoholCigarettes and alcohol are two other kinds of legal drugs. (In the United States, adults 18 and over can buy cigarettes and those 21 and over can buy alcohol.) But smoking and excessive drinking are not healthy for adults and off limits for kids.Illegal DrugsWhen people talk about the "drug problem," they usually mean abusing legal drugs or using illegal drugs, such as marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine, LSD, crystal meth and heroin. (Marijuana is generally an illegal drug, but some states allow doctors to prescribe it to adults for certain illnesses.)

INSIDE HEALTH

Allergies & Asthma
Bones, Joints & Muscles
Brain & Nervous System
Cancer
Digestive Health
General Health
Health Care
Healthy Living
Heart Health
Mental Health
Pediatrics
Sexual Health
Skin Health
Sleep
Women's Health