Poliomyelitis

We'd like to welcome you to our new newsletter created especially for our female Veterans. The VA Women's Health program strives to meet your diverse and special needs. We offer women's health specialty clinics, timely health care, outreach programs and events. We are inspired to serve you every day as part of our mission. We honor you as a diverse, brave and resilient community of female Veterans. Inspired by you We asked several of our team members the question, "What inspires you most about our Women Veterans?" Their responses could not be more supportive: "I'm inspired by their strength and resilience. They encourage me to be strong in the face of adversity…to keep pushing forward." "They are hardworking, strong, courageous, and selfless." "What inspires me is their ability to do it all. To stand next to men and do the same job." "I enjoy their take-charge enthusiasm for their h...

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a vaginal infection. Antibiotics may help treat the condition and reduce symptoms. Some antibiotics can cause side effects, and some BV drugs have warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that BV is the most common vaginal condition in those aged 15–44 years. This article discusses the different medications available for BV, the antibiotics that doctors may prescribe, and frequently asked questions that people may have for a doctor treating BV. BV occurs when there is an imbalance of the vaginal flora, which are the types of bacteria that naturally live inside the vagina. BV can occur in anyone with a vagina, but according to research from 2020 , a person may be at an increased risk of developing BV if they: have multiple sexual partners are sexually active at a young age are douching regularly Research also mentions that people with BV may have a higher chance of contracting a sexuall...

The small intestine, also called the small bowel, is part of the digestive tract. This organ connects the stomach and the large intestine and is the longest part of the digestive system. As food being digested travels through it, the small intestine absorbs vitamins and minerals. Problems with the small intestine can cause not only discomfort but also nutritional problems, and this can affect the rest of the body. Diseases and conditions that can affect the small intestine include Crohn's disease, celiac disease, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This article will provide a brief overview of some of the more common small bowel disorders, including symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. Verywell / Jessica Olah Conditions That Affect the Small Intestine When food is chewed and swallowed, it goes down the esophagus (food tube) into the stomach, and then into the small intestine. It travels thr...

When symptoms of schizophrenia occur after being managed for some time, you may be experiencing a symptom relapse. Schizophrenia can affect a person's behaviors, cognition, mood, and how they connect with others. While medication, psychotherapy, and learning about schizophrenia can help manage symptoms of the condition, it's possible to experience "symptom relapses" while receiving treatment. Symptom relapse is a part of the chronic condition journey, and it doesn't mean you necessarily did "something wrong." The term "schizophrenia relapse" can be confusing, as "addiction relapse" tends to be more familiar. A symptom relapse in schizophrenia refers to experiencing cognitive and positive symptoms that may have been well managed thus far, including: hallucinations delusions confusion difficulty concentrating difficulty with movement (catatonia) When symptoms return, they can cause psychological and social distress, financial hardship, ...

Share on Pinterest Sewage tracking has discovered small amounts of poliovirus in London's wastewater. Alexander Spatari/Getty Images Health officials found traces of the poliovirus in sewage samples collected from north and east London between February and May 2022. The poliovirus found are considered "vaccine-derived," meaning they derive from live oral polio vaccines, which the U.K. hasn't used since 2004. Presently the public risk is considered low, but officials encourage people to make sure they are up-to-date on their polio vaccinations. Polio is considered to be eliminated in most first-world countries, including the United Kingdom, thanks to vaccines. However, the London Beckton Sewage Treatment Works (LBSTW) recently detected poliovirus in a number of sewage samples, which is raising concern about the possibility of viral spread. Health officials currently believe the poliovirus they found in sewage samples could have been brought to the country by someone wh...

Rabies virus kills a shocking 59,000 people each year, many of them children. Some victims, especially kids, don't realize they've been exposed until it is too late. For others, the intense rabies treatment regimen is out of the question: treatment is not widely available and the average $3,800 expense poses unthinkable economic burden for most people around the world. Rabies vaccines, rather than treatments, are much more affordable and easier to administer. But those vaccines also come with a massive downside: "Rabies vaccines don't provide lifelong protection. You have to get your pets boosted every year to three years," says LJI Professor Erica Ollmann Saphire, Ph.D. "Right now, rabies vaccines for humans and domestic animals are made from killed virus. But this inactivation process can cause the molecules to become misshapen -- so these vaccines aren't showing the right form to the immune system. If we made a better shaped, better structured vacc...

Last month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Voquenza Dual (vonoprazan fumarate + amoxicillin) and Triple Paks (vonoprazan fumarate + amoxicillin + clarithromycin) for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in adults. Vonoprazan fumarate is the first in its class potassium competitive acid blocker. Voquenza will launch later this year. In March, the company launching Voquenza, Phathom Pharmaceuticals, also submitted a new drug application to the FDA for the use of vonoprazan as a treatment for the healing of all grades of erosive reflux esophagitis and relief of heartburn. ADVERTISEMENT Helicobacter pylori bacteria reside in the stomach and small intestines of at least 30% of the population. In most people, the bacteria do not cause symptoms. However, some experience gastrointestinal symptoms caused by Helicobacter pylori, which run the gamut from frequent stomach upset to ulcers to cancer in rare cases. For patients experiencing distress, eradica...

Your heart is a complex organ that works continuously to provide your body with a constant supply of oxygenated blood ( 1 ). It's part of the cardiovascular system, which also includes arteries, veins, and capillaries ( 2 ). One of the most important ways to keep your cardiovascular system healthy is by following a nutritious diet low in foods and beverages linked to poor heart health and increased cardiovascular disease risk. In fact, research suggests that diet may be the most preventative factor in heart disease-related death, which accounts for one-third of global mortality ( 3 , 4 ). Fortunately, following a heart-healthy diet can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease-related death and may even reverse heart disease risk factors, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high blood fat levels ( 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 ). In this article, I will explain how diet impacts heart health and share evidence-based ways to reduce heart disease risk and promote optimal cardio...