Viral diseases

Cervical Cancer and HIV: The intimate connection

Published by: 
Health Systems Trust

Since 1997, over 33 000 women have died of cervical cancer in South Africa. This translates into roughly 3 000 per year. In addition, approximately 7000 women develop the disease every year. In 2000, a national cervical cancer screening policy was developed and put into place. The system uses a screening method to prevent the precancerous lesions from developing into cervical cancer through early detection and treatment. Screening takes place through pap smears with three free pap smears being offered to women in the public service at the ages of 30, 40 and 50.

Suspected measles outbreak

Eleven suspected cases of measles are been treated in the Ndebala village in Eastern Cape, the department of health said on Saturday.

Cancer risk soars in HIV-positive people

People with HIV have a much higher risk for many cancers, including anal cancer, but a lower risk for prostate cancer, researchers said on Tuesday. Some types of cancers like Kaposi's sarcoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma have long been associated with people infected by the virus that causes AIDS.

Anti-herpes treatment reduces HIV levels treatment or vaccine urged for HIV prevention

Control of herpes simplex with daily treatment or with a vaccine should be considered as a strategy to reduce HIV transmission, urge researchers who carried out a large randomised study of the effects of an anti-herpes drug on HIV in African women. Their findings are published in the February 22nd edition of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Routine Testing for the AIDS Virus

Federal health officials took the right step last week when they recommended that all teenagers and all adults up to the age of 64 be tested for H.I.V. infection when they receive routine medical care. This welcome effort to remove barriers in the way of widespread testing offers the best hope to reduce the stubborn persistence of H.I.V. infections in the American population.

Condoms Protect Against HPV and Are a Vital Complement to HPV Vaccine

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC - A newly published study in the June 22, 2006 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine shows that use of condoms helps protect against human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, further substantiating condoms' usefulness in preventing most sexually transmitted infections, say two reproductive health experts at Family Health International (FHI) in an accompanying commentary.