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Category Archives: Infectious Disease
What is a spinal tap, and why is it done?
Introduction A spinal tap (lumbar puncture) induces a lot of angst. Although the reason for the procedure should, the procedure itself really shouldn’t. What is a spinal tap?
Fifteen Tips to Care for Diabetic Skin, Part 2
Introduction This post provides diabetic skin care tips! In the previous Straight, No Chaser, we discussed the frailty of diabetic skin and discussed how that sets one up for
Diabetic Skin Problems, Part 1
Introduction Today we begin a discussion on diabetic skin problems. Diabetic Skin Problems If you are diabetic or caring for a diabetic, one of the things you’ve likely notic
The Day You Get Diagnosed With HIV
Introduction This blog focuses on the conversation physicians have with patients newly diagnosed with HIV. It is the seventh and final blog in the series on HIV and AIDS. To read
HIV and STD Risks From Sexual Activities Other Than Intercourse
Introduction – HIV and STD risks This blog focuses on your HIV and STD risks from sexual activities other than intercourse. It is the sixth blog in an ongoing series on HIV
HIV and STD Risks From Specific Acts of Sexual Intercourse
Introduction – HIV and STD risks This blog focuses on your HIV and STD risks from specific acts of sexual intercourse. It is the fifth blog in an ongoing series on HIV and A
What Are The Symptoms of HIV and AIDS?
Introduction This is the fourth blog in an ongoing series on HIV and AIDS and focuses on symptoms of HIV and AIDS. To read a discussion of HIV being eliminated from the body, click
How Do You Contract HIV and AIDS?
Introduction Fortunately, this isn’t 1983, but HIV and AIDS are still far too common. Thankfully, we now know how HIV infection is contracted. Yet, HIV and AIDS awareness are
Do You Know the Definition of AIDS?
Introduction This is the second blog in an ongoing series on HIV and AIDS. Click here for the introductory blog. What is AIDS? After all these years, it’s still an interesting a
HIV Awareness Month – Can HIV Be Eliminated From the Body?
Introduction It’s HIV Awareness Month. Certainly you’ve noticed there’s a lot less chatter about HIV lately. Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security.
Flu Prevention
It’s time to get your flu shots! Of course, many people choose not to get the influenza vaccine (the “flu shot”) for various reasons, some more reasonable than ot
Straight, No Chaser: Lowering Your Risk for Infection
There are things you know, there are things you know but don’t really know, and there are still other things that you think you know that you don’t know at all. When it
Straight, No Chaser: What is MRSA? Causes, Prevention & Treatments
One of the things that’s changed a lot from when I first started practicing medicine is people show up every day to the emergency room for mosquito and spider bites. The lo
Straight, No Chaser: Sealed with a (Wrong Type of) Kiss – Zoonotic Diseases
It’s interesting how we take animals for granted. Many of us touch and handle them, play with them. Some people keep their pets in their faces, allowing them to kiss and lick the
Avoiding Mosquito-Bourne Diseases
Introduction This Straight, No Chaser post is about avoiding mosquito-bourne diseases. Sometimes things occur so frequently that you become sensitized to the real danger they prese
Straight, No Chaser: Emergency Room Adventures – The Risk of Rabies
Depending on the circumstances of your life, sometimes risks are theoretical, and other times risks become occurrences… You can’t make this stuff up. It’s another bu
Do’s and Don’t of Snake Bites
Introduction This Straight, No Chaser post is about snake bites! So you’ve been snake bitten. What will you do next? First things first. Stay calm. Call 911. Realize that
Managing Animal Bites
Introduction This Straight, No Chaser discusses managing animal bites. We love our pets, and animals in general. Is there one about which a movie hasn’t been made? In most ca
Your Questions about Human Bites
Introduction The votes are in, and it appears that Jaws (from James Bond fame) found the previous post, well… biting. Here’s your questions and answers about human bi
Types and Treatment of Human Bites
Introduction This Straight, No Chaser post is about different types and treatment of human bites. I have had weird experiences with humans biting humans, as have most physicians. T