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Monkeypox outbreak in Nigeria
Monkeypox lesions Monkeypox (MPX) is caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), related to both smallpox and cowpox. The first recorded case in a human occurred in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It is currently endemic to regions of the Congo Basin and Western Africa— but largely the DRC. Symptoms are similar to,…
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‘Killing my Own Baby’: Challenges faced by breastfeeding mothers with HIV
Zimbabwe is working towards elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. All pregnant and breastfeeding women who are HIV-infected are initiated on Option B+ treatment for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT). Women on this regimen are encouraged to exclusively breastfeed for six months along with starting or continuing antiretroviral therapy (ART). Exclusive breastfeeding is not an…
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Jiggers: a painful infestation
A female jigger flea with extended abdomen. Source: Wikipedia A jigger infestation, known as tungiasis, can be very painful; I speak from personal experience. This tiny sand-flea has a variety of other colloquial names including nigua, chigoe and bicho de pé (Portugues for foot-bug). The last one, and its scientific name, Tunga penetrans, giving clues…
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How does family history affect the risk of preterm birth?
What made you look at a sibling design to study associations between maternal and offspring preterm birth? Compared to term infants, preterm infants, especially those born earliest, are more likely to experience a myriad of health-related problems, from neurodevelopmental problems in childhood to cardiovascular and metabolic disorders later in life. The etiology of preterm birth…
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Dating app users more likely exhibit unhealthy weight control behaviors
In a study of 1,726 adults, users of dating apps had substantially elevated odds of unhealthy weight control behaviors such as diet pills. © yacobchuk / Getty Images / iStock Let’s admit it. Online dating can be a challenge. Yes, it’s quite easy to download one of the many available mobile dating apps on your…