Signs of STD

HIV is a virus that targets the immune system. It damages and destroys white blood cells called CD4 T cells. Without treatment, HIV can progress to an advanced stage called stage 3 HIV, or AIDS. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates there were nearly 39 million people living with HIV worldwide by the end of 2022. In the United States, there were 1.2 million people living with HIV at the end of 2021. HIV is a serious medical condition that damages the immune system. If left untreated, the virus can progress through three stages that may seriously impair a person's quality and duration of life. That said, due to medical advances, people with HIV who receive appropriate treatment rarely develop stage 3 HIV, or AIDS. They can manage their condition and live long, healthy lives. As of 2022, 76% of people with HIV were receiving antiretroviral therapy. AIDS-related deaths have also significantly decreased by 51% since 2010. This article explores HIV and AIDS, including the symp...

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). Global HIV statistics. Fact sheet 2023 epidemiological estimates. https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/fact-sheet. HIV statistics, globally and by WHO region, 2023. Epidemiological fact sheet. https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/hq-hiv-hepatitis-and-stis-library/j0294-who-hiv-epi-factsheet-v7.pdf. Cao G, et al. Prevalence of anemia among people living with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine. 2022;44:101283. Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar  Lawn SD, et al. Early mortality among adults accessing antiretroviral treatment programs in sub-Saharan Africa. AIDS. 2008;22(15):1897–908. Article  PubMed  Google Scholar  Braitstein P, et al. Mortality of HIV-1-infected patients in the first year of antiretroviral thera...

While everyone's urine looks different, urine typically falls on a yellow spectrum regarding color. Ideally, urine should also be on the paler yellow side and pretty translucent. However, having urine that's not clear may cause you concern. In some instances, cloudy urine can be harmless; in others, it may be a sign of conditions like kidney stones or urinary tract infections (UTIs), especially if it has a strong odor. Here's what to know about cloudy pee if you're experiencing it and when you should talk to a healthcare provider. Antonio Hugo Photo / Getty Images Cloudy urine, especially with a strong smell, can indicate a UTI. If you have a UTI, you might notice other symptoms, such as burning or pain when urinating or needing to pee more frequently. A healthcare provider can diagnose a UTI after obtaining a urine sample. Not drinking enough water can also cause cloudy urine, Sandip Vasavada, MD, a urologist at Cleveland Clinic, told Healt...

Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal said, "The HIV/AIDS crisis ravaged the LGBTQ+ community, but years of advocacy and advancements in medicine have ensured that an HIV diagnosis is no longer a death sentence. Having access to the right medications can allow a person to live a long and healthy life, but those treatments should never be obstructed by risky and unnecessary prior authorization requirements imposed by insurers. As we close out Pride Month, I am proud to see Governor Hochul sign my bill into law to prohibit prior authorization for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention medications. Providing doctors and patients the ability to try different combinations of medications, without the interference of insurers, will help bring New York State one step closer to finally ending the AIDS epidemic." Assemblymember David Weprin said, "I want to thank Governor Hochul for signing this very crucial legislation during Pride month. As Chair of the Committee on Insurance, I am re-estab...

You likely give your urine little thought until something seems… off. Whether it's cloudy, foamy, or smells particularly unusual, abnormal pee can sound the alarms. But before you spiral into a panic and wonder, " why does my pee smell?" it's likely not that big of a deal. For one, urine doesn't smell all that great even on a good day. "It's created when the kidneys filter and remove waste products from the blood," says Stephanie Pannell, MD, MPH, a urologist at UCLA Health. "The strength and type of odor depend on multiple factors, including diet, how hydrated someone is, and medications," she explains. Urine consists of things like ammonia, creatinine, urochrome (which gives urine its typical yellowish color), urea (from amino acid metabolism), and water. It's a delicate balance between all these components, but when it's off, say in the case of dehydration, you will notice a stronger or even rancid smell. "When dehydrated, u...