Ozempic is a brand-name medication primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes. Its active ingredient is semaglutide, a type of medication known as a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. This medication is administered via injection and is designed to help control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.

GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic work by mimicking the action of a hormone called GLP-1, which helps regulate blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin release and reducing the amount of glucose produced by the liver. Additionally, it helps to slow down digestion, leading to a decrease in appetite and potentially aiding in weight management for some individuals.

Ozempic is usually prescribed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes a healthy diet, regular exercise, and other diabetes medications if needed. individual’s specific health needs.

Ozempic and weight loss

Scores of Hollywood celebrities: from Tesla CEO Elon Musk to Oprah and Khloé Kardashian, are taking Ozempic to lose weight. But is it actually good for weight loss?

While its primary purpose is to help control blood sugar levels, many people using Ozempic have experienced weight reduction as a side effect.

The weight loss effects of Ozempic are believed to be due to its action as a GLP-1 receptor agonist. This medication can lead to decreased appetite, which may result in individuals consuming fewer calories. Additionally, GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic can slow down digestion, leading to a feeling of fullness or satiety, further contributing to reduced food intake.

Several clinical trials have demonstrated the potential for weight loss in individuals taking Ozempic. However, it’s essential to understand that individual responses to the medication can vary. Not everyone will experience significant weight loss, and the degree of weight reduction may differ among users.

Furthermore, weight loss results might also be influenced by other factors such as diet, exercise, and overall lifestyle habits.

If weight loss is a desired outcome in addition to managing type 2 diabetes, it’s important for individuals to discuss this goal with their healthcare provider. The healthcare provider can provide guidance on how the drug may contribute to weight management and help establish a personalized plan to achieve health goals safely and effectively.

Ozempic is available at Medix Urgent Care Center in Lauderhill.

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV is a retrovirus that infects cells of the human immune system and destroys or impairs their function.

AIDS, on the other hand, stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and describes the collection of symptoms and infections associated with acquired deficiency of the immune system. Infection with HIV has been established as the underlying cause of AIDS.

The term AIDS applies to the most advanced stages of HIV infection. The majority of people infected with HIV, if not treated, develop signs of AIDS within eight to 10 years.  Here are some other quick facts about HIV/AIDS:

1. You Can Have HIV and Not Know It

It’s estimated that about one in eight people with HIV don’t know they have it. Within the first two to four weeks of an HIV infection, a person may experience flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, fever, headache, sore throat, and muscle and joint pain. Other HIV symptoms can include painful, swollen lymph nodes and a skin rash with small bumps. But in some cases people won’t experience any symptoms at all during this early (acute) stage of infection, the CDC reports, and they can spread the virus without realizing it.

2. You Can’t Get HIV From Insect Bites or Toilet Seats

Myths still abound about HIV transmission. You can’t get HIV from insect bites or stings, hugging, shaking hands, or sharing toilets or dishes, according to the CDC. You can’t get HIV from a closed-mouth kiss or contact with an infected person’s sweat or tears, nor can you get it by simply working or hanging out with someone who is HIV-positive or has AIDS.

3. There Are Several Ways to Prevent HIV Transmission

Because HIV is transmitted by the exchange of bodily fluids such as semen (including pre-seminal fluid), rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and blood, the best way to stave off infection is to always practice safer sex and avoid sharing drug paraphernalia like needles. If you’re at very high risk of infection — for example, because your current sexual partner has HIV — you should talk to a healthcare provider about taking a medication called pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP.

4. Medications Can Protect You After a Possible HIV Exposure

PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is medicine to prevent HIV after a possible exposure. The CDC advises you to alert a healthcare provider or an emergency room doctor and begin PEP within 72 hours. The sooner you start, the better. PEP is not meant to replace other HIV prevention methods. If you may be exposed to HIV frequently, talk to your healthcare provider about PrEP.

5. Getting tested is the only way to know for sure

The CDC recommends that everyone between ages 13 and 64 get an HIV test at least once, and seek out testing as often as every six months if they have multiple sexual partners, have unprotected sex, or use needles to inject drugs. You can see your doctor for a conventional blood test or visit almost any health department or sexual health clinic for a blood or saliva test (usually free). These centers also offer confidential on-site counseling.

Information provided by everydayhealth.com and UNIAIDS.

If you’re wondering how often you should be visiting the doctor for a checkup if you seem to be in good health, the answer is: It all depends. The frequency of medical checkups depends on various factors such as age, gender, family history, and existing health conditions.

In general, healthy people should get a checkup every two to three years in their 20s, every other year in their 30s and 40s, and annually starting around age 50. You should also get regular health screenings like skin checks, pap smears, mammograms, and colorectal cancer screening.

If you have a chronic disease, like diabetes or COPD for instance, you should see your doctor more frequently, no matter how old you are. Your doctor may suggest more or less time between your checkups based on your risk factors, screening test results, and current health status.

What are the benefits of regular checkups?

Regular checkups with your healthcare provider can benefit your health in many ways. Some of the key benefits include:

• Finding potentially life-threatening health issues early before they cause a problem.
• Early treatment of health conditions, which increases the odds of a good outcome.
• Regular monitoring of existing health issues, which lowers the risk of worsening symptoms or severe complications.
• Staying up-to-date on vaccinations and screening tests.
• Limiting extra healthcare costs associated with treating complicated or serious conditions that aren’t caught early.
• Developing and maintaining an open, honest relationship with your primary care physician (PCP).
• Learning new ways to live a healthy, longer life and improving your health.

Source: healthline.com

Taking vitamins should be part of any person’s daily routine. But for many people, especially those with busy lives, it can be a tedious task – or one that’s often forgotten.

But thanks to modern medicine, there’s a popular new way to take your vitamins.

IV vitamin therapy is a procedure by which a healthcare professional uses an IV to deliver vitamins. During the procedure, a healthcare professional will insert a cannula into a person’s vein, usually in the crook of their arm. They can then attach a tube with an IV bag containing fluids, which then drip down the tube directly into the vein.

In addition to being convenient, this method bypasses the digestive system, allowing for faster and more efficient absorption of these essential nutrients.

IV vitamin therapy is often used to address various health concerns, including:

• Nutrient Deficiencies: It can help individuals who have deficiencies in vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, B vitamins, magnesium, and more.
• Hydration: IV therapy is a quick way to rehydrate the body, making it beneficial for athletes, individuals recovering from illness, or those experiencing dehydration.
• Immune Support: Some IV therapies are promoted as immune boosters, containing vitamins and antioxidants that may help the immune system function optimally.
• Energy and Wellness: Many people seek IV vitamin therapy for an energy boost and an overall sense of well-being.
• Hangover Relief: Some individuals turn to IV therapy to alleviate the symptoms of a hangover, as it can help with dehydration and nutrient replenishment.

This therapy has gained popularity in recent years, with various formulations and claims, so it’s crucial to be well-informed and make decisions about its use based on professional advice and evidence-based information.

It’s essential to note that the effectiveness and safety of IV vitamin therapy can vary, and it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional before undergoing any such treatment. The specific nutrients and their concentrations in IV therapies should be tailored to an individual’s needs, and the procedure should be administered by qualified medical personnel.

Influenza (flu) vaccines, often referred to as “flu shots,” serve as a shield against the four influenza viruses expected to be prevalent in the upcoming season. Typically administered via a needle in the arm, these vaccines are designed to safeguard individuals from the most common flu strains. Additionally, there’s an option for a nasal spray flu vaccine as well.

In the United States, the flu season usually starts in October, and peaks around January/February. With this month marking the start of the flu season, here is everything you need to know about the flu shot:

Is there more than one type of flu shot available?

Yes. There are different flu vaccine manufacturers and multiple flu vaccines that are licensed and recommended for use in the United States. Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent vaccine, Flublok Quadrivalent recombinant flu vaccine and Fluad Quadrivalent adjuvanted flu vaccine.

There are many flu vaccine options to choose from, but the most important thing is for all people 6 months and older to get a flu vaccine every year. If you have questions about which vaccine is best for you, talk to your doctor or other health care professional.

Who should and who should not get a flu vaccine?

Everyone 6 months and older in the United States should get an influenza (flu) vaccine every season with rare exception.

Vaccination to prevent flu and its potentially serious complications is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications. Different influenza (flu) vaccines are approved for use in people in different age groups. In addition, some vaccines are not recommended for certain groups of people. Factors that can determine a person’s suitability for vaccination, or vaccination with a particular vaccine, include a person’s age, health (current and past) and any allergies to flu vaccine or its components.

How effective is the seasonal flu shot?

While vaccine effectiveness (VE) can vary, recent studies show that flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu illness by between 40% and 60% among the overall population during flu season. The flu shot is particularly life-saving among children. A 2022 study showed that flu vaccination reduced children’s risk of severe life-threatening influenza by 75%.

Where can I get a flu shot?

Flu vaccines are administered at most clinics and health care facilities. If you are located in Florida, Medix Urgent Care Center offers the flu shot year-round at a cost of only $30!

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: What’s the Difference? 

Type 1 diabetes results from an autoimmune reaction and usually appears in adolescents and young adults. Type 2 diabetes develops over the course of many years. Risk factors include excess weight and a lack of exercise. 

What causes diabetes? 

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes may have similar names, but they’re different diseases with unique causes. 

The key difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is that type 1 is believed to be caused by an autoimmune reaction and develops early in life. Type 2 diabetes develops over the course of many years and is related to lifestyle factors such as being inactive and carrying excess weight. It’s usually diagnosed in adults. 

Risk factors for type 1 diabetes are not as clear, but family history may play a role. 

Causes of type 1 diabetes 

The body’s immune system is responsible for fighting off foreign invaders, such as harmful viruses and bacteria. 

Type 1 diabetes is believed to be caused by an autoimmune reaction. In people with type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakes the body’s own healthy cells for foreign invaders. 

The immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. After these beta cells are destroyed, the body is unable to produce insulin. 

Researchers don’t know why the immune system sometimes attacks the body’s own cells. It may have something to do with genetic and environmental factors, such as exposure to viruses. 

Research into autoimmune diseases is ongoing. Diet and lifestyle habits do not cause type 1 diabetes. 

Causes of type 2 diabetes 

People with type 2 diabetes have insulin resistance. The body still produces insulin, but it’s unable to use it effectively. 

Researchers aren’t sure why some people become insulin resistant, and others don’t, but several lifestyle factors may contribute, including being inactive and carrying excess weight. 

Other genetic and environmental factors may also play a role. When you develop type 2 diabetes, your pancreas will try to compensate by producing more insulin. Because your body is unable to effectively use insulin, glucose accumulates in your bloodstream.  

How does diabetes affect the body? 

There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. 

Both types of diabetes are chronic diseases that affect the way your body regulates blood sugar or glucose. Glucose is the fuel that feeds your body’s cells, but to enter your cells it needs a key. Insulin is that key. 

People with type 1 diabetes don’t produce insulin. You can think of it as not having a key. 

People with type 2 diabetes don’t respond to insulin as well as they should and later in the disease often don’t make enough insulin. You can think of it as having a broken key. 

Both types of diabetes can lead to chronically high blood sugar levels. That increases the risk of diabetes complications. 

What are the risk factors for type 1 and type 2 diabetes? 

Risk factors for type 1 diabetes are less clear than risk factors for type 2 diabetes. 

Known risk factors include: 

• Family history: People with a parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes have a higher risk of developing it themselves. 
• Age: Type 1 diabetes can appear at any age, but it’s most common among children and adolescents. 

Type 2 Diabetes Risk factors 

You’re at risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you: 

• have prediabetes, or slightly elevated blood sugar levels 
• are carrying excess weight or have obesity 
• have a lot of belly fat 
• are physically active less than 3 times a week 
• are over age 45 
• have ever had gestational diabetes, which is diabetes during pregnancy 
• have given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds 
• are Black, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, or Alaska Native due to structural inequities contributing to health disparities 
• have an immediate family member with type 2 diabetes 
• have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) 

What are the symptoms of diabetes? 

If not managed, type 1 and type 2 diabetes can lead to symptoms such as: 

• urinating frequently 
• feeling very thirsty and drinking a lot 
• feeling very hungry 
• feeling very fatigued 
• having blurry vision 
• having cuts or sores that don’t heal properly 
• having blurry vision 
• having very dry skin 
• having more infections than usual 

People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes may also experience irritability, mood changes, and unintentional weight loss. 

Diabetes and Numbness in Hands and Feet 

People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes may experience numbness and tingling in their hands or feet. Good glucose management significantly reduces the risk of developing numbness and tingling in someone with type 1 diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). 

Although many of the symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are similar, they present in very different ways. 

Many people with type 2 diabetes won’t have symptoms for many years, and their symptoms often develop slowly over a long period of time. 

Some people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms at all and don’t discover they have the condition until complications arise. 

The symptoms of type 1 diabetes develop quickly, typically over the course of several weeks. 

Once known as juvenile diabetes, this type usually develops in childhood or adolescence. But it’s possible to develop type 1 diabetes later in life. 

How are type 1 and type 2 diabetes treated? 

There’s currently no cure for type 1 diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes don’t produce insulin, so it must be regularly taken, and blood sugar levels must be regularly checked. 

Some people take injections into soft tissue, such as the stomach, arm, or buttocks, several times a day. Other people use insulin pumps. Insulin pumps supply a steady amount of insulin into the body through a small tube. 

Blood sugar testing is an essential part of managing type 1 diabetes because blood sugar levels can go up and down quickly. 

Type 2 diabetes can be managed and even prevented with diet and exercise, but many people need extra support. If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, your doctor may prescribe medications that help your body use insulin more effectively. 

Monitoring your blood sugar is an essential part of type 2 diabetes management, too. It’s the only way to know whether you’re meeting your target levels. 

Your doctor may recommend testing your blood sugar occasionally or more frequently. If your blood sugar levels are high, your doctor may recommend insulin injections. 

Can diabetes be prevented? 

Type 1 diabetes can’t be prevented. 

It may be possible to lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes through these lifestyle changes, such as: 

• maintaining a moderate weight 
• working with your doctor to develop a healthy weight-loss plan, if you have overweight 
• increasing your activity levels 
• eating a balanced diet and reducing your intake of sugary foods or overly processed foods 

Even if you’re unable to prevent the disease, careful monitoring can get your blood sugar levels back to standard and prevent the development of severe complications. 

How common is diabetes? 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 37.3 million people in the United States have diabetes. That’s slightly more than 1 in 11 people. 

The CDC estimates that 8.5 million people are living with undiagnosed diabetes. That’s about 3.4 percent of all U.S. adults. 

The percentage of people with diabetes increases with age. Among those 65 years old and older, the rate reaches 29.2 percent. 

Are men more likely to get diabetes? 

Men and women get diabetes at roughly the same rate. 

But prevalence rates are higher among certain races and ethnicities in the United States. 

Statistics show that diabetes occurs more frequently among historically marginalized populations in the United States. 

Research suggests that this may be due in part to environmental factors, such as the history of discriminatory housing and lending policies in the United States. 

Researchers posit that these policies resulted in racially and ethnically segregated neighborhoods that have inadequate access to healthy foods, insufficient health educational resources, and higher rates of obesity—a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. 

American Indian and Alaska Native adults are almost three times more likely than non-Hispanic white adults to be diagnosed with diabetes. 

For both men and women, diabetes diagnoses are highest among American Indians and Alaska Natives, non-Hispanic blacks, and people of Hispanic origin. 

Prevalence rates are higher for Hispanic Americans of Mexican or Puerto Rican descent than they are for those of Central and South American or Cuban descent. 

Among non-Hispanic Asian Americans, people with Asian Indian and Filipino ancestry have higher rates of diabetes than people with Chinese or other Asian ancestries. 

How common is type 1 diabetes 

Type 1 diabetes is less common than type 2. 

About 5 to 10 percent of people with diabetes have type 1. It usually develops in children, teens, and young adults — but can happen at any age. 

How common is type 2 diabetes? 

Type 2 diabetes is much more common than type 1, and 90 to 95 percent of people with diabetes have type 2. 

Which diets are recommended for diabetes? 

Nutritional management and managing your blood sugar are key to living with diabetes. 

If you have type 1 diabetes, work with your doctor to identify how much insulin you may need to inject after eating certain types of food. 

For example, certain carbohydrates can cause blood sugar levels to quickly increase in people with type 1 diabetes. You’ll need to counteract this by taking insulin, but you’ll need to know how much insulin to take. Learn more about type 1 diabetes and diet. 

People with type 2 diabetes need to focus on healthy eating. 

Weight loss is often a part of type 2 diabetes treatment plans. A doctor or nutritionist may recommend a low-calorie meal plan. This could mean reducing your consumption of animal fats and junk food. 

Typically, people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes are recommended to reduce their consumption of processed foods, trans fat, sugary drinks, and alcohol. 

People with diabetes may need to try different diets and nutritional plans to find a plan that works for their health, lifestyle, and budget. 

Disclosure: Most of this information was obtained from the https://www.healthline.com website and brought to you by 

Dr. Yvette Fletcher-Prince, MD, DNP, APRN

Drinking too much can harm your health. Excessive alcohol use led to more than 140,000 deaths and 3.6 million years of potential life lost (YPLL) each year in the United States from 2015 – 2019, shortening the lives of those who died by an average of 26 years.¹ Further, excessive drinking was responsible for 1 in 10 deaths among working-age adults aged 20-64 years.² The economic costs of excessive alcohol consumption in 2010 were estimated at $249 billion, or $2.05 a drink.³

What is a standard drink?

In the United States, a standard drink contains 0.6 ounces (14.0 grams or 1.2 tablespoons) of pure alcohol. Generally, this amount of pure alcohol is found in

• 12-ounces of beer (5% alcohol content).
• 8-ounces of malt liquor (7% alcohol content).
• 5-ounces of wine (12% alcohol content).
• 1.5-ounces of 80-proof (40% alcohol content) distilled spirits or liquor (e.g., gin, rum, vodka, whiskey).⁴

What is excessive drinking?

Excessive drinking includes binge drinking, heavy drinking, and any drinking by pregnant women or people younger than age 21.

• Binge drinking, the most common form of excessive drinking, is defined as consuming
  • For women, 4 or more drinks during a single occasion.
  • For men, 5 or more drinks during a single occasion.
• Heavy drinking is defined as consuming
  • For women, 8 or more drinks per week.
  • For men, 15 or more drinks per week.

Most people who drink excessively are not alcoholics or alcohol dependent.⁵

What is moderate drinking?

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that adults of legal drinking age can choose not to drink, or to drink in moderation by limiting intake to 2 drinks or less in a day for men or 1 drink or less in a day for women, on days when alcohol is consumed.⁴ The Guidelines also do not recommend that individuals who do not drink alcohol start drinking for any reason and that if adults of legal drinking age choose to drink alcoholic beverages, drinking less is better for health than drinking more.⁴

There are some people who should not drink any alcohol, including those who are:

• Younger than age 21.
• Pregnant or may be pregnant.
• Driving, planning to drive, or participating in other activities requiring skill, coordination, and alertness.
• Taking certain prescription or over-the-counter medications that can interact with alcohol.
• Suffering from certain medical conditions.
• Recovering from alcoholism or are unable to control the amount they drink.⁴

By adhering to the Dietary Guidelines, you can reduce the risk of harm to yourself or others.

Short-Term Health Risks

Excessive alcohol use has immediate effects that increase the risk of many harmful health conditions. These are most often the result of binge drinking and include the following:

• Injuries, such as motor vehicle crashes, falls, drownings, and burns.^6,7
• Violence, including homicide, suicide, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence.^6-10
• Alcohol poisoning, a medical emergency that results from high blood alcohol levels.¹¹
• Risky sexual behaviors, including unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners. These behaviors can result in unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.^12,13
• Miscarriage and stillbirth or fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) among pregnant women.^6,12,14,15

Long-Term Health Risks

Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems including:

• High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems.^6,16
• Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, colon, and rectum.^6,17
• Weakening of the immune system, increasing the chances of getting sick.^6,16
• Learning and memory problems, including dementia and poor school performance.^6,18
• Mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.^6,19
• Social problems, including family problems, job-related problems, and unemployment.^6,20,21
• Alcohol use disorders, or alcohol dependence.⁵

By not drinking too much, you can reduce the risk of these short- and long-term health risks.

Alcohol and Other Substance Use 

Polysubstance use is when two or more substances are used together or within a short time period, either intentionally or unintentionally. Polysubstance use involving alcohol includes drinking and using other substances such as marijuana, opioids, heroin or other illicit drugs, or medications not as prescribed. Whether intentional or not, using alcohol and other substances is unsafe because the effects may be stronger and more unpredictable than one drug alone, and even deadly. 

Polysubstance use involving alcohol can increase the chance of health risks including:  

• Overdose. 
• Injury. 
• Violence. 
• Risky sexual behavior. 
• Chronic disease. 
• Alcohol or other substance use disorders. 

Alcohol can increase overdose risk. 

Using alcohol and certain other substances, including other depressants like opioids or benzodiazepines, together or within a couple of hours of drinking can result in: 

• Difficulty or stopping breathing. 
• Damage to the brain, heart, and other organs. 
• Death. 

Drinking alcohol with medications can also cause health problems or death. Always check with your healthcare provider before drinking while taking prescription medicine. 

How common are overdoses involving alcohol in the United States? 

• About 1 in 5 emergency department visits associated with the misuse of prescription medicines also involved alcohol in 2016. 
• About 1 in 7 opioid-related deaths involved drinking alcohol within a few hours of using an opioid in 2017. The proportion of opioid overdose deaths involving alcohol varied by state, ranging from 7% to 29%. 
• Opioid overdose deaths where alcohol contributed to the death increased 41% from 2019 to 2020. 

What factors are associated with higher rates of polysubstance use involving alcohol? 

• Being male, younger in age, non-Hispanic Black, or having a lower household income. 
• Individual-level binge drinking. People who binge drink are four times more likely to use other substances than people who do not drink. 
• Frequent binge drinking. Other substance uses increases as the frequency of binge drinking increases. 
• State-level binge drinking. States with higher binge drinking rates also have higher rates of opioid overdose deaths involving alcohol. 

Harms involving the use of alcohol and other substances can be prevented. 

You can: 

• Avoid using alcohol when using other substances. 
• Choose not to drink or limit alcohol use. If you are an adult of legal drinking age and choose to drink alcohol, adhere to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans on moderate alcohol use (Up to one drink in a day for women and up to 2 drinks in a day for men). 
• Talk with your healthcare provider about your drinking and discuss the medications that you are taking to prevent adverse reactions with prescribed medicines. 
• Take a quick assessment to check your drinking. 
• Support effective community strategies to prevent excessive alcohol use, such as increasing alcohol taxes, regulating the number of places that sell alcohol in your community, or others recommended by the Community Preventive Services Task Force. 

States and communities can: 

• Use comprehensive and effective approaches to reduce the availability and affordability of alcohol such as by regulating the density of alcohol outlets through zoning and licensing, increasing alcohol taxes, or other strategies recommended by the Community Preventive Services Task Force. These strategies can be used with other strategies to reduce overdoses, such as strengthening prescription drug monitoring programs. 
• Enforce existing laws and regulations about alcohol sales and service. 
• Develop and strengthen community coalitions that build partnerships between schools, faith-based organizations, law enforcement, healthcare providers, public health agencies, and local, tribal, and state leaders to reduce alcohol and other substance use and its impacts. 
• Routinely monitor and report the prevalence, frequency, and intensity of binge drinking (whether people binge drink, how often they do so, and the number of drinks they consume) and other substance use. 
• Routinely assess alcohol in toxicology testing in acute care settings and among decedents. 

There is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy or while trying to get pregnant. There is also no safe time for alcohol use during pregnancy. All types of alcohol are equally harmful, including all wines and beer.

FASDs are preventable if a baby is not exposed to alcohol before birth.

Why Alcohol is Dangerous

Alcohol in the mother’s blood passes to the baby through the umbilical cord. Alcohol use during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and a range of lifelong physical, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities. These disabilities are known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Children with FASDs might have the following characteristics and behaviors:

Polysubstance Use in Pregnancy
Use of multiple substances in pregnancy is common

Abnormal facial features, such as a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip (this ridge is called the philtrum)

• Small head size
• Shorter-than-average height
• Low body weight
• Poor coordination
• Hyperactive behavior
• Difficulty with attention
• Poor memory
• Difficulty in school (especially with math)
• Learning disabilities
• Speech and language delays
• Intellectual disability or low IQ
• Poor reasoning and judgment skills
• Sleep and sucking problems as a baby
• Vision or hearing problems
• Problems with the heart, kidney, or bones

Learn more about FASDs »

How Much Alcohol is Dangerous

There is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy.

When Alcohol is Dangerous

There is no safe time for alcohol use during pregnancy. Alcohol can cause problems for the baby throughout pregnancy, including before a woman knows she is pregnant. Alcohol use in the first three months of pregnancy can cause the baby to have abnormal facial features. Growth and central nervous system problems (e.g., low birthweight, behavioral problems) can occur from alcohol use anytime during pregnancy. The baby’s brain is developing throughout pregnancy and can be affected by exposure to alcohol at any time.

It is never too late to stop alcohol use during pregnancy. Stopping alcohol use will improve the baby’s health and well-being.

Excessive Alcohol Use is a Risk to Men’s Health

Men are more likely than women to drink excessively. Excessive drinking is associated with significant risks to men’s health and safety, and the risks increase with the amount of alcohol consumed. Men are also more likely than women to take other risks (such as misusing other substances, having multiple sex partners, or not wearing a seat belt), that when combined with alcohol, further increase their risk of illness, injury or death.

Adult Men Drink More than Women

• Almost 59% of adult men report drinking alcohol in the past 30 days compared with 47% of adult women.
• Men are almost two times more likely to binge drink than women. Approximately 22% of men report binge drinking and on average do so 5 times a month, consuming 8 drinks per binge.
• In 2019, 7% of men had an alcohol use disorder compared with 4% of women.

Alcohol is Associated with Injury, Violence, and Other Harms

• Men have higher rates of alcohol-related hospitalizations than women.
• More than three-quarters of deaths from excessive drinking are among males, totaling more than 97,000 deaths each year in the U.S.
• Among drivers in fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes, men are 50% more likely to have been intoxicated (i.e., a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or greater) compared with women.
• Excessive alcohol consumption increases aggression and may increase the risk of physically assaulting another person. Alcohol is a key risk factor for sexual violence perpetration.
• Males are more than three times as likely to die by suicide than females, and more likely to have been drinking prior to suicide.
• Alcohol use is one of the most important preventable risk factors for cancer. Alcohol use increases the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and colon, which are more common among men. Drinking alcohol also increases the risk of prostate cancer.

Alcohol May Affect Men’s Sexual and Reproductive Health

• Excessive alcohol use can interfere with testicular function and male hormone production resulting in erectile dysfunction and infertility.
• Alcohol use by men also increases the chances of engaging in risky sexual activity including unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners, or sex with a partner at risk for sexually transmitted infections.

Men can reduce the amount of alcohol they drink to reduce their risk of health problems and other harms.

The Alcohol Use and Your Health Fact Sheet addresses a number of additional health conditions associated with excessive alcohol use that affect both men and women.

Disclosure: Most of this information was obtained from the CDC.gov  website and brought to you by 

Dr. Yvette Fletcher-Prince, MD, DNP, APRN 

What is chlamydia? 

Chlamydia is a common STD caused by infection with Chlamydia trachomatis. It can cause cervicitis, urethritis, and proctitis. 

In women, these infections can lead to: 

• pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), 

• tubal factor infertility, 
• ectopic pregnancy, and 
• chronic pelvic pain. 

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is another type of STD caused by C. trachomatis. LGV is the cause of recent proctitis outbreaks among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) worldwide. 

How common is chlamydia? 

CDC estimates that there were four million chlamydial infections in 2018. Chlamydia is also the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the United States. It is difficult to account for many cases of chlamydia. Most people with the infection have no symptoms and do not seek testing. Chlamydia is most common among young people. Two-thirds of new chlamydial infections occur among youth aged 15-24 years. Estimates show that 1 in 20 sexually active young women aged 14-24 years has chlamydia. 

Disparities persist among racial and ethnic minority groups. In 2020, chlamydia rates for African Americans/Blacks were six times that of Whites. Chlamydia is also common among MSM. Among MSM screened for rectal chlamydial infection, positivity ranges from 3.0% to 10.5%. Among MSM screened for pharyngeal chlamydial infection, positivity has ranges from 0.5% to 2.3%. 

How do people get chlamydia? 

Chlamydia spreads through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone with the infection. Semen does not have to be present to get or spread the infection. 

Pregnant people can give chlamydia to their baby during childbirth. This can cause ophthalmia neonatorum (conjunctivitis) or pneumonia in some infants.  Rectal or genital infection can persist one year or longer in infants infected at birth. However, sexual abuse should be a consideration among young children with vaginal, urethral, or rectal infection beyond the neonatal period. 

People treated for chlamydia can get the infection again if they have sex with a person with chlamydia. 

Who is at risk for chlamydia? 

Sexually active people can get chlamydia through vaginal, anal, or oral sex without a condom with a partner who has chlamydia. It is a very common STD, especially among young people. 

Sexually active young people are at high risk of getting chlamydia for behavioral, biological, and cultural reasons. Some don’t always use condoms. Some may move from one monogamous relationship to another during the likely infectivity period of chlamydia. This can increase the risk of transmission. Teenage girls and young women may have cervical ectopy (where cells from the endocervix are present on the ectocervix). Cervical ectopy may increase susceptibility to chlamydial infection. High chlamydia prevalence among young people also may reflect barriers to accessing STD prevention services. These barriers can include lack of transportation, cost, and perceived stigma. 

MSM are also at risk for infection since chlamydia can spread by oral or anal sex. Among MSM screened for rectal infection, positivity ranges from 3.0% to 10.5%. Among MSM screened for pharyngeal infection, positivity ranges from 0.5% to 2.3%. 

What are the symptoms of chlamydia? 

Some refer to chlamydia as a “silent” infection. This is because most people with the infection have no symptoms or abnormal physical exam findings. Studies find that the proportion of people with chlamydia who develop symptoms vary by setting and study methodology. Two modeling studies estimate that about 10% of men and 5-30% of women with a confirmed infection develop symptoms. The incubation period of chlamydia is unclear. Given the relatively slow replication cycle of the organism, symptoms may not appear until several weeks after exposure in people who develop symptoms. 

In women, the bacteria initially infect the cervix. This may cause signs and symptoms of cervicitis (e.g., mucopurulent endocervical discharge, easily induced endocervical bleeding). It also can infect the urethra. This may cause signs and symptoms of urethritis (e.g., pyuria, dysuria, urinary frequency). Infection can spread from the cervix to the upper reproductive tract (i.e., uterus, fallopian tubes), causing PID. PID may be asymptomatic (“subclinical PID”) or acute, with typical symptoms of abdominal and/or pelvic pain. Signs of cervical motion tenderness and uterine or adnexal tenderness also may occur during examination. 

Men with symptoms typically have urethritis, with a mucoid or watery urethral discharge and dysuria. Some men develop epididymitis (with or without symptomatic urethritis) with unilateral testicular pain, tenderness, and swelling. 

Chlamydia can infect the rectum in men and women. This can happen either directly (through receptive anal sex), or via spread from the cervix and vagina in a woman. While these infections often have no symptoms, they can cause symptoms of proctitis (e.g., rectal pain, discharge, and/or bleeding). 

Conjunctivitis can occur in both men and women through contact with infected genital secretions. 

While chlamydia can also spread to the throat by having oral sex, there are typically no symptoms. It also does not appear to be an important cause of pharyngitis. 

What health problems can result from chlamydia? 

The initial damage that chlamydia causes is often unnoticed. However, infections can lead to serious health problems with both short- and long-term effects. 

If a woman does not receive treatment, chlamydia can spread into the uterus or fallopian tubes, causing PID. Symptomatic PID occurs in about 10-15% of women who do not receive treatment. However, chlamydia can also cause subclinical inflammation of the upper genital tract (“subclinical PID”). Both acute and subclinical PID can cause long-term damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and surrounding tissues. The damage can lead to chronic pelvic pain, tubal factor infertility, and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy. 

Some patients with PID develop perihepatitis, or “Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome”. This syndrome includes inflammation of the liver capsule and surrounding peritoneum, which can cause right upper quadrant pain. 

In pregnant people, untreated chlamydia can lead to pre-term delivery, ophthalmia neonatorum (conjunctivitis), and pneumonia in the newborn. 

Reactive arthritis can occur in men and women, following infection with or without symptoms. This is sometimes part of a triad of symptoms (with urethritis and conjunctivitis) formerly referred to as Reiter’s Syndrome. 

What about chlamydia and HIV? 

Untreated chlamydia may increase a person’s chances of getting or transmitting HIV. 

How does chlamydia affect a pregnant person and their baby? 

In newborns, untreated chlamydia can cause: 

• pre-term delivery, 
• ophthalmia neonatorum (conjunctivitis), 
• and pneumonia. 

Prospective studies show that chlamydial conjunctivitis and pneumonia occur in 18-44% and 3-16%, respectively, of infants born to those with chlamydia. Neonatal prophylaxis against gonococcal conjunctivitis routinely performed at birth does not effectively prevent chlamydial conjunctivitis. 

Screening for and treating chlamydia in pregnant people is the best way to prevent disease in infants. At the first prenatal visit and during the third trimester, screen: 

• All pregnant people under age 25; and 
• All pregnant people 25 years and older at increased risk for chlamydia (e.g., those who have a new or more than one sex partner). 

Retest those with infection four weeks and three months after they complete treatment. 

Who to test for chlamydia? 

Anyone with the following genital symptoms should not have sex until they see a healthcare provider: 

• A discharge 
• A burning sensation when peeing 
• Unusual sores, or a rash 

Anyone having oral, anal, or vaginal sex with a partner recently diagnosed with an STD should see a healthcare provider. 

Because chlamydia usually has no symptoms, screening is necessary to identify most infections. Screening programs can reduce rates of adverse sequelae in women. CDC recommends yearly chlamydia screening of all sexually active women younger than 25. CDC also recommends screening for older women with risk factors, such as new or multiple partners, or a sex partner who has a sexually transmitted infection. Screen and treat those who are pregnant as noted in “How does chlamydia affect a pregnant person and their baby?” Women who are sexually active should discuss their risk factors with a healthcare provider to determine if more frequent screening is necessary. 

Routine screening is not necessary for men. However, consider screening sexually active young men in clinical settings with a high prevalence of chlamydia. This can include adolescent clinics, correctional facilities, and STD clinics. Consider this when resources permit and do not hinder screening efforts in women. 

Screen sexually active MSM who have insertive intercourse for urethral chlamydial infection. Also screen MSM who have receptive anal intercourse for rectal infection at least yearly. Screening for pharyngeal infection is not recommended. MSM, including those with HIV, should receive more frequent chlamydia screening at 3- to 6-month intervals, if risk behaviors persist or if they or their sexual partners have multiple partners. 

At the initial HIV care visit, providers should test all sexually active people for chlamydia. Test at least each year during HIV care. A patient’s healthcare provider might determine more frequent screening is necessary, based on the patient’s risk factors. 

How is chlamydia diagnosed? 

Diagnose chlamydia with nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), cell culture, and other types of tests. NAATs are the most sensitive tests to use on easy-to-obtain specimens. This includes vaginal swabs (either clinician- or patient-collected) or urine. 

To diagnose genital chlamydia in women using a NAAT, vaginal swabs are the optimal specimen. Urine is the specimen of choice for men. Urine is an effective alternative specimen type for women. Self-collected vaginal swab specimens perform as well as other approved specimens using NAATs. Patients may prefer self-collected vaginal swabs or urine-based screening to more invasive specimen collection. Adolescent girls may be good candidates for self-collected vaginal swab- or urine-based screening. 

Diagnose rectal or pharyngeal infection by testing at the anatomic exposure site. While useful for these specimens, culture is not widely available. Additionally, NAATs have better sensitivity and specificity compared with culture for detecting C. trachomatis at non-genital sites. Most tests, including NAATs, are not FDA-cleared for use with rectal or pharyngeal swab specimens. NAATs have better sensitivity and specificity compared with culture for the detection of C. trachomatis at rectal sites. However, some laboratories have met set requirements and have validated NAAT testing on rectal and pharyngeal swab specimens. 

What is the treatment for chlamydia? 

Antibiotics can easily cure chlamydia. Treatment options are the same, whether a person also has HIV or not. 

Patients treated with single-dose antibiotics should not have sex for seven days. Patients treated with a seven-day course of antibiotics should not have sex until they complete treatment, and their symptoms are gone. This helps prevent spreading the infection to sex partners. It is important to take all medicine prescribed to cure chlamydia. Medicine should not be shared with anyone. Although treatment will cure the infection, it will not repair any long-term damage done by the disease. If a person’s symptoms continue for more than a few days after receiving treatment, a healthcare provider should reevaluate them. 

Repeat infection with chlamydia is common. Women whose sex partners do not receive appropriate treatment are at high risk for re-infection. Having multiple chlamydial infections increases a woman’s risk of serious reproductive health problems (e.g., PID and ectopic pregnancy). A healthcare provider should retest those with chlamydia about three months after treatment of an initial infection. Retesting is necessary even if their partners receive successful treatment. 

Infants with chlamydia may develop conjunctivitis and/or pneumonia. Healthcare providers can treat infection in infants with antibiotics. 

What about partners?  

People treated for chlamydia should tell their recent sex partners so the partner can see a healthcare provider. “Recent” partners include anyone the patient had anal, vaginal, or oral sex with in the 60 days before symptom onset or diagnosis. This will help protect the partner from health problems and prevent re-infection. 

Patients treated with single-dose antibiotics should not have sex for seven days. Patients treated with a seven-day course of antibiotics should not have sex until they complete treatment, and their symptoms go away. 

For tips on talking to partners about sex and STD testing, visit www.gytnow.org/talking-to-your-partner/ 

In some states, healthcare providers may give people with chlamydia extra medicine or prescriptions to give to their sex partner(s). This is called “expedited partner therapy”, or “EPT.” Clinical trials comparing EPT to asking the patient to refer their partners in for treatment find that EPT leads to fewer re-infections in the index patient and more partner treatment. EPT is another strategy providers use to manage the partners of people with chlamydial infection. Partners should still seek medical care, regardless of whether they receive EPT. For more information about EPT, including the legal status in a specific area, see Legal Status of Expedited Partner Therapy. 

How can chlamydia be prevented? 

Condoms, when used correctly, every time someone has sex can reduce the risk of getting or giving chlamydia. The only way to completely avoid chlamydia is to not have vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Another option is being in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and does not have chlamydia. 

Disclosure: Most of this information was obtained from the CDC.gov  website and brought to you by

Dr. Yvette Fletcher-Prince, MD, DNP, APRN