Depression is associated with disrupted immune function.

 People with depression are more likely to get sick and have a more difficult time recovering from illness.

Depression is linked to heart disease.

 People with depression are more likely to develop heart disease and have a heart attack.

Stress activates the immune system, triggering the production of proinflammatory cytokines. These cytokines can lead to changes in the brain that manifest as symptoms of depression (Hooley et al 2019).

Depression may interact with stress to further enhance inflammatory responses. This can increase the risk of heart attack.

People with heart disease are three times more likely to be depressed than healthy people. Depression is also a risk factor for the development of heart disease (Hooley et al, 2019).

• People who are depressed have shorter telomeres than people who are not depressed.
  
  
  

Telomeres are protective caps on the ends of chromosomes. Shorter telomeres are associated with an increased risk of disease and death.

These findings suggest that depression is a stressful condition that can have a negative impact on physical health. Depression can disrupt immune function, increase the risk of heart disease, and shorten telomeres. If you are struggling with depression, it is important to seek professional help. There are effective treatments available that can help you improve your mental and physical health.

References

 Hooley, J. M., Nock, M. K., & Butcher, J. N. (2019). Abnormal Psychology (18th ed.). Pearson Education (US). https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9780135191033

The Effects of Discrimination and Stress on Health

 

The Effects of Discrimination and Stress on Health

Discrimination and stress can have a negative impact on health.

Discrimination can lead to increased blood pressure and signs of cardiovascular disease, potentially through the mediation of C-reactive protein (CRP), a protein that signals widespread inflammation in the body. A study found a significant correlation between everyday discrimination and CRP levels in older African Americans (Hooley et al, 2019).

Stress can also shorten the length of telomeres

the protective end parts of chromosomes. Short telomeres have been linked to an increased risk of disease. A study found that stress reduced telomere length in mothers caring for a chronically ill child, equivalent to 10 years of aging (Hooley et al, 2019).

Research has shown that cortisol, a hormone released in response to stress, can reduce the activity of telomerase

The enzyme that maintains telomere length. Other factors that can shorten telomeres include sugar-sweetened soda, pessimism, and lack of exercise. Meditation may promote telomerase activity (Hooley et al, 2019).

These findings highlight the importance of living in a happy, healthy, and relaxed manner. By reducing stress and discrimination, we can improve our overall health and well-being.

 

References

 Hooley, J. M., Nock, M. K., & Butcher, J. N. (2019). Abnormal Psychology (18th ed.). Pearson Education (US). https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9780135191033

 Stress and the Immune System

Stress can slow down the healing of wounds by 24 to 40 percent due to its link to suppression of the immune system. In a study, 11 dental students had a punch biopsy wound performed on their hard palate twice. The first biopsy was during summer vacation and the second was 3 days before a major examination. The wounds healed 40 percent more slowly during the stressful period before the examination than during vacation. For every person in the study, the healing time was longer when the wound occurred during high stress versus low stress ( Hooley et al., 2019).

Stress and the Immune System

Stress can have a negative impact on the immune system, making us more susceptible to illness. This is because stress can disrupt the production of cytokines, which are small protein molecules that serve as chemical messengers and allow immune cells to communicate with each other.

There are two main types of cytokines: proinflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Proinflammatory cytokines help to amplify the immune response, while anti-inflammatory cytokines help to dampen the response.

Under conditions of stress, the production of proinflammatory cytokines is disrupted. This can lead to a decrease in the number of immune cells and a decrease in the production of antibodies, which are proteins that help to fight infection.

As a result, people who are under stress are more likely to get sick. They are also more likely to have slower wound healing and to have more severe symptoms when they are sick.

References

Hooley, J. M., Nock, M. K., & Butcher, J. N. (2019). Abnormal Psychology (18th ed.). Pearson Education (US). https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9780135191033

HIV TEST IN YOUR HOME, AND YOU GET YOUR PRIVATE RESULTS IN 20MINUTES

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WHAT TO DO IF YOU'VE HAD AT-RISK SEX WITH SOMEONE WHO IS HIV+

PEP Must Be Started Within 72 Hours of Possible Exposure to HIV (Conversation Starters, 2023).

 

Talk right away (within 72 hours) to your health care provider, an emergency room doctor, or an urgent care provider about PEP if you think you’ve recently been exposed to HIV (Conversation Starters, 2023) :

🟥during sex (for example, if the condom broke),
🟥through sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs (for example, cookers)
🟥if you’ve been sexually assaulted.

The sooner you start PEP, the better. Every hour counts. If you’re prescribed PEP, you’ll need to take it daily for 28 days (Conversation Starters, 2023) :
🏳️‍🌈PEP is for Emergency Situations
🏳️‍🌈PEP is given after possible exposure to HIV.
🏳️‍🌈PEP is not a substitute for regular use of other HIV prevention.
🏳️‍🌈PEP is not the right choice for people who may be exposed to HIV frequently.
🏳️‍🌈If you are at ongoing risk for HIV, such as through repeated exposures to HIV, talk to your healthcare provider about PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis).

How can I pay for PEP?

Paying for PEP After a Sexual Assault

You may qualify for partial or total reimbursement for medicines and clinical care costs.

Find resources available in your area.

Paying for PEP After an Exposure at Work

Your workplace health insurance or workers’ compensation will usually pay for PEP.

Paying for PEP for Another Reason

If you cannot get insurance coverage, your healthcare provider can apply for free PEP medicines through the medication assistance programs run by the manufacturers.

These requests for assistance can be handled urgently in many cases to avoid a delay in getting medicine (Conversation Starters, 2023).

 Enrollment applications

1. https://services.gileadhiv.com/content/pdf/gilead_enrollment_form.pdf/
2. https://services.gileadhiv.com/content/pdf/gilead_enrollment_form.pdf
3. https://nastad.org/sites/default/files/2021-11/PDF-CPAPA-Form-Fillable-2020.pdf
   

 

References
 

 Conversation Starters. (2023, June 30). Start Talking. Stop HIV. https://www.cdc.gov/stophivtogether/hiv-prevention/pep.html

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(PrEP)

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication that is recommended for people who are at a high risk of HIV transmission². PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV when taken as prescribed. It reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% (Workowski, 2021). However, it is important to note that PrEP is less effective when not taken as prescribed (Workowski, 2021).

While PrEP is highly effective in preventing HIV transmission, it does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections (CDC 2020). The CDC recommends using other prevention strategies in addition to PrEP, such as limiting the number of sex partners and correct and consistent use of condoms (CDC 2020).

In conclusion, while PrEP is highly effective in preventing HIV transmission, it does not protect against other STIs. Therefore, it is important to use other prevention strategies in addition to PrEP to reduce the risk of STI transmission. It is always a good idea to discuss your sexual health with a healthcare provider to determine the best prevention strategies for you.

References

CDC. (2020, November 3). PrEP Effectiveness | PrEP | HIV Basics | HIV/AIDS | CDC. Www.cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep/prep-effectiveness.html

Workowski, K. A. (2021). Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021. MMWR. Recommendations and Reports, 70(4). https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1

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 The Truth About HIV Treatment

HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. It can be transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. There is no cure for HIV, but it can be treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART).

ART is a combination of HIV medicines that work together to suppress the virus. When taken as prescribed, ART can keep the amount of HIV in the blood so low that it is undetectable. This is called an undetectable viral load.

People with an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV to their partners through sex. They also have the same life expectancy as people who do not have HIV.

There are many myths about HIV treatment. Some people believe that ART is too expensive or that it has too many side effects. Others believe that HIV treatment is not necessary if you are not experiencing symptoms.

These myths are not true. ART is affordable and effective. It has few side effects, and it is essential for people with HIV to take it in order to stay healthy and prevent transmission.

If you have HIV, it is important to talk to your doctor about treatment. ART can help you live a long and healthy life.

Here are some additional facts about HIV treatment: