Medicine / Healthcare

My Fault, Really?

I was listening to a politician commenting on the recent mass shooting in  Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.  He stated that we are medicating our children too much with drugs for ADHD and depression, implying that is was an underlying cause of the outbreak of mass shootings. I’m thinking, “what Read more…

By Arnold, ago

Flu, God, and Medical Math

Flu, God, and Medical Math Belief Systems People have certain trigger topics that upon hearing them initiate an automatic recall of not only a set of believed “facts” but a visceral set of associated feelings. Examples of this include God, religion, and abortion.  There are trigger topics in medicine as well.  Read more…

By Arnold, ago

PrEP and PEP to Prevent HIV

PrEP and PEP to Prevent HIV Definitions: PrEP = Pre-exposure Prophylaxis PEP = Post-exposure Prophylaxis PEP It seems that not so long ago there was post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV, but we didn’t have good data on it to confirm that it worked or how well it worked.  We did it Read more…

By Arnold, ago

When Should a Vaccine be Considered “Effective”

When Should a Vaccine be Considered “Effective” I was just reviewing information on methods to prevent HIV infection.  In a recent trial of a candidate vaccine, it was found to have “only” 30% efficacy in preventing HIV infection (so it was deemed not effective).  The presenter was a world-recognized specialist in Read more…

By Arnold, ago

Thirdhand Smoke

Thirdhand Smoke The toxicity and public health devastation caused by both directly smoking cigarettes and inhaling secondhand tobacco smoke are well established and generally accepted.  The role of thirdhand smoke is currently under study and its harmful role to our health is just coming into focus. Definitions: Firsthand Smoke = Directly Read more…

By Arnold, ago

Relative Efficacy of Different Methods of Contraception

Relative Efficacy of Different Methods of Contraception I was reviewing some information on menstrual irregularities and contraception and thought it would be helpful to point out a few things.  When choosing the best contraceptive method there are many factors to consider, but the first factor should be how effective it Read more…

By Arnold, ago