Back to basics on HIV and AIDS

[Dr James Arens] The letters HIV stand for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV is a type of viral infection that eventually leads to acquired immune deficiency syndrome, known as AIDS. HIV weakens a person's body by destroying CD4+ T blood cells. These cells are an important part of the immune system and help the body to fight infection and disease. If your immune system is weak, it can't protect your body and you will get sick more easily. Read more >>

New twist in SA's Aids war

South Africans living with Aids are being robbed of their lifesaving drugs so that they can be mixed with marijuana and smoked, authorities and health experts say. Read more >>

Financing the long-term costs of HIV/AIDS in SA

'Now is the time to continue the expansion of the South African response to HIV/AIDS.' Read more >>

Illegal kidney transplant accused pleads guilty

Samuel Ziegler, one of the eight people accused of having been involved in the illegal kidney transplants, pleaded guilty to 50 charges against him. Read more >>

Choosing the right medical scheme

[Graham Anderson] There's no question that South Africans need medical cover. In the unexpected and calamitous event of contracting a dread disease or requiring a hospital stay, nobody needs financial stress to add to the burden - and even staying healthy from year to year can be expensive. Bearing this in mind, it's important to choose the medical scheme that's right for you, your lifestyle and your budget. Read more >>

Medshield launches new-look interactive website

With the NHI well on its way to becoming a reality for South Africans, the significance of member-scheme communication has become increasingly important. Accessibility and two-way communication are crucial for new and existing members, especially when exciting industry changes are on the horizon. Read more >>

ESF report: Reduced male fertility may contribute to low birth rates

Reduced male fertility may be making it even harder for couples to conceive and be contributing to low birth rates in many countries, reveals a new European Science Foundation (ESF) report launching today at the IPSEN meeting in Paris. Read more >>

Study examines two primary treatments for bilateral cleft lip and palate

It may look the same, but it doesn't chew the same. Different dental treatment options for bilateral cleft lip and palate may result in similar aesthetic appearance, but they produce definite differences in jaw function. People with clefts of the lip and palate often have dental anomalies as well. The number, shape, and position of teeth can be affected. In particular, the permanent lateral incisor is frequently absent or misshapen. Read more >>

Pre-paid health care on a mobile

South Africans used to pay-as-you-go cellphone airtime can now use their mobile to purchase healthcare services for use in times of need from Yarona Care. Read more >>

Use of aspirin and statins can reduce depression: Study

A study that appears in the current issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics addresses the association between use of aspirin and statins and the risk of major depression. Read more >>

New laboratory test for pregnant women to detect GBS infections

A more rapid laboratory test for pregnant women to detect Group B strep (GBS), the most common cause of life-threatening infections in newborns, is being studied by researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Centre at Houston (UTHealth). Read more >>

Researchers shine light on how some melanoma tumours evade drug treatment

Findings pinpoint a critical gene involved in melanoma growth and provide a framework for discovering ways to tackle cancer drug resistance. Read more >>

Multidisciplinary clinic approach can improve survival in patients with aggressive prostate cancer

A research team from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated Kimmel Cancer Centre (KCC) at Jefferson has concluded - for the first time - that a multidisciplinary clinic approach to aggressive prostate cancer can improve survival in patients. The results from the 15-year study of the multidisciplinary clinic can be found in the November issue of Journal of Oncology Practice. Read more >>

Study finds no link between mould growth and development of asthma, allergy among children

A recent PhD study shows that there is no link between mould-spore concentrations in the indoor air and development of asthma and allergy among children. Read more >>

General travel tips for children with nut allergies

No matter the mode of transportation, holiday travel holds special challenged for parents. Either you're stuck in an enormous security line at an airport filled with cranky people or hearing the constant stream of "are we there yet?" from the back seat of the car. It's enough to make a Scrooge out of even the most Tiny Tim of us. For many families adding to the chaos is the reality that their child has a dangerous nut allergy. Read more >>

Children face speed challenge

UK study reveals children cannot accurately judge speed of vehicles travelling faster than 30km/h, reveals study. Read more >>

Retail hopes up for Christmas trading

Results from the latest Bureau for Economic Research (BER) / Ernst & Young Festive Season Retail Trends survey reveal that after a two-year hiatus, consumer spending should be relatively strong over the period leading up to Christmas. Read more >>

New WHO report highlights second-hand smoke danger

[Dr Ananya Mandal, MD] A report, a first of its kind, that assessed all deaths related to tobacco showed that second-hand smoke sickens millions and kills more than 600 000 people worldwide each year, including more than 165 000 children under 5. Read more >>

SA government to set up health ombudsman office

The government is to establish an ombudsman-type office to deal with complaints of poor service provision by both public and private hospitals, in a move to improve the provision of quality health care in the country. Read more >>

Binge drinking linked to higher risk of heart disease

Binge drinking, long known as a cause of liver damage, is also linked to heart disease, according to a 10-year study in Northern Ireland and France published on Wednesday by the British Medical Journal (BMJ). Read more >>

Guys! Protect your eyes!

[Dr Ananya Mandal, MD] Men failing to protect eyes from injuries: Experts Read more >>

Unique collaboration results in new bandage splint for hip surgery patients

The new splint can reduce the need for large external support structures to fixate the hip following hip surgery. The secret behind the fast development is collaboration between a research scientist, an enterprise and a full-time student using this case for her bachelor project. Read more >>

ACS recommends annual MRI screening in women with family history of breast cancer

Women with a personal history of breast cancer should consider annual screening with MRI in addition to mammography, according to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Read more >>

Cipla and PinkDrive breast health education

Cipla recently invited the PinkDrive to its head office to educate female employees regarding breast-health as part of its corporate-wellness strategy and to enforce the message that early detection saves lives. Read more >>