Chagas Disease is endemic throughout much of Mexico, Central America, and South America where an estimated > 8 to 11 million people are infected by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi.
Infection occurs through vectorborne transmission via the feces of the triatomine insect (reduviid bug, kissing bug, assassin bug, and vincucha bug), which may be inadvertently inoculated into the skin or the mucosa of the eyes, nose, or mouth when the insect’s bite is scratched and rubbed.
The triatomine bug thrives under poor housing conditions (for example, mud walls, thatched roofs), so in endemic countries, people living in rural areas are at greatest risk for acquiring an infection. In rural Argentina, villagers speak of "muerte subita" or rapid death caused by Chagas.
But one Argentinian physician, Dr. Gustavo Farrugia, and his colleagues are trying to stop it.
Source: Al Jazeera: Witness
Showing posts with label public health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label public health. Show all posts
Friday, May 17, 2013
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Common Sense Condom Use
Whatever happened to leaders in America using common sense in decision-making?
Currently, the police and courts of New York can use the fact that a person is just carrying condoms to help prove that they are engaging in prostitution-related offenses, or what people in that line of work prefer to call "transactional sex" (lol)
Although I'm personally against the exploitation of desperate people for selfish reasons, with all of the major political and corporate corruption destroying our nation, I would classify prostitution as a VERY low priority enforcement level. But, I'm also a BIG proponent for practicing safe sex.
Condom use has been proven to significantly reduce the transmission of STIs, and to reduce the incidence of unwanted pregnancies. So, while I can somewhat understand New York's zeal to battle prostitution, targeting condom use is absolutely the WRONG way to help prosecutors do their job.
Our goal is to encourage "transactional sex" workers to use condoms every time they "transact".
If we prosecute prostitutes for just carrying condoms, what do you think will happen next? They'll just say "fuck it, I'm not going to use condoms anymore. The risk of being prosecuted is too great." If that happens, STIs and unwanted pregnancies will skyrocket. Is that really what we want happening?
So, while I don't advocate for this group, what they're battling for is just the use of common sense.
Currently, the police and courts of New York can use the fact that a person is just carrying condoms to help prove that they are engaging in prostitution-related offenses, or what people in that line of work prefer to call "transactional sex" (lol)
Although I'm personally against the exploitation of desperate people for selfish reasons, with all of the major political and corporate corruption destroying our nation, I would classify prostitution as a VERY low priority enforcement level. But, I'm also a BIG proponent for practicing safe sex.
Condom use has been proven to significantly reduce the transmission of STIs, and to reduce the incidence of unwanted pregnancies. So, while I can somewhat understand New York's zeal to battle prostitution, targeting condom use is absolutely the WRONG way to help prosecutors do their job.
Our goal is to encourage "transactional sex" workers to use condoms every time they "transact".
If we prosecute prostitutes for just carrying condoms, what do you think will happen next? They'll just say "fuck it, I'm not going to use condoms anymore. The risk of being prosecuted is too great." If that happens, STIs and unwanted pregnancies will skyrocket. Is that really what we want happening?
So, while I don't advocate for this group, what they're battling for is just the use of common sense.
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