Syphilis epidemic rising in the Canada and U.S.

The resurgence of syphilis has risen dramatically over the past 20 years in the United States and Canada --- from 177 cases in 1993 to 1,750 cases in 2010. It is temporarily shutting down the porn industry in Southern California.

Adult Production Health & Safety Services (APHSS) sounded the alarm about "recent unsubstantiated rumors of syphilis among adult performers." The usual annual testing for syphilis is in September, but because of the alarm the agency opened up their semi-annual syphilis testing immediately.

Other sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, are also on the rise. According to Huffington Post, "Syphilis infection rates jumped by 18 percent from 2010 to 2011, and there was also a five percent increase in chlamydia and 1.5 percent increase in gonorrhea cases." And truthfully, the syphilis outbreak cluster among California porn performs is not surprising because of their business. But sexually transmitted diseases are spreading on a worldwide basis --- with Canada and the United States no exceptions.

APHSS has since called for a temporary moratorium on adult film production until all performers get tested for syphilis, and the non-profit AIDS Healthcare Foundation is also expected to hold a news conference Monday morning in response to the possible outbreak.

"I think it's just a general indicator of what's happening in terms of sexual activity," said Dr. Howard Njoo of the Public Health Agency of Canada, director general of PHAC's Centre for Communicable Diseases and Infection Control. The majority of syphilis cases are among men, accounting for 90.5 percent of all reported cases in 2010. But according to Njoo, the dynamics of the disease are different from other STDs. Gonorrhea and chlamydia are attacking the younger people while syphilis is attacking the older ones. People who are age 30 and older are accounting for approximately 73 per cent of all the reported syphilis cases in 2010. Huffington Post reports that, "Syphilis is a bacterial STD that initially manifests itself in sores or sometimes presents no symptoms. If the infection isn't treated immediately, people who have syphilis can go on to suffer rashes and lesions, hair loss and flu-like symptoms like muscle aches, fevers, sore throats and fatigue. Without treatment, syphilis could last for years and go on to damage internal organs and cause stillbirths. If caught early, the infection is easily treated with antibiotics such as penicillin."

By Nancy Houser

Neem Health Benefit

Neem is a magical tree and especially the neem leaves that are used for its medicinal properties. Neem oil that is extracted from neem seed cannot be consumed because of associated disadvantages but neem leaves can be taken internally. But do not consume these if you are pregnant or trying to conceive.

• Neem leaves in the form of paste can be directly applied to skin. You can use the neem leaves for bathing in water. This cures the skin related problems.
• Neem leaves are very good in treating chickenpox.
• If you are diabetic and will consume neem leaves empty stomach in the morning then surely you can cure your diabetes.
• An inflammation can be subsided with neem leaf paste.
• These are great detoxifiers so given to purify blood.
• If you suffer from excessive hunger then eat the fine paste neem leaves with brown rice. This is has curative properties.
• To cure any kind of skin infection mix turmeric with neem leaves paste and apply it on your body for at least three months.
• If you have pimples on your face then apply the neem leaf decoction. Even this can be used to treat minor wounds as this reduces the chance of getting further infection. You can also cure dandruff and hair loss with this.
• It cures urinary tract infections.
• Neem oil is extensively used in hair fall and early graying of hairs with very satisfying results. It also find its application in dandruff and in lice growth.
• It has given very good results in diseases like gonorrhea and syphilis

Syphilis

Syphilis is another sexually transmitted disease. It can be transmitted from an infected sex organ to an open cut in the skin of another person. It usually penetrates the moist mucous membranes of the mouth, the vagina, and the penis urethra, through which urine passes from the bladder to the outside.

Symptoms
If Syphilis if not treated, it can occur in three stages. The symptoms are slow to appear usually 10 -90 days after exposure.

The first stage can occur any time between two to four weeks after infection has occurred. A painless ulcer develops at this site most of the time. The ulcer starts as a red spot, turns into a pimple, which ulcerates, forming a sore. The ulcer is usually found on the genitals or anus, but can appear on any part of the skin, including the mouth. It usually heals in 4-6 weeks, leaving a thin scar. During this period the bacterium is circulating in the blood throughout the body.

The second stage appears one to six months after the ulcer heals, you feel generally ill, you have a fever and a headache and lose your appetite. The glands in your neck, armpit and groin may swell. Most people develop a skin rash that does not itch. The spots appear on the palms of the hands and the bottom of the feet.

The symptoms usually last three to six months. There is what you call a latent period where there are no apparent symptoms, and the carrier is no longer contagious. However, the organism is working itself into the host's tissues. There are 50 to 70 percent of the carriers that can live the rest of their lives in this stage, without passing into the syphilis stage. MORE PICTURES

The last stage is the serious stage. It flares up without warning. It can cause heart problems, eye problems, brain and spinal cord damage, with a high probability of paralysis, insanity, blindness or death.

Treatment
Treatment is by penicillin injection, or a two-week regimen of tetracycline, which is the standard treatment for syphilis. All stages of syphilis are treatable and can be stopped.

Transmission
The most common form of transmission is through sexual intercourse. Syphilis can also be acquired by blood transfusion or from passed from an infected mother to her fetus.

Testing
The disease is detected by a blood test.