I never thought of myself as an addict, but I did end up addicted to anti-anxiety medication after developing Generalized Anxiety Disorder. At some point, the medicine stopped being a way to deal with the nervousness and panic attacks, and became something my body craved. I knew that I needed help fast. Fortunately, a local drug rehab program includes support for people like me. They helped me wean off the medication, use methods like massage therapy to help my nerves heal, and even provided ongoing counseling for our family. I don't know how I would have made it without their help. If you suspect that your medication has crossed the line from being helpful to hurtful, take heart. Let me tell you about my journey out of addiction and back to wholeness.
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With all of the buzz about the Zika virus in the news lately, it can be easy to find yourself in a panic, especially if you are a woman. As a woman, you have a great deal to worry about when it comes to your reproductive health, and now there is this new virus that seems to be causing panic and alarm. Before you become overwhelmed, get to know more about the Zika virus and how it can impact your reproductive health. Then, if you are still concerned that you may have contracted it or may be at risk for complications, you can schedule an appointment with your gynecologist as soon as possible.
#1: Zika Virus Is Not New
The first thing you should know is that the Zika virus is not something that was just discovered or is new. It has been known to infect humans since the 1950s. However, there were very few reported cases and it was not considered to be a major public health threat. What is new now is the large number of cases as well as the links to birth defects in children born of infected pregnant women.
#2: Symptoms In Adults Are Usually Mild
Most people who contract the Zika virus do not even realize that they have it. Some people experience no symptoms or symptoms that are so mild that they do not even realize they are sick. Some of these symptoms are fever, rash, and red eyes. Rarely, a person will have a more severe reaction like paralysis.
#3: The Sexual Transmission Of Zika Virus Is A New Discovery
While it has been long known that the Zika virus can be transmitted to humans through insect bites (primarily mosquitoes), the sexual transmission of the viral infection is a new discovery. Because there were so few reported cases until recently, it is difficult to determine whether Zika was always able to be transmitted sexually or if this is a recent development. However, an infected man can pass the disease on to a sexual partner through their semen during unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Doctors are not sure of exactly how long the virus can remain in semen, but it is longer than it stays in the blood.
#4: Be Careful If You Are Pregnant Or Trying To Get Pregnant
The biggest risks with the Zika virus tend to be linked to pregnancy. A woman who is pregnant and contracts the Zika virus will not necessarily be more sick herself. However, the virus can have major consequences on the fetus. A condition known as microcephaly, in which the baby's head is abnormally small and the brain is not able to fully develop, has been linked to cases of the Zika virus in the pregnant mother.
If you are trying to get pregnant or are currently pregnant and worry about Zika infection, talk to a gynecologist or obstetrician like those represented at http://www.centraliowaobgyn.com. There is a test through the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) for the Zika virus. However, it requires that you have had symptoms and that the sample (blood or urine) is taken during or around that symptomatic time period.
Now that you know more about the Zika virus and how it can affect you and your reproductive health, you can take the necessary steps if you are concerned about contracting Zika.
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