American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
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Calcium: What You Need to Know
Calcium keeps your bones and teeth healthy and strong. Your body can’t make its own calcium, so it’s important to… you to provide it with the calcium it needs. The amount of calcium you need each day depends on your age, your sex, and other…
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Viral Infections During Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, it’s important to take precautions against viral infections to protect you and your baby… If you are pregnant, it's important to take precautions against viral infections. A viral infection is a contagious illness. Most viruses will not hurt your baby. However,…
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Plasma Viral Load Testing
A plasma viral load (PVL) test measures how much human immunodeficiency virus is in your blood. That amount of HIV… A plasma viral load test (also called a PVL test) measures how much human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is in your blood. The amount of HIV…
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Talking to Your Kids About Sex
Talking with your child about sex can help them navigate this part of growing up and make your home a… young teen to have sex. It simply educates them about sex. This also is a time to discuss the dangers of having sex at an…
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Ways to Increase Low Testosterone
Testosterone is a sex hormone that your body makes. Normally, men produce more of it than women do. Some men… is in meat, poultry, seafood, and shellfish. Beans, nuts, and whole grains are also good sources. These foods, plus dairy, also contain vitamin D. Adult…
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Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Learn about sexually transmitted infections and how you can prevent them… Syphilis can lead to paralysis, mental problems, heart damage, blindness, and even death. Questions to ask your doctor Do I have a viral or bacterial STI? What treatment is best for me? Is it…
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Common Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections spread by sexual contact… Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections spread by sexual contact. These infections are usually passed from person to person through vaginal intercourse. However, they also can be passed through anal sex, oral sex, or skin-to-skin…
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Occupational Exposure to HIV: Advice for Health Care Workers
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is an infection that attacks your body’s immune system and can lead to… HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is an infection that attacks your body’s immune system. The infection can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency…
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Peyronie’s Disease
Peyronie’s disease is the buildup of fibrous scar tissue in the penis, causing it to curve… What is Peyronie’s disease? Peyronie’s disease is the buildup of fibrous scar tissue in the penis, causing it to curve. The curve can be slight to severe. A severe curve can…
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Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A (Hep A) is liver inflammation caused by the hepatitis A virus. It isn’t typically as serious as hepatitis… What is hepatitis? Hepatitis is a general term for inflammation of the liver. Normally, the liver breaks down waste products in your blood. But when the liver is inflamed, it doesn’t…
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Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by a virus. It is usually spread from person to person through… What is hepatitis? Hepatitis is a general term for inflammation of the liver. Normally, the liver breaks down waste products in your blood. But when the liver is inflamed,…
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Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a serious virus that causes inflammation of the liver. It is spread from person to person through… What is hepatitis? Hepatitis is a general term for inflammation of the liver. Normally, the liver breaks down waste products in your blood. But when the liver is inflamed,…
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Hereditary Hemochromatosis
Hereditary hemochromatosis is a disease in which your body has too much iron. This extra iron can damage your tissues… What is hereditary hemochromatosis? Hereditary hemochromatosis is a disease in which your body has high levels of iron. That means you have too much…
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Lichen Sclerosus
Lichen sclerosus is a skin condition that affects the genital or anal areas. It can cause a rash, itching, pain,… What is lichen sclerosus? Lichen sclerosus is a type of skin condition. It often affects your genital or anal areas, but you can get…
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Teenage Pregnancy and Birth Control Access
Barring abstinence, access to birth control is critical in preventing pregnancy among teens, be it condoms, pills, patches or… According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the teen birth rate in 2020 was 15.4 births for every 1,000 females ages 15-19. This…
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Genital Warts
Genital warts are small, flat, flesh-colored bumps or tiny, cauliflower-like bumps. They’re caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV)… What are genital warts? Genital warts are small, flat, flesh-colored bumps or tiny, cauliflower-like bumps. Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are…
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Bleeding During Pregnancy – What‘s Normal?
Having bleeding during pregnancy is not normal and requires a visit to your doctor… Light amounts of vaginal bleeding early in your pregnancy can occur. In most cases, it’s not serious. It can happen in the first 20 weeks for different reasons. It can…
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Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) references a group of symptoms often experienced up to 14 days before menstruation (period)… What is PMS? Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is the name for a group of symptoms that you may experience up to 14 days before your period (menstruation). The…
