Dr. James Zachary's
Heathcare Pearls
April 2007 

      Oral sex is just as unsafe for sexually transmitted infections as anal or rectal sex.  Many more sexually transmitted infections such as warts, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, and hepatitis are being transmitted by oral sex now as there has been somewhat of a shift toward this form of sex.  It is estimated that 10% or more of HIV infections may be due to oral sex.

      HIV medication taken during sex will not reliably prevent HIV infection in either direction.  In fact the HIV medication might “select” for the transmission of HIV which is resistant to the medication making the newly infected person’s HIV infection more difficult to treat for the rest of their life.

      After beginning new HIV medication, it may take the body and its metabolism approximately 1-2 weeks to adjust itself to the new chemicals.  During this time there may be symptoms of fatigue, nausea, or simply feeling less than good.

      The health benefits of alcohol have been overblown, possibly by the liquor and beer industry.  Many, many more people suffer ill effects and even death from the use of alcohol than those that may benefit from “one glass of wine per day.”  Avoiding all alcohol is the true healthy alternative.

      Tobacco use is associated with the following:

o        Mouth cancer
o        Throat cancer
o       Stomach cancer
o        Lung cancer
o        Laryngeal (voice box) cancer
o        Neck cancer
o        Heart attacks
o        Stroke
o        Premature aging and wrinkled skin
o        Pneumonia including pneumocystis pneumonia
o        Emphysema
o        Chronic bronchitis
o        Peripheral arterial disease (loss of blood flow to the legs or other organs)
o        Asthma or worsening asthma
o        Prolonged colds or acute bronchitis
o        Sinus problems

      HIV medication should be taken as close to 100% as possible or NOT AT ALL.  Missing doses or starting and stopping HIV medication can cause one of the few irreversible side effects of taking these medications: resistance. 

      A report from the March 2007 CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report indicates that gonorrhea is up 42% along the West Coast and up 10% nationwide.

      Syphilis is an extremely common sexually transmitted infection in Austin.  Syphilis can cause blindness, dementia, heart disease, and stroke like problems.

      Unprotected intercourse can result in implantation of the wart virus in the vagina or rectum.  The wart virus can transform into cervical cancer or anal cancer.