Contagious and Infectious Diseases

Honky-Tonk Epidemic

Circumcision Causes "Dramatic Changes" in Penis Bacteria, Says Phoenix-Based TGen

After spending a year studying 156 penises in Uganda, researchers say male circumcision reduces bacteria on the penis, and perhaps is the reason why circumcision can protect men from contracting HIV.Scientists have been studying the relationship between circumcision and rates of HIV for more than tw ... More >>

Valley Fever Cases "Skyrocketing," With Most Cases in Arizona

The number of people getting Valley Fever is "skyrocketing," which, unfortunately for everyone, is not a reference to the readership of the New Times news blog.The Arizona Department of Health Services passed along the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention news explaining that Valley Fev ... More >>

Jeni's Influenza Sorbet Is Your Booze-Infused Flu Remedy

Flu season has hit the country hard this year. Chances are you're either hacking up some gross form of the infectious disease into a hankie right now or, thanks to a fever-ridden co-worker who's decided to make today "bring your germs to work day," you will be before long. How 'bout a booze-infused ... More >>

Prison Wine-O Number Eight Shows Up Late to the Botulism Party

An eighth state prison inmate in Florence is receiving medical care for the suspected bad batch of prison wine some inmates consumed over the weekend.Pinal County officials said seven inmates were hospitalized by noon Sunday with botulism, and it's believed that the homemade "pruno" is what did the ... More >>

How to Survive a Plague: The History and Survival of ACT UP

Old School Yule

Peachcake Hosts Paint for Peace on World AIDS Day (Free Mix)

​ For as much awareness that has been brought upon HIV in recent years, it's still called an "unhuggable" disease because of the stigmas and misconceptions surrounding it -- though, no, hugging someone with AIDS will not cause you to catch it yourself (duh).In an effort to educate community member ... More >>

We Were Here: Five San Franciscans Remember the AIDS Crisis

Aria Las Vegas Stay Likely Resulted in Sickness for AZ Couple, Doc Says; Hotel Takes Steps After Legionnaires' Outbreak

​ Two Northern Arizona University students were struck with Pontiac Fever after staying at the Aria in Las Vegas, which has been struggling with lingering bacteria problems.Joseph Dougherty and Erika Keller arrived at the hotel on July 5, stayed two nights before driving back to Flagstaff, the ... More >>

If You Spend Time in Joe Arpaio's Jails, There's a Good Chance You Have Chlamydia

www.someecard.com​According to a recently released study from Arizona State University's Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety, if you've been booked into a Maricopa Count jail, you're much more likely to catch a sexually transmitted disease than members of the general public.Accordi ... More >>

Feedback from the Issue of Thursday, May 19, 2011

A Young Woman Believes She Would've Died If She'd Continued Treatment for Supposed Lyme Disease from Chandler Clinicians

Measles: Apparently That's Still Around

www.aspiresrelationships.com​State and county health officials have confirmed a case of measles in Maricopa County.Authorities say the disease was contracted by a man living in the area who recently traveled abroad. They say he spent time in the community before being diagnosed, and county health ... More >>

Walk It Off

Put feet to the pavement for a good cause

Walk the Talk

News of Mexicans With Chicken Pox Overblown by Sheriff's Office; 160 Inmates Not Quarantined Two Months Ago

Image: Wikimedia Commons​ Maricopa County health officials denied reports by the Sheriff's Office that 160 jail inmates had been quarantined two months ago because of four illegal immigrants with chicken pox. Officials also downplayed a news release issued by Sheriff Joe Arpaio's office last ... More >>

Banner Hospitals Halt Rapid Testing for Swine Flu Virus; Half of Findings Were False Negatives

​ The medical staff at Banner Health's 10 Valley hospitals have quit using a rapid test for the H1N1 swine flu virus because of too many false-negative results. About 50 percent of people who came up negative on the rapid test were later found to have swine flu. According to a news release t ... More >>

Nearly Half of Doctors in Poll Fear a "Catastrophic" Global Swine Flu Pandemic is Coming. Preparing For Sick Days a Must

Nearly half (48 percent) of 675 physicians polled by a research group believe the H1N1 virus poses some risk for a "catastrophic" global Swine Flu pandemic. The study, done by HCD Research, tracked physicians' opinions weekly since April and found doctors' concerns at an all-time high. "Our ... More >>

Swine Flu Arizona: Two More Schools Closed; Four Cases Confirmed, None Serious

Image: Wikicommons Two more Valley schools will close for seven days after students were found to have swine flu, but health officials say all four known Arizona swine flu cases have been mild. (Note: This article was updated at 3:40 p.m.) The two schools are Tarwater ... More >>

Thursday: Dining Out For Life

Undecided about where to go to dinner tomorrow? Let Dining Out For Life help you figure out a place to dine for a good cause. The annual event, which happens all across the country on Thursday, April 30, benefits the fight against HIV and AIDS. In Arizona, Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS and Northlan ... More >>

Swine Flu Arizona: Phoenix School Closes; State Not "Overly Worried"

Image: www.wesdschools.orgMoon Mountain Elementary School Health officials closed a Phoenix elementary school today following a confirmed case of swine flu, but experts say they're not "overly worried" because United States illnesses have been mild.A child from Moon Mountain Elementary School in Nor ... More >>

Swine Flu Arizona -- Nothing Yet Reported in State or Sonora, Mexico

Image: Deanna Dent-- http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/slideshow/Mexico tourists wearing masks The swine flu situation in Arizona hasn't changed much since yesterday's post, except for a stockpiling of antiviral medications.Officials are telling Tucson media that Arizona still hasn't reported any cases ... More >>

The big leprosy lie, as repeated by KTAR's morning wing-nut Darrell Ankarlo.

Inhumanity Has a Price

Corpses, a flesh-eating virus, the most-sued sheriff in America. Lawsuits against Joe Arpaio have cost us $41 million, so far

The New Meth

When it comes to preventing -- and treating -- crystal meth addiction, Arizona may be getting a clue

Meth and Sex

Tweakers, straight and gay, are obsessed with sex. The result is that pregnancy and HIV-infection rates among meth-heads are increasing at alarming rates

Haywire

Local AIDS charities ditch the walk for dinner and dessert, and leave J.D. Hayworth behind

AIDS Plays Out

Revivals fight complacency

Quilty Pleasures

Dance performances benefit the NAMES Project

Eyes Wide Open

Coping with HIV and AIDS through art

Mr. Green Genes

Meet the creator of edible vaccines

Winging It

Marla Wing is a political activist and a lot of other things. You figure it out.

Shot in the Arm

Anthrax vaccine opponents are finding more allies in Congress

Shot to Hell

Mandatory participation in military's anthrax vaccine program pushes plunger on medical controversy

Grant's Doom

State misspent $350,000 of federal funds earmarked for HIV and substance-abuse services

Closet Dramas

Letters

TB or Not TB?

That's a question Phoenix Fire Department officials are asking as firefighters continue to test positive for tuberculosis

Talking the Walk

Some local groups are unhappy over the AIDS fund raiser

Advocate Without Pier

Jeff Ofstedahl became the Valley's most visible gay activist, turned Echo Magazine into a political force, and carefully planned his departure for four months of sailing and finishing a novel. Then his doctor called.

Age of AIDS

Dr. Fisher and Mr. Hyde

He's been the Valley's most prominent AIDS doctor. But now Ken Fisher faces charges that threaten his reputation and his career.

There She Isn't

Pageant for senior women bars contestant with AIDS virus

Herbs of Love

Pills made from a Peruvian vine known as Cat's Claw are all the rage among Latino health buffs

POSITIVE CHARGE

AIDS GIRL VINDICATEDSUPREME COURT THROWS OUT CASE THAT MADE RONDA CRACE AN OUTCAST IN PRESCOTT

VIRAL NOTEBOOK

MR. SMITH GOES TO EXTREMESA STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISSEMINATES SOME CURIOUS AIDS "FACTS"

A HELPING HANDBELEAGUERED AIDS-PREVENTION GROUP GETS FINANCIAL BOOST FROM SEX SHOPS