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Emergency Rooms and STDs
A new medical study raises an important question: should anyone who is seen in an emergency room be automatically screened and treated for other essential problems and conditions that in the end affect society as a whole—such as sexually transmitted illnesses?
Some experts are saying a visit to the emergency room should mean much more to many patients besides ice, ace wraps, and sutures.
“Unfortunately without a primary care physician they are missing out on a lot of important services,” says second-year pediatric resident Dr. David Kessler and supervising physician Dr. Karin Sadow at Mt. Sinai Hospital.
They recognized that once a patient is finally seeing a doctor in the E.R., for whatever reason, while it’s certainly not an ideal or inexpensive place to have a patient visit, at least they’re there.
And maybe, screening for other health issues that are costly to society as a whole makes sense.
The researchers had young males coming in for any reason, complete an anonymous questionnaire on sexual behavior.
They also performed urine-screening tests for gonorrhea and Chlamydia.
They found a high frequency of high-risk sexual behaviors and sexually transmitted illness among those who use the E.R. as their only means of health care, and did not go to a regular doctor--like Knemal Moore, who doesn'’t have a doctor, came in for a sore throat and didn’'t know he was, by chance, also carrying a sexually transmitted illness.
Read more about Emergency Rooms and STDs
Emergency Rooms and STDs video
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Exercise Intensity
Those New Year’s resolutions are just around the corner.
And as usual, one of the most popular resolutions is to start exercising.
Read more about Exercise Intensity
Exercise Intensity video
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