Syphilis Surges in Surprise Comeback

More than one partner in year could label you as risky

(NEWSER) - Anyone who has had sex with two or more people in the past year could be classified as a risky organ donor even if they possess no other risk factors, according to new health guidelines proposed by the CDC. The new federal policy would flag organ donors who have not been monogamous for the previous 12 months as at increased risk for carrying HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, reports MSNBC's health blog, Vitals . More»

'Patient Zeta' says 'dangerous' industry needs reform

(NEWSER) - The porn actor who tested positive for HIV this fall is going public and calling for mandatory condom use for the entire porn industry. Derrick Burts—previously known only as Patient Zeta—says the industry's stance that testing for STDs is sufficient is "completely false," adding that he had previously tested positive for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes in his monthslong career. The 24-year-old, who worked in both gay and straight porn, thinks he contracted the virus in a gay porn shoot; he notes that gay films require condoms for sex, but not oral sex. More»

Men not exactly tripping over selves to buy 'small,' 'medium' sizes

(NEWSER) - If you think ill-fitting shoes chafe, then it's easy to imagine that ill-fitting condoms that reduce pleasure, slip, or break might result in people not using them. A study in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections links poor fit to reduced usage. The kicker? Condoms often don't fit because men won't touch anything labeled 'small' or medium'. Efforts to improve fit are worthwhile, say researcher who hope to improve use in developing countries. More»

Figures raise concerns after positive trends

(NEWSER) - After declining in 1991-2005, the US teen birth rate climbed in 2006 and 2007, HealthDay News reports. Crunching numbers from 2002-07, the Centers for Disease Control found a number of trends had flatlined or worsened after a period of improvement.

• 2004 saw 745,000 pregnancies among females under 20, including 16,000 among girls 10 to 14 years old.
• One-third of adolescents had no birth-control education before age 18.

CDC finds 40% more cases than thought; blacks' rate alarming

(NEWSER) - A new CDC study of Americans with HIV conducted with new technology shows that the virus is spreading faster than previously thought, reports the New York Times. In 2006, more than 56,000 were newly infected with the virus that causes AIDS—40% more than anticipated. The study also showed that whites and blacks tend to contract the virus at different times in their lives. More»