JIPA Blog

Whether you are looking to travel to Europe or you don't want to get pregnant, could continuous birth control be right for you?

With many birth control pills, the lining of the uterus builds up and sheds monthly during one’s period. Some women have concerns that extended-cycle or continuous birth control pills could cause this lining to thicken. Despite the common misconception, this does not happen because hormone levels are not shifting.

In this article, let’s explore what continuous birth control that is available, what are the pros of using these drugs, and what can be the cons.

Often, travelers who are camping, hiking, or stay in remote areas may need to disinfect their drinking water.  While a person is traveling, there are many parasites, bacteria, viruses, and algae in drinking water that can cause waterborne diseases.

Travelers' diarrhea (TD) is the most common illness among people who travel to a developing country. Although it is rarely life-threatening, it can cause significant discomfort during a trip.

Travelers who see a health care provider for a pre-travel consultation may often be given antibiotics to take in case they get TD, but incorrect use of antibiotics can promote drug resistance in the bacteria that cause TD.

Recently, bacteria have emerged that are resistant to the drugs commonly used to treat TD, and the global spread of these bacteria is a threat to public health. Since May 2014, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has reported hundreds of cases of drug-resistant diarrhea. It was recently reported that one person that was infected by a strain of bacteria was resistant to every antibiotic commonly used to treat TD and was sick for 7 weeks.

As Spring hits high gear, many are beginning to worry about ticks. The arachnids, which are related to mites, are small external parasites that feed purely on blood and may cause Lyme disease. In 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that there were a total of 27,203 cases of Lyme disease confirmed in the US.