Relative Contraindication When two medicines or treatments may cause negative outcomes if used together. Caution must be used when two medicines are relatively contraindicated.
HIV Medications
The first treatment for HIV, Azidothymidine (AZT) or the generic name zidovudine was introduced in 1987. Though initially developed as a potential cancer therapy, it was included in a screening program to identify drugs that could treat HIV. Though AZT was an exciting medical development, there were serious side effects, so further testing and trials…
Get to Know Your Words: HAART
HAART Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy became the standard of HIV care in 1997 because it is a customized cocktail of medications that controls viral load and delays or prevents progression to AIDS.
The Fight Against AIDS
The struggle around HIV/AIDS in the United States is an important part of our history. Reflecting on our past helps to show how far we have come and how far we still have to go. Life expectancy before HIV treatment was incredibly low, just 10-12 years of life after diagnosis. Now, people are living longer…
Get to Know your words: Generic Drug
Generic Drug: A drug that uses the same active ingredient as a brand-name drug once the brand patent has expired; often costs less.
Diabetes Month
It’s the first day of National Diabetes Month! If you’re living with diabetes, knowledge and management are key to preventing further problems and living a full life. Eating healthily, staying active, and monitoring your blood sugar and general health are the basics of managing diabetes. Having a team of people, including friends, family, and doctors…
Get to know your words: Brand-name drug
A drug sold by a drug company under a specific brand name with an exclusive formula patent for a period of time,
Breast Cancer
1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime, is the 2nd leading cause of death for Native American women, and in some states is the leading cause of cancer-related death. General factors that increase risk are genetics, family history, breast density, and age. When the tumor is small and most treatable is…
Get to Know Your Words: Metastatic Breast Cancer
Also called Stage IV Breast Cancer, it is when the cancer has spread from the breast to other areas of the body, like bones, brain, lungs, or liver.
Flu Season
We’re heading into flu season, and October is a great time to get that vaccination. Though the flu is a relatively normal part of human life, it is important to remember that many people are hospitalized and die every year due to the influenza virus. The flu vaccine helps not only to reduce your chance…
Get to Know Your Words: Immunocompromised
A weakened immune system, making it more difficult to fight off infections and other diseases. May be caused by diseases or conditions, genetic disorders, or specific medical treatments.
IPV
IPV, or Intimate Partner Violence affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men. Even higher rates of IPV are true for certain populations of people. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the National Organization for Women report that LGBT people and women of color experience higher rates of intimate partner violence, yet…
Dr. Cruz is a board certified pediatrician who serves as the Medical Director for our Pediatrics and Adolescent Health Center. He has presented and/or published in the fields of community violence and domestic violence prevention, quality improvement, behavioral health, curriculum development and mentorship. In 2019 he received the Greater Philadelphia Social Innovation Award for Innovations in Healthcare.