What's up with Eta Sigma Delta: February 2019

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

🛑 International Condom Day

💕International Condom Day History

International Condom Day seeks to promote the use of condoms as a means of preventing unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms are thin rubber covers that a man wears on his penis during sexual intercourse as a contraceptive or as protection against STIs. Condoms are made from various materials such as latex, non-latex, lambskin and even female condoms. Condoms, latex and polyurethane versions, are the only method available to prevent transmission of STIs and HIV.

International Condom Day is promoted by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation in an effort to reduce the spread of HIV through safe sex practices. Since its inception in 2009, it has been an informal observance celebrated in conjunction with Valentine's Day.

🏹How are you going to celebrate International Condom Day (ICD) this February 13th?

(Yes, ICD's connection to Valentine's Day is not an accident, unlike what may happen if you don't use condoms.) Use many condoms, you may answer. But as Eric Clapton has sung, "It's in the way that you use it." When used correctly, condoms can be very effective at preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies (98% success). The emphasis is on the words "when used correctly," because, as studies have shown, a sizable percentage of men do not use condoms correctly and therefore may not be preventing STIs or pregnancies. Here are 15 common ways condoms are misused (and the percentage of those who make these mistakes based on a review of available studies published in the journal Sexual Health and a report of it by NBC News):

🏹1. Not wearing the condom: A condom is not like money in a bank account. Just having it won't help with sex. You actually have to wear it. As reported by Katy Steinmetz for Time, studies have found that condom use is decreasing.

🏹2. Putting the condom on too late: (17% to 51.1%) Wearing a condom is not like drinking at a party. You can't start late and catch up. Starting sex without the condom will leave you unprotected during that time.

🏹3. Removing the condom too early (premature ejection): (13.6% to 44.7%) A condom is not like a tuxedo or a wedding dress. You should not remove it until you are are completely done.

🏹4. Unrolling a condom before wearing it: (2.1% to 25.3%) A condom is not a pair of pants. You don't completely unroll the condom before putting it on, which raises the risk of contaminating the outside of the condom.

🏹5. Overstuffing the condom: (24.3% to 45.7%) You may think that this makes a nice visual or special effect (like wearing a shirt that is too small), but really there should be room at the tip to serve as a reservoir for semen.

🏹6. Allowing air in the condom: (41.6% to 48.1%) A condom is not a balloon. Having air in the condom while having sex may lead to the condom leaking, rupturing, falling off or turning into an unusual balloon animal.

🏹7. Wearing the condom inside-out: (4% to 30.4%) A condom is not a reversible hoodie. If you put it on the wrong way, don't turn it inside out and still use it.

🏹8. Partially wearing the condom: (8.8% to 11.2%) Not unrolling a condom completely while wearing it is like putting a sock just on your toes.

🏹9. Using a sharp object to open the condom wrapper: (2.1% to 11.2%) A condom is not a piece of cheese. Using a knife, scissors, harpoon or other sharp object to remove the wrapper can pierce the condom.

🏹10. Checking in before checking out...the condom: (74.5% to 82.7%) Condoms are not sushi. They aren't perfect and may be damaged. Check your condom before using it.

🏹11. Not using lubrication: (16% to 25.8%) Not having enough lubrication is not good for anyone (e.g., words you don't want to hear: "You make me so dry"). Drier condoms break more easily.

🏹12. Using the wrong lubrication: (3.2% to 4.7%) Nutella, cooking oil, mayonnaise, suntan lotion and gasoline are not proper lubricants. Using them (especially oil-based substances) could damage the condom or lead to a fire that you really don't want to have.

🏹13. Making an incorrect withdrawal: (27% to 7%) Wearing a condom is like using an ATM. Be very careful on the withdrawal. Don't accidentally leave the condom in there or wait until the condom starts spilling and leaking.

🏹14. Reusing a condom: (1.4% to 3.3%) Really? You are going to reuse a condom because you are too cheap to keep enough around? Money isn't everything, but if someone wants to reuse a condom, you may want to re-think why you are with him. A condom is not like a football helmet. Don't reuse it.

🏹15. Storing condoms incorrectly: (3.3% to 19.1%) A condom is not a Popsicle, tofu or Cinnabon. Don't put the condom in the freezer, water or the oven. Follow the package instructions on where you can store the condom. And no, wearing a condom is not storing it.

👉With so many people not using condoms correctly, on average condoms are only 82% effective in preventing pregnancies. It also only takes one condom mishap to transmit an STI. As with many other things, with condoms, it's not simply what you have, it's how you use it.

Blogger: Egypt Assanti

ESD Baroness

{aka} Big Sister Southern Heat 💕

Monday, February 11, 2019

🚑 ɪɴᴛᴇʀɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ᴘʀᴇɴᴀᴛᴀʟ ɪɴғᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ ᴘʀᴇᴠᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴ ᴍᴏɴᴛʜ 👶

February is International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month. Don't know what that is? Well you have come to the right blog because we are here to educate you on this fact. 😉

International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month centers on Group B Strep. And here is exactly what that is...

Group B Streptococcus (GBS), or Streptococcus agalactiae, is a type of bacteria that is naturally found in the digestive and lower reproductive tracts of both men and women. About 1 in 4 pregnant women "carry" or are "colonized" with GBS.

Carrying GBS does not mean that you are unclean. Anyone can carry GBS. GBS is not considered to be a sexually transmitted disease or infection as it can occur on its own even in someone with no prior sexual experience. However, bacteria can be passed between sexual partners, including through oral contact.

Unfortunately, babies can be infected by GBS before birth and up to about 6 months of age due to their underdeveloped immune systems.

There are three types of perinatal GBS disease, each with their own prevention challenges:

Prenatal-onset GBS disease (before birth)
Early-onset GBS disease (birth through the first week of life)
Late-onset GBS disease (over 1 week of age through several months of age)

Some of the questions often asked are the following...

Who carries GBS?

Anyone can carry GBS. ☝

Who can be infected by GBS?

Babies can be infected by GBS before birth through several months of age due to their underdeveloped immune systems. According to the CDC, in adults, most cases of GBS disease are among those who have other medical conditions. Other medical conditions that puts adults at increased risk include:
Diabetes
Heart disease
Congestive heart failure
Cancer or history of cancer

ObesityRisk for serious GBS disease also increases as people get older. Adults 65 years and older are at increased risk compared to adults under 65 years old.

When I'm pregnant how do I know if I have GBS?
Although most women do not have any symptoms, GBS can cause vaginal burning/irritation and/or unusual discharge. GBS can also cause bladder infections. Women should consult their care provider if any of these symptoms occur.

What if I test negative?
It’s important to know that: 1) A woman may test negative if her GBS colonization level at the time of the test was below the level of detection. 2) A woman’s GBS status can change so a woman could test negative but be colonized later in pregnancy. 3)Test results are only considered to accurately (95%-98%) predict a woman’s colonization status at delivery if she delivers within 5 weeks of her test. 4) A woman may need to be retested if she has not yet given birth within 5 weeks of being tested. 5) Once born, a baby can become infected with GBS by sources other than the mother.

What if I test positive?

If your urine or swab tests are positive, your provider should consider you as “GBS colonized” for this pregnancy so that you receive IV antibiotics for GBS when labor starts or your water breaks. Plan ahead if you have short labors or live far from the hospital.The IV antibiotics you receive in labor generally take 4 hours to be optimally effective. Ask your provider to not strip your membranes if you test positive for GBS, as it may push bacteria closer to your baby.

It is also important to know the signs of infection in unborn babies and of preterm labor!

How do you get GBS?
Group B strep (GBS) is a type of bacteria that is naturally occuring in the digestive and lower reproductive tracts of both men and women. GBS is not considered to be a sexualy transmitted disease or infection as it can occur on its own even in someone with no prior sexual experience. However, bacteria can be passed between sexual partners, including through oral contact.

Anyone can carry GBS. However, those at the most risk for GBS infection are infants, adults with some chronic medical conditions and the elderly.

Any symptoms that I have GBS?
Most women do not have any symptoms. GBS can cause vaginal burning/irritation and/or unusual discharge which may be mistaken for a yeast infection and treated incorrectly. If you have “vaginitis” symptoms, see your care provider promptly for an exam and possible GBS testing. GBS can also cause bladder infections, with or without symptoms.

How is GBS treated during pregnancy?
In some cases, if a pregnant woman is heavily colonized or has had a baby previously infected by GBS, women may be treated with oral antibiotics during pregnancy, although this is not a standard routine.

What are the signs & symptoms your baby could be infected with GBS?

During pregnancy you experience:

Decreased or no fetal movement after your 20th week
Frenzied movement has also been linked to fetal distress
Any unexplained fever after birth (early and late-onset)
Sounds - High-pitched cry, shrill moaning, whimpering, inconsolable crying, constant grunting or moaning as if constipated or in distress
Breathing - Fast, slow, or difficult breathing
Appearance of skin - Blue, gray, or pale skin, blotchy or red skin, tense or bulging fontanel (soft spot on a baby's head), infection (pus/red skin) at base of umbilical cord or in puncture on head from internal fetal monitor
Eating and Sleeping Habits - Feeding poorly, refusing to eat, not waking for feedings, sleeping too much, difficulty being aroused
Behavior- Marked irritability, projectile vomiting, reacting as if skin is tender when touched, not moving an arm or leg, listless, floppy, blank stare, body stiffening, uncontrollable jerking
Body Temperature - Fever or low or unstable temperature, hands and feet may feel cold even.

Many types of infections can be prevented with healthy pregnancy behaviors.

Use the word “HYGIENE” to help you make these behaviors routine!

Handwashing helps

Yes to prenatal care

Good food prepared safely

Immunizations

Evade others’ bodily fluids

No to unnecessary invasive procedures

Environmental precautions

Be careful and be safe!

Signing out

Dr. Destiny Santiago

aka Big Sister On Point

Sunday, February 10, 2019

📖 Black History Month Feb. 2019

February marks Black History Month, a federally recognized, nationwide celebration that calls on all Americans to reflect on the significant roles that African-Americans have played in shaping US history. But how did this celebration come to be -- and why does it happen in February?

🌎THE MAN BEHIND THE HOLIDAY

Carter G. Woodson, considered a pioneer in the study of African-American history, is given much of the credit for Black History Month.

The son of former slaves, Woodson spent his childhood working in coal mines and quarries. He received his education during the four-month term that was customary for black schools at the time.

At 19, having taught himself English fundamentals and arithmetic, Woodson entered high school, where he completed a four-year curriculum in two years. He went on to earn his master's degree in history from the University of Chicago and later earned a doctorate from Harvard.

🌎HOW THE HOLIDAY CAME ABOUT

Disturbed that history textbooks largely ignored America's black population, Woodson took on the challenge of writing black Americans into the nation's history.

To do this, he established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. He also founded the group's widely respected publication, the Journal of Negro History.

In 1926, Woodson developed Negro History Week. He believed "the achievements of the Negro properly set forth will crown him as a factor in early human progress and a maker of modern civilization."

In 1976, Negro History Week expanded into Black History Month.

🌎WHY HE PICKED FEBRUARY

Woodson chose the second week of February for his celebration because it marks the birthdays of two men who greatly influenced the black American population:

🌎HISTORY FACTS:

Frederick Douglass, who escaped slavery and became an abolitionist and civil rights leader; though his birthdate isn't known, he celebrated it on February 14.
President Abraham Lincoln, who signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which abolished slavery in America's confederate states; he was born on February 12.

For his work, Woodson has been called the Father of Black History.