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February 2012Issue 9
In This Issue
Education: Yeast Infections --STI or not?
Awareness: HPV, Cancer and ... Men

Education:  Yeast Infections --STI or not?

Mention yeast infections and many people start thinking about females and detailed anti-fungal ointment commercials that seem to appear whenever one is relaxing in front of the television with snacks and guests.

Still, yeast and other fungal infections are incredibly common.  1 in 2 North American women will visit a doctor sometime to discuss a possible yeast infection.  And both men and women get yeast and other fungal infections.

Most yeast infections are caused by Candidiasis organisms.  These organisms are often found in harmless quantities on different parts of the body.  An overgrowth of these organisms leads to a yeast infection.  There is no direct evidence suggesting that yeast infections are sexually transmitted.  Researchers suggest that sexual activity itself can contribute to yeast infections.  Yet, hygiene, diet, the use of antibiotics and even climate are all factors that can also play a role in the development of a fungal infection.

It is important to note that yeast and other fungal infections are not limited to genitalia.  Oral and Esophageal Thrush are examples of yeast infections of the mouth.

Diagnosing a yeast or other fungal infection by identifying the organism is key to selecting the correct treatment.  Proper diagnosis is done by culturing a swab sample.  Treatment can be as simple as selecting the appropriate anti-fungal cream to kill the organism.

Yeast infections are sometimes confused with Herpes infections. 

No matter what type of infection a person may have, it is essential to encourage that person to note their symptoms, get tested, act responsibly with their close contacts and complete a prescribed treatment plan.

Pamco's 

 includes:

offering condoms and dental dams in varieties to suit your clientele. 

 

Promote responsible St. Patrick's Day celebrations in March with Trustex Green Condoms and Mint Flavoured Dental Dams. 

 

Contact Pamco today at:  info@pamco.ca or 519-648-2200.

 

Greetings!

Groundhog Day was celebrated across North America on February 2nd with a couple of famous groundhogs failing to see their shadows; leading associated experts to predict an early Spring.  So who is your favourite groundhog these days?  Is it Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Sam or Ontario's Wiarton Willie?  Both rodents did not see their shadows --which some say predicts an early Spring.  Or do you like Quebec's Fred la Marmotte or Alberta's Balzac Billy or even our American Groundhog Day movie mascot known as Punxsutawney Phil?  All of these celebrities saw their shadow --leading to predictions of six more weeks of Winter.
 
Welcome to Pamco's Health Matters, an e-newsletter designed to share information about sexual health and the prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies.  Feel free to forward a copy of this e-newsletter to contacts or colleagues.
  
Whether your local groundhog suggests early Spring or more Winter, Pamco provides a full line of health products to assist clients in any season!  Learn more at:  Pamco Distributing Inc.

 

Awareness:  HPV, Cancer and ... Men

Pharmaceutical companies who manufacture the vaccine, Canadian government agencies and other professionals, recommend that girls over the age of 9 and women should be vaccinated against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) to prevent cervical cancer. 

  

HPV is spread by skin-to-skin contact and some strains are known to cause cancers.

  

Guess what?  Now some of those same stakeholders are suggesting that boys over the age of 9 and men should also be vaccinated against HPV to prevent cancer.  Specifically, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends the use of the vaccine called Gardasil for boys and men to prevent several types of cancer, gential warts and precancerous lesions.  The vaccine protects against 4 different strains of HPV:  6, 11, 16 and 18.  HPV 6 and HPV 11 are responsible for approximately 90% of genital warts.  HPV 16 and HPV 18 are responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancer cases.  HPV 16 is also linked to Oral Cancer.

 

Oral Cancer affects more males than females.  HPV influenced oral cancer tumours are the fastest segment of the oral cancer population.

 

Interestingly, about 7% of American men and women are orally infected with some strain of HPV.  Here is where the statistics diverge: men orally infected with HPV are 5 times more likely to be infected with HPV 16 than women.  Tobacco use and oral sexual activity are known to be correlated with HPV 16 infection and Oral Cancer.  Some researchers have gone further and said that oral sex by men with infected partners leads to more cases of Oral Cancer than tobacco use.

 

Whether Canadians  and provincial and territorial governments embrace the idea of an HPV vaccine for men and women or not, prevention seems to be the focus.  Perhaps, over time, research will demonstrate that dental dams and condoms are not only useful for preventing genital HPV infection but also oral HPV infection and their associated cancers.

 

Learn more:  Oral Cancer and 5 Ways to Prevent Oral Cancer

About Us

Pamco started as a small business with a mission to help fight STIs by providing superior quality health products to organizations across Canada.  More than a decade later, Pamco has worked intently to strengthen relationships with key stakeholders and frontline professionals in the provision of healthcare.
  
Pamco has grown to provide a portfolio of products that have been carefully selected to promote education, awareness and options to consumers in the prevention of HIV/AIDs, other STIs and unintended pregnancies.
  
We hope that you and your colleagues enjoy our e-newsletter.  We look forward to serving you in the future and welcome your feedback about our products and service.

 

Pamco Distributing Inc.
  

 

Spotlight On:  

condoms

 

 

Trustex® brand condoms are latex condoms that are stronger than many other condoms available today.  With a tensile strength of .5 to .7 g/cm³ that surpasses other regular condoms, Trustex® regular condoms are strong, safe and effective.
 
Choose Trustex® for quality --and selection.  Trustex® condoms are available in a variety of sizes and styles, including lubricated, non-lubricated, coloured, flavoured and textured.  Choose Trustex® for instant brand recognition among clientele.  Trustex® condoms are a leading brand of male condom available across Canada in both healthcare and retail organizations.  And Trustex® also manufactures Dental Dams!
  
Learn more at:  Pamco's Products

Contact Pamco today for all of your health product needs.