Immunotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer. There are different types of immunotherapy, and each one works differently. Some types of immunotherapy cancer are used to treat specific types of cancer, while others can treat any cancer. Immunotherapy is a newer type of cancer treatment that is still being studied. Immunotherapy is not a cure for cancer, but it can help to control the disease and improve the quality of life.

There are affordable cord blood banks for $19.99/month. Immunotherapy can be combined with other cancer treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

There are four main types of immunotherapy: monoclonal antibodies, checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and adoptive cell therapy.

1) Monoclonal Antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies are man-made versions of immune system proteins. They are made in a laboratory, and they are designed to attach to specific targets on cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies can be used to kill cancer cells, or they can be used to help the immune system identify and destroy cancer cells.

Monoclonal antibodies are given through an IV, and they can be used to treat a variety of different types of cancer. It is also being studied as a treatment for other conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and asthma. Also, different monoclonal antibodies can be combined to treat different types of cancer.

Monoclonal antibodies can cause side effects, such as fatigue, fever, chills, nausea, and diarrhea. These side effects usually go away after the treatment is finished. More severe side effects are rare.

2) Checkpoint Inhibitors

Checkpoint inhibitors are a type of immunotherapy cancer that works by taking the brakes off of your immune system. This allows your immune system to attack cancer cells better. Checkpoint inhibitors are usually given as an infusion into a vein (IV).

There are four main types of checkpoint inhibitors:

• PD-1 inhibitors: These work by blocking a protein called PD-1 found on the surface of immune cells. Blocking PD-1 can help keep immune cells from becoming too tired to fight cancer.

• CTLA-4 inhibitors: These work by blocking a protein called CTLA-4 found on the surface of immune cells. Blocking CTLA-4 can help increase the activity of immune cells.

• LAG-3 inhibitors: These work by blocking a protein called LAG-3 that is found on the surface of immune cells. Blocking LAG-3 can help keep immune cells from becoming too tired to fight cancer.

• IDO inhibitors: These work by blocking an enzyme called IDO that is found in some immune cells. Blocking IDO can help increase the activity of other immune cells.

Checkpoint inhibitors can cause side effects such as fatigue, rash, diarrhea, and nausea. These side effects are usually mild and go away on their own. Some people may also experience more severe side effects, such as problems with their liver, lungs, or kidneys.

3) Cancer Vaccines

Immunotherapy is a cancer treatment that helps the body’s immune system fight cancer. The immune system is a complex network of cells and organs that work together to protect the body from infection and disease.

Immunotherapy can treat a wide variety of cancers, including melanoma, lung cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, and Hodgkin lymphoma. Immunotherapy cancer can be used alone or in combination with other cancer treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

4) Adoptive Cell Therapy

This is a treatment where immune cells are taken from the patient, grown in the laboratory, and then returned to the patient. The idea is to use large numbers of these “custom-made” immune cells to attack the cancer cells.

There are two types of adoptive cell therapy:

Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy: In this type of therapy, T-cells are taken from the patient and then modified in the laboratory to express a protein called a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). This CAR allows the T-cell to recognize and bind to a specific protein on the surface of cancer cells. The modified T-cells are then returned to the patient, where they can bind to and kill the cancer cells.

Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) therapy: In this type of therapy, T-cells are taken from a tumor that has been removed from the patient. These T-cells are then grown in the laboratory and returned to the patient, where they can bind to and kill the cancer cells.

Conclusion

Immunotherapy can be used to treat a wide variety of cancers, and it can be used alone or in combination with other cancer treatments. Immunotherapy can have side effects, but these side effects are usually mild and go away on their own.

If you are a soon-to-be parent, you must have come across the term, called “cord blood banking”. Cord blood banking refers to the cryogenic preservation of life-saving stem cells.

After a child is born, the blood is collected from the placenta and umbilical cord. This blood is processed, and the stem cells are collected for future preservation.

When it comes to cord blood, you have two options. You can store the stem cells of your child with a private cord blood bank or with a public cord blood bank.

However, if you do not make arrangements to store the stem cells of your child with a public or a private bank, the blood is discarded as medical waste. Since cord blood is rich in hematopoietic stem cells, such cells should not be discarded. It is advisable to store these cells for future medical use with either a public or a private cord blood bank

However, the above-mentioned option differs in their uses, costs, and ownership of stem cells. Let us discuss the two main options for cord blood banking in detail.

1) Public cord blood bank

Donations to public cord blood banks are stored with the bank until a suitable match is found. Hence, these cells can save the life of an unrelated donor suffering from leukemia, lymphoma, or other blood or metabolic disorders.

The cord blood bank costs for donation to a public bank are Nil. However, sometimes you need to pay the collection fee. Also, you need to ensure that these services are available at your chosen hospital.

The donation to public banks is not stored for the exclusive use of your family. Hence, they may not help you even if your child or other family members need a stem cell transplant in the future. The unused samples from a public bank are used for research and help in the advancement of medical technology.

If you plan to store the cord blood of your child with a public bank, you need to consult your doctor and nurse before the delivery.

2) Private cord blood bank

Donations with private cord blood banks are stored for exclusive use by your child and your family. Once you decide to store the stem cells of your child with a private cord blood bank, all you need to do is notify the bank, who in turn will make all the arrangements for testing, processing, collecting, and preserving the stem cells.

The private cord blood banks also make arrangements to maintain the viability of these cells during storage and transportation. They are also responsible for making the cells available at the time and place of transplant.

However, the cord blood bank costs with a private bank can be a huge expense. These banks charge a collection fee, also called a registration fee, and annual maintenance cost.

However, there are affordable cord blood banks that allow you to store the stem cells of your child with a manageable monthly payment of $19.99 per month.

Storing the cord blood of your child can become especially important if you have a family history of rare diseases. These cells can be helpful not only for your child but also for siblings and other family members.

Hence, if you have another child who is sick and can benefit from a stem cell transplant from bone marrow or umbilical cord, you need to store the stem cells of your newborn. These cells are stored for directed donations.

Hence, the use of cord blood justifies the cord blood bank costs incurred for their storage and preservation. However, it is essential that you chose a reliable cord blood bank for your child’s stem cells. The stem cells should have a proven track record to ensure that your child’s stem cells will be safe with these cord blood banks.

There are a lot of sexually transmitted infections, which can be prevented if you follow a safe approach to sexual activities. STIs include genital herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and a few more. One of the most common STIs is Genital Herpes infecting around 1 in 7 Americans aged 14 to 49. However, its medications are available in the market. If you also missed your health class in school or are, having a hard time remembering what genital Herpes is, then worry not; in this article, we focus on what you should do when you have genital herpes and how to prevent it. In addition, a list of genital herpes medication over the counter.

What Is Genital Herpes?

As mentioned earlier, Genital Herpes is a sexually transmitted infection, one of the oldest known viruses in Medical history. A contagious disease, genital Herpes is quite harmful as it causes pain and Irritability in the Genitals. Unfortunately, a herpes cure is still not found, but as medical science has progressed, many over-the-counter medications are available.

Genital Herpes infection, also known as the herpes simplex virus (HSV), spreads mainly through sexual activity. A common virus that causes soreness and irritation is not that common but very easily treatable. Herpes is primarily seen on the mouth or genitals. It is annoying and painful, but it is not at all serious. One in four cases of Herpes causes skin and mucous membranes lesions.

Genital Herpes: Causes and Symptoms

Genital Herpes is one of the most painful types of Herpes, which commonly occurs as painful blisters. It is pretty irritating and painful to bear; over-the-counter medications are a great help when treating genital Herpes. According to medical research, one in four cases of Genital Herpes causes skin and mucous membranes lesions.

Genital Herpes virus spreads through various ways in the human body; these are-

• Saliva

• Semen

• Vaginal Secretions

There are mainly two types of Genital Herpes, HSV-1, AND HSV-2 (Herpes Simplex Virus). Both these variants trigger genital Herpes in the form of cold sores. World Health Organization research of 2016 states that more than 3.5 billion people under the age of five has and had contracted HSV at least once in their lifetime.

As for Symptoms of Genital Herpes, it may take up to 4 days to show up, but many cases are asymptomatic. Some symptoms of genital Herpes can include-

• Blisters on penis

• Blisters on scrotum

• Blisters on buttocks

• Blisters on vagina

• Itchiness and tingling sensation

• Blisters on mouth, lips, and face

• Open sores

• Swollen lymph glands

• Body aches, fever, and headaches

Over The Counter Medications for Genital Herpes

Although Genital Herpes is not treatable, with the help of medications and many over-the-counter medications, it reduces the chances of spreading it to others. Did you know that maximum cases of Genital Herpes are asymptomatic, and most people don’t even get to know they have it?

Diagnosing genital Herpes is relatively easy, and ignoring it will give you no good. Therefore, it’s best to consult a doctor first. After consultation, doctors recommend different types of medications for Genital Herpes. There are different types of medications available for Genital Herpes-

1) Cold Sores- Tiny yet painful cold sores have a particular type of creams that contain a blend of Momordica charantia, which works against cold sores and increases immunity.

2) Itchiness- A standard and frequent factor in genital Herpes is itchiness and tingle sensation, which requires creams containing cooling agents like aloe Vera, lemongrass, etc.

3) Fever Blisters- Fluid-filled blisters that turn into scabs are excruciating in genital Herpes, so specific creams with vitamin C, Zinc, Astragalus, and Lysine are excellent for treating fever blisters.

4) Multi-symptom relief- Some creams have all-rounder properties and are generally recommended in the initial stage of Herpes when symptoms are more minor. These creams help in treating burning, itching, pain, etc.

5) Natural Creams- For people with specific allergies to chemicals, there are many creams available for genital Herpes containing the all-natural formula and are equally effective as its counter products.

It is essential to be highly aware of Herpes, especially genital Herpes, and start taking medications as early as possible to stop it at its initial stage and prevent any painful experience you may have.