HealthDay News — The first known U.S. case of a more infectious Brazilian variant of the coronavirus has been confirmed in a person in Minnesota who recently traveled to Brazil, state health officials said Monday.
The patient lives in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and became ill in the first week of January, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. The person is being interviewed for more information about their illness, travel, and contacts, the Associated Press reported. There was no immediate indication that the variant was spreading in the state.
“We know that even as we work hard to defeat COVID-19, the virus continues to evolve as all viruses do,” Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said in a statement. “That’s yet another reason why we want to limit COVID-19 transmission — the fewer people who get COVID-19, the fewer opportunities the virus has to evolve. The good news is that we can slow the spread of this variant and all COVID-19 variants by using the tried-and-true prevention methods of wearing masks, keeping social distance, staying home when sick, and getting tested when appropriate.”
Some researchers have raised a concern that people who have already been infected with COVID-19 could be reinfected with the Brazilian variant. The Brazilian variant was first diagnosed in four travelers who were tested at an airport outside Tokyo. It contains a set of mutations that may affect its ability to be recognized by immune system antibodies, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
So far, three new variants of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 have been identified. They emerged in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Brazil, and scientists believe they spread more easily than the original virus, the AP reported.
TRT vs Steroids: How Is Testosterone Replacement Therapy Different From Steroids
TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy)
Legal Status: TRT is a legal medical treatment prescribed by healthcare
professionals for individuals with low testosterone levels.
Purpose: To address hormone deficiencies and improve symptoms of hypogonadism, such as fatigue, low libido, and bone density loss.
Regulation: Requires a prescription and is monitored by medical
professionals to ensure safe use.
Risk: When used appropriately under medical supervision, TRT carries fewer health risks compared to illegal steroid use.
Steroids
Illegal Status: Steroids are not approved for human use in most countries and are often used illegally by athletes or bodybuilders.
Purpose: Used to enhance physical performance, build muscle, and
improve athletic capabilities. However, their usage is largely non-medical and risky.
Regulation: Without proper authorization, the use
of steroids is considered illegal and can lead to serious legal consequences.
Risk: The misuse of steroids carries significant health risks, including liver damage, kidney failure,
hormonal imbalances, and potential for addiction.
Difference Summary
TRT is a regulated medical treatment aimed at addressing genuine hormone deficiencies, while steroids are illegally used substances
intended to enhance performance without legitimate medical justification. The risks associated
with each are vastly different, with TRT being relatively safe when prescribed correctly and steroids posing severe
health and legal dangers.
Crucial Difference Between Testosterone and Steroids
Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) and anabolic steroids are often discussed in the same breath, but they are fundamentally different.
TRT involves the administration of natural testosterone or its bioidentical
equivalents to treat hormone deficiencies. On the other
hand, anabolic steroids are synthetic compounds designed to mimic testosterone’s effects but often have unintended consequences.
Why Testosterone is Not the Same as “Steroids”
The term “steroids” can be misleading because it encompasses a wide range of compounds, from natural hormones like
testosterone to synthetic versions. While TRT uses bioidentical or identical hormones, anabolic steroids are engineered for
specific effects, often bypassing natural hormone
regulation and leading to imbalances.
Testosterone vs Steroids
TRT is a medical treatment that replaces deficient hormones, aiming to restore natural function. In contrast, anabolic steroids are Performance-Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) used to gain muscle or
enhance athletic performance. Their misuse can lead to adverse
effects and suppression of the body’s natural hormone
production.
What Are Anabolic Steroids?
Anabolic steroids are synthetic hormones with structures similar to testosterone but designed for specific
outcomes, such as muscle growth and increased strength. They
are classified as controlled substances due to their potential for abuse and harm.
How Steroids Affect T Levels
Steroid use suppresses the body’s natural testosterone production, forcing users to rely on external sources.
This can disrupt hormone balance and lead to
complications like testicular atrophy, which TRT aims to prevent by supporting natural
hormone function.
Main Side Effects of Anabolic Steroids
The side effects of anabolic steroid use are extensive and include psychological effects like mood
swings and paranoia, physical changes such as hair loss, and potential
long-term damage to the endocrine system. These risks highlight the
importance of using TRT under medical supervision.
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