By Steven Reinberg
EmpowHer's HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, July 9 (HealthDay News) -- The number of people sickened in the ongoing salmonella outbreak has now surpassed 1,000, and while certain types of tomatoes remain the suspected cause, U.S. health officials on Wednesday added hot peppers and cilantro as potential suspects.

Yesterday was National HIV Testing Day. Americans, especially between the ages of 13-64 are encouraged to get tested for HIV in an effort to have everyone ultimately tested for this disease that often leads to death if not diagnosed and treated.

The bad news is that HIV/AIDS still has no cure, and although many people are living healthy lives after an HIV diagnosis, the reality is that many will succumb to the disease of AIDS - particularly poorer individuals who may have no access to health care and may not even know they have HIV in the first place (and thus spreading the virus).

(HealthDay News) -- The victim count in the tainted tomato outbreak has risen dramatically again, according to the latest U.S. health count.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in numbers updated for Thursday, said it now had 756 reports of persons infected with Salmonella Saintpaul in 34 states and the District of Columbia. More than 300 of the cases come from Texas.

Patient ages range from under 1 year old to 99 years old. Half the victims are women.

In addition, at least 95 people had been hospitalized; there have been no deaths, the CDC reported.

I have arthritis associated with lupus, and also rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. So, I'm accustomed to dealing with a variety of aches and pains due to these conditions. I'm currently on contract at a State agency and read a wonderful story in this week's newsletter about the agency's Arthritis Program Coordinator.

12% of all our babies will be born prematurely!

Everyone has always known someone who had a preemie (a baby born prior to 37 weeks in the womb) but at this rate, we all know a lot of someones! The Center for Disease Control studied 7 million babies over a decade, in an effort to understand why so many babies are born prematurely and any adverse affects they may experience.

Let's not forget that in most cases a preemie baby is not anyone's fault and in most instances there is nothing that could be done!

Whatever happened to the lazy days of summer?

While parts of the U.S. are suffering another summer of drought, the Midwest is hoping to begin recovering from devastating floods. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and numerous county officials in the flood-ravaged communities have issued warnings about the dangers that lurk in the water and prohibited residents from returning to their homes (or what's left of them).

MONDAY, June 16 (HealthDay News) -- Now that the outdoor recreation season is in full swing, new statistics from the U.S. government warn that your risk of injury is also in full swing.

From 2004 to 2005, almost 213,000 Americans were treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries received during outdoor recreational activities. More than half of those injuries occurred among people aged 10 to 24, according to a study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.