TOXOPLASMOSIS

 

Toxoplasmosis is an infection you can get from a microscopic parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. Although the infection generally causes a mild, symptomless illness in people with healthy immune systems, it's risky during pregnancy because the parasite may infect the placenta and your unborn baby.

Researchers estimate that of the over 4 million births in the United States each year, between 400 and 4,000 babies are born with toxoplasmosis (known as congenital toxoplasmosis). This infection can be mild or severe, causing stillbirth, long-term structural and neurological damage, and other devastating effects. The good news is there's a lot you can do to avoid becoming infected in the first place.

What is toxoplasmosis?

A single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii causes a disease known as toxoplasmosis. While the parasite is found throughout the world, more than 60 million people in the United States may be infected with the Toxoplasma parasite. Of those who are infected, very few have symptoms because a healthy person's immune system usually keeps the parasite from causing illness. However, pregnant women and individuals who have compromised immune systems should be cautious; for them, a Toxoplasma infection could cause serious health problems.

How do people get toxoplasmosis?

A Toxoplasma infection occurs by:

Eating undercooked, contaminated meat (especially pork, lamb, and venison).

Accidental ingestion of undercooked, contaminated meat after handling it and not washing hands thoroughly (Toxoplasma cannot be absorbed through intact skin).

Eating food that was contaminated by knives, utensils, cutting boards and other foods that have had contact with raw, contaminated meat.

Drinking water contaminated with Toxoplasma gondii.

Accidentally swallowing the parasite through contact with cat feces that contain Toxoplasma. This might happen by

cleaning a cat's litter box when the cat has shed Toxoplasma in its feces

touching or ingesting anything that has come into contact with cat feces that contain Toxoplasma

accidentally ingesting contaminated soil (e.g., not washing hands after gardening or eating unwashed fruits or vegetables from a garden)

Mother-to-child (congenital) transmission.

Receiving an infected organ transplant or infected blood via transfusion, though this is rare.

What are the signs and symptoms of toxoplasmosis?

Symptoms of the infection vary.

Most people who become infected with Toxoplasma gondii are not aware of it.

Some people who have toxoplasmosis may feel as if they have the "flu" with swollen lymph glands or muscle aches and pains that last for a month or more.

Severe toxoplasmosis, causing damage to the brain, eyes, or other organs, can develop from an acute Toxoplasma infection or one that had occurred earlier in life and is now reactivated. Severe cases are more likely in individuals who have weak immune systems, though occasionally, even persons with healthy immune systems may experience eye damage from toxoplasmosis.

Signs and symptoms of ocular toxoplasmosis can include reduced vision, blurred vision, pain (often with bright light), redness of the eye, and sometimes tearing. Ophthalmologists sometimes prescribe medicine to treat active disease. Whether or not medication is recommended depends on the size of the eye lesion, the location, and the characteristics of the lesion (acute active, versus chronic not progressing). An ophthalmologist will provide the best care for ocular toxoplasmosis.

Most infants who are infected while still in the womb have no symptoms at birth, but they may develop symptoms later in life. A small percentage of infected newborns have serious eye or brain damage at birth.

Who is at risk for developing severe toxoplasmosis?

People who are most likely to develop severe toxoplasmosis include:

Infants born to mothers who are newly infected with Toxoplasma gondii during or just before pregnancy.

Persons with severely weakened immune systems, such as individuals with HIV/AIDS, those taking certain types of chemotherapy, and those who have recently received an organ transplant.

What should I do if I think I am at risk for severe toxoplasmosis?

If you are planning to become pregnant, your health care provider may test you for Toxoplasma gondii. If the test is positive it means you have already been infected sometime in your life. There usually is little need to worry about passing the infection to your baby. If the test is negative, take necessary precautions to avoid infection (See below).

If you are already pregnant, you and your health care provider should discuss your risk for toxoplasmosis. Your health care provider may order a blood sample for testing.

If you have a weakened immune system, ask your doctor about having your blood tested for Toxoplasma. If your test is positive, your doctor can tell you if and when you need to take medicine to prevent the infection from reactivating. If your test is negative, it means you have never been infected and you need to take precautions to avoid infection. (See below).

What should I do if I think I may have toxoplasmosis?

 If you suspect that you may have toxoplasmosis, talk to your health care provider. Your provider may order one or more varieties of blood tests specific for toxoplasmosis. The results from the different tests can help your provider determine if you have a Toxoplasma gondii infection and whether it is a recent (acute) infection.

What is the treatment for toxoplasmosis?

Once a diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is confirmed, you and your health care provider can discuss whether treatment is necessary. In an otherwise healthy person who is not pregnant, treatment usually is not needed. If symptoms occur, they typically go away within a few weeks to months. For pregnant women or persons who have weakened immune systems, medications are available to treat toxoplasmosis.

How can I prevent toxoplasmosis?

There are several general sanitation and food safety steps you can take to reduce your chances of becoming infected with Toxoplasma gondii.

Cook food to safe temperatures. A food thermometer should be used to measure the internal temperature of cooked meat. Do not sample meat until it is cooked. USDA recommends the following for meat preparation.

For Whole Cuts of Meat (excluding poultry)

Cook to at least 145° F (63° C) as measured with a food thermometer placed in the thickest part of the meat, then allow the meat to rest* for three minutes before carving or consuming.

For Ground Meat (excluding poultry)

Cook to at least 160° F (71° C); ground meats do not require a rest* time.

For All Poultry (whole cuts and ground)

Cook to at least 165° F (74° C), and for whole poultry allow the meat to rest* for three minutes before carving or consuming.

*According to USDA, "A 'rest time' is the amount of time the product remains at the final temperature, after it has been removed from a grill, oven, or other heat source. During the three minutes after meat is removed from the heat source, its temperature remains constant or continues to rise, which destroys pathogens."

 Safe Food Handling

Freeze meat for several days at sub-zero (0° F) temperatures before cooking to greatly reduce chance of infection.

Peel or wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating.

Wash cutting boards, dishes, counters, utensils, and hands with hot soapy water after contact with raw meat, poultry, seafood, or unwashed fruits or vegetables.

Wear gloves when gardening and during any contact with soil or sand because it might be contaminated with cat feces that contain Toxoplasma. Wash hands with soap and warm water after gardening or contact with soil or sand.

Teach children the importance of washing hands to prevent infection.

If I am at risk, can I keep my cat?

Yes, you may keep your cat if you are a person at risk for a severe infection (e.g., you have a weakened immune system or are pregnant); however, there are several safety precautions to avoid being exposed to Toxoplasma gondii :

Ensure the cat litter box is changed daily. The Toxoplasma parasite does not become infectious until 1 to 5 days after it is shed in a cat's feces.

If you are pregnant or immunocompromised:

Avoid changing cat litter if possible. If no one else can perform the task, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands with soap and warm water afterwards.

Keep cats indoors.

Do not adopt or handle stray cats, especially kittens. Do not get a new cat while you are pregnant.

Feed cats only canned or dried commercial food or well-cooked table food, not raw or undercooked meats.

Keep your outdoor sandboxes covered.

Your veterinarian can answer any other questions you may have regarding your cat and risk for toxoplasmosis.

Once infected with Toxoplasma is my cat always able to spread the infection to me?

No, cats only spread Toxoplasma in their feces for a few weeks following infection with the parasite. Like humans, cats rarely have symptoms when first infected, so most people do not know if their cat has been infected. The infection will go away on its own; therefore it does not help to have your cat or your cat's feces tested for Toxoplasma.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE CONDOM

Religious people have come out boldly to take their stand, scientists too are not ready to shift their ground… and in all these, aside from just slipping on the condom and using it and probably liking the odor ( yea, I hear some condoms these days have flavors), have you even taken 2 minutes to read something about it before? …ok , lets be real, aside from knowing that condom is used during sex to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Seriously ... What else do you know about the condom?... Considering you use it almost everyday ( ha-ha, did I just say that?) … sorry, no one is here but it’s the truth, but hey, lets just sit and go through this little article together

Condoms have become household names; by that I mean anyone can simply get into a supermarket and buy a condom. It was increasingly alarming to find out that 47.8% of high school students (9^th -12^th grade) as at 2007 were engaged in sex and about 7.1% of them before the age of 13. Why? Well, anyone can easily buy a condom or better still, steal one. And I should not forget that during the 2010 world cup in SA, over 30,000 ‘Rape-Axe condoms’ (female condoms with teeth developed to prevent rape, designed by Dr. Ehlers) were handed over for free ( to read more about it, http://feministtruths.blogspot.com/2009/05/truth-about-teenagers-and-oral-sex.html)

The earliest known illustration of a man using a condom during sexual intercourse is painted on the wall of a cave in France. It is 12,000-15,000 years old (Parisot, 1987).  According to Planned parenthood federation of America and CDC( center for disease control) ; the condom is advocated for active sexual people as it prevents STIs and unwanted pregnancy ( almost anyone knows and believes that) but more research needs to be conducted to more firmly establish condom efficacy (NIAID et al., 2001).  To read the report, http://www.plannedparenthood.org/files/PPFA/truth_condoms_07-05.pdf 

BUT MY QUESTION ABOUT The Condom—Do They Make Sex Safer

The Condom: For years you've heard people say, "Use a condom every time you have sex." You may think that condoms make sex safe, but research shows that's not the case. Condoms used to prevent pregnancy fail in about 14% of couples during the first year of use. Even if used always, condoms just reduce your risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI); they don't eliminate it.

The truth is, even if you use a condom every time you have sex, you're still at risk for both pregnancy and STIs. How serious is your risk? Keep reading.

Each year, there are about 19 million new infections; half of these are in people under 25. Many of these STIs have no cure. Untreated STIs can cause infertility, cancer and even death.

Oral Sex & Condoms: To date, there is no evidence that consistent use of condoms during oral sex reduces your chance of getting most STIs, including HIV. While one study shows decreased risk of gonorrhea with consistent condom use during oral sex, another shows increased risk of HIV.

Anal Sex & Condoms: To date, there is no evidence that consistent condom use reduces your chance of getting most STIs during anal sex. However, there is some evidence that consistent use of condoms for anal sex may cut your chance of getting HIV by up to half.

HPV (Human Papillomavirus): If you use condoms every time you have vaginal sex, you can cut your chance of getting HPV by up to half. HPV is a very common STI in the US. About half of all sexually active 18- to 22-year-old women are infected with it. Most people with HPV have no symptoms. If present, symptoms include genital warts. HPV can cause cervical, penile or anal cancer. In women, cervical cancer causes about the same number of deaths as HIV/AIDS every year.

Genital Herpes: If you use condoms every time you have vaginal sex, you can cut your chance of getting genital herpes in half. Genital herpes infects 1 out of 6 teens and adults. Once you're infected, you have it for life. If you don't stay on medication, sores can keep coming back. Even if you have no symptoms, you can still spread the infection to others. People with herpes are also at greater risk for becoming infected with HIV.

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: If you use condoms every time you have vaginal sex, you can cut your chance of getting chlamydia or gonorrhea in half. Chlamydia is the most commonly reported STI. Most people with chlamydia or gonorrhea have no symptoms. Even without symptoms you can pass on these infections. If left untreated, both chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause long-term pelvic pain and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID may interfere with your ability to get or stay pregnant.

HIV/AIDS: If you use condoms every time you have vaginal sex, you can cut your chance of getting HIV by 85%. That might sound pretty good, but that still leaves you at risk for infection. Every year, 40,000 Americans get an HIV infection. HIV/AIDS has killed nearly half a million Americans and the number is growing.

Do People Use Condoms All the Time? Only about two-thirds of sexually active 15- to 19-year-old males report having used condoms at their last sexual contact. And, as males get older, fewer use condoms every time they have sex. Even among couples where one partner has HIV, less than half use condoms every time they have sex. And not everyone who uses condoms uses them correctly. And, even if they are used correctly, they sometimes break or slip off.

MY OPINION?... It is widely agreed that as a form of birth control, condoms have a failure rate of about 15% – 14% according to this website. That means they are 86% successful, which sounds good, but when one considers both what is at risk, and other factors, it is not so successful at all.

 Imagine this scenario, you're boarding a jumbo jet for the first time and are not unnaturally a little nervous. “Is a plane this big really safe?” you ask the stewardess. 

 She smiles sweetly as she replies, “Of course, madam, 86% of our planes never crash.”

 Would you still feel a little nervous? Now apply this to sexually transmitted diseases; obviously if condoms are only 86% efficient as a means of birth control they will be no more efficient, probably less, at preventing the transmission of STD. 

 Finally, do a little thought experiment. You are at a party and you meet the woman (or man) of your dreams. You leave arm in arm with this gorgeous creature, you're just about to ask your place or mine? when you heard the strange  words: “I should warn you I have HIV/syphilis --- (fill in the blank) but don't worry, we can use a condom. Will you still be in the mood?

The other thing about condoms is that they lull people into a false sense of security; the same thing happens with road safety. Campaigners had been telling us for years that it is far more dangerous to ride a motorcycle without a crash helmet than with one. Many people swallowed this (well-meaning) propaganda, including the government of the day, and in Britain it has been illegal to ride a motorcycle without a crash helmet since 1973. One young lady thought this law was a  good idea; I came off my bike ( okada . Lol) at 40 mph, she said, and if I hadn't been wearing my helmet, I wouldn't be here now. No, dummy, if you hadn't been wearing a helmet, you wouldn't have been riding so fast. The point is that the false perception of safety changes people's behavior. A bit of how's your father with a floozies may not be quite as exhilarating as a literal bike ride, but every time you have sex using a condom that is another 14% chance of failure.

The Bottom Line: Condoms don't make sex safe, just less risky. Although condoms can reduce your risk for some STIs, they don't eliminate it. You can still get an STI or get pregnant.

To completely reduce your risk for some STIs, you should avoid sexual activity (oral, vaginal or anal sex) until you are faithful to one partner. If you've already had sex, see a doctor about getting checked for STIs.

Waiting to have sex until you are in a faithful, lifelong relationship (such as marriage) is the only certain way to avoid being infected sexually.

that's my opinion.. what is yours 

HAVE YOU HAD AN UNPROTECTED SEX BEFORE?.DO YOU FEEL ITCHY?...WHY THESE QUESTIONS?..SIMPLE..GENITAL WARTS IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY POPULAR AND IS IT EASILY DIAGNOSED.I THINK YOU SHOULD READ THIS FOR MORE INFO

HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS (HPV)

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

It is also known as ‘genital warts” . It is one of the most common STD’s that affects men and women.

So why worry about HPV?

•          There are over 100 different types of the HPV virus - most types are totally harmless.

•          Over 30 types of the HPV virus are sexually transmitted and affect the area between the genitals and the anus.

•          Some types are considered “low risk” and can cause warts on the anus, vagina, vulva, penis and thighs.

•          Other types are considered “high risk” and can cause pre-cancerous lesions and can lead to cancer of the cervix, anus and other genital areas.

Genital HPV Infection

Its peak is prevalence between ages of 22 and 25.The rates decreases with increasing age

·         20-25% to 45% cumulative in ages 20-25

·         5% of women HPV + ages 30 and older

How is HPV transmitted?

It can be easily transmitted during oral, vaginal and anal sex. HPV lives and multiplies in living cells. It call all be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact.

HPV Transmission- How do you get HPV?

•          Anyone who has ever had a sexual encounter, even without penetration, can contract HPV.

•          Most common transmission is by skin-to-skin contact with the penis, scrotum, vagina, vulva, or anus of an infected person.

•          Kissing or touching a partner’s genitals with the mouth can also transmit the HPV virus.

Small tears (micro trauma) of genital mucosa during intercourse may facilitate HPV transmission. It can be found in semen. It can be spread from one genital area to another by ‘’viral seeding’’. Condoms are said to reduce risk, but do not totally prevent transmission.

Why is HPV so prevalent?

There are 2 main reasons

·         More sexual partners

·         Less condom use

How do you know you have HPV?

•          There are no tests to detect the HPV virus.

•          Most people who contract HPV will never know they have it.

•          Having HPV does not mean you have a disease – most people don’t have any signs or symptoms.

•          Some low risk types cause genital and anal warts.

•          In rare instances, the virus persists, especially the high risk types of the HPV virus that can develop pre-cancerous lesions and cancer.

What are genital warts?

Genital warts are unsightly cauliflower-like growths.In women, genital warts can appear on the vulva, urethra, cervix, vagina, anus or thighs.In men, warts can appear on the penis, scrotum, anus or thighs.Genital and anal warts are very contagious and are spread during oral, vaginal or anal sex with an infected partner.

What if you have genital or anal warts?

Genital and anal warts sometimes disappear without treatment. Sometimes genital warts last for years. There are many treatments that can be done at home or in your doctor’s office. On average it takes about 8 months to get rid of warts. Genital and anal warts can sometimes come back.

High risk types of the HPV virus are linked to cervical cancer as well as cancers of the penis, of the anus and other genital cancers.

In women, pre-cancerous cells can be detected in the cervix by a Pap test.

It is unlikely that a young girl will be diagnosed with cervical cancer as it takes many years for a cancer to develop.

What is a Pap test ?

•          A Pap test is an examination of a woman’s internal genital organs.

•          It is the only way to detect abnormal cells in the cervix that could potentially develop into cancer later in life.

•          A girl should have her first Pap test within 3 years of becoming sexually active.

Common Symptoms of Genital

Ø  Warts in Males & Females

Ø  The symptoms may include single or multiple fleshy growths around the penis, scrotum,groin, vulva,vagina, anus, and/or urethra

Ø  They may also include: itching, bleeding, or burning, and pain

Ø  The symptoms may recur from time to time

Complications of Genital Warts(if untreated)

It may destroy body tissue around thegenitals and anus

For pregnant women:Delivery complications or need for C-section

Juvenile Onset Recurrent Respiratory,Papillomatosis (JO-RRP)

Can you prevent HPV?

1. Absolutely no skin-to-skin sexual contact.
2. One sexual / intimate partner forever.
3. The more sexual partners, the higher the chance of contracting HPV.
4. Using condoms is excellent protection against STI, but does not cover all the skin.
5. Pap testing will detect abnormal cells.
6. Vaccination is now available to prevent certain low risk types that cause genital warts certain high risk types that cause cancer.

BY : OPEOLUWA ADETOLA

STAMMERING OR STUTTERING

Stammering or stuttering.. hmm. It is a condition with many superstitions surrounding it ... Did you know that in Bible days in the city of Corinth, everyone wanted to speak in tongues because they thought someone who stammers is the mouth piece of the gods before Apostle Paul corrected them.. And in some places in Africa, it is believed that if you make jest of someone who stammer, you will begin to stammer ( and in actual sense, it appears so) . So what really is stammering!

Stammering, or stuttering, is a relatively common speech problem that occurs in childhood and can persist into adulthood. Stammering is "characterized” by stoppages and disruptions in fluency which interrupts the smooth flow and timing of speech. There may also be unusual facial and body movements associated with the effort to speak…People who stammer may avoid certain words or situations which they know will cause them difficulty.

Some people avoid and substitute words to such an extent that people in their lives may not realize they have a stammer. This is known as "covert stammering". People who stutter often find that stress and fatigue make it harder for them to talk flowingly, as well as situations in which they become self-conscious about speaking, such as public speaking or teaching. Most people who stutter find that their problem eases if they are relaxed. We all have the capacity to stutter if pushed far enough. This may happen during a very stressful interrogation in a police station, talking to emergency services on the telephone, or trying to respond to a particularly agile and aggressive lawyer while on the witness stand in court. 

According to the Stuttering Foundation of America, there are many factors that could lead to stammering.

Genetics is said to be a major contributor to this condition Approximately 60% of those who stutter have a family member who does also.

Child development is also another factor as children with speech and language problems or developmental delays are more likely to stammer.

Most stammerers are known to be short-tempered, because they are aware of their condition and feel that people do not bother to fully listen to them. In the process of stammering, what the person is trying to say may be lost on the listener and invariably, the listener may conclude or complete sentences for the person in ways that may be contrary to what he/she intended. This makes the stammerer angry due to bottled up anger or frustration, as they are not able to freely express themselves.

The cause of stammering, which eluded scientists for decades, has been found to be an abnormality in the left half of the brain. The condition affects one in 100 adults and can lead to frustration and embarrassment for sufferers.

Ms. Pauline Orji, a psychologist says, “Even though stammering sometimes can be hereditary, it is not so in all cases. For instance, if a father or mother stammers, it could be transferred to the child from the mother during pregnancy. This goes straight to the baby’s subconscious and it develops it. In this case it is hereditary.”

She further explains that there is a particular part of the brain that controls speech. A human being born 100 per cent normal has three levels of the mind. One of these - Id - is responsible for stammering. The Id is the set of uncoordinated instinctual trends.

It is responsible for stammering when you are aware of certain things but can’t do them, due to a complex.

The major cause of stammering is fear, she states. Being ashamed or not being composed can also be responsible, she says.

Stammering could have negative effects on the sufferer, says Orji. “There is the tendency for sufferers to become violent, because they can’t air their views. They end up developing immoral urges because they can’t speak out. When you voice things out, the part of the brain that controls that activity is empty but when you can’t speak out or say what you want to say, that part of the brain is filled. When this happens, sufferers develop immoral urges which make them think of bad things resulting in unacceptable behaviour,” she adds.

What are the risk factors?

·                          Family history - approximately half of all children who have a stutter that persists beyond the developmental stage of language have a close family member who stutters. If a young child has a stutter and also a close family member who stutters, his/her chances of that stutter continuing are much greater.

·                          Age when stutter starts - a child who starts stuttering before 3.5 years of age is less likely to be stuttering later on in life. The earlier the stuttering starts the less likely it is to continue long-term.

·                          Time since stuttering started - about three-quarters of all young children who stutter will stop doing so with one or two years without speech therapy.

·                          Sex of the person - long-term stuttering is four times more common among boys than girls.

How to behave when you are talking with somebody who stutters

People who are not used to talking to somebody with a stutter may be unsure about how to respond. This can make the listener to look away whenever the stutterer stutters, or try to help out by completing his/her missing words or phrases - or simply to try to avoid people who stutter altogether. 

It is important to remember that a person who stutters is interested in communicating just like everybody else, and would like to be treated just like any other person. Focus should be on the theme of the speaker, the information he/she is conveying, rather than how it is coming across. 


Telling the stutterer to relax, or to take a deep breath, may have helpful intentions, but could stress the stutterer more (it may help some, though). Stuttering is not simple to overcome, and cannot usually be easily sorted out with a few deep breaths. 

If you are really not sure how to behave, and you are talking to a person who stutters and nobody else is around, it may be helpful to ask them what would be the most best way to respond to his/her stuttering. 

Famous people who stammered

Stammering does not reflect a person's intelligence or personality. Here is a list of famous people who stammer/stammered:

·                            Aesop - Greek storyteller

·                            Alan Turing - Computer science founder

·                            Aneurin Bevan - Labour Party MP and Minister

·                            Anthony Quinn - Actor (Zorba the Greek)

·                            Aristotle - Philosopher

·                            Arnold Bennett - British writer/journalist

·                            Bruce Oldfield - British fashion designer

·                            Carly Simon - Singer (You're so vain)

·                            Charles Darwin - Scientist/Naturalist

·                            Claudius Cesar - Roman Emperor.

·                            Demosthenes - Greek orator

·                            Sir Jonathan Miller - British theatre/opera director

·                            Elizabeth Bowen - Author

·                            Erasmus Darwin - Scientist/Doctor, grandfather of Charles Darwin

·                            Field Marshall Lord Carver - British military leader/author

·                            Gareth Gates - English pop star

·                            George Washington - American President

·                            Harvey Keitel - Actor (Life on Mars)

·                            Isaac Newton - Scientist

·                            Jack Harold Paar - US comedian & TV host

·                            James Stewart - Actor (It's a wonderful life)

·                            John Montague - Poet/Author

·                            Joseph Priestley - Scientist (discovered oxygen)

·                            Kenneth Tynan - British theatre critic, writer

·                            Kim Philby - British double agent for the Soviets

·                            King Charles I - England 1625-1649

·                            King George VI - UK 1937-1952

·                            Lenin - Russian revolutionary

·                            Lewis Carroll - Author (Alice in Wonderland)

·                            Louis II the Stammerer, King of France, 877-879

·                            Marion Davies - Famous silent-movie actress

·                            Michael Bentine - British comedian, script-writer and TV star

·                            Michael Ramsey - Archbishop of Canterbury 1961-1974

·                            Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra - Author

·                            Nevil Shute (1900-1960) - Author

·                            Philip Larkin - Poet, author, critic

·                            Raymond Massey - Actor (High treason)

·                            Richard Condon - Author

·                            Robert Boyle (1627-1691) - Scientist

·                            Robert Heinlein - Author

·                            Rowan Atkinson - Actor (Mr. Bean)

·                            Sam Neill - Actor (Jurassic Park)

·                            Samuel L. Jackson - (Pulp Fiction)

·                            Somerset Maugham - Author

·                            Theodore Roosevelt - American President

·                            Thomas Becket - Archbishop of Canterbury 1162-1170

·                            Thomas Jefferson - American President

·                            Walter H. Annenberg - Publisher, diplomat, philanthropist

·                            John Updike - Author

·                            Bill Withers - Singer, songwriter (Ain't no sunshine)