The Many Faces Of Herpes - Zimbio

By filcan on

Genital herpes is not the only kind of herpes that exist today. There are other forms like cold sores and these can be painful and embarrassing as well not to mention the fact that they are a harder form of herpes to hide. Did you know that there are over 80 different forms of the herpes virus? It is a good thing that only 8 of them affect humans. The most common forms of herpes can affect both the mouth and genital areas, they do not stick to one localized area.

Genital herpes is the most well known form of herpes and it affects millions of Americans today and each and every year at least 1 million more herpes cases are reported. You can get this type of herpes through any sort of skin to skin touching and it is something that both men and women can get. The symptoms of genital herpes are rashes, bumps or even blisters. When you are having a genital herpes outbreak you are much more contagious than when you are not although herpes can still be spread when there are no symptoms felt or seen.

You can also catch herpes through oral to genital contact, not just genital to genital. Herpes is a virus and just like a cold it can be easily spread from one person to another. Some of those who get herpes cold sores only get these painful blisters once while others get them throughout their entire lives. If you have ever had a cold sore then you have herpes and you always will, there is nothing that can be done to get rid of this herpes virus.

You can get herpes through any sort of contact and sexual contact is the most common way to transfer this virus. Any kind of sexual contact including genital, oral and even anal sexual contact will put you at risk.

For additional details on government auctions there is plenty of points not outlined in this post, go to Author’s blog to discover further details.

View the original article here

Healing Herpes With Self-love - Zimbio

When I was a boy we lived in the Ghettoes of Toronto, Canada. We had just immigrated from Trinidad and Tobago. My mother struggled to raise four of us on a waitress’ salary. There was chaos and self-destruction all around us. Many of my playmates are no longer among the living. But none of this touched us- we were living a different life. My mother was a church-lady. She was strong and resilient and strict. All of us grew up in the church. The church kept us insulated from most of the horrors of poverty.

The church still has it’s influence on me. I feel it and walk it everyday and I am happy for it. I learned about love in the church. Not the love you see on TV and in the movies- a bigger love, a deeper love. That’s the one sermon from our Jamaican female pastor that I remember the most. When I was 13 she spoke about love. Jesus was all about love, he was love, he is love.

Bryan Ferry from Roxy music sings “Love is the drug that I need to score”. I disagree, I don’t believe that love is a drug- an intoxicant. That sounds more like infatuation to me. I believe that love is a medicine. The Medicine. For those of us in the sixty percent or more of the population with the herpes simplex virus Love is the most powerful healing tool.

Sarah Mclachlan who went to my alma mater-The Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, sings “Your love is better than ice cream, better than anything I’ve ever had”. I would sing instead that “My love is better than valtrex, better than famvir or anything I’ve ever had”.

Don Miguel Ruiz writes that “healing requires the truth, forgiveness and self-love. With these three points the whole world will heal”. I will write about all three in this brief piece.

First the truth. Sixty percent or more of the population has herpes. It’s not the 20 or 25% figure thrown out by many who wish to downplay the true impact of the herpes pandemic. In a way it’s a cynical attempt to divide the herpes nation between those who get sores on their mouth and face from those who get sores on their genitals. It provides a flimsy excuse for people with cold sores to pretend it’s not herpes, to not get treatment and not to try and prevent others from being infected. Herpes is herpes- it’s one of the few things scientists and us in the holistic healing community agree on. Figures very widely but it cannot be disputed that between 50 and 80% of the population has herpes simplex 1 and between 20 and 25% of the population has herpes simplex 2, so if you factor in the number of people who have both types, the minimum number of people who have herpes simplex has to be at least 60% and is likely more. This is important because the message needs to get out to people with herpes that they are not part of some marginalized minority. If you have herpes you are part of a herpes nation that is a majority of the population. It is common and normal to have herpes. It is becoming uncommon not to have herpes. It is long past time for people with herpes to come out of the closet and speak up about herpes to help educate the people who don’t have herpes and to put a human face on this disease. The stigma only exists because of the shame people with herpes have agreed to carry. There is no need for this, no reason for this. Shame is not a product of love.

It makes no sense to me to be ashamed of getting a virus from an act of lovemaking or kissing rather than getting a disease from self-abuse or catching an air-borne virus from riding on a subway train. Some people do not love sex and therefore wish to denigrate anything that has to do with sex especially sexually transmitted infections. I learned a long time ago in church that true love is accepting and forgiving and inclusive. People with herpes are not lepers and need not allow themselves to be treated like lepers.

The truth is also that there is no cure for herpes and one isn’t likely in our lifetime. So herpes is a lifelong viral infection. The truth is that most people who have herpes don’t know it because they have never had a type-specific blood test for herpes either out of fear or lack of awareness. (Herpes tests are not normally part of a STI screening panel, so unless you demand one you may never get one) The truth is that people with herpes can be contagious even when there are no warning signs of the virus being active so safer sex is something that ought to be considered. The truth is that a person with herpes who does not make peace with the emotional and mental consequences of having herpes will not be able to manage their herpes as effectively as someone who does regardless of how much valtrex or famvir they take.

Forgiveness. Some people with herpes are still angry and resentful with the person who infected them. I can understand this because I hear so many stories. So many people are infected by people who didn’t warn them of their herpes status. Many people are infected by unfaithful partners. Some have been raped.

It’s natural to be angry and bitter when given a life-sentence like herpes. It took me a long time to let go of my negative feelings about my own infection. Everyone is living their own distinct experience with herpes. But I say most sincerely that sooner or later and I hope that it’s sooner, there must come a time to forgive and let go if you want to be healthy with herpes. Hanging on to the negative feelings not only damages you physically and otherwise often causing more outbreaks, but it binds you to the past, which you will never free yourself from until you forgive.

Forgive the person who gave you herpes if you can. And if you cannot, keep trying until you can. But more importantly forgive yourself. I treat so many people in my holistic herpes clinic who are continually punishing themselves for having herpes. They are angry at themselves thinking that they could have been smarter-full of regret and self recriminations. This is not love. Love forgives, love understands.

Be good to yourself, be gentle and loving and patient as if you were your own child. Forgive yourself and reclaim your self-esteem and self-love.

Do you love yourself? Do you really? If you have herpes and love yourself how would you act? Would you be ashamed of your herpes? Would you stop dating and deny yourself love and sex just because you have herpes? Would you be sitting in a vortex of anger and resentment towards the virus? Or would you life be all about love and peace and balance?

If you loved yourself- how would you eat? Would you smoke cigarettes and take recreational drugs, would you drink coffee knowing that it’s a trigger for your herpes and bad for your health all the way around?

If you loved yourself and loved others would you practice safer sex with a condom and/or anti-viral gel to help protect your loved one/s from your herpes, would you practice safer sex to protect yourself from other sexually transmitted infections? Would you perhaps be motivated to speak out and try to educate others on how to deal with herpes if they have it or how to protect themselves from herpes if they don’t, especially the young people who are just starting to explore their sexuality? If you loved yourself would you be afraid to warn your sex partners about your herpes status? The bible says that “true love casteth out all fear”.

You were born with the right to be happy and to enjoy your life and your health to the fullest, having herpes changes none of this.

There is more content available on fitnes there is plenty of points not outlined in this post, vist Author’s site to discover more.

View the original article here

Follow-up file: Researcher’s herpes vaccine work meets resistance - State Journal-Register

A Springfield researcher’s development of a vaccine to protect against genital herpes, one of the world’s most common sexually transmitted diseases, has received a skeptical reception from the international scientific community so far, but the researcher is neither surprised nor discouraged.

“Science moves kind of like a glacier down a mountain,” said William Halford, associate professor of medical microbiology, immunology and cell biology at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. “As far as scientists are concerned, there’s nothing unusual about the rate at which this work has progressed.”

Background

Halford, 43, published the results of his latest discoveries in the August 2010 and March 2011 issues of the scientific journal PLoS ONE. In experiments with mice, he demonstrated almost total protection against herpes with a vaccine involving a live but weakened form of the herpes virus.

Even though other vaccines using live viruses have been popular and effective in protecting against diseases such as chicken pox, polio, measles, mumps and rubella, Halford faces an ideological battle with current scientific philosophy and regulatory agencies before his vaccine can be tested in humans.

That’s because Halford said genetic-engineering techniques available since the 1970s have led to a pervasive view that creating new vaccines with live viruses would be too risky for patients compared with other vaccine-development options.

In Halford’s March paper, he pointed out the recent failure in clinical trials of a genital-herpes vaccine made by GlaxoSmithKline using pieces of protein from a virus — trials that cost the federal government $27.6 million between 2003 and 2009.

“If what you’re saying is that this approach, at the end of the day, really isn’t that good, the people who get money out of that approach for their research are usually not thrilled with you,” he said. “When you’re going against the grain, there’s no clear, well-defined path of how to go against the grain.”

Halford said it will take time to change the minds of scientists who are skeptical of his approach. That skepticism, he said, will influence whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration eventually allows clinical trials in humans with a weakened live virus.

Halford said his research in mice shows results 100 times better than the GlaxoSmithKline vaccine and much safer than even the polio or chicken pox or MMR vaccines, all of which can be encouraging for non-scientists. But he cautioned that clinical trials for humans are at least 10 years away.

About 1 billion people are carriers of genital herpes worldwide, and 20 million people are infected every year, which means young people have a one in 10 chance of acquiring incurable herpes before they marry.

What’s next

Halford said he is conducting more research at SIU to probe why his vaccine works so well. That data, over time, could lead to acceptance by influential scientists, he said.

“In science, you never change a prevailing belief system with one or two papers,” he said. “It just doesn’t work that way. What you do is you keep publishing on it. As far as scientists are concerned, there’s nothing unusual about the rate with which this work has progressed.”

Dr. Anna Wald, a herpes-vaccine researcher at the University of Washington in Seattle who is not associated with Halford, said it is “great” that Halford is working toward an effective vaccine. But she said good results in mouse research don’t necessarily transfer to clinical trials in humans.

Wald, who helped conduct research connected with the failed GlaxoSmithKline vaccine, also said there are important differences between herpes and viruses that cause diseases for which there are live-virus vaccines.

And she said safety-related concerns — that a weakened virus in a new vaccine could cause debilitating infections in patients — are real.

“Once you give someone a live-virus vaccine, you can’t take it back,” she said.

She didn’t deny, however, that Halford may be onto something with his research.

“He might be right, but I think a lot more work needs to be done before this really turns out to be quite as good as it seems,” Wald said.

Dean Olsen can be reached at 788-1543.

View the original article here

Gene May Be Linked to Frequent Cold Sores - WebMD

Study Suggests Some People May Have a Genetic Predisposition to Repeated Cold Sores

Nov. 18, 2011 -- Most of us have had an occasional cold sore, but some people get the painful, unsightly sores over and over again. These cold sores, which tend to appear on or around the lips, are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).

Exactly why they occur more frequently in some people was not known, but now new research suggests some of us may have a genetic predisposition to frequent, severe cold sores.

The study is published in the Journal of Infectious Disease.

If the new findings are validated in other groups of people and researchers can zero in on exactly how a gene increases cold sore risk, new treatments won't be far behind, says study researcher John D. Kriesel, MD. He is an infectious disease specialist at the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City.

Kriesel and colleagues narrowed down their search to one specific gene called C21orf91, which the researchers also call the cold sore susceptibility gene 1.

But "genes only account for 21% of susceptibility to cold sores, the rest of the risk is environmental," Kriesel says. Outbreak triggers may include sun, wind, trauma, or stress.

As of now, many people who get frequent cold sores are treated with antiviral medication that targets HSV-1. These can be taken to prevent an outbreak or to shorten an existing one. Oral antiviral medications include acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), and valacyclovir (Valtrex).

"This research may help us predict who is vulnerable to getting cold sores frequently. And the hope is that it will lead directly to new therapies," says infectious disease specialist Bruce Hirsch, MD.

"Anywhere from 50% to 100% of us have this virus and only a third get cold sores frequently. That is intriguing," he says. Hirsch is an attending physician at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y.

"If we can identify a gene that can be modulated, it could go a long way to help these folks," says Richard J. Whitley, MD. He is a professor of pediatrics, microbiology, medicine, and neurosurgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Until new drugs are available, a little prevention goes a long way for people at risk of cold sores, he says.

"If you are out in the sun, put zinc oxide on the border where your lip and the skin of your face meet," Whitley says. Cold sores often develop along this area, which is called the vermilion border.

Dermatologist Michele Green, MD, looks forward to the day when there are new treatments she can offer people with frequent, severe cold sores. She works at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, and sees quite a few people who fit this bill.

"It can be really debilitating," she says. "Avoiding triggers such as sun and wind can also help prevent an outbreak."

View the original article here

Meditation: For Stress and Herpes Outbreak Free Life - Zimbio

Stress plays a vital role in the recurrence of herpes virus. Base on studies, people who always experience continuous stress are more prone to getting some infectious diseases. Stress can be a great factor when it comes to our body and mind reaction to some illnesses. Some viral types of health problems, including herpes, have been observed to be influenced by stress. Stress comes in many forms – drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, poor diet, over work, lack of sleep, too much worry and anxiety.

Researchers say that our body’s immune system becomes weakened during period of stress. Types of stress usually associated with herpes deals with negative emotions such as guilt, hurt, worry and anxiety — especially in regard to genital herpes. Others include internal conflict, relationship conflict, lack of self love, low self esteem and poor self concept and lack of personal power.

Since herpes can be triggered by stress, learning to deal with life in a more relaxed manner would be a good way to start; and one way of doing this is through meditation.

Meditation has been proven to be effective in reducing stress. It lessens anxiety, can be effective for weight loss, boosting the immune system, and dealing with negative emotions through the act of remaining silent and calm for a period of time. While stress gives us the feeling of uneasiness and so much apprehension, meditation does the opposite; by being calm, you are helping your body to repair itself, and prevent it from acquiring new other infections due to the physical effects of stress.

Benefits of Meditation:

1. Heart rate and breathing slows down

2. Blood pressure normalizes

3. Mind ages at a slower rate

4. Your immune function improves

5. It reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety

6. It enhance immunity to illness

How Meditation Works

Meditation involves sitting in a relaxed position and clearing your mind. It’s necessary to have at least 5 to 20 distraction-free minutes to spend. You must have silence and privacy.

Different Types of Meditation

· Mantra Meditation – done by uttering words or group of words capable of creating transformation

· Aromatherapy Meditation – the meditation itself can calm and relax you, and aromatherapy brings a whole new set of benefits for you and anyone else in the room.

· Music Meditation – music can be very calming, and can deepen the experience of meditations

· Walking Meditation - this meditation combines mild exercise with meditation

· Mindfulness Exercise - mindfulness is one of those meditations that can be done anywhere.

Meditation is an effective way to eliminate stress from your life. Keeping your mind uncluttered from all of the distractions of life, you’re on the road to having and maintaining a peaceful life; free of stress and diseases such as the herpes virus.

By: Irene N Fabrigas

About the Author: If you are interested to know how suggestive meditation works as an alternative herpes treatment, check this solution to herpes program and discover its benefits.

View the original article here

South African scientists win first Obasanjo science prize

Gilbert Nakweya

23 November 2011 | EN

The husband-and-wife team won a prize for work on HIV/AIDS

CAPRISA

[NAIROBI] Two South African researchers have been awarded the inaugural Olusegun Obasanjo Prize for scientific discovery and technological innovation, for their work on HIV/AIDS and herpes prevention.

Salim S. Abdool Karim and Quarraisha Abdool Karim, a husband-and-wife research team from the University of Kwazulu-Natal, received the award earlier this month (10 November) for their work on the use of a vaginal microbicide gel containing tenofovir — the culmination of 17 years of research into microbicides. The gel was found to be 39 per cent effective in reducing HIV transmission, above the statistically significant result of 33 per cent.

They also found that it appeared to have a dual effect, protecting against herpes simplex virus-2.

The prizerewards African scientists who have made outstanding achievements in scientific discovery or technological innovation. It is named after former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, who attended the ceremony at the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) in Nairobi, Kenya.

Salim Abdool Karim told SciDev.Net: "Quarraisha and I are humbled to be the recipients of the Obasanjo Prize. We see this as an award not for us but for the success of a superb collaboration between the Center for the Aids Programme of Research in South Africa; the University of KwaZulu-Natal,South Africa; Columbia University, United States;CONRAD; FHI 360 (formerly Family Health International); and Gilead Sciences.

"This award is an important milestone in my career as a scientist, and I am very thankful to the AAS for [it]," Karim added.

He said that women bear the brunt of the HIV epidemic in southern Africa and that tenofovir gel is the first prevention method to empower them directly to control the risk of HIV infection.

"I hope that this award will bring greater attention to the plight of the HIV epidemic for young women in Africa. We need greater efforts and greater resources to find ways to empower women to protect themselves against HIV infection in Africa," he said.

The prize comprises a certificate, a gold medal and US$5,000. Applicants' research should be in the fields of biotechnology, energy, information and communications technology or materials science.

Berhanu Abegaz, executive director of the AAS, said that the prize will help motivate scientific research in Africa; encourage young scientists to prioritise high-quality, relevant science and technology; and maybe help keep young scientists on the continent.

Shem O. Wandiga, managing trustee at the Centre for Science and Technology Innovations, in Kenya, said the prize will motivate many Africans to do quality work that improves the lives of their people.

"With time it may turn out to be the equivalent of a Nobel Prize for Africa," he said.

View the original article here

Research and Markets: Herpes Simplex Infections - Pipeline Review, H2 2011

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/ef6faa/herpes_simplex_inf) has announced the addition of Global Markets Direct's new report "Herpes Simplex Infections - Pipeline Review, H2 2011" to their offering.

“Herpes Simplex Infections - Pipeline Review, H2 2011”

'Herpes Simplex Infections - Pipeline Review, H2 2011', provides an overview of the Herpes Simplex Infections therapeutic pipeline. This report provides information on the therapeutic development for Herpes Simplex Infections, complete with latest updates, and special features on late-stage and discontinued projects. It also reviews key players involved in the therapeutic development for Herpes Simplex Infections. 'Herpes Simplex Infections - Pipeline Review, H2 2011' is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, Company/University websites, SEC filings, investor presentations and featured press releases from company/university sites and industry-specific third party sources

Scope

A snapshot of the global therapeutic scenario for Herpes Simplex Infections. A review of the Herpes Simplex Infections products under development by companies and universities/research institutes based on information derived from company and industry-specific sources. Coverage of products based on various stages of development ranging from discovery till registration stages. A feature on pipeline projects on the basis of monotherapy and combined therapeutics. Coverage of the Herpes Simplex Infections pipeline on the basis of route of administration and molecule type. Profiles of late-stage pipeline products featuring sections on product description, mechanism of action and research & development progress. Key discontinued pipeline projects. Latest news and deals relating to the products.

Reasons to buy

Identify and understand important and diverse types of therapeutics under development for Herpes Simplex Infections. Identify emerging players with potentially strong product portfolio and design effective counter-strategies to gain competitive advantage. Plan mergers and acquisitions effectively by identifying players with the most promising pipeline. Devise corrective measures for pipeline projects by understanding Herpes Simplex Infections pipeline depth and focus of Herpes Simplex Infections therapeutics. Develop and design in-licensing and out-licensing strategies by identifying prospective partners with the most attractive projects to enhance and expand business potential and scope.

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/ef6faa/herpes_simplex_inf

View the original article here

Dr. Paul Donohue: Genital herpes infection carries a lifelong impact

Last Updated: November 28. 2011 1:00AM

Dear Dr. Donohue: Please, sir, this is my second letter. Give me all the information possible about herpes. I am a carrier.

Dear D.N.: I take it you're interested in genital herpes — herpes simplex virus-2, HSV-2. The first encounter with the virus leads to an outbreak of tiny, painful blisters on red patches on the genital skin. Fever, headache, muscle pain and pain on urination often are also experienced with a first outbreak. Recurrent attacks are not as severe.

Fever, headache and muscle pain do not accompany subsequent outbreaks, but the skin signs are painful. The first year of infection is a year of more-frequent outbreaks. After that, they come less often. If a person is subject to many outbreaks, that person can suppress them by taking Zovirax, Famvir or Valtrex at the first inklings that an outbreak is about to take place.

For recurrence after recurrence, a person can go on daily doses of these medicines to keep outbreaks in check.

Once infected, a person stays infected for life. That person is a carrier.

Transmission is a huge problem. Even when a person has no signs of an outbreak, he or she can pass the virus to a partner. Therefore, all sexual partners should be told about the infection. Condoms, while not 100 percent protective, afford a major degree of safety. When a visible outbreak takes place, the infected person ought not to engage in sexual contact.

You are not alone. The herpes-2 virus infects up to 20 percent of the adult population of North America. Bad as it is, it is not the end of life or the end of a sex life.

Write to Dr. Donohue at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.

Subscribe to Detroit News home delivery and receive a SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER.

View the original article here

Facts about genital herpes

Dear Dr. Donohue — Give me all the information possible about herpes. I am a carrier. — D.N.

Answer — I take it you're interested in genital herpes — herpes simplex virus-2, HSV-2. The first encounter with the virus leads to an outbreak of tiny, painful blisters on red patches on the genital skin. Fever, headache, muscle pain and pain on urination often are also experienced with a first outbreak. Recurrent attacks are not as severe. Fever, headache and muscle pain do not accompany subsequent outbreaks, but the skin signs are painful. The first year of infection is a year of more-frequent outbreaks. After that, they come less often. If a person is subject to many outbreaks, that person can suppress them by taking Zovirax, Famvir or Valtrex at the first inklings that an outbreak is about to take place. For recurrence after recurrence, a person can go on daily doses of these medicines to keep outbreaks in check.

Once infected, a person stays infected for life. That person is a carrier.

Transmission is a huge problem. Even when a person has no signs of an outbreak, he or she can pass the virus to a partner. Therefore, all sexual partners should be told about the infection. Condoms, while not 100 percent protective, afford a major degree of safety. When a visible outbreak takes place, the infected person ought not to engage in sexual contact.

You are not alone. The herpes-2 virus infects up to 20 percent of the adult population of North America. Bad as it is, it is not the end of life or the end of a sex life.

Dear Dr. Donohue — Can hand sanitizer kill all harmful bacteria? Can the bacteria in probiotics kill off harmful bacteria? Can probiotics cure a strep throat? — D.D.

Answer — By "hand sanitizer," do you mean waterless hand cleaners? Most of them incorporate ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. They kill many bacteria, but not all harmful ones. Nothing short of sterilization does that.

Frequent hand-washing with soap and water for 20 seconds is an effective way of eliminating many germs, including cold and flu viruses. You don't have to use soap that has antibacterial agents in it. The water doesn't have to be hot; cool water is fine. Dry your hands with a paper, disposable towel and turn off the faucets in a public restroom with a paper towel. Probiotics are products that contain viable bacteria. The bacteria most often incorporated are Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. They restore a more normal bacterial population to the colon and lessen the multiplication of harmful bacteria. They even produce material that can possibly kill off some of the bad bacteria.

Probiotics do not cure a strep throat.

Write Dr. Donohue at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, Fla. 32853-6475.

View the original article here

Shingles Vaccine Doesn't Increase Short Term Shingles Risk In People Taking Biologics for Autoimmune and Inflammatory ...

Newswise — CHICAGO – The live attenuated shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine (Zostavax®) does not appear to increase the short-term risk of developing shingles infection in people taking biologics for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Chicago.

The shingles vaccine is approved in the United States for people over the age of 50 to reduce the risk of developing the infection. This infection is essentially a re-activation of the same virus that causes chickenpox, typically during childhood. The virus remains dormant (or sleeping) in the body from the time someone develops chickenpox and can manifest itself as a painful, blistering rash in later adulthood. It can also have more serious complications that threaten vision and internal organs. For some patients, due to nerve damage, the pain remains persistent at the site of the rash for months or years – long after the rash has resolved. Shingles affects about one in 50 older people with autoimmune diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis and lupus) each year.

“The vaccine has been shown to be very effective to reduce the risk for shingles infection in older adults and is currently recommended for all older patients who are not receiving immunosuppressive medications, explains the study’s lead investigator, Jeffrey Curtis, MD, MPH; assistant professor, Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham. “The concern for people who are taking immunosuppressive medications, such as patients with rheumatoid arthritis taking anti-TNF therapies [e.g. Enbrel®, Humira®, Remicade®, Cimzia®, Simponi®] is that since the vaccine contains a weakened version of the live virus, it could allow the virus to reactivate and cause a short-term increase in the risk for shingles infection – within six weeks of vaccination. Beyond that initial time period, the vaccine would likely decrease the risk for shingles infection by helping the body form natural protective antibodies to prevent the infection.”

Using data from the U.S. Medicare program in 2006 to 2009, Dr. Curtis’ team identified 6,793 patients with autoimmune diseases who were over the age of 60 and who received the live zoster vaccine. The majority were Caucasian women with an average age of 74-and-a-half. Seventy-six vaccinated patients had ankylosing spondylitis; 1,260 had inflammatory bowel disease; 161 had psoriatic arthritis; 1,745 had psoriasis; 3,246 had rheumatoid arthritis; and 305 had two or more of these diseases.

At the time of vaccination, or within the previous 60 days, 580 patients were taking biologics (mostly anti-TNF therapy); 1,825 were taking disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (commonly called DMARDS); and 1,432 were taking steroids (such as prednisone).

There were 387 people vaccinated who were current users of biologic medications and not steroids. Among these people, there were no cases of shingles in the six weeks following vaccination. Another 193 people on biologics and steroids were vaccinated, and their rate of the shingles infection was no higher than that of vaccinated people taking non-biologic DMARDs and steroids, but no biologics.

“In both of these groups taking steroids, only about five out of 1,000 people [less than one percent] developed the infection,” says Dr. Curtis. “Steroids have been previously shown to significantly increase the risk for shingles infection, so this finding was not a surprise.”

These findings led the researchers to conclude that people taking biologics may be able to receive the zoster vaccine safely and may not be at an increased, short-term risk of developing shingles from the vaccine. Dr. Curtis and his team have received funding through the ACR Research and Education Foundation’s Within Our Reach campaign to continue this research as a clinical trial in hopes of demonstrating the safety of the live zoster vaccine in people receiving biologic medications.

The American College of Rheumatology is an international professional medical society that represents more than 8,000 rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals around the world. Its mission is to advance rheumatology. The ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meeting is the premier meeting in rheumatology. For more information about the meeting, visit www.rheumatology.org/education. Follow the meeting on Twitter by using the official hashtag: #ACR2011.

Editor’s Notes: Jeffrey R. Curtis, MD, MPH and his colleagues, including Dr. Sophie (Jie) Zhang, will present this research during the ACR Annual Scientific Meeting at McCormick Place Convention Center at 5:45 PM on Sunday, November 6 in Room W470b. Dr. Curtis will be available for media questions and briefing at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, November 8 in the on-site press conference room, W 175 C.

Learn more about living well with rheumatic disease as well as rheumatologists and the role they play in health care. Also, discover the ACR’s Simple Tasks campaign, which highlights the severity of rheumatic diseases and the importance of early and appropriate referral to a rheumatologist.

Presentation Number: 806

Safety of Zoster Vaccine in Individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Jeffrey R. Curtis (University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL)
Jie Zhang (University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL)
Fenglong Xie (University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL)
Elizabeth S. Delzell (University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL)
Lang Chen (University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL)
Kenneth G. Saag (University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL)
Kevin L. Winthrop (Oregon Health Science Univ, Portland, OR)

Background/Purpose: The live zoster vaccine is approved in the US for individuals ages 50 and older to reduce risk and severity of Herpes zoster infection, also known as shingles. Based upon limited data, the vaccine is currently considered to be contraindicated in individuals taking biologics. The objective of the study is to examine whether the administration of zoster vaccine is associated with an increased risk of Herpes zoster shortly following vaccination among persons treated with biologics for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Method: From 2006 through 2009, we identified from the 100% Medicare fee for service population individuals who were 60 years of age or older; had rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or inflammatory bowel disease; and received zoster vaccine. We classified these individuals according to their concomitant medications (biologics; non-biologic DMARDs, including methotrexate, leflunomide, hydroxychloroquine, and sulfasalazine; oral glucocorticoids) within 60 days prior to or after vaccination. The cumulative incidence of Herpes zoster infection within 42 days following vaccination (the typically-used risk window in zoster vaccine trials) was calculated according to drug exposure.

Result: A total of 6793 subjects were vaccinated; among these, 76 had ankylosing spondylitis, 1,260 had inflammatory bowel disease, 161 had psoriatic arthritis, 1,745 had psoriasis, 3,246 had rheumatoid arthritis, and 305 had two or more diseases; 580 were on biologics, 1825 on non-biologic DMARRDs, and 1432 were on glucocorticoids at the time of or immediately prior (+- 60 days) to vaccination. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of vaccinated patients was 74.5 ± 6.3, 72% were women, and 96% were Caucasians.
Within 42 days following vaccination, the overall cumulative incidence of Herpes zoster infection was 2.2 per 1,000 persons. The cumulative incidence of zoster infection was not significantly different between those who were using biologics (1.7 per 1,000) or only non-biologic DMARDs (2.7 per 1,000). Irrespective of biologic or DMARD use, the short term risk of zoster infection was higher for patients receiving oral glucocorticoids compared to those not (p = 0.07) (Table).

Conclusion: Zoster vaccine in current biologic users does not appear to be associated with a short term risk of Herpes zoster infection following vaccination compared to those using only non-biologic DMARDs. In addition, the risks were not different than the rates observed in the general population participating in a large zoster vaccine trial of 38,546 individuals in which the cumulative incidence of Herpes zoster infection within 42 days 1.2 per 1,000 among those who receiving placebo. Vaccination with the live zoster vaccine may be reasonable to consider for patients currently using biologics.

Disclosure: J. Zhang, Amgen, 2 ; F. Xie, None; E. S. Delzell, Amgen, 2 ; L. Chen, None; K. G. Saag, None; K. L. Winthrop, None; J. R. Curtis, Pfizer, BMS, Crescendo, Abbott, Roche, Genetech, UCB, Centacor, Corrona, Amgen, 5

View the full abstract at www.rheumatology.org

View the original article here

Another Study Finds Gel May Reduce the Risk of Herpes

While doing research on AIDS medications, two South African researchers discovered that a vaginal gel they were testing that can reduce a woman’s chance of contracting HIV by 39 percent also can cut the risk of contracting genital herpes by 51 percent.

Recently, the National Institutes of Health, pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences Inc. and universities in Belgium and Italy conducted a similar study to try to understand why the gel worked against herpes — and they found very similar results.

The New York Times reported:

"An executive at Gilead, the company that makes tenofovir, the anti-AIDS drug that is the gel’s active ingredient, said the company was debating whether to spend the millions of dollars needed to get the gel approved for the American market. Even if the company pressed ahead immediately, “it would be three to four years before we were ready to submit data” to the Food and Drug Administration, Norbert W. Bischofberger, Gilead’s chief scientific officer, said.

"Genital herpes is far more common than AIDS. The World Health Organization estimates that 20 percent of all sexually active adults have it. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 21 percent of sexually active women have it, including 16 percent of all white women and 48 percent of all Black women.

"While not fatal, the infection can be very painful, ruining sexual pleasure. The blisters it causes, which resemble the cold sores caused on the lips by a related virus, can also be an entryway for more dangerous pathogens, including H.I.V. and syphilis."

So what does this mean for Black women?

A whole lot actually. Microbicides — or vaginal gels — could potentially save our lives.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black women are 15 times more likely to be diagnosed with HIV than white women. And while we make up only 12 percent of the female population, we account for 57 percent of all new HIV infections among women each year. Between 70-75 percent of those infections are from unprotected heterosexual contact.

And as BET.com has previously reported, not all women feel comfortable or safe demanding their male partners to use condoms. Albeit being in an abusive relationship, being economically dependent on your partner, or not feeling empowered to talk about condom use, this power dynamic definitely plays a factor in the HIV rates among Black women. The good news is that microbicides can offer women discreet protection that they control in order to protect them from HIV and herpes.

We're not sure when this gel is going to be FDA-approved for use here in the U.S., but Anna Wald, M.D., a herpes specialist at the University of Washington's school of public health, told the Times that she was confident that "American women would accept it" when the time comes.

View the original article here

Follow-up file: Researcher’s herpes vaccine work meets resistance

A Springfield researcher’s development of a vaccine to protect against genital herpes, one of the world’s most common sexually transmitted diseases, has received a skeptical reception from the international scientific community so far, but the researcher is neither surprised nor discouraged.

“Science moves kind of like a glacier down a mountain,” said William Halford, associate professor of medical microbiology, immunology and cell biology at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. “As far as scientists are concerned, there’s nothing unusual about the rate at which this work has progressed.”

Background

Halford, 43, published the results of his latest discoveries in the August 2010 and March 2011 issues of the scientific journal PLoS ONE. In experiments with mice, he demonstrated almost total protection against herpes with a vaccine involving a live but weakened form of the herpes virus.

Even though other vaccines using live viruses have been popular and effective in protecting against diseases such as chicken pox, polio, measles, mumps and rubella, Halford faces an ideological battle with current scientific philosophy and regulatory agencies before his vaccine can be tested in humans.

That’s because Halford said genetic-engineering techniques available since the 1970s have led to a pervasive view that creating new vaccines with live viruses would be too risky for patients compared with other vaccine-development options.

In Halford’s March paper, he pointed out the recent failure in clinical trials of a genital-herpes vaccine made by GlaxoSmithKline using pieces of protein from a virus — trials that cost the federal government $27.6 million between 2003 and 2009.

“If what you’re saying is that this approach, at the end of the day, really isn’t that good, the people who get money out of that approach for their research are usually not thrilled with you,” he said. “When you’re going against the grain, there’s no clear, well-defined path of how to go against the grain.”

Halford said it will take time to change the minds of scientists who are skeptical of his approach. That skepticism, he said, will influence whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration eventually allows clinical trials in humans with a weakened live virus.

Halford said his research in mice shows results 100 times better than the GlaxoSmithKline vaccine and much safer than even the polio or chicken pox or MMR vaccines, all of which can be encouraging for non-scientists. But he cautioned that clinical trials for humans are at least 10 years away.

About 1 billion people are carriers of genital herpes worldwide, and 20 million people are infected every year, which means young people have a one in 10 chance of acquiring incurable herpes before they marry.

What’s next

Halford said he is conducting more research at SIU to probe why his vaccine works so well. That data, over time, could lead to acceptance by influential scientists, he said.

“In science, you never change a prevailing belief system with one or two papers,” he said. “It just doesn’t work that way. What you do is you keep publishing on it. As far as scientists are concerned, there’s nothing unusual about the rate with which this work has progressed.”

Dr. Anna Wald, a herpes-vaccine researcher at the University of Washington in Seattle who is not associated with Halford, said it is “great” that Halford is working toward an effective vaccine. But she said good results in mouse research don’t necessarily transfer to clinical trials in humans.

Wald, who helped conduct research connected with the failed GlaxoSmithKline vaccine, also said there are important differences between herpes and viruses that cause diseases for which there are live-virus vaccines.

And she said safety-related concerns — that a weakened virus in a new vaccine could cause debilitating infections in patients — are real.

“Once you give someone a live-virus vaccine, you can’t take it back,” she said.

She didn’t deny, however, that Halford may be onto something with his research.

“He might be right, but I think a lot more work needs to be done before this really turns out to be quite as good as it seems,” Wald said.

Dean Olsen can be reached at 788-1543.

View the original article here

Africa: South African Scientists Win First Obasanjo Science Prize

SciDev.Net (London)

Gilbert Nakweya

23 November 2011

Nairobi — Two South African researchers have been awarded the inaugural Olusegun Obasanjo Prize for scientific discovery and technological innovation, for their work on HIV/AIDS and herpes prevention.

Salim S. Abdool Karim and Quarraisha Abdool Karim, a husband-and-wife research team from the University of Kwazulu-Natal, received the award earlier this month (10 November) for their work on the use of a vaginal microbicide gel containing tenofovir - the culmination of 17 years of research into microbicides. The gel was found to be 39 per cent effective in reducing HIV transmission, above the statistically significant result of 33 per cent.

They also found that it appeared to have a dual effect, protecting against herpes simplex virus-2.

The prizerewards African scientists who have made outstanding achievements in scientific discovery or technological innovation. It is named after former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, who attended the ceremony at the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) in Nairobi, Kenya.

Salim Abdool Karim told SciDev.Net: "Quarraisha and I are humbled to be the recipients of the Obasanjo Prize. We see this as an award not for us but for the success of a superb collaboration between the Center for the Aids Programme of Research in South Africa; the University of KwaZulu-Natal,South Africa; Columbia University, United States;CONRAD; FHI 360 (formerly Family Health International); and Gilead Sciences.

"This award is an important milestone in my career as a scientist, and I am very thankful to the AAS for [it]," Karim added.

He said that women bear the brunt of the HIV epidemic in southern Africa and that tenofovir gel is the first prevention method to empower them directly to control the risk of HIV infection.

"I hope that this award will bring greater attention to the plight of the HIV epidemic for young women in Africa. We need greater efforts and greater resources to find ways to empower women to protect themselves against HIV infection in Africa," he said.

The prize comprises a certificate, a gold medal and US$5,000. Applicants' research should be in the fields of biotechnology, energy, information and communications technology or materials science.

Berhanu Abegaz, executive director of the AAS, said that the prize will help motivate scientific research in Africa; encourage young scientists to prioritise high-quality, relevant science and technology; and maybe help keep young scientists on the continent.

Shem O. Wandiga, managing trustee at the Centre for Science and Technology Innovations, in Kenya, said the prize will motivate many Africans to do quality work that improves the lives of their people.

"With time it may turn out to be the equivalent of a Nobel Prize for Africa," he said.

More News on allAfrica.com

View the original article here

Press Release

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/ef6faa/herpes_simplex_inf) has announced the addition of Global Markets Direct's new report "Herpes Simplex Infections - Pipeline Review, H2 2011" to their offering.

'Herpes Simplex Infections - Pipeline Review, H2 2011', provides an overview of the Herpes Simplex Infections therapeutic pipeline. This report provides information on the therapeutic development for Herpes Simplex Infections, complete with latest updates, and special features on late-stage and discontinued projects. It also reviews key players involved in the therapeutic development for Herpes Simplex Infections. 'Herpes Simplex Infections - Pipeline Review, H2 2011' is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, Company/University websites, SEC filings, investor presentations and featured press releases from company/university sites and industry-specific third party sources

Scope

A snapshot of the global therapeutic scenario for Herpes Simplex Infections. A review of the Herpes Simplex Infections products under development by companies and universities/research institutes based on information derived from company and industry-specific sources. Coverage of products based on various stages of development ranging from discovery till registration stages. A feature on pipeline projects on the basis of monotherapy and combined therapeutics. Coverage of the Herpes Simplex Infections pipeline on the basis of route of administration and molecule type. Profiles of late-stage pipeline products featuring sections on product description, mechanism of action and research & development progress. Key discontinued pipeline projects. Latest news and deals relating to the products.

Reasons to buy

Identify and understand important and diverse types of therapeutics under development for Herpes Simplex Infections. Identify emerging players with potentially strong product portfolio and design effective counter-strategies to gain competitive advantage. Plan mergers and acquisitions effectively by identifying players with the most promising pipeline. Devise corrective measures for pipeline projects by understanding Herpes Simplex Infections pipeline depth and focus of Herpes Simplex Infections therapeutics. Develop and design in-licensing and out-licensing strategies by identifying prospective partners with the most attractive projects to enhance and expand business potential and scope.

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/ef6faa/herpes_simplex_inf

Business Wire
http://www.businesswire.com/

Last updated on: 01/11/2011 18:00:07

View the original article here

So Is There a Cure for Genital Herpes?

They say there is no cure for herpes, but is there a cure to stopping outbreaks? The meaning for Cure is: successful remedial treatment; restoration to health. So is there anything out there?

With so many treatments, creams and potions on the market its hard to tell if any one of them can actually help. Some need to be taken 3 times a day, or applied to the genitals and one claims you have to wait for the lesion to open before you can use it. For anyone with HSV2, you need to understand that no one wants an outbreak to come up in the first place.

But what if there was a way to stop outbreaks before they occurred? Targeted the reason outbreaks occurred instead of trying to suppress the inevitable or having to constantly take medication that doesn't work.

Studies have shown that dealing with what triggers Genital herpes sufferers outbreaks is far more effective than other methods. Triggers include stress, fatigue and being rundown or sick. Each person is different. However the method of coping with with these can be done by using a mixture of techniques like NLP (neuro linguistic programming), Brainwave frequency technology, Hypnotic meditations and life coaching.

How are these methods so successful? They deal with the persons mental state which directly effects the persons body (ie. herpes). You see whenever someone is tired, stressed or rundown the body releases cortisol which weakens the immune system which would normally suppress the herpes virus. So by using Hypnotic meditation, NLP, brainwave frequency technology and life coaching you are dealing with the person as a whole and creating a better mental environment and ability to cope with stress, fatigue ect.

What is NLP? Neuro linguistic programming is an approach to psychotherapy and change based on a model of interpersonal communication. Chiefly concerned with the relationship between success patterns of thinking and behavior. NLP seeks to educate people on their mental and emotions behaviors to bring about positive change and self awareness.

What is Hypnotic Meditation? Is an induced altered state of consciousness, characterized by heightened suggestibility and receptivity to direction. Basically, it is an altered state of mind that allows you to make change at a deeper level. In hypnotic meditation you are always in control and you are not made to do anything you don't want. It is generally accepted that all hypnosis is ultimately self-hypnosis. A hypnotist merely helps to facilitate your experience through the meditation - hypnotic meditation is not about being made to do things, in fact it is the opposite, it is about empowerment the person to take control.

What are Brain wave frequencies? Brain wave frequencies (BWF) induce different mental states. You can coax a certain type of mental state by using the associated BWF. They are also said to heal illnesses and stimulate regions of the body. Depending on the BWF you can become more relaxed, more awake and alert, relieve headaches, boost motivation, create a positive mood and also get stress relief.

By combining Hypnotic Meditation, NLP and BFW, genital herpes sufferers can stop outbreaks before they occur with no side effects. It's the closest cure for outbreaks to date.

To learn more about these different alternative methods click here.

Safe Sex For Your Well Being

Thought of the day: No glove/no love!

After watching a program the other night about STD's, I was blown away at the fact that AIDS and herpes is on the rise in the 55-75 year old demographic. With all the information overload today, one would think that people are more aware, yet sex is still a taboo topic for many. Isn't it amazing that 2 adults will lie naked, share intimacy physically, or even share a toothbrush but not talk freely about sex!

Simply stated, if you're about to have sexual relations with anyone new the "sex talk" is a must! Don't fall for the fact that they've only had 2 relationships, have a good job, they're attractive and charming, as it takes one unprotected encounter to change your life!

The program had a woman in her late 60's giving a seminar in Florida to the residences on how to use condoms, the how to's on safe sex and not to simply trust someone because they look "clean/professional and honest".

Years ago, it seemed that we all became aware that there's no face to AIDS, as it can strike anyone, even if you've only had unprotected sex once! Somehow that knowledge has faded for many. Same thing for herpes. Although not deadly, it is contagious, stays with you for life and once again whether there's an outbreak or not, protection is necessary.

What many people don't know is that a cold sore on your mouth is contagious. If not careful this can be transmitted easily and become Herpes Simplex 2. So if you have a cold sore or see one on the other person, before desire and lust takes over and a kiss commences, know that any other type of oral pleasure cannot take place!

So, today it seems there has to be a whole new education performed on a generation who's living longer, knows the benefits of Viagra/Cialis and are single again after divorce or death of a spouse.

It struck me as very sad and very scary that this is occurring as in that age group when they were single the only fear they had was getting someone pregnant. Now with Viagra a man of 67 thinks he's Casanova again, women have gone through menopause and presume they're safe....and the simple fact is not being informed can make the "golden years" oh not so golden.

Whatever your age, be safe, think of your health and safety first. Have the "sex talk" be responsible, don't let desire, loneliness, escape or that extra Vodka Cranberry cloud your judgment.....If 2 adults are getting together sexually it's the most important 10 minute conversation of your life. Remember it's not the amount of lovers you've had, it's if you've had safe sex. "No glove, no love" it's a must that can save your life!

http://www.teralunaenterprises.com

HSV Cures

There is a lot of debate in regards to HSV Cures. Some argue that there are no cures at all, and there are some that are convinced there are cures out there. You are either one of two people in this argument, and it's interesting to hear both sides of the coin. There are a lot of different people out there that are looking for cures, and the best thing you can do for yourself is prevent this from being a debate for yourself and others. That is right, you should really consider safe sex, or at least safer sex if you are starting brand new. You should consider that there is something great out there if you can find a cure, considering if there is a cure.

HSV Cures can be argued by a lot of different people. Growing up in Mexico, there are all sorts of different people saying that they can cure cancer, aids, and so much more with different things. That's right, people out there are saying that there is new age cures and holistic medicine that is turning things around. It's a sad state of affairs in third world countries and even second world countries that are convincing people that cures are available for a small price. The price can be paid but it is not going to be nice and when another outbreak happens, the embarrassment that is going to set in is immense and not worth it.

You should understand that many people argue the other side of the coin, that being that there is no cure at all. That's right, there are not easy answers to finding HSV Cures. You can not expect to find a cure with an easy answer that will hide all your problems, no not hide, get rid of them altogether. It is not in your best interest to allow things to get worse and have outbreaks left and right.

HSV Cures are not going to just spring up on your door step so the safer you are in advance the better. There is just no hope for a cure if you believe all the hype out there about it. You should consult a trained professional and talk about the cure, if one exists. That's right, you should really talk to your doctor or else you are going to miss out on a real cure. There are a lot of different doctors out there that can create a better quality of life for you and your partner. There are just so many things out there that can help you along your quest for finding HSV Cures. If you need prevention tips, you could go online and look for answers, but do not just take any advice you find out there seriously. You really should consider a doctor, because doctors are trained in these things and will show you how great things are. There is no shame, in talking to your doctor about this, which can create such great things if you just show up and talk to a physician.

15 million people contract STD's every single year.  Are you one of the 1 in 4 people walking around with an STD and you don't even know it? We can help you identify if you have contracted one as well as the best HSV Cures. Come get your FREE REPORT on checking for and fixing any potential STD problem at http://www.STDChecker.com

STD Positive Singles Are a High Risk For Suicide Attempts

Many STD positive singles are a high risk for suicide attempts. Out of these HIV positive singles are the highest risk group, since that is the most deadly sexually transmitted disease. But other STDs that have permanent effects can also lead to suicide attempts. This includes STDs such as Syphilis, Herpes, Gonorrhea(since it can cause sterility and death) and Chlamydia(can cause sterility). Even something as simple as genital STD itching can increase the risk of an suicide. Because it can be a sign of STD Trichomoniases which can often lead to HIV if it's left untreated and can lead to low birth weight in children(less than 5.5 pounds at birth).

The reason STD positive singles are at risk is because being an STD positive single they feel like they can't date anyone without infecting them with an STD and those with STD infertility may attempt suicide because they can no longer have children.

The threat of suicide is much more prevalent in teens or younger adults, since they feel like getting an STD is literally the end of their life, since they can no longer have a sexual relationship with the majority of potential partners. Women who have STD infertility symptoms face additional risk when it comes to suicide.

If you think suicide is nothing to worry about...consider this. More than 1.1 million Americans attempt killing themselves every single year in United States. In fact, 1 out of 14 Americans knows someone who killed themselves last year. The key factor for suicide is depression...and being STD positive and single is a huge red flag for a major case of depression, which will usually get followed up by a suicide attempt.

If you know someone who is positive for an STD and is single, make sure you learn all the potential suicide warning signs, so that you'll be able to prevent the person from killing themselves. If you are the person who is STD positive and single, and you feel depressed by that fact, make sure you provide a suicide warning signs guide to someone who you see every day so that they can step in and save your live when you are feeling down. You may also want to sign up for one of those STD positive dating sites so that you can at least date someone who is also positive for the same STD as you.

Click here [http://suicidewarningsigns.net] to get the most comprehensive guide on suicide prevention [http://suicidewarningsigns.net] with 200+ suicide warning signs and learn to save the life of someone you love.

What Causes a Cold Sore Outbreak at Absolutely the Worst Time?

Once you've contracted the herpes virus that causes cold sores, the virus will remain in your system the rest of your life. That's why it's been estimated that 80% of all people have the virus. Fortunately for some, only one out of every three people who have the virus will actually suffer with recurrent outbreaks of cold sores. If you're one of those people, you're probably wondering what causes cold sores to appear when they do. For some reason, there seems to be some general rule that a sore is going to show up just when you're preparing for a special event. Don't you wish there was something you could do to at least control the timing of these annoying sores?

One of the things that has been proven to bring on a cold sore outbreak is stress. That's why at times when you're planning for a big date, the opening of a play you're starring in, your wedding, or some other major event in your life, a cold sore inevitably seems to show up. Both emotional and physical stress will trigger outbreaks, so if you can relax, get plenty of sleep, and keep those stress levels as low as possible, you may get through the event without a break-out. Of course, nervousness is a basic human characteristic, and controlling it is easier said than done, so just do your best.

Illnesses, including flu and colds, as well as injuries to the lips and skin, such as through an accident or having extremely chapped lips, can cause sores to emerge. Sunburning your lips, even from excessive exposure in a tanning bed, can also result in the sores. You need to take whatever steps you can to protect your lips and keep them healthy. There are numerous lip balms on the market you can use to prevent chapping and burning as long as you use them faithfully. If your lips are badly chapped, even plain old Vaseline can be a great benefit that will keep them from drying out.

If you're a woman, having your period or being pregnant may trigger a viral outbreak. These are occasions when you're just going to have to grin and bear it, because there really isn't much you can do about the hormonal changes within your body. Do your best to stay active, maintain your health, and protect your lips, and you'll come through the attack just fine.

Get the facts on cold sore relief with tips on spreading cold sores and healing a cold sore today at coldsoreremedyrelief.com

Zostavax - An Effective Vaccine to Prevent Shingles

Shingles or Herpes Zoster is a disease which people over the age of 60 or having prolonged illnesses will be painfully aware of. The usual symptom is a very painful rash which usually develops on one side of the body along the nerves that carry the Herpes Zoster virus.

Herpes Zoster originates from the Herpes virus, which is the cause of the common childhood disease chickenpox. After a bout of chickenpox, the Herpes virus still remains in a child's body albeit in a dormant state. However as age progresses and as the immunity system becomes weaker and weaker, the Herpes Zoster virus might overcome the immunity system and cause shingles. This is the most common reason as to why shingles is prevalent in adults over 60 or having prolonged illnesses that tend to waken their immunity.

The Herpes vaccine has been approved only recently by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent the occurrence of shingles in adults over 60. This vaccine, named Zostavax, was developed by pharmaceutical company Merck and it has existed as a marketable drug since May 2006 after the FDA approved it.

Zostavax prevent the older population, who already carry the latent Herpes Zoster virus, from being infected by shingles. However, this vaccine is only effective when it is administered before the illness. It cannot heal shingles once it is contracted, only prevent it. Zostavax is also effective in preventing the contraction of post-hermetic neuralgia.

This vaccine is actually a weakened form of varicella zoster virus, which is generally obtained from children who have this virus occurring naturally in their bodies. This virus has been tested at the Merck laboratory and it has been found out that it possesses no harmful substances.

Tests have been done to prove the effectiveness of the Zostavax vaccine. Over 20,000 adults over 60 were tested in a double blind test where they were provided with placebos and Zostavax. It was found out that the Herpes vaccine prevented the contraction of shingles and post neuralgia in more than half of the people tested, who had been infected by these viruses. The most positive result was found to be in the age group between 60 and 69 though this vaccine showed some positive effects in all age groups.

Like most of the drugs, this too is not without side effects. However, these side effects are minimal. The most common side effects are itchiness, pain, swelling etc. in the region where the vaccine is injected. But these side effect are temporary and therefore not a cause of worry.

Headache is another side effect in addition to inflammation in the injected area. But these headaches have occurred in less than 2 percent of the people who have been injected with this vaccine. There might be a very rare chance of emergence of the varicella zoster virus, although no such emergence has been reported till date.

Overall, Zostavax is an effective vaccine against shingles. However, it is best to consult a physician or a doctor about its usage.

Don Talwar is an SEO expert who has many years of experience in the field of Seo Content Writing & Internet Marketing. He is the Chief Marketing Director of Google number 1 company SeoContentLab.com which has a team of Proficient & Seasoned Writers/ SEO Experts/ Link Builders & Web Design & Developers. For more information, Please visit http://www.SeoContentLab.com

Herpes Virus Effective in Treating Triple Negative Breast Cancer - Med India

Moreover, Dr. Gholami explained that TNBC cells have high levels of p-MAPK, a protein that promotes cancer cells to grow and has been reported as a potential cause for resistance to current conventional therapies. Knowing that the herpes virus specifically targets cells that over express this protein is the reason she chose to test this treatment protocol. "When we infect TNBC cells with the herpes virus and measure p-MAPK levels, the protein level decreases with time after treatment with the virus," Dr. Gholami said.

The hope is that advances in oncolytic viral therapy, which uses viruses tailored to target and destroy cancer cells while sparing healthy cells, will allow researchers to develop more effective strategies for hard-to-treat cancers. A similar herpes virus has been tested in clinical trials against head and neck cancers. But this is the first laboratory study to show promise in using the therapy to treat TNBC.

The next steps, Dr. Gholami said, are to map out the pathways in which the virus kills the tumor cells to determine how to improve upon this mechanism. In the future, the Fong laboratory, which is on the forefront in oncolytic viral therapy research, will continue this avenue of investigation in animal studies. The team will also work to identify leads to understand what existing chemotherapy drugs can be used synergistically with this viral therapy. Finding complementary treatments that kill fast-growing cancer cells and combat resistance is the key to possibly making a cure a reality.

If additional animal studies are also positive, human clinical trials could be on the horizon. "Our goal is to improve this version of the virus and get it into a clinical trial," Dr. Gholami said. "Ultimately, I believe the treatment for TNBC will be a multimodality targeted treatment approach: potentially using a viral-based therapy plus some other targeted chemotherapy or radiation."

The study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the Flight Attendant Medical Research Institution.

Source-Newswise

View the original article here

Vaginal Gel Intended to Cut AIDS Works for Herpes Too - ABC News

A vaginal gel that was originally created to protect  against the AIDS virus in women showed bonus results when  it proved even more effective in fighting the genital herpes virus, according to a new study from researchers at the National Institutes of Health, Gilead Sciences Inc. and universities in Belgium and Italy.

The New York Times reported that the microbicide gel reduced the risk of herpes infection among the 450 women  by 51 percent. The gel also reduced the risk of AIDS in healthy women by 39 percent. Given the prevalence of herpes and HIV around the world, doctors believe the surprising results could be an important advance in treatment and protection.

“This could be incredibly helpful,” Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, a  herpes expert at the University of Washington’s medical school, told the New York Times.   ”Protection that a woman can control is the holy grail in this field. It’s hard for me to believe that something that protects against both HIV and herpes wouldn’t be appealing to a lot of young American women.”

But the gel would still take years to get to the consumer market, researchers say.

Genital herpes is not fatal, but it is painful and stamped with a heavy social stigma. About 20 percent of of sexually active adults worldwide have genital herpes, according to the World Health Organization and reported in the New York Times. It can be spread through skin-to-skin contact during sex, along with vaginal fluids and semen, even if neither partner shows the tell-tale sores.

The unexpected reduced risk of the herpes infection came from a 2010 trial conducted in South Africa, which found that the gel reduced the risk of AIDS infection by 39 percent.

“The tenofovir trial is being repeated to ensure that the results regarding HIV protection are real and are generalizable,” Justin O’Hagen, an infectious disease epidemiology doctoral student at Harvard School of Public Health, told ABCNews.com. Tenovir, made by Gilead — which participated in the microbicide study —   is used in tandem with other antiviral meds to fight  HIV.  ”Undoubtedly they will also collect further data on tenofovir’s effect on herpes so there will be even more publications on this, roughly in early 2013.”

View the original article here

Tenofovir Vaginal Gel Protects Against Herpes - Medical News Today

Editor's Choice
Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 21 Oct 2011 - 15:00 PDT window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({ appId: 'aa16a4bf93f23f07eb33109d5f1134d3', status: true, cookie: true, xfbml: true, channelUrl: 'http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/scripts/facebooklike.html'}); }; (function() { var e = document.createElement('script'); e.async = true; e.src = document.location.protocol + '//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js'; document.getElementById('fb-root').appendChild(e); }()); email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

Anti-HIV drug, tenofovir, when formulated as a vaginal gel, was found to reduce herpes simplex risk in females, researchers from the USA, Belgium and Italy reported in the journal Cell Host & Microbe. The scientists explained that this is because of the higher concentrations that reach vaginal cells in the vaginal gel formulation, compared to the drug when taken orally.

The authors explained that tenofovir disables a DNA enzyme of the herpes virus - reverse transcriptase - thus stopping its spread.

This study was a collaboration between researchers from the Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium), the University of Rome (Italy), the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) (USA), and Gilead Sciences Inc.

A 2010 clinical trial found that tenofovir in vaginal gel form reduced the risk of HSV (herpes simplex virus) infections, as well as HIV infections in females. In this latest report, scientists say they can explain why.

Oral Tenofovir had been shown to undermine the reproduction of HIV. However, nobody knew it could block the genital herpes virus.

Leonid Margolis, Ph.D., NICHD, said:

"HIV infection is closely associated with herpes viral infection. When people with genital herpes are exposed to HIV, they are more likely to become infected than are people who do not carry the herpes virus. Human tissues convert tenofovir to a form that suppresses HIV. We found that this form of tenofovir also suppresses HSV. This discovery may help to identify drugs to treat the two viruses even more effectively."

Dr. Margolis explained that previously approved drugs which are found to have other therapeutic benefits, apart from those they were approved for, can save millions of dollars. A new compound has to undergo extensive testing for efficacy and safety before eventually coming onto the market several years and millions of dollars later. In the case of an already existing drug, most of the safety and other testing has already been done.

The scientist studied individual cells and groups of cells that had been infected with HSV. They found that tenofovir, in high concentrations blocked the virus' ability to reproduce.

Their study also showed that tenofovir does not damage cells, such as those that line the vagina. Vaginal cells are targeted by HIV and HSV.

Cellular enzymes convert tenofovir into another chemical form which suppresses both HIV and HSV. The new chemical form deactivates an enzyme that is crucial for the virus' reproduction.

They tested tenofovir in tissue samples, including tonsils and cervix. After 12 days they found that tenofovir-treated samples only had from 1% to 13% of viral levels compared to untreated samples. They also found that tenofovir blocked viral reproduction of both HIV and HSV simultaneously in infected tissue.

In laboratory experiments, they found that mice infected with the herpes virus had no herpes symptoms and lived longer when treated with tenofovir.

When tenofovir is taken orally, concentration levels in target cells are not high enough to affect HSV in any significant way, the authors explained.

Dr. Morgolis said:

"When using the gel, the amount of tenofovir on the affected tissues is about 100 times the amount in the body when taking tenofovir in pill form. That explains why its anti-herpes activity wasn't noticed before. Thus, under proper conditions, an anti-HIV drug becomes an anti-HSV drug."

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Visit our sexual health / stds section for the latest news on this subject. "Topical Tenofovir, a Microbicide Effective against HIV, Inhibits Herpes Simplex Virus-2 Replication"
Graciela Andrei, Robert Snoeck, and Jan Balzarini (senior author), Joost van den Oord, Catholic University of Leuven; Emanuela Balestra, Carlo-Federico Perno (senior author), University of Rome; Tomas Cihlar, Gilead Sciences; and Andrea Lisco, Christophe Vanpouille, Andrea Introini, and Leonid Margolis (senior author) NICHD.
Cell Host & Microbe, Volume 10, Issue 4, 379-389, 20 October 2011 (10.1016/j.chom.2011.08.015) Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

MLA

Christian Nordqvist. "Tenofovir Vaginal Gel Protects Against Herpes." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 21 Oct. 2011. Web.
30 Oct. 2011. APA

Please note: If no author information is provided, the source is cited instead.

posted by Sammy on 25 Oct 2011 at 9:51 pm

Women with herpes are unlucky to have herpes because it brings much trouble to their life; they are lucky at the same time because the virus will make them have less chance to have breast cancer.

| post followup | alert a moderator |

Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

If you write about specific medications or operations, please do not name health care professionals by name.

All opinions are moderated before being included (to stop spam)

Contact Our News Editors

For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form.

Please send any medical news or health news press releases to:

Note: Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional. For more information, please read our terms and conditions.

View the original article here

Medicinal gel cuts herpes risk among women, study finds - Contra Costa Times

Print   Email Font Resize By Donald G. McNeil Jr. New York Times Posted: 10/20/2011 10:56:30 PM PDTUpdated: 10/20/2011 11:31:25 PM PDT
A vaginal gel that sharply reduces a woman's risk of infection with HIV -- the virus that causes AIDS -- is even more effective against genital herpes, a much more common risk for young women in the United States, a new study has found.

The study, by researchers from the National Institutes of Health, Gilead Sciences and universities in Belgium and Italy, suggests that the microbicide gel, which was originally developed to fight AIDS in Africa, could lower the incidence of herpes in many women.

"This could be incredibly helpful," said Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, a herpes expert from the University of Washington's medical school. "Protection that a woman can control is the holy grail in this field. It's hard for me to believe that something that protects against both HIV and herpes wouldn't be appealing to a lot of young American women."

An executive at Gilead, the company that makes tenofovir, the anti-AIDS drug that is the gel's active ingredient, said the company was debating whether to spend the millions of dollars needed to get the gel approved for the U.S. market. Even if the company pressed ahead immediately, "it would be three to four years before we were ready to submit data" to the Food and Drug Administration, said Norbert W. Bischofberger, Gilead's chief scientific officer.

Genital herpes is far more common than AIDS. The World Health Organization estimates that 20 percent of all sexually active adults have genital herpes. In

the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 21 percent of all sexually active women have it, including 16 percent of all white women and 48 percent of all black women.

While not fatal, the infection can be very painful, ruining sexual pleasure. The blisters it causes, which resemble the cold sores caused on the lips by a related virus, can also be an entryway for more dangerous pathogens, including HIV and syphilis.

It can be transmitted when neither partner has sores, and even using a condom is effective in preventing infection only half the time, said Dr. Anna Wald, a herpes specialist at the University of Washington's school of public health, because -- unlike HIV -- it can be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, not just in semen or vaginal fluid.

And although it can often be controlled with another drug, acyclovir, herpes is not curable.

The new study, published online by Cell Host and Microbes this week, explains the surprise result of a much-heralded 2010 clinical trial done in South Africa.

That trial, run by Caprisa, an AIDS research center in Durban, showed for the first time that tenofovir gel protected women against HIV. But it also showed that the roughly 450 women in the survey who did not have herpes were even better protected against it than they were against HIV.

Overall, the gel reduced HIV infections by 39 percent. That announcement was greeted with a standing ovation by scientists at the international AIDS Conference in Vienna last year because it was the first weapon that women at risk of HIV infection could use without a man's knowledge.

In an unexpected bonus, the researchers also noted that it reduced herpes by 51 percent.

The new study, involving laboratory experiments, was done to explain why the trial worked, said Dr. Salim Abdool Karim, a professor of epidemiology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and Columbia University and one of the Caprisa trial leaders.

Print   Email Font ResizeReturn to Top  

View the original article here

Herpes monkey’ still on the loose in Ohio exotic animal break - YAHOO!

A sign warns motorists of the dozens of escaped animals (AP)

How could the story of an exotic animal farm owner letting loose all of his wild beasts before killing himself get any stranger?

With the help of a herpes-infected monkey.

By Wednesday afternoon Ohio authorities hunted down and killed almost all of the 56 animals who were turned loose Tuesday evening. The Columbus Dispatch has a tragic photo of the slain animals here.

But two of the beasts eluded capture: a wolf and a monkey who may be infected with Herpes B, according to CBS. Another monkey from the Muskingum County Animal Farm was eaten by an escaped lion who has since been killed, ABC reported.

The escaped monkey has inspired a fake Twitter account.

(Twitter)

People who live in the mostly rural area stayed indoors Wednesday as deputies used rifles to hunt down lions, tigers, bears, leopards, cheetahs and other exotic animals apparently let loose by their owner, Terry Thompson. Police say that Thompson, who had served time on weapons charges, committed suicide.

Authorities said they had no choice but to shoot the animals, since animals hit with tranquilizer darts could run away and hide. Ohio Gov. John Kasich let a ban on owning exotic pets expire last April, to the dismay of the Humane Society.

Other popular Yahoo! News stories:

• Are you the 99 percent? Nifty calculator will find out

• Wayne Newton cuddles with Bachmann on Fox News

• Iran's nuclear conference humor

View the original article here

Si Manny Pacquiao at ang Cha-Cha

Photo by Reuters

Hindi ako sarado sa pag-amyenda ng Saligang Batas ngunit medyo may kaba ako na mai-pasok ang mga hindi kanais-nais na pagbabago.

Sana hindi nila ibahin ang limitasyun sa edad ng gusto kumandidato para presidente at bise-presidente. Natatakot kasi akong tumakbo si Manny Pacquiao sa 2016 at mananalo. Kawawa naman ang bayan.

Kamakailan sinabi ni Pacquaio na hindi pa naman ang pagka- presidente ng bansa ang sunod na pinupuntirya nya sa 2016. Bise- presidente daw.

Sunod na araw, sinabi na mali daw ang report. Dahil alam naman daw niya na hindi pa siya qualified para tumakbo kahit sa pagka bise-presidente. Pareho naman ang age requirement sa mga gustong kumandidato sa pagka presidente at bise-presidente. Kailangan 40 na taong gulagg sa araw ng eleksyun.

Sa Mayo 2016, ang sunod na nasyunal eleksyun, 37 taong gulang pa lang si Pacquiao.

Bilib ako kay Pacquiao bilang boksingero ngunit bilang public servant, pansarili pa rin ang base ng kanyang mga desisyun. Hindi ko makalimutan ang sagot niya sa akin noong kampanya ng tanungin ko siya kung bakit gusto niya magiging congressman. Sabi niya para daw makakatulong sa kanyang mga kababayan.

Sinabi ko sa kanya, pwede naman siya makatulong sa kanyang mga kababayan kahit hindi siya kongresista. Marami naman siyang pera.

Sabi niya, “pera ko ang ginagamit ko ngayon. Mauubos yun. kawawa naman ang aking pamilya.”

Kaya pala gusto niya magiging kongresista para ang pera na itutulong niya sa kanyang mga kababayan ay manggagaling sa kaban ng gobyerno. Pera ng taumbayan. Wise nga naman.

Kaya, pagkatapos ng eleksyun, lumipat kaagad siya sa partido ni Pangulong Aquino para mapadali ang paglabas ng kanyang pork barrel.

Ngunit pagdating sa botohan sa isyu, hindi naman sumusunod si Pacquiao sa sinusulong ng Malacanang katulad na lang ng pag-impeach kay Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez na bomoto siya ng “No.’

Kung ibaba ang limitasyun sa edad ng mga gustong kumandidato sa pagka-presidente at bise-presidente at tatakbo si Pacquiao sa 2016, naku, baka manalo yan.

Sa 2022 na nasyunal eleksyun na lang siya tumakbo. Retirado na siya noon sa boksing. Kung gusto talaga siya ng tao kahit laos na siya sa boxing, okay nay an.

Ayon sa report, sinabi ni Sen. Franklin Drilon na sang-ayon raw si Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile at House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte sa kanyang panukala na amyendahan ang Constitution sa pamamagitan ng Constitutent Assembly.

Ibig sabihin noon, ang mga miyembro ng Kongreso ngayon, pareho ang mga kongresista at mga senador ang siyang magre-repaso at mag-amyenda ng Constitution. Hindi na ang Consitutional Convention kung saan boboto pa tayo ng magiging miyembro ng Convention na siyang mag-papalit ng Constitution.

Hindi pa sinabi ni Drilon ang mga parte ng Constitution na sa paniwala niya ay kailangan baguhin para lalong makatulong sa pag-unlad ng bansa ngunit sinabi niya na tungkol daw sa ekonomiya.

October 2, 2011 10:41 pm  Tags: Cha-Cha, Manny Pacquiao  Posted in: 15th Congress, Cha-Cha

View the original article here

Sex clinics treating more youngsters

Some parents are shocked at the graphic content of their children's sex education, but clinicians are equally alarmed at the numbers of teens catching sexually transmitted infections.

Sunita Azariah's heart sinks each time a 12-year-old walks into her clinic. Treating anyone for a preventable sexually transmitted infection is hard enough, says Azariah, a sexual health physician with the Auckland Sexual Health Service. Treating a child is worse.

She and other clinicians working with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are worried about the growing number of children under 14 who are having sex and contracting infections.

STIs such as herpes, gonorrhea, genital warts, syphilis and chlamydia (the most common STI in teenagers) are on the rise. So are the numbers of young teenagers catching them.

The figures make sobering reading. Last year, 134 New Zealand children aged 10 to 14 caught chlamydia. The figure leapt to an alarming 3203 in the 15- to 19-year age group with the infection after contracting it from their mothers.

Sex education has been compulsory in all schools for 10 years now, but in that time New Zealand's teenage STI and pregnancy rates have continued to climb.

A national survey by the Adolescent Health Research Group at Auckland University shows that almost 11 per cent of children under 14 are sexually active.

However, Dr Terryann Clark, who chairs the group, says sexual abuse is a factor in early initiation of sexual behaviour. Just over 10 per cent of the under-14 age group reported sexual abuse or "sexually coercive situations".

Family Planning chief executive Jackie Edmond says that the number of younger teenagers catching STIs is growing. "And that's concerning. The numbers of under-16-year-olds coming to see us is growing. They come to us for contraception, STIs and a small percentage for abortion referrals.

"Most of them are 14 or 15 and very occasionally they are as young as 12 or 13. Obviously that's too young and we are very worried about that."

These children, Edmond says, are not just from lower-decile schools or any particular ethnic background.

"It's not isolated to one group. We are seeing all ethnicities and all backgrounds."

The encouraging news is that teens are attending sexual health clinics and getting help. Teenagers spoken to by the Herald on Sunday say they wouldn't feel too embarrassed to go to a family planning clinic. Family planning nurses had visited their sex education classes and reassured them that it was completely confidential.

Although some parents have been vocal about the graphic content of their children's sex education, clinicians such as Azariah say that teens with access to sex education are more likely to delay sexual activity and to use contraception.

"It is not appropriate for children as young as 12 to be taught about oral sex but it is important they are given the opportunity to ask questions and have access to sexual health services," she says.

Edmonds agrees that good sex education is essential in reducing the risky behaviour of sexually active pre-teens. "Sex education needs to be age-appropriate. We wouldn't do condom demonstrations with 12-year-olds. What we talk about with young ones is good relationships, what's right and wrong, what's good and bad behaviour, and how to be safe."

Experts say that parents hoping to stop their children "growing up too fast" are deluding themselves and may put their children at risk. Avoiding conversations and questions about sex is counterproductive, says Edmond. Children are exposed to sexual content on prime time television shows like Home and Away and Shortland St. Instead of switching channels parents could use the shows as a way of having conversations about sex.

"It is important parents take the opportunity to have a discussion when their child starts to ask questions." Sex education should start at home, she says.

Teenagers often don't realise that some STIs, such as chlamydia, are straightforward to treat.

Both Edmond and Azariah are very concerned that young women find it difficult to ask boys to wear condoms. Says Edmond: "I don't know if young women are feeling pressure to have unprotected sex but what we are seeing is that condom negotiation is still very hard for young women and alcohol adds to the complexity."

Azariah says she has treated girls with STIs who say they are too scared to broach the subject of condoms with boys with whom they have had sex. "Girls have difficulty negotiating condom use," she says.

"They worry that if they carry condoms it means they are looking for sex.

"They don't know how to broach it. And girls are drinking more and that impairs their decision-making."

In addition, some teenagers are not aware condoms don't offer full protection from STIs, and that infections, including syphilis, can be caught through oral sex.

Azariah, who has worked for the Auckland Sexual Health Service for more than 10 years, has seen her clients get younger in that time and rates of infections soar.

"The chlamydia problem has grown. Syphilis was not an issue when I started practising but there is a resurgence."

New Zealand has a considerably higher rate of chlamydia than Britain and Australia, she says. The infection often has no symptoms but can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility or ectopic pregnancies.

On the positive side, more than 150,000 girls and young women have started the human papillomavirus (HPV) immunisation programme since it began three years ago.

HPV can, in some cases, lead to genital warts and cancers in men and women.

That number equates to about half of the young women eligible for the publicly funded programme, says Ministry of Health Immunisation manager David Wansbrough.

"What we're seeing is that once girls and young women start the programme they tend to go on and complete all three doses of HPV vaccine, which is really encouraging.

"We'd like to see uptake reach 70 per cent but that will take some time. This is a new programme. Before it began there was a low public awareness about what human papillomavirus was and how it contributed to cervical cancer."

A review of cases of genital warts diagnosed at Auckland Sexual Health Service already shows a decline in the number of cases in the past two years.

But young people aren't the only ones sexual health clinicians want to target. They are increasingly seeing the older age group with STIs.

Azariah says older people suddenly becoming single and dating again are at risk. "They might have just come out of long-term relationships and be dating again," she says. "And having not grown up with the condom thing they are at risk because they are not using condoms and now there are lots of different internet dating sites it is easier to make contacts."

HPV AND GARDASIL

* Gardasil protects against the human papillomavirus, an STI that affects nearly 80 per cent of all women at some point in their lives.

* Most will have no adverse effects, but some forms cause genital warts and cervical cancer.

* Gardasil protects against the most common forms of HPV that cause 70 per cent of cervical cancers and 90 per cent of genital warts.

* Gardasil is administered in three doses over a six-month period and is free to all girls aged 12 to 18. Women up to age 26 can receive the vaccine, from $165 a dose.

'THEY TEACH US EVERYTHING'

A group of teenagers aged 14 to 16 spoken to by the Herald on Sunday consider themselves well informed about sexually transmitted infections and know the importance of condom use and regular sexual health checks. Many could name some of the long-term effects of STIs, such as chlamydia leading to infertility in women, and knew that some STIs were for life, even if they couldn't name the symptoms.

Esme, 17, Year 12

I think I am really aware. They teach us everything about Aids, HIV and all the others. They tell us all the symptoms, what happens to you when you get them and what you should do if you get them.

Alex, 16, Year 12

I feel like I could ask my teachers anything. It's really open and we don't feel uncomfortable.

Emily, 15, Year 11

They get people from Family Planning and they tell you everything. You start quite young, in third form. It's more awareness on how to avoid getting them and to go to your doctor if you do get them.

Kate, 15, Year 11

I have been having sex education since I was in primary school. We don't learn how to have sex, just about puberty and relationships. If kids aren't informed they just do stupid stuff . They need to learn about protection.

Ashleigh, 15, Year 11

They are very big into chlamydia. You need to use protection to prevent it but you can't tell if you've got it so you have to get check-ups.

Jessica, 15, Year 11

They tell us about herpes, Aids and crabs and genital warts. My mum didn't want me to get the HPV vaccine that stops you getting cervical cancer and genital warts. She read up about it and I wasn't allowed to get it because of the side-effects.

Kayla, 16, Year 11

They teach us everything. There are STIs and STDs. STIs can be cured and STDs can't. [Incorrect, they are the same thing.] They tell us how they are passed on and how to prevent them.

Emma, 15, Year 11

I don't listen in sex ed. They give you that option if you feel uncomfortable, they don't force it on you. I just chill and sit and draw pictures while they are talking.

Lily, 16, Year 11

There's genital warts, crabs, chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Then there's HIV - that's the dangerous one. I don't really know all the symptoms, I just know you can get them from having sex without a condom. I don't think we've been taught the symptoms or the long-term effects. I wouldn't have any problem telling a boy to put on a condom.

Charlotte, 14, Year 10

We started learning about STDs in Year 7 but it gets more in-depth every year. They talk about Aids and that we should use condoms. We got taught how to put a condom on a glass penis.

Zoe, 15, Year 10

Was yours glass? Ours was wooden. They told us to go to Family Planning and about using contraception. I learned that STIs are either bacterial or viral. The bacterial ones like chlamydia can be treated. The viral ones like Aids can't be treated. Herpes can't be treated, you have it forever.

VACCINE NOT FOR HER

Rosie Roger decided not to have the cervical cancer vaccine Gardasil when it was offered to her at school two years ago.

"It just sounded like it had more risks than benefits. I heard it had bad side effects. My best friend's mum knew someone who got really sick from it. And I heard it could lower your chance of having babies," she says.

The 18-year-old Devonport student does not regret her decision against having the vaccine.

"Most girls got it done. No one forced us into it. My mother said it was my choice and the school didn't say anything. They just said anyone who wanted to get it done could and the rest could just stay in class.

"It's a personal choice and girls should be able to choose what they want to do with their own bodies."

Auckland sexual health phys-ician Sunita Azariah says she is angry at the "anti-vaccine lobby" for spreading "completely false" information about the vaccine, including that it can cause infertility.

By Joanne Carroll | Email Joanne

View the original article here