Immune Cells In Skin Fight Off Infection Better Than The Rest

ScienceDaily (Apr. 7, 2009) — Scientists at the University of Melbourne have discovered the local action of immune cells in the skin, which could improve treatment of viral skin infections.

This work identifies previously unrecognised first-line defence mechanisms that are particularly important in barrier locations such as the skin and the gut, often used as portals of entry by viruses and bacteria.

Researchers examined two aspects of anti-viral immune responses by studying the cells involved in the initial stimulation of the immune response, and the cells that remember past infections to boost the response after reinfection. They did this by using a model infection with herpes simplex virus - a virus best known for causing cold sores but also associated with life threatening diseases in certain individuals and newborns.

The work was published in two articles in the advanced online March and April editions of the journal Nature Immunology.

The April article details findings on the function of the cells that trigger the initial immune response to viral infection - known as dendritic cells.

“Dendritic cells are like police patrolling our blood and tissues for anything unusual. There are many different types of them, so we wanted to examine how they differ in their function,” said Dr Sammy Bedoui, from the University of Melbourne’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology, who is the lead author on the April paper.

Using an animal model of skin infection with the cold sore virus, researchers showed for the first time that a particular type of dendritic cells was responsible for triggering the immune response. These cells do this by presenting virus particles to Killer T cells, which triggers a cascade of immune responses to tackle infection.

The results could not only provide help in the treatment of viral skin infections, but also of auto-immune diseases of the skin such as psoriasis, where dendritic cells trigger the immune system to attack the body's own cells.

The March paper focuses on the stage after infection has subsided, where some cells retain the ability to recognize the shape of the virus or bacteria - understandably called memory T cells.

Again using the animal model of infection with the cold sore virus, researchers found that memory T cells in the skin provide local immunity against pathogens.

“Because the cells are located at the site of infection, they can respond instantly, much faster than other immune cells that have to travel via the blood to the site,” said Dr Thomas Gebhardt from the University of Melbourne’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology, who is the lead author on the March paper.

“This debunks previous thought that immunity by T cells only occurs at longer distances throughout the body.”

Skin-resident memory T cells provide efficient and long-lasting immunity against skin reinfection with the same virus, resulting in better antiviral protection in skin areas harbouring elevated numbers of these cells.

It is proposed that the generation of large numbers of resident memory cells in these organs represents an important goal for future vaccination strategies.

“Vaccines are of interest because we want to prevent the infection taking hold in the first place,” said Dr Gebhardt.

“This is especially important with the cold sore virus because while the immune response is developing against the initial infection, the virus can hide away in our nerve cells. The virus then remains dormant until the immune system is weakened by stress and the dreaded cold sore returns.”

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Melbourne.

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How to Start Feeling Better About Having Herpes

If you are depressed about having herpes, this article will cheer you up. After you read it, you'll still have herpes, but you'll feel better. You'll feel better, because you will realize you are not alone, and that there are lots worse things that could happen to you.

If you do a search on the internet for a list of celebrities with herpes, you will find some long lists, with famous sports superstars, movie stars, rock stars, and even a guy who used to work at the White House! The point is, anyone can get it. Herpes knows no social boundaries, and it doesn't matter if you are highly educated or not, or what your spiritual beliefs are or what race you are, or if you are promiscuous or not for that matter. And, it doesn't mean you are a bad person if you have herpes.

The fact is millions and millions of people in the world have herpes. About one in five adults in North America has herpes. In New York City, it is one in four. Think about that next time you are in a check out line at a grocery store or drug store. Someone in front of you or behind you, or the maybe the cashier has herpes. When sitting in a movie theatre, you are surrounded by people with herpes.

Having herpes can be a big distraction in your life, or it can be a minor inconvenience, or no inconvenience at all. The choice is yours. I know this will be hard to believe if you are having frequent outbreaks at this time in your life, and if you have just had a relationship end because of herpes or if you are alone and discouraged about finding a mate. But it is possible. The first thing to know, is that half the people with herpes never have outbreaks. Many do not even know they have it, which is one reason it spreads so easily. The good news is you can learn to be in the fifty percent who do not have herpes. It involves taking good care of yourself emotionally and physically. When you do this, your immune system actually starts to work better, and when your immune system is strong, it keeps the virus in remission and you don't have outbreaks. The worst thing you can do is to isolate and feel sorry for yourself. Studies have shown that when a person with herpes comes out of isolation, and starts to make more social contact, their outbreaks diminish. Also, there are herbal formulas which help strengthen your immune system. Having your immune system strong is your key to reducing or eliminating herpes outbreaks. Then, you can start to think again about having sex and a relationship, and you will start to feel much happier. Many have done just that, so it is possible.

Herpes will then become a minor concern in your life. There are many things that could happen to you which are worse, such as getting a disease that causes you to lose the use of your legs, or getting injured and loosing a hand or a finger for instance. You can think of other examples, and by comparison, herpes is minor.

One of the main causes of depression is longing to change things and not being able to do so. Once we accept what is, and stop wishing we could somehow turn back the clock, we become much happier. Many many others have learned to accept what is, and to get on with life, and as a consequence they are much happier. You can do so too!

I have had herpes for over 16 years, and now I rarely think about it. It was not like this at first of course. But I learned how to prevent herpes outbreaks, and now I help others do the same. I answer questions through the email on my websites, which also tell how to prevent outbreaks.

http://www.herpes-herbs.com/

I know what it is like to feel depressed about it, but I promise you you will feel better.

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Don't Suffer Symptoms of Genital Herpes: Professional Treatment Can Make Life So Much Better

You get dressed to the nines and you're looking slick. You have a little mousse in your hair and a strut in your step. A new pair of shoes and an even newer haircut-and you're ready to rock your town. Too bad you have genital herpes and you're too nice a guy to keep the lights shut while you notch another one on your bedpost. (Cue sad music here.) Look, first things first: you should always have safe sex. Safe sex is good and keeps a lot of bad things from happening to you. But if you have already become infected with herpes it's time for treatment to keep those outbreaks under control.

Yeah, herpes of any sort is a bummer to be sure. Genital herpes probably takes the cake for bummer STD. (We're not counting HIV here, but if you were able to become infected with herpes you may have opened yourself up to an even more terrible STD like HIV.) The fact is that there are over twenty five different viruses, diseases and illnesses that can be categorized as an STD, so if you are currently having sexual encounters you should know what to be on the lookout for and know what treatment is available.

You should also be practicing safe sex with condoms, rubbers, Jimmy hats-whatever you want to call them, you should be using them. With that said (like a stern parent waving a gnarled and wrinkled finger at you), we know that many times you are not going to use a condom. Why? "It feels better without one" or "I didn't have one"... all hogwash! Get with it and begin to incorporate safe sex procedures into your life. You could be saving yourself a lifetime of genital herpes treatment-or far worse.

What exactly is genital herpes? Well, herpes itself is a vast array of differing strains of a similar virus which includes everything from cold sores to chickenpox. However, most people are referring to HSV 1 and 2 when they speak of herpes. HSV 1 is your traditional run-of-the-mill lip herpes, the common cold sore, and it is thought that one in four Americans are positive for this virus. (Astounding numbers, we know!)

HSV 2 is the sister-strain to HSV 1 and it is better known as genital herpes. Sores, scabs, and the like, that break-out and form beneath the belt, so to speak. Thankfully, treatment is available for both of these infections.

Any certified STD clinic can help you diagnosed and treat any form of herpes you have been unfortunate enough to catch. Believe it or not, you are not alone. The numbers of people infected with this virus is way too high. Safe sex, early diagnosis and genital herpes treatment are the best ways to combat these unbelievable statistics.

What are the symptoms for genital herpes? They are series of painful blisters that turn into painful scabs and sores. Before these outward symptoms appear, you may feel very tired, get flu-like symptoms including a high fever and upset stomach. Remember that not everyone who becomes infected with herpes show symptoms; some infected individuals are just carriers. They remain asymptomatic yet can go on and on infecting the people they sleep with one after another like snowballs at a bus window. In some weird ironic twist of fate, the individuals infected through these symptomless carriers will need much more treatment, as they are much more likely to break out in these horrible sores than if they were infected by an individual who shows symptoms.

What is the genital herpes test procedure? In the United States there are several different tests for herpes 1 and 2. They include the herpes viral culture, the herpes antigen test and the polymerase chain reaction test. Only a certified STD clinic can choose the best test for you. The testing procedure will be quick, painless and-believe it or not-affordable as well! Then treatment can begin. Leave it to the trained professional to recommend the best medicine and the best dose for you to help keep your genital herpes infection in check.

For those of us located in New York City or its surrounding boroughs log onto genital herpes testing NYC for more information on this professional and discreet certified Herpes treatment NYC clinic. They are located just a few blocks from Grand Central Station making them very easy to get to by subway and bus. Dial 1-212-696-5900 for arrange an appointment today.

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