Einstein Study Reveals New Approach for Stopping Herpes Infections

BRONX, N.Y., March 25, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have discovered a novel strategy for preventing infections due to the highly common herpes simplex viruses, the microbes responsible for causing genital herpes (herpes simplex virus 2) and cold sores (herpes simplex virus 1). The finding, published online by The FASEB Journal, could lead to new drugs for treating or suppressing herpes virus infections.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120531/DC16559LOGO)

"We've essentially identified the molecular 'key' that herpes viruses use to penetrate cell membranes and infect cells of the human body," said Betsy Herold, M.D., professor of pediatrics (infectious diseases), of microbiology & immunology and of obstetrics & gynecology and women's health at Einstein and attending physician of pediatrics, The Children's Hospital at Montefiore.

Herpes viruses are known to infect skin cells as well as cells lining the cervix and the genital tract. A 2006 JAMA study estimates that nearly 60 percent of U.S. men and women between the ages of 14 and 49 carry the HSV-1 virus. The CDC estimates that about 1 in 6 Americans (16.2 percent) between 14 and 49 are infected with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), according to a 2010 national health survey. HSV-2 is a lifelong and incurable infection that can cause recurrent and painful genital sores and can make those infected with the virus two-to-three times more likely to acquire HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Dr. Herold and her colleagues had previously shown that infection by the herpes viruses depends on calcium released within the cells. In this study, they found that calcium release occurs because the viruses activate a critical cell-signaling molecule called Akt at the cell membrane.

As part of their investigation of Akt's role in herpes infections, the researchers took laboratory cultures of those human cell types and mixed them for 15 minutes with four different drugs known to inhibit Akt. The cells were then exposed for one hour to herpes simplex virus 2. All four drugs significantly inhibited herpes virus infection in each of the cell types. By contrast, cells not pretreated with the Akt inhibitors were readily infected on exposure to the virus.

"For people infected with herpes, the drug acyclovir helps prevent herpes outbreaks from recurring and lowers the risk of transmitting the infection to others," said Dr. Herold. "But some people have herpes infections that don't respond to acyclovir, and unfortunately there is no effective vaccine. So new approaches for suppressing and treating herpes infections are badly needed, and our findings indicate that inhibiting Akt should be a useful therapeutic strategy to pursue."

The paper "HSV activates Akt to trigger calcium release and promote viral entry: novel candidate target for treatment and suppression" was published online by The FASEB Journal. In addition to Dr. Herold, other authors of the paper (all of them at Einstein) were lead author Natalia Cheshenko, Ph.D., Janie B. Trepanier, Ph.D., Martha Stefanidou, Niall Buckley, Pablo Gonzalez and William Jacobs, Jr., Ph.D. The research was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (AI-061679) and the Center for AIDS Research at Einstein and Montefiore Medical Center (AI-51519).

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University is one of the nation's premier centers for research, medical education and clinical investigation. In 2012, Einstein received over $160 million in awards from the NIH for major research centers at Einstein in diabetes, cancer, liver disease, and AIDS, as well as other areas. Through its affiliation with Montefiore Medical Center, the University Hospital for Einstein, and six other hospital systems, the College of Medicine runs one of the largest residency and fellowship training programs in the medical and dental professions in the United States. For more information, please visit www.einstein.yu.edu and follow us on Twitter @EinsteinMed.

SOURCE Albert Einstein College of Medicine

View the original article here

A guide to common eye infections

A guide to common eye infections
© Thinkstock

Conjunctivitis is a harmless infection that affects the conjunctiva, a transparent membrane that covers the inside of the eyelids and lines part of the ocular globe. It’s generally caused by a virus (adenovirus) or by bacteria (staphylococcus, streptococcus, pneumococcus or haemophilus). The infection can also be caused by allergies.

Conjunctivitis is normally diagnosed when:

The eye becomes red and feels itchy.Thin or thick secretions cover the eye, making it difficult to open in the morning.Conjunctivitis, especially when it’s caused by a virus, is mostly harmless and will usually clear up within a few days. At the same time, the infection tends to spread to the other eye, so it’s a good idea to use different drops for each eye. It’s highly contagious, so you have to be careful. Avoid rubbing the infected eye, wash your hands regularly and don’t leave compresses lying around before you wash them to stop the infection spreading to other people. For the same reasons, don’t use eye drops that have expired, as the bottle could contain germs that lead to conjunctivitis.  

Some forms of conjunctivitis can be more serious: in newborn babies who have caught the infection during birth from gonococcus, chlamydia or type 2 herpes in the mother. Conjunctivitis caused by chlamydia trachomatis leads to the development of a trachoma and is the most common cause of blindness in the world. Bad hygiene often plays a role in the development of conjunctivitis. It can be prevented simply through washing your hands and will disappear quickly when treated with antibiotics.

These bacterial infections are also quite common. Small red swellings develop around the roots (or follicles) of the eyelashes around the edge of the eye. These are mostly caused by staphylococcus, as is the case with boils, and a few sties can develop around the eye. After the sty has burst, it will heal by itself. All you have to do is apply an antiseptic cream or a warm, damp dressing to help the process.

Chalazions, similar to sties, are an inflammatory reaction caused by the obstruction of tiny glands called Meibomius, which produce the oily substance in tears. Unlike sties, chalazions are painless, but they can make the eye vulnerable to further infection.

Other tissues in the eye can also become infected. The cornea, a transparent fibrous membrane covering the eye, is particularly susceptible. Keratitis can either be a viral infection (caused by the adenovirus, herpes or varicella zoster viruses), a bacterial infection of a fungal infection. Contact lens wearers are particularly at risk.

Corneal infections can lead to the appearance of erosions and ulceration on the cornea, which alter your vision and can become troublesome. Keratitis usually only affects one eye, making it red, painful and sensitive to light.

If you get keratitis, you should consult an eye specialist. Eye drops with antibacterial or antiviral properties may be prescribed in some cases to fight the infection and prevent the cornea from turning opaque and obscuring your vision in the long term. The symptoms will take longer to clear up than conjunctivitis.

Herpetic keratitis is treated with aciclovir, an antiviral prescription drug that’s taken orally or given intravenously. You can’t use this with creams containing corticoids, as these could worsen the infection. One of the key problems with this form of keratitis is that it tends to come back, so a long course of treatment with aciclovir may be required to get rid of it.

Ophthalmic zoster is a secondary infection of the ophthalmic part of the trigeminal nerve, caused by the varicella zoster virus. It manifests itself through inflammation of the cornea, causing intense pain. It can also affect the uvea, retina and motor nerves in the eye, and can lead to paralysis of the eye in such cases. 

The uvea, which is made up of the iris, ciliary body (which produces the aqueous humour) and a vascular membrane called the choroid, can also be prone to infection. Certain viruses like the cytomegolovirus, and parasites like toxoplasma, can also cause infections of the retina, especially in people with low immunity or people suffering from AIDS. 

Dr Corinne Tutin

More information:
Cold and flu remedies
Conjunctivitis
Baby washing and care

View the original article here

To drive infections, a hijacking virus mimics a cell's signaling system

ScienceDaily (Mar. 26, 2012) — New biological research reveals how an invading virus hijacks a cell's workings by imitating a signaling marker to defeat the body's defenses. By manipulating cell signals, the virus destroys a defensive protein designed to inhibit it. This finding, from studies in human cell cultures, may represent a broader targeting strategy used by other viruses, and may lay the scientific groundwork for developing more effective treatments for infectious diseases.

"Learning details of how cells respond to viruses helps us to understand key cellular machinery better," said study leader Matthew D. Weitzman, Ph.D., of the Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "This study tells us how a virus overcomes intrinsic host defenses. In this case the virus mimics signals used during normal DNA repair mechanisms."

The study team, formerly based at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, Calif., published their current findings online March 8 in Molecular Cell.

Biologists have long known that viruses hijack cellular processes to replicate themselves, while host cells have evolved intrinsic defense systems to resist viral invasion. To replicate, viruses must deliver their own DNA into a cell's nucleus, so a viral infection entails a conflict between two genomes -- the DNA of the host cell versus the foreign DNA of the virus.

Viruses mount their attack by interacting with specific cell proteins as a way of penetrating the cell's defenses. "In this study, we asked how the herpes simplex virus finds the specific proteins that it interacts with," said Weitzman. "By describing the mechanism of this particular interaction between a virus and a cell protein, we have pinpointed key regulators of a cell's processes, and shed light on how a cell regulates its defenses."

This laboratory study focused on herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1), a common human virus that results in recurrent infections alternating with inactive periods. Like other viruses, HSV-1 is known to manipulate cellular processes in order to infect cells, but the specific mechanisms by which it acts on the DNA repair pathway were previously unknown.

Weitzman's study team was studying a viral protein called ICP0 that overcomes host defenses by targeting cellular proteins for destruction. They found that ICP0 exploits phosphorylation, a chemical mark that is often used in cells to promote interactions between proteins, especially as part of the cellular signaling response to DNA damage. In HSV-1 infection, the phosphorylation signal on ICP0 attracts a cellular DNA damage response protein, RNF8, which binds to the false signaling marker and is then degraded. Because RNF8 normally inhibits viral replication, its destruction leaves the cell vulnerable to HSV-1 infection, as the virus takes over the cell's machinery.

The researchers also found that ICP0 exploits the same phosphorylation signal to bind to other cellular proteins in addition to RNF8, a hint that it may play a broader role in defeating antiviral defenses and manipulating cellular machinery. Weitzman will continue to investigate HSV-1 infection in neurons and in animal models. He also plans to extend his research into other viruses, which may act on different pathways than HSV-1 does. "Ultimately," he added, "better knowledge of molecular mechanisms in infection may suggest strategies to interrupt the viral life cycle and treat infections."

The National Institutes of Health, the Salk Institute, the American Cancer Society and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute were among the funders of this research.

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

Journal Reference:

Mira S. Chaurushiya, Caroline E. Lilley, Aaron Aslanian, Jill Meisenhelder, Daniel C. Scott, Sébastien Landry, Simina Ticau, Chris Boutell, John R. Yates, Brenda A. Schulman, Tony Hunter, Matthew D. Weitzman. Viral E3 Ubiquitin Ligase-Mediated Degradation of a Cellular E3: Viral Mimicry of a Cellular Phosphorylation Mark Targets the RNF8 FHA Domain. Molecular Cell, 2012; DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2012.02.004

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

View the original article here

Microbicide gel: Reduced risk of HIV and herpes infections in women, study shows

ScienceDaily (July 20, 2010) — Researchers have achieved an important scientific breakthrough in the fight against HIV and genital herpes with a vaginal gel that significantly reduces a woman's risk of being infected with these viruses. The results of the ground-breaking safety and effectiveness study of an antiretroviral microbicide gel study were reported by the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) at the XVIII International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria.

The microbicide containing 1% tenofovir -- an antiretroviral drug widely used in the treatment of HIV -- was found to be 39% effective in reducing a woman's risk of becoming infected with HIV during sex and 51% effective in preventing genital herpes infections in the women participating in the trial. Should other studies of tenofovir gel confirm these results, widespread use of the gel, at this level of protection, could prevent over half a million new HIV infections in South Africa alone over the next decade.

"Tenofovir gel could fill an important HIV prevention gap by empowering women who are unable to successfully negotiate mutual faithfulness or condom use with their male partners," said study co- principal investigator, Dr. Quarraisha Abdool Karim, Associate Director of CAPRISA and Associate Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University. "This new technology has the potential to alter the course of the HIV epidemic, especially in southern Africa where young women bear the brunt of this devastating disease."

Tenofovir works by preventing HIV from growing inside human cells. Taken in pill form, tenofovir is a common component of various three-drug cocktails that are used to treat HIV infections. The new results now indicate that tenofovir formulated as a topical gel and inserted into the female genital tract also has great promise for use in HIV and herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) prevention.

The CAPRISA 004 trial of tenofovir gel involved 889 women at high risk of HIV infection at an urban and a rural site in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Overall, 98 women out of the 889 became HIV positive during the trial -- with 38 in the tenofovir gel group and 60 in the placebo gel group. Out of the 434 women who tested negative for herpes at the start of the trial, 29 became infected in the tenofovir group and 58 became infected in the placebo group. The reduced rates of HIV and herpes infections among the women who used the tenofovir gel are statistically significant.

"Tenofovir gel has a potential dual effect in preventing HIV. Since women with genital herpes are much more likely to become infected with HIV, the additional protection of tenofovir gel against herpes creates a second mechanism whereby the gel may have a bigger impact in preventing HIV," said study co-principal investigator, Dr Salim S. Abdool Karim, Director of CAPRISA and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. "The trial results are a significant first step toward establishing the effectiveness of antiretroviral drugs for HIV and genital herpes prevention; confirmatory studies are now urgently needed."

During monthly visits, all participants were provided with HIV risk-reduction counseling, condoms and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and each was clinically examined for potential side effects and tested for HIV infection. The study was double-blinded and neither the researchers nor the participating women knew whether a woman in the study received tenofovir gel or placebo gel. Women in the study were advised to use the gel up to 12 hours before sex and soon after having sex for a maximum of two doses in 24 hours -- a dosing strategy referred to as BAT24. Participants used the gel for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two and a half years. The trial team observed no substantive safety concerns from use of the gel. Further, no increase in risky behavior was observed in the women.

The CAPRISA researchers also found that the protective effect against HIV and genital herpes increased as use of the tenofovir gel increased. Women who used the gel in more than 80% of their sex acts had a 54% reduction in HIV infections, whereas those who used the gel in less than half of their sex acts had a 28% reduction in HIV infections. Among those women who became infected, tenofovir gel had no effect on the amount of HIV in their bloodstream at the time of infection. Also, none of the women who became infected with HIV showed resistance to tenofovir.

All volunteers to the study who tested HIV positive were provided care including ARV treatment at the CAPRISA clinics and women who became infected during the study were enrolled into CAPRISA studies and/or the CAPRISA AIDS treatment program at their respective sites for ongoing care and support.

This study was jointly funded by the Governments of South Africa and the United States, through the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID), respectively. USAID provided $16.5M and TIA provided $1.1 for the study. "USAID is proud to be the major donor of this first-ever proof of concept that a vaginal microbicide can effectively and safely reduce the risk of HIV transmission from men to vulnerable women. The success of the CAPRISA 004 trial perfectly complements the Global Health Initiative and our focus on women's health, both in prevention and sustainable health delivery systems," stated USAID Administrator Raj Shah.

The promising findings of the CAPRISA 004 study is only a first step in determining if tenofovir gel is effective in preventing HIV and herpes infection; additional studies are urgently needed to confirm and extend the findings of the CAPRISA study. Important information is expected from current studies such as the Microbicide Trials Network's VOICE study, which is currently assessing daily tenofovir gel as well as daily tenofovir and Truvada tablets in women in several African countries. Studies of daily Truvada tablets are underway in intravenous drug users, young high-risk women and men who have sex with men.

"We are proud to have partnered with CAPRISA and CONRAD on this important study. We see it as a major victory in the field of HIV prevention research. This is the first evidence that an antiretroviral drug in a gel form -- a microbicide -- can reduce HIV and genital herpes infection in women," said Ward Cates, President of FHI. "The next step is to see whether other studies underway confirm these exciting results."

Only after drug regulatory authorities determine that tenofovir gel is safe and effective for HIV prevention, can the gel be made available to the public for HIV prevention. Since this process can take several years, TIA and U.S.-based CONRAD are working together to address the challenges to making the gel available first to women in South Africa.

"CONRAD has given the rights to manufacture this gel to the government of South Africa to get this much needed product to women in South Africa as rapidly as possible," said Dr. Henry Gabelnick, Executive Director of CONRAD, who provided the gel for the study. "The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) is working closely with the South African government, CAPRISA and CONRAD to ensure that this important innovation makes an impact in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS," said Dr. Mamphela Ramphele, Chairperson of TIA.

Ambassador Eric Goosby, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator said, "The results of the CAPRISA trial provide new hope and direction for not only HIV prevention, but also broader efforts under the Global Health Initiative. We recognize that microbicides will be a great asset to HIV prevention efforts, and the U.S. Government is pleased to support this important research."

Professor Malegapuru Makgoba, Vice-Chancellor of the University of KwaZulu-Natal stated, "This piece of research is a significant milestone for women in the thirty year history of the HIV/AIDs epidemic, microbicides and antiretroviral research. The research represents that which is best in science with direct translation into prevention policy, bringing a message of hope and empowerment to women, policymakers and scientists. These research findings will not only significantly alter the shape and form but also the future direction of this devastating epidemic."

"The trial's findings create a new vision for the opportunity for prevention of HIV and re-define the public health approach to HIV control," added Dr Linda Fried, Dean of the Mailman School of Public Health of Columbia University, New York.

The trial was conducted by CAPRISA in partnership with the U.S.-based organizations FHI and CONRAD with funding from USAID. Gilead Sciences donated the active ingredient for the manufacture of the tenofovir gel.

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by CONRAD, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

View the original article here

Follow hygienic ways to stave off genital infections

Vaginal infections are caused by a decrease in the natural acidity levels.

The genital area normally produces an odour-free, clear, slightly cloudy, non-irritating discharge. This discharge can vary according to the different time of her menstrual cycle. Certain bacteria live naturally inside the organ as a part of the defence mechanism. They produce acid, which fight infection causing bacteria, yeast, viruses and fungi. Whenever there is a decrease in the acid produced, there is a chance of infection, said Dr Deba Jalal, Specialist Obs and Gynaecology at the Aster Medical Centre in Dubai.

--Discharge with an unpleasant odour.

--Painful urination

--Itching or burning senation in the area

--Discomfort during intercourse.

--Bleeding after intercourse

--Abdominal pains

--Swelling, lumps, redness, blisters or ulceration of the vulva or anus while passing urine.

--Change in the colour and amount of discharge

Candida or yeast infections: Such infection can cause itching and redness of the genital area. It produces a thick, white discharge with the consistency of cottage cheese, although the discharge may not be present in certain cases.

Thrush: The factors that trigger the growth of thrush are pregnancy, antibiotics, diabetes, perfumed soaps or feminine hygiene sprays, contraceptive pills, tight underwear etc.

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

When there is abnormal growth of natural bacteria in the female genital area, it can lead to a discharge that is usually thin, and grey with a fishy smell.

Though BV is not a sexually transmitted disease, a new sexual partner or a high lifetime number of sexual partners may lead to such infections.

Trichomoniasis

Caused by a parasite called trichomonas vaginalis, this is usually transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse. The symptoms manifest as a heavy, frothy, yellow-green, fishy smelling discharge.

Chlamydia

Seven in 10 women and half of the men with Chlamydia do not show any symptoms. In women, this infection can spread to uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes. Left untreated, it can lead to ectopic pregnancies and infertility.

Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria Gonorrhoea passed on through unprotected sex.

Genital Herpes

This virus invades the body through unprotected sexual contact and stays in the body for the rest of one's life. The symptoms include: Painful blisters, pain passing urine, discharge, fever, tiredness.

Genital warts

Caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) resulting in abnormal growth of cells. It is transmitted through sexual or skin-to skin contact. Small round warts appear on or around the genital area. Such infections can be prevented by following safe and hygienic ways. -- news@khaleejtimes.com

View the original article here

Eczema Patients Most At Risk For Dangerous Viral Infections

ScienceDaily (June 25, 2009) — Eczema patients at risk for serious viral infections have more severe disease, are more likely to be allergic to food and other allergens, and have a frequent history of staph infections, according to researchers at National Jewish Health and other institutions in the NIH-funded Atopic Dermatitis Vaccinia Network.

The findings, published June 22 in the online version of The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, could help identify people at risk for serious complications of smallpox vaccinations, and point to defects in the skin barrier and antimicrobial-protein production as possible causes for the increased susceptibility.

"Previous studies have suggested that eczema is not only becoming more prevalent, but that patients have increased susceptibility to disseminated viral infections," said senior author Donald Leung, MD, PhD, Edelstein Family Chair of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology at National Jewish Health. "Our study is the largest and first in the United States to carefully characterize eczema patients who have suffered widespread herpes simplex viral infections of their skin. It is also the first to report that these patients are more susceptible to staphylococcus and other infections of the skin and eye."

A subset of the estimated 6 million eczema patients in the United States are susceptible to widespread infections of their skin by herpes simplex and vaccinia viruses. The herpes simplex virus is common but only rarely causes disseminated skin infections that can spread to the eye and bloodstream sometimes leading to encephalitis and meningitis. The widespread herpes simplex skin infection is known as eczema herpeticum.

Vaccinia virus, which is used in smallpox vaccinations, can also cause a serious and life-threatening skin infections in a smaller subset of patients. People who have eczema or had it in the past are susceptible to this infection when they receive a smallpox vaccination. This situation could limit the ability of those people to safely receive vaccinations in case of a smallpox bioterrorism event.

The Atopic Dermatitis Vaccinia Network (ADVN) is an NIH-funded multi-center network charged with better understanding the susceptibility of eczema patients to the vaccinia infection and to search for ways to protect against it. Atopic dermatitis is another name for eczema, an allergic skin condition that causes itchy, inflamed and cracked skin.

The ADVN researchers believed that they might be able to identify eczema patients at high risk for these infections and to obtain clues about the mechanisms of susceptibility by studying a large cohort of patients who had suffered eczema herpeticum, the herpes simplex viral skin infections. They examined a wide variety of demographic, pathologic and biologic characteristics  in 901 subjects, 138 of whom had suffered eczema herpeticum.

They found that eczema patients susceptible to herpes simplex infections had more severe disease, earlier age of disease onset, more frequent history of other allergic diseases such as food allergy, asthma and hay fever, more allergic biomarkers, and more frequent skin infections with other microbes.

"These characteristics associated with eczema herpeticum should help us identify young patients at greater risk for eczema herpeticum so that we can be more vigilant with them and better equipped to prevent this serious complication of eczema," said Dr. Leung.

The greater allergic disease and sensitization, as well as infection by other microbes,  point to a potential mechanism for the increased susceptibility to viral skin infections. An emerging model of eczema highlights the importance of skin-barrier defects and a lack of antimicrobial proteins among eczema patients. The skin-barrier defect is believed to result in the greater allergic sensitization among eczema patients in general. The even higher allergic sensitization among EH patients suggests the skin-barrier defect is particularly acute in those patients.

The higher levels of infections with staphylococcus and other microbes suggests that EH patients may be particularly lacking in antimicrobial proteins.

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by National Jewish Medical and Research Center.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

View the original article here

Exposure to several common infections over time may be associated with risk of stroke

ScienceDaily (Nov. 9, 2009) — Cumulative exposure to five common infection-causing pathogens may be associated with an increased risk of stroke, according to a report posted online today that will appear in the January 2010 print issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and leading cause of serious disability in the United States, according to background information in the article. Known risk factors include high blood pressure, heart disease, abnormal cholesterol levels and smoking, but many strokes occur in patients with none of these factors. "There is therefore interest in identifying additional modifiable risk factors," the authors write.

Some evidence exists that prior infection with pathogens such as herpes viruses promotes inflammation, contributes to arterial disease and thereby increases stroke risk. Mitchell S. V. Elkind, M.D., M.S., of Columbia University Medical Center, New York, and colleagues studied 1,625 adults (average age 68.4) living in the multi-ethnic urban community of northern Manhattan, New York. Blood was obtained from all participants -- none of whom had a stroke -- and was tested for antibodies indicating prior exposure to five common pathogens: Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus 1 and 2. A weighted composite index of exposure to all five pathogens was developed.

Participants were followed up annually over a median (midpoint) of 7.6 years. During this time period, 67 had strokes. "Each individual infection was positively, though not significantly, associated with stroke risk after adjusting for other risk factors," the authors write. "The infectious burden index was associated with an increased risk of all strokes after adjusting for demographics and risk factors."

There were several reasons to investigate these five particular pathogens, the authors note. "First, each of these common pathogens may persist after an acute infection and thus contribute to perpetuating a state of chronic, low-level infection," they write. "Second, prior studies demonstrated an association between each of these pathogens and cardiovascular diseases." Studies examining several of these pathogens individually have suggested some may contribute to stroke risk.

"Our study could have potential clinical implications," the authors conclude. "For example, treatment and eradication of these chronic pathogens might mitigate future risk of stroke. Antibiotic therapy directed against C pneumoniae has been tested in randomized controlled trials without evidence of benefit against heart disease. Whether the same holds true for stroke has not yet been established. More studies will be required to further explore infectious burden as a potential modifiable risk factor for stroke."

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by JAMA and Archives Journals.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

Journal Reference:

Elkind et al. Infectious Burden and Risk of Stroke: The Northern Manhattan Study. Archives of Neurology, 2009; DOI: 10.1001/archneurol.2009.271

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

View the original article here

To drive infections, a hijacking virus mimics a cell's signaling system

ScienceDaily (Mar. 26, 2012) — New biological research reveals how an invading virus hijacks a cell's workings by imitating a signaling marker to defeat the body's defenses. By manipulating cell signals, the virus destroys a defensive protein designed to inhibit it. This finding, from studies in human cell cultures, may represent a broader targeting strategy used by other viruses, and may lay the scientific groundwork for developing more effective treatments for infectious diseases.

"Learning details of how cells respond to viruses helps us to understand key cellular machinery better," said study leader Matthew D. Weitzman, Ph.D., of the Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "This study tells us how a virus overcomes intrinsic host defenses. In this case the virus mimics signals used during normal DNA repair mechanisms."

The study team, formerly based at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, Calif., published their current findings online March 8 in Molecular Cell.

Biologists have long known that viruses hijack cellular processes to replicate themselves, while host cells have evolved intrinsic defense systems to resist viral invasion. To replicate, viruses must deliver their own DNA into a cell's nucleus, so a viral infection entails a conflict between two genomes -- the DNA of the host cell versus the foreign DNA of the virus.

Viruses mount their attack by interacting with specific cell proteins as a way of penetrating the cell's defenses. "In this study, we asked how the herpes simplex virus finds the specific proteins that it interacts with," said Weitzman. "By describing the mechanism of this particular interaction between a virus and a cell protein, we have pinpointed key regulators of a cell's processes, and shed light on how a cell regulates its defenses."

This laboratory study focused on herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1), a common human virus that results in recurrent infections alternating with inactive periods. Like other viruses, HSV-1 is known to manipulate cellular processes in order to infect cells, but the specific mechanisms by which it acts on the DNA repair pathway were previously unknown.

Weitzman's study team was studying a viral protein called ICP0 that overcomes host defenses by targeting cellular proteins for destruction. They found that ICP0 exploits phosphorylation, a chemical mark that is often used in cells to promote interactions between proteins, especially as part of the cellular signaling response to DNA damage. In HSV-1 infection, the phosphorylation signal on ICP0 attracts a cellular DNA damage response protein, RNF8, which binds to the false signaling marker and is then degraded. Because RNF8 normally inhibits viral replication, its destruction leaves the cell vulnerable to HSV-1 infection, as the virus takes over the cell's machinery.

The researchers also found that ICP0 exploits the same phosphorylation signal to bind to other cellular proteins in addition to RNF8, a hint that it may play a broader role in defeating antiviral defenses and manipulating cellular machinery. Weitzman will continue to investigate HSV-1 infection in neurons and in animal models. He also plans to extend his research into other viruses, which may act on different pathways than HSV-1 does. "Ultimately," he added, "better knowledge of molecular mechanisms in infection may suggest strategies to interrupt the viral life cycle and treat infections."

The National Institutes of Health, the Salk Institute, the American Cancer Society and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute were among the funders of this research.

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, via Newswise.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

Journal Reference:

Mira S. Chaurushiya, Caroline E. Lilley, Aaron Aslanian, Jill Meisenhelder, Daniel C. Scott, Sébastien Landry, Simina Ticau, Chris Boutell, John R. Yates, Brenda A. Schulman, Tony Hunter, Matthew D. Weitzman. Viral E3 Ubiquitin Ligase-Mediated Degradation of a Cellular E3: Viral Mimicry of a Cellular Phosphorylation Mark Targets the RNF8 FHA Domain. Molecular Cell, 2012; DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2012.02.004

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

View the original article here

Microbicide gel: Reduced risk of HIV and herpes infections in women, study shows

ScienceDaily (July 19, 2010) — Researchers have achieved an important scientific breakthrough in the fight against HIV and genital herpes with a vaginal gel that significantly reduces a woman's risk of being infected with these viruses. The results of the ground-breaking safety and effectiveness study of an antiretroviral microbicide gel study were reported by the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) at the XVIII International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria.

The microbicide containing 1% tenofovir -- an antiretroviral drug widely used in the treatment of HIV -- was found to be 39% effective in reducing a woman's risk of becoming infected with HIV during sex and 51% effective in preventing genital herpes infections in the women participating in the trial. Should other studies of tenofovir gel confirm these results, widespread use of the gel, at this level of protection, could prevent over half a million new HIV infections in South Africa alone over the next decade.

"Tenofovir gel could fill an important HIV prevention gap by empowering women who are unable to successfully negotiate mutual faithfulness or condom use with their male partners," said study co- principal investigator, Dr. Quarraisha Abdool Karim, Associate Director of CAPRISA and Associate Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University. "This new technology has the potential to alter the course of the HIV epidemic, especially in southern Africa where young women bear the brunt of this devastating disease."

Tenofovir works by preventing HIV from growing inside human cells. Taken in pill form, tenofovir is a common component of various three-drug cocktails that are used to treat HIV infections. The new results now indicate that tenofovir formulated as a topical gel and inserted into the female genital tract also has great promise for use in HIV and herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) prevention.

The CAPRISA 004 trial of tenofovir gel involved 889 women at high risk of HIV infection at an urban and a rural site in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Overall, 98 women out of the 889 became HIV positive during the trial -- with 38 in the tenofovir gel group and 60 in the placebo gel group. Out of the 434 women who tested negative for herpes at the start of the trial, 29 became infected in the tenofovir group and 58 became infected in the placebo group. The reduced rates of HIV and herpes infections among the women who used the tenofovir gel are statistically significant.

"Tenofovir gel has a potential dual effect in preventing HIV. Since women with genital herpes are much more likely to become infected with HIV, the additional protection of tenofovir gel against herpes creates a second mechanism whereby the gel may have a bigger impact in preventing HIV," said study co-principal investigator, Dr Salim S. Abdool Karim, Director of CAPRISA and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. "The trial results are a significant first step toward establishing the effectiveness of antiretroviral drugs for HIV and genital herpes prevention; confirmatory studies are now urgently needed."

During monthly visits, all participants were provided with HIV risk-reduction counseling, condoms and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and each was clinically examined for potential side effects and tested for HIV infection. The study was double-blinded and neither the researchers nor the participating women knew whether a woman in the study received tenofovir gel or placebo gel. Women in the study were advised to use the gel up to 12 hours before sex and soon after having sex for a maximum of two doses in 24 hours -- a dosing strategy referred to as BAT24. Participants used the gel for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two and a half years. The trial team observed no substantive safety concerns from use of the gel. Further, no increase in risky behavior was observed in the women.

The CAPRISA researchers also found that the protective effect against HIV and genital herpes increased as use of the tenofovir gel increased. Women who used the gel in more than 80% of their sex acts had a 54% reduction in HIV infections, whereas those who used the gel in less than half of their sex acts had a 28% reduction in HIV infections. Among those women who became infected, tenofovir gel had no effect on the amount of HIV in their bloodstream at the time of infection. Also, none of the women who became infected with HIV showed resistance to tenofovir.

All volunteers to the study who tested HIV positive were provided care including ARV treatment at the CAPRISA clinics and women who became infected during the study were enrolled into CAPRISA studies and/or the CAPRISA AIDS treatment program at their respective sites for ongoing care and support.

This study was jointly funded by the Governments of South Africa and the United States, through the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID), respectively. USAID provided $16.5M and TIA provided $1.1 for the study. "USAID is proud to be the major donor of this first-ever proof of concept that a vaginal microbicide can effectively and safely reduce the risk of HIV transmission from men to vulnerable women. The success of the CAPRISA 004 trial perfectly complements the Global Health Initiative and our focus on women's health, both in prevention and sustainable health delivery systems," stated USAID Administrator Raj Shah.

The promising findings of the CAPRISA 004 study is only a first step in determining if tenofovir gel is effective in preventing HIV and herpes infection; additional studies are urgently needed to confirm and extend the findings of the CAPRISA study. Important information is expected from current studies such as the Microbicide Trials Network's VOICE study, which is currently assessing daily tenofovir gel as well as daily tenofovir and Truvada tablets in women in several African countries. Studies of daily Truvada tablets are underway in intravenous drug users, young high-risk women and men who have sex with men.

"We are proud to have partnered with CAPRISA and CONRAD on this important study. We see it as a major victory in the field of HIV prevention research. This is the first evidence that an antiretroviral drug in a gel form -- a microbicide -- can reduce HIV and genital herpes infection in women," said Ward Cates, President of FHI. "The next step is to see whether other studies underway confirm these exciting results."

Only after drug regulatory authorities determine that tenofovir gel is safe and effective for HIV prevention, can the gel be made available to the public for HIV prevention. Since this process can take several years, TIA and U.S.-based CONRAD are working together to address the challenges to making the gel available first to women in South Africa.

"CONRAD has given the rights to manufacture this gel to the government of South Africa to get this much needed product to women in South Africa as rapidly as possible," said Dr. Henry Gabelnick, Executive Director of CONRAD, who provided the gel for the study. "The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) is working closely with the South African government, CAPRISA and CONRAD to ensure that this important innovation makes an impact in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS," said Dr. Mamphela Ramphele, Chairperson of TIA.

Ambassador Eric Goosby, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator said, "The results of the CAPRISA trial provide new hope and direction for not only HIV prevention, but also broader efforts under the Global Health Initiative. We recognize that microbicides will be a great asset to HIV prevention efforts, and the U.S. Government is pleased to support this important research."

Professor Malegapuru Makgoba, Vice-Chancellor of the University of KwaZulu-Natal stated, "This piece of research is a significant milestone for women in the thirty year history of the HIV/AIDs epidemic, microbicides and antiretroviral research. The research represents that which is best in science with direct translation into prevention policy, bringing a message of hope and empowerment to women, policymakers and scientists. These research findings will not only significantly alter the shape and form but also the future direction of this devastating epidemic."

"The trial's findings create a new vision for the opportunity for prevention of HIV and re-define the public health approach to HIV control," added Dr Linda Fried, Dean of the Mailman School of Public Health of Columbia University, New York.

The trial was conducted by CAPRISA in partnership with the U.S.-based organizations FHI and CONRAD with funding from USAID. Gilead Sciences donated the active ingredient for the manufacture of the tenofovir gel.

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by CONRAD, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

View the original article here

Herpes Treatment - Keeping Herpes Infections at Bay

While herpes is supposedly an incurable disease, modern technology has provided many avenues and ways of containing the infections. This is done mostly by suppressing the virus and preventing it from multiplying during the active lesion phase. This treatment and containment is extremely important in ensuring ones health.

Herpes treatments work to ensure that the virus, which is actually in a latent (inactive) state, does not infect other healthy cells when the bodies immune system is weak.

Generally speaking, herpes medications come in two distinct forms:

a) Episodic Herpes Treatment

Usually, this involves taking action within a 24 hour time frame of seeing. Apply treatment as soon as you see signs of an infection cropping up.

b) Suppressive Herpes Treatment

This mode of treatment is common and recommended for those people who encounter frequent episodes of infections. In this case, one basically takes medicine on a regular (usually daily basis). This helps to suppress the virus and minimize any chances of recurring symptoms. Suppression treatment works effectively in flooring the number of outbreaks and greatly contributes to reducing the chances of virus transmission.

Today, there are many types of herpes solutions available in the market. Usually, the best solution for one depends on the frequency of outbreak. Episodic herpes treatment would be best suited when the occurrences are well spaced while suppressive herpes anti-viral drugs would be the better alternative where frequency of occurrence is much more often.

In order to motivate the virus-containment efforts of the herpes medication, there are many things that one can do. These activities have been recommended by health specialists and should be certainly observed:

i. Strengthen your body immune system - this can be done by observing healthy dietary routines, taking time to exercise and resting.

ii. Keeping the infected area clean - during herpes treatment, keep the infected areas as clean as can be. This greatly aids your natural healing processes.

iii. Use warm showers to cleanse the infected parts and keep them clean - creates unfavorable conditions for the multiplication of the herpes virus.

iv. Tight fitting undergarments and other clothing are discouraged as they would otherwise lead to undesirable chaffing.

v. Use a towel to dry the area - by gently employing a towel, you should always dry the affected parts appropriately. This is another way of disrupting viral reproductive tendencies and thus complementing the action of herpes treatment agents.

There are many other actions you can take to help alleviate the herpes symptoms but ideally, it is best to take action and use a proven herpes solution.

Dynamiclear Reviews What is Dynamiclear?

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

Lasik Surgery and Ocular Herpes Infections

Herpes virus infections have become an increasing health concern over the last few decades. One of the major contraindications to having Lasik eye surgery is a history of herpetic infections of the eye. The herpes variant that most often causes corneal eye infections is usually the same one that causes oral cold sores. In the eye, herpes simplex viruses can cause a recurrent inflammatory reaction of the cornea which can cause long term scarring and distortion which can permanently reduce vision. It's the potential recurrent nature of this infection that tends to be the most problematic. Some individuals have only rare attacks while others have frequent, chronic, and recurrent problems that continually add more scar tissue over time. The virus will manifest itself at unpredictable times causing inflammation then scarring and afterward it will go dormant and remain quiet for extended periods of time. During these quiet times, the virus is still present in the body but remains hidden in our nerve tissue. It is kept at bay at these times by the strength of our immune systems, but any stressor which affects or suppresses the immune system can allow the virus to attack the cornea again. Currently, there is no true cure for herpes infections.

In addition to being the major site of ocular herpetic infection, the cornea is the part of the eye where Lasik surgery is performed. It's believed that surgery involving laser treatment to the corneal surface may act as a stimulus to activate the dormant herpes virus in an otherwise quiet eye. Theoretically, this stimulus could initiate chronic, recurrent herpes corneal infections and lead to potential scarring of the eye. Also, it has been shown that topical steroid eye drop use in patients with active herpes infections can lead to prolonged problems. After Lasik surgery, patients typically use steroid eye drops for several days to a week. However, steroids act by suppressing the immune system, so they are generally avoided whenever possible in the eyes of patients known to be affected by the herpes virus. Patients with ocular herpes can become "steroid dependent" and cannot be taken off of the steroid drops without significant inflammation recurring. As we noted earlier, the herpes virus usually remains dormant in the nerves of the eye and is kept quiescent by our normal immune system. So the immunosuppressive effect of a steroid can lead to an imbalance allowing the chronic reactivation of the herpes virus in that individual. The combined risk of the stress of laser treatment in conjunction with steroid use makes patients with ocular herpes very poor Lasik surgery candidates.

It should be stressed that there is no way to know if Lasik surgery will cause a herpes reactivation in the eye. Nobody has ever conducted a study of known patients that have a history of herpes eye infections to determine if Lasik does in fact significantly increase the rate of recurrent infection and inflammation. Because of the possibility of chronic inflammation and scarring, we avoid Lasik in any patient that has a history of herpetic infections of the eye so nobody has ever intentionally designed a study that might put those individuals at risk. Certainly, some patients have undergone eye surgery or other traumatic stresses to the eye without a herpes reactivation. But because of the elective nature of Lasik, generally ophthalmologists agree that the risk is not warranted for the potential benefit. Theoretically, significant scarring could lead to significantly diminished vision which is the opposite of the goal of the Lasik surgery itself.

Medications do exist which can help to control herpes eye infections when they do occur. Many of the newer medications have increased effectiveness compared to older therapies and hopefully further developments will make significant visual loss from this disorder more unlikely. However, to date, there is no complete cure so the risk for reactivation remains. I have had patients ask whether they could use those medications as a preventative and still go forward with Lasik surgery. At this point, my answer to those people is no, it is still not a good idea. We just don't know enough about the potential risk under these circumstances. Perhaps in the future, a therapy or cure which reduces that risk adequately will be found, but until that day, patients with a history of herpetic eye infections should avoid Lasik eye surgery.

Dr. John Suson MD is an ophthalmologist and a clinical instructor at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Currently, Dr. Suson is in private practice with his sister at their "Suson Eye Specialists" clinic. Dr. Suson offers a free consumer guide to laser eye surgery at http://supereyes.com/get-our-complete-consumer-guide.html.

For further information on herpetic eye infections, I recommend the American Academy of Ophthalmology's website. http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/herpes-keratitis.cfm

Herpes Virus Transmission - Herpes Infections Growing Among Youths

According to the Brand-new England Journal of Medicine, it's revealed that one of all the 5 U. S citizen is have been infected with vaginal herpes with an increasing herpes spread rate as high as 30% since the early 70s. Nevertheless, at this present times and age, lots more people have become aware of the herpes virus which has resulted in much less outbreaks.

Researcher reports that this ailment is more rampant in the youngsters particularly teenagers. This virus is very infectious and it's also sexually transmitted. The actual symptoms are usually fever eruption, cold sores, scratching as well as throbbing headache. This sores can be very distressing at first nevertheless after a couple of days the signs and symptoms disappears and the infected person start feeling normal again. At times, the sufferer may well encounter outbreaks that are accompanied with mild the signs of sore and eruption. Some of the locations vaginal herpes virus affect is normally on the sexual organ include the male organ, genitals, buttock, cervix, and also thigh. This virus is categorized into two sorts including herpes virus type 1 which impacts the mouth, face, cheek, pores and skin and herpes type 2 has an effect on the genital area.

The third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey performed an investigation on about Twenty-four, 000 men and women to be able to have a very clear understanding of herpes simplex virus transmission. They collected blood samples of folks between 1976 and 1980 and also one more investigation was performed once again between 1988 and also 1994 which in turn revealed that about Forty-five million American had been have contracted this virus. They researchers moved further to show the fact that the ailment is a lot more common among black which is believed to stand at about Forty five percent and also whites 17 percent. Women will probably get infected with about 25 % and adult men Seventeen percent.

Research workers are worried that the rising rate of herpes transmission may help accelerate HIV/AIDs as this virus damage the body body's defence mechanism and make man vulnerable to many diseases. The unhappy thing is over 80 percent of people which are actually have been infected with herpes are usually not aware that there're having infectious condition. An individual may have this virus in the body system even if the signs or symptoms are not found.

New development revealed that this particular sexually transmitted disease is actually strongly associated with Kaposi's Sarcoma an uncommon kind of cancer of vascular tissues which have the inclination of affecting skin or perhaps inside organ associated with human.

From the recent high level of herpes transmission, you'll find precautionary measures that one can use for example staying with just one spouse, using condom thou its not a total guarantee since the condom can not cover every one of the eruption as well as sore.

Unlike in earlier times, patient can now hook up with partners without difficulty by simply seeking herpes dating sites and signing up with them. Take note, not everybody you see on this internet dating site carries this contagious condition. Subscribing to such a site could save you a great deal of anxiety of having to tell someone your status since they are already aware.

There are many medicines just like Acyclovir which is excellent for curbing outbreaks, don't forget, right now this isn't a complete remedy for herpes transmission.

Denabson Anknickson is the webmaster of Signs of Herpes. Go to Herpes Transmission in addition to Herpes Test for more info.

Herpes Virus Transmission - Herpes Infections Growing Among Youths

According to the Brand-new England Journal of Medicine, it's revealed that one of all the 5 U. S citizen is have been infected with vaginal herpes with an increasing herpes spread rate as high as 30% since the early 70s. Nevertheless, at this present times and age, lots more people have become aware of the herpes virus which has resulted in much less outbreaks.

Researcher reports that this ailment is more rampant in the youngsters particularly teenagers. This virus is very infectious and it's also sexually transmitted. The actual symptoms are usually fever eruption, cold sores, scratching as well as throbbing headache. This sores can be very distressing at first nevertheless after a couple of days the signs and symptoms disappears and the infected person start feeling normal again. At times, the sufferer may well encounter outbreaks that are accompanied with mild the signs of sore and eruption. Some of the locations vaginal herpes virus affect is normally on the sexual organ include the male organ, genitals, buttock, cervix, and also thigh. This virus is categorized into two sorts including herpes virus type 1 which impacts the mouth, face, cheek, pores and skin and herpes type 2 has an effect on the genital area.

The third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey performed an investigation on about Twenty-four, 000 men and women to be able to have a very clear understanding of herpes simplex virus transmission. They collected blood samples of folks between 1976 and 1980 and also one more investigation was performed once again between 1988 and also 1994 which in turn revealed that about Forty-five million American had been have contracted this virus. They researchers moved further to show the fact that the ailment is a lot more common among black which is believed to stand at about Forty five percent and also whites 17 percent. Women will probably get infected with about 25 % and adult men Seventeen percent.

Research workers are worried that the rising rate of herpes transmission may help accelerate HIV/AIDs as this virus damage the body body's defence mechanism and make man vulnerable to many diseases. The unhappy thing is over 80 percent of people which are actually have been infected with herpes are usually not aware that there're having infectious condition. An individual may have this virus in the body system even if the signs or symptoms are not found.

New development revealed that this particular sexually transmitted disease is actually strongly associated with Kaposi's Sarcoma an uncommon kind of cancer of vascular tissues which have the inclination of affecting skin or perhaps inside organ associated with human.

From the recent high level of herpes transmission, you'll find precautionary measures that one can use for example staying with just one spouse, using condom thou its not a total guarantee since the condom can not cover every one of the eruption as well as sore.

Unlike in earlier times, patient can now hook up with partners without difficulty by simply seeking herpes dating sites and signing up with them. Take note, not everybody you see on this internet dating site carries this contagious condition. Subscribing to such a site could save you a great deal of anxiety of having to tell someone your status since they are already aware.

There are many medicines just like Acyclovir which is excellent for curbing outbreaks, don't forget, right now this isn't a complete remedy for herpes transmission.

Denabson Anknickson is the webmaster of Signs of Herpes. Go to Herpes Transmission in addition to Herpes Test for more info.

Herpes Virus Transmission - Herpes Infections Growing Among Youths

According to the Brand-new England Journal of Medicine, it's revealed that one of all the 5 U. S citizen is have been infected with vaginal herpes with an increasing herpes spread rate as high as 30% since the early 70s. Nevertheless, at this present times and age, lots more people have become aware of the herpes virus which has resulted in much less outbreaks.

Researcher reports that this ailment is more rampant in the youngsters particularly teenagers. This virus is very infectious and it's also sexually transmitted. The actual symptoms are usually fever eruption, cold sores, scratching as well as throbbing headache. This sores can be very distressing at first nevertheless after a couple of days the signs and symptoms disappears and the infected person start feeling normal again. At times, the sufferer may well encounter outbreaks that are accompanied with mild the signs of sore and eruption. Some of the locations vaginal herpes virus affect is normally on the sexual organ include the male organ, genitals, buttock, cervix, and also thigh. This virus is categorized into two sorts including herpes virus type 1 which impacts the mouth, face, cheek, pores and skin and herpes type 2 has an effect on the genital area.

The third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey performed an investigation on about Twenty-four, 000 men and women to be able to have a very clear understanding of herpes simplex virus transmission. They collected blood samples of folks between 1976 and 1980 and also one more investigation was performed once again between 1988 and also 1994 which in turn revealed that about Forty-five million American had been have contracted this virus. They researchers moved further to show the fact that the ailment is a lot more common among black which is believed to stand at about Forty five percent and also whites 17 percent. Women will probably get infected with about 25 % and adult men Seventeen percent.

Research workers are worried that the rising rate of herpes transmission may help accelerate HIV/AIDs as this virus damage the body body's defence mechanism and make man vulnerable to many diseases. The unhappy thing is over 80 percent of people which are actually have been infected with herpes are usually not aware that there're having infectious condition. An individual may have this virus in the body system even if the signs or symptoms are not found.

New development revealed that this particular sexually transmitted disease is actually strongly associated with Kaposi's Sarcoma an uncommon kind of cancer of vascular tissues which have the inclination of affecting skin or perhaps inside organ associated with human.

From the recent high level of herpes transmission, you'll find precautionary measures that one can use for example staying with just one spouse, using condom thou its not a total guarantee since the condom can not cover every one of the eruption as well as sore.

Unlike in earlier times, patient can now hook up with partners without difficulty by simply seeking herpes dating sites and signing up with them. Take note, not everybody you see on this internet dating site carries this contagious condition. Subscribing to such a site could save you a great deal of anxiety of having to tell someone your status since they are already aware.

There are many medicines just like Acyclovir which is excellent for curbing outbreaks, don't forget, right now this isn't a complete remedy for herpes transmission.

Denabson Anknickson is the webmaster of Signs of Herpes. Go to Herpes Transmission in addition to Herpes Test for more info.