Vaginal herpes outbreak or yeast infection?

Guest author from our community: Katie S.

When first experiencing symptoms of an STD, not everybody knows that it’s actually an STD that’s occurring in their bodies. When my body first started displaying herpes symptoms, I 100% mistook it for a yeast infection or UTI. My brain couldn’t even fathom the thought that it would be an STD. I’d had yeast infections before, and I figured that this must just be the worst one I’ve ever gotten. When I went to the clinic, expecting to walk out with an antibiotic, I was shocked to be walking out with Acyclovir for genital herpes. 

After getting home and looking up herpes, I realized why I was so confused. Vaginal herpes symptoms are very similar to yeast infection symptoms. They both can cause vaginal discharge and odor, burning, itching, irritation, redness, bladder infection like symptoms, swelling and blisters. Unlike yeast infections where itching in usually generalized throughout the vagina, a herpes outbreak will usually be in one or two designated areas. A herpes outbreak also consists of blisters that turn into herpes sores, that then crust back into healthy skin. During a herpes infection, flu-like symptoms may appear 24-48 hours before any itchiness is perceived especially during the first episode. This doesn’t happen with vaginal yeast infections.

It’s been 10 months now, and I’ve gotten pretty used to my herpes outbreaks. I’m very happy to say that none of them have been as painful as my first herpes outbreak. I take herpes medication whenever I feel any sort of itching, burning, or discomfort beginning in my body (also known as herpes prodrome symptoms). This helps to stop the outbreak, and make it less painful. My body has gotten used to the virus, and my brain has gotten used to the fact that it literally is just a skin condition that happens to be in a very private area. There’s no need to make it more than it is!

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

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

Oral Herpes Outbreak Duration

The duration of an oral herpes outbreak depends on many factors. How quickly you react to the first symptoms of a herpes outbreak, what methods of treatment you use, and what state your body is in once you receive the outbreak.

I'd like to start off with responding quickly to the outbreak. This is the most important step in reducing the duration of an outbreak. If you can start treating the virus early, it will not swell up, and grow in size. Once you feel the cold sore tingling immediately start treatment. Every minute you waste the sore grows in strength. It's essential to be proactive when you feel that your body could be at risk to an outbreak. If you've had a long night and you feel run down in the morning; it would be smart to pack an anti cold sore kit for work or school. This means bring some ointment, supplements if you take any, vitamin C, and drink plenty of water throughout the day. This way if you feel the first signs of a cold sore, you are ready to treat it immediately.

The method you treat a cold sore is essential to the speed of recovery. At the first symptoms of a herpes outbreak you can keep the swelling, and redness down by pressing an ice cube against the affected area for 30 minutes. This will slow the movement of the virus and help your body defeat it before it even presents itself upon your lip. Make sure you put the ice cube in a plastic Ziploc bag to hold the dripping water, and do not move the ice around or the virus can spread to other parts of your lip. Some people will not be able to use the ice cube method due to reasons such as their jobs or doing activities that inhibit them to do so. This is when you have to put ointment on the affected area or take supplements such as L-Lysine, 2000 mg of vitamin C, or other herbal remedies.

Last but not least, when looking at the duration of an oral herpes outbreak you have to factor in what state your body is at. If you have a cold, or feel fatigued then chances are the herpes outbreak will last much longer then if you are feeling healthy and full of energy. It is important to eat as healthy as possible, drink plenty of water, and get between 7-8 hours of sleep during this time. You want to boost your immune system so that it can fight the herpes virus at full strength.

Learn how to prevent oral herpes outbreaks, and lessen the duration by practising natural prevention methods. They work with your bodies immune system to suppress the herpes virus and keep it at a dormant state. You can learn more at my website. http://www.frequentcoldsores.com/Prevention_Methods.html

View the original article here

Trigger to the Gun: Truth About Genital Herpes Outbreak

As our society becomes more modern, people have also become bolder. While there might still be disputes about how common genital herpes has become, the fact that a lot of people are suffering from it can't be denied. However, if truth be told, it is not exactly the virus that people are suffering from but the outbreaks.

Are you one of those people enduring the pain brought by genital herpes outbreak? Have you been searching for a more permanent solution to this lifelong malady? There is currently no permanent cure discovered for genital herpes, though there are medication-creams, tablets, and pills-formulated to suppress and perhaps eliminate the outbreaks. The only problem is that these medications are not universal. This means they are proven to work for some but are known to produce minimal to no effect in others.

"Why?"

This is because these medications do not address some of the crucial factors that trigger genital herpes outbreak. The best alternative is a natural method that familiarizes you with the real triggers of the outbreaks, which, in turn, allows you to avoid them. If you can avoid the triggers, then you can avoid the outbreaks. So, what is this natural herpes treatment we are talking about?

Understanding Genital Herpes

Before we take a closer look at the best alternative to genital herpes treatment today, let us first discuss the real triggers of genital herpes outbreak that you are probably not aware of...

Stress

Stress is such a natural occurrence and such a common word that it is something we tend to ignore. However, continuously being under stress can result not only to a tired and weak body but also frequent outbreaks. Yes, you read that right. If you are working relentlessly, if you are facing so many challenges, and if you are beating yourself to make ends meet, your body gets weaker, your immune system starts to fail you, and that's when the genital herpes virus take the opportunity to surface and cause outbreaks-an effect you will probably find more depressing.

Unhealthy Diet

As earlier mentioned, a weak body is more prone to genital herpes outbreak. That said, it's important for you consume a balanced diet of meat, vegetables, and fruits. As much as possible, though, you should avoid food are high in sugar as it is known to weaken the immune. It is also crucial to avoid intake of alcohol as it contains refined sugar and can lead to colon diseases if taken regularly and in heavy amounts. It is best to increase your water intake instead.

Menstrual Period

Females suffering from genital herpes outbreak need to be more careful when it comes to their menstrual periods, especially the seven days before the first day of cycle. This is because it's a time when the immune system is weak, as the body prepares to lose blood. The fact that hormones are not balanced during such times makes women even more vulnerable to outbreaks. Genital herpes outbreak before menstrual cycles brings not only irritation but also additional pain, especially in the pelvic region.

Natural Genital Herpes Treatments

Now that you are familiar with some of the triggers of outbreak, which most people tend to ignore, we can now better understand the alternative genital herpes solutions that are found to be easier to follow and, even better, friendlier to our pockets. These solutions are meditation, hypnosis, and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP).

You are probably asking "How can these treatments be more effective than tested and recommended medications?"

Wonders of Meditation, Hypnosis, and NLP

While proven herpes medications can really be helpful, they only focus on suppressing the virus-they ignore other factors that greatly affect the frequency of outbreaks. Through meditation, hypnosis, and NLP, you will be able to be more in tune with your body, so to say.

By relaxing your body and mind, you can easily reduce or eliminate stress, regardless of your circumstances. This takes out the number one trigger of genital herpes outbreak. On the other hand, by discovering the right food to eat and by knowing the natural ways to combat the herpes simplex virus, your body will feel better. This provides the solution to the second trigger. The third trigger, menstrual period, can't be completely eliminated as it is a natural occurrence in women. However, if you maintain a healthy diet, learn how to relax your mind and body, and retain a composed mental and hormone balance state during this period, you can highly reduce the risks of getting outbreaks.

Getting the freedom you desire from herpes can be achieved with ease. By understanding the triggers of herpes and learning the methods to avoid those triggers, you will find that the solution to herpes is actually easier than you first thought. The Solution to Herpes is exactly the program that can help you accomplish that. It has already helped and is continuously helping a lot of herpes patients. It is just waiting for you to discover the wonderful benefits of meditation, hypnosis, and neuro-linguistic programming.

There is nothing to lose when you choose to learn more about this program, so why don't you give it a try? Visit The Solution to Herpes, and you might just find the solution you have been looking for.

View the original article here

Stop Herpes Outbreak by Reducing Stress

Stress is our body's way of responding to a particular situation; physically, mentally and emotionally. When our body becomes too much stressed, it weakens our immune system thus making our body susceptible to some diseases and illnesses. It is important that we also consider knowing what the effects of stress on our body are.It does not only put your health in danger but also places all kinds of burden.

We should not let our immune system get compromised. Since the most common trigger for a herpes outbreak is stress, you should start managing stress before it leads to more possible frequent outbreaks in the future.

The first thing that should be done is to reduce stress by performing some easy to follow stress management techniques. These steps are simple yet a little amount of discipline is needed, since mind and body plays a much bigger role when they work together. The herpes virus, once infected will remain in our body forever but in a dormant stage; only waiting for an opportunity to attack. When the immune system is weakened and does not function or does not work well, it provides the opportunity for a herpes outbreak.

Here are some of the most common yet effective way of reducing stress:

1. Breathing - The most basic form of de-stressing. We take several inhale /exhale exercises which helps you create some space for a more positive reaction. Inhale gives us new energy while exhale is where we release negative emotions such as anger, frustration and disappointment.

2. Take some time to relax - Doing some relaxing activity such as listening to good music and reading inspiring books will help you free yourself from negative emotions to avoid stress. Having some good conversation with friends and taking some time to laugh is a strong stress relief and will take your mind off from some stressful situation. Well, as the old saying goes, "laughter is still the best medicine."

3. Meditation - Research and studies show great health benefits of getting our mind, body and soul some peace and quiet. With meditation, sitting in a relaxed position and clearing your mind from all distraction helps build up a calmer mood. Meditation is a good way to wipe away stress and bring inner peace for a more positive disposition.

4. Hypnotherapy - Hypnotherapy is a way of reducing stress through hypnosis. It allows an individual to enter a state of deep relaxation which is a very useful therapy for fighting stress. Hypnosis also allows you to become calm and focused, as all parts of the mind work together and concentrates on solving the problem at hand.

Stress is inevitable and is really hard to control, but what is manageable is how we let stress affects us; preventing, coping, and reducing stress is extremely important because it greatly affects our immune system which is our body's defense against infections and illnesses.

A strong immune system plays a major role in suppressing and stopping future possible herpes outbreaks. And this can be done if you live a stress free life by following some of the effective ways mentioned above. Bear in mind that preventing herpes outbreaks can be very simple with just a little amount of discipline.

And if you want to know more about how to stop herpes from possible future outbreaks then you can visit this site thesolutiontoherpes.com

Irene is a freelance article writer who wants to help business entrepreneur find their place in the world of online business.

View the original article here

Horse dies in high country equine herpes outbreak

An equine herpes virus outbreak has struck at Kennedy Meadows Resort and one horse is confirmed dead.

Resort owner Matt Bloom said the affected horses have been quarantined and that he is working with a team from University of California, Davis, Large Animal Clinic and Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.

    Of the 150 horses at Kennedy Meadows, six to eight tested positive for equine herpes virus, Bloom said. Although one has died, the rest are expected to recover, he said.
An outbreak of the virus occurred earlier this year but many believed it had passed.
“Everyone thought it was pretty much gone,” Bloom said of the May and June outbreak, which stemmed from a Colorado horse event.
Bloom said he had no idea how it was brought to his high country resort but guesses it was probably from someone on a private horse over Labor Day weekend. The virus has a 10 to 14-day incubation period.
“Usually the first sign is a temperature,” said Raquelle Van Vleck, founder of ReHorse Rescue Ranch in Jamestown.
The virus can mimic symptoms of a respiratory infection or a number of other ailments, she said.
Kennedy Meadows isn’t closing and the infected horses will be quarantined and monitored closely, Bloom said.
He did say that while people can ride on the trails, it would be best to not bring horses around theirs for the time being.
There have been no new cases in three days, he said.
A Sonoma County facility was quarantined earlier this month because of equine herpes, though the cases are not directly related, according to the UC Davis Large Animal Clinic website.
The neurological form of EHV-1, known as equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy, has existed for centuries, but a strain of the virus has evolved in recent decades with virulence unlike what had been seen in the past, the UC Davis Equine Health Horse Report said.
There have been 22 confirmed cases of equine herpes in California, including one in Jackson in Amador County and one in Waterford in Stanislaus County.
Additional positive confirmed cases are in Colusa, Glenn, Kern, Los Angeles, Marin, Napa, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, and Ventura counties, the California Department of Food and Agriculture said.
Of the confirmed cases, 16 horses participated in the National Cutting Horse Association’s Western National Championships in Ogden, Utah, from April 30 to May 8, where all the infected horses had attended.
They were most likely exposed there, officials said.
One of the confirmed cases participated only in the Kern County Cutting Horse Event on May 13 in Bakersfield, the CDFA said.
There are also two confirmed cases in Colorado.
Over the next seven weeks, the virus sickened 90 horses in 10 states, 13 of which died or were euthanized, the UC Davis report said.
One horse in Kern County was euthanized after showing severe neurologic signs often associated with the disease, the state Food and Agriculture Department said.
In mid-May when the outbreak was first noted, veterinarians recommended people keep their horses home for two weeks.
Those who are concerned about horses who may have been in contact with the virus can take their horses temperature twice daily, Sonora veterinarian Dr. Casey DeCino said earlier this summer.
Area residents are taking the outbreak seriously and two upcoming horse events have been canceled by the Calaveras Saddle Club.
If a horse has a body temperature above 102 degrees Fahrenheit, owners are urged to contact their veterinarian.
Equine Herpes Virus-1 is contagious and may spread quickly among horse populations, the CDFA said.
It is not transferable to humans or other animals, officials said.
“Horse-to-horse contact, aerosol transmission, and contaminated hands, equipment, tack and feed all play a role in disease spread,” the state ag department statement said. “Horses infected with the neurologic strain of EHV-1, may show any of the following clinical signs: nasal discharge, lack of coordination, hind-end weakness, lethargy and diminished tail tone.”
All California horses that have been in contact with an infected horse, show signs of the disease or test positive for it, will be quarantined to prevent further transmission, the CDFA said.

View the original article here

How to Prevent a Herpes Outbreak Naturally - 4 Sure Fire Tips to Help You Succeed

Millions of people are infected with the herpes virus. Once infected, the virus stays in your body for life. To date, there are no known cures for the herpes virus but there are ways that you can stop herpes from coming back for good. Right now the only 100 % way to avoid herpes is to abstain from sex or always use a protected method such as condoms. Below are 4 natural ways to help prevent an outbreak. These tips are inexpensive and you can do most of them in the comfort of your own home.

Tip 1. Drink plenty of tea. Thyme is found in tea and has been shown to reduce the risk of outbreaks, plus there are a number of other great things tea can do for your body and immune system. So drink up.

Tip 2. Try and reduce your daily stress level. Studies have shown that high stress can trigger an outbreak. Try yoga, Pilate's or a nice long walk to ease your stress. Any kind of daily exercise has great benefits.

Tip 3. Eat 1 to 2 small cloves of raw garlic on a daily basis. Garlic has anti-viral agents in it which helps to suppress the herpes virus.

Tip 4. Bioflavonoids, that are found in spices, apples, berries and onions can reduce the activity of the herpes virus.

These are just 4 ways you can reduce the outbreak of herpes. There are a number of other ways that you can naturally do this. I am sure you probably have more questions so why not find out more.

want to learn more?

If you would like to learn more free tips on how to stop herpes now and from coming back for good visit http://isthereacureforherpes.com

For more tips, advice and other valuable information to help you get rid of herpes visit http://isthereacureforherpes.com

Herpes 2 - 7 Triggers of an Outbreak

It is common for people with HSV 2 not to know they are infected initially. However, symptoms during the initial outbreak can be very evident and should not be ignored.

And, if you can learn your triggers that cause an outbreak, you may be able to control it more effectively.

When the virus is transmitted sores will first appear within two weeks. Other symptoms could include fever and swollen glands. Be careful not to mistake mild symptoms of HSV 2 for insect bites or other common skin conditions.

When you first contract herpes you will most likely have several outbreaks within the first year. These outbreaks decrease in frequency over time.

Some symptoms of genital herpes include but are not limited to, small red bumps, blisters, open sores in the genital or anal region. This may be accompanied by pain or inching in those same areas, including the inner thighs and buttock area.

Sores commonly erupt in the vagina area, external genitals, buttocks, anus or cervix.

In men sores are on the penis, scrotum, anus, buttocks or inner thighs. Painful urination may accompany any sores present.

There may also be tenderness in the genital area until an outbreak clears up. Common flu symptoms could accompany your herpes symptoms.

Signs and symptoms for herpes can recur for years. Some may experience episodes more frequently than others. There are several factors to consider when determining what may trigger your outbreaks.

Stress, menstrual cycle, infections, HIV/AIDS, fatigue, friction, or surgery are 7 triggers that can start an outbreak and if you can control the controllable ones, it will make your life much easier.

Many triggers are uncontrollable but one problem you can stop worrying about is finding love when you have herpes. The most difficult problem is telling a new love interest about your disease.

You can make your life much easier if you look for a new love interest at a dating site especially for people with sexually transmitted diseases.

Since everyone is in the same boat, herpes and other disease are off the table enabling the members to really get to know each other.

Visit: http://www.BuildingAStableRelationship.com and find your new relationship today.

Some Colorado counties lifting horse ban after equine herpes outbreak - Coloradoan

GRAND JUNCTION _ Some Colorado counties are lifting temporary horse bans at county facilities prompted by an outbreak of equine herpes virus.

The Mesa County Fairgrounds said Friday it will lift its horse ban next week. That will allow next weekend's horse events including team roping and barrel racing competitions to go on.

Mesa County imposed the ban May 18 in the wake of an outbreak throughout the West that apparently originated at a horse show in Ogden, Utah, in early May. Nine cases of the disease have been confirmed in Colorado, including some on private property in Mesa County.

The Boulder County Fairgrounds announced Friday it would reopen to horses. In southern Colorado, Fremont County lifted a temporary ban last week.

The virus is highly contagious among horses but harmless to humans.
???
Information from: The Daily Sentinel, http://www.gjsentinel.com/

View the original article here

Veterinarians, horse owners keep wary eye on equine herpes outbreak

Dr. Michael White, from left, treats Megan, a horse at Crossroads Equine Veterinary Services for a sinus infection as Ciara Wright keeps Megan calm Friday in Ringgold, Ga. White treats horses for various ailments at Crossroads Equine Veterinary Services. Staff Photo by Allison Carter/Chattanooga Times Free Press

An outbreak of equine herpes at an April horse competition in Utah has horse owners and veterinarians across the country watching their four-legged friends for symptoms of a potentially deadly virus.

“We’re relying on people being responsible about exposure,” Ringgold, Ga., veterinarian Dr. Michael S. White said.

White said he’s heard of no cases in Tennessee or Georgia, but local horse owners are worried about the potential spread of the virus. An outbreak of the contagious disease appears related to a cutting horse show in Ogden, Utah, last month.

Equine herpes usually causes mild, flulike symptoms, but the virus can cause some respiratory or neurological problems that in some cases can lead to death, according to officials.

Respiratory disease is most common in weaned foals and yearlings, but older horses are more likely to transmit the virus without showing signs of infection, according to the American Association of Equine Practitioners. There are several strains, but the one involved in the Utah outbreak is the most dangerous and poses more of a risk of abortion in mares.

“The biggest problem with herpes virus, just like in people, is that particular virus likes to go latent. Then whenever you’re in a stressful situation, it can rear its ugly head again,” White said.

There are vaccines available for the strain that causes respiratory problems and abortions, he said, but the vaccines do not protect against the strain that produces neurological problems.

While there are no known local cases, state veterinary officials are making information available to horse owners to prevent the spread of the disease here.

A notice from Tennessee State Veterinarian Charles Hatcher’s office warns owners that the virus is “highly contagious” among horses. However, there is no threat to humans, spokesman Tom Womack said.

Womack said horse owners should watch for symptoms that indicate infection including fever, coughing and nasal discharge; and in foals, weakness, jaundice and respiratory distress. Neurological symptoms include poor coordination in the limbs, urine dribbling or retention, bladder weakness and the inability to get up after lying down.

University of Tennessee associate dean for research and graduate studies at Veterinarian Medical Center Dr. Michael F. McEntee said members of the horse community usually respond quickly when disease starts to spread.

“With something like that that’s starting to pop up, people are pretty good about relaying information,” McEntee said. “The word gets around.”

White said he got a lot of phone calls, especially during the first few weeks after the Utah outbreak.

“I had a couple of [horse owners] who were going to a clinic in Texas, and they were really concerned because that’s getting on out there where the herpes virus has been seen,” White said.

Dayton, Tenn., horseman J. Larry Simpson said he was worried about the virus when he took his horse, Bojangles Midnight Blaze, to Texas on May 8, the day the Utah event closed. Simpson, a contestant on the reality television series “America’s Favorite Trail Horse,” took his horse to the Lone Star state for auditions and taping.

“I was worried about it because there were horses there from all over America,” he said. “Just about every state had horses there.”

After Simpson and Blaze returned home, he called his veterinarian and fellow horse owners to make sure everyone was alerted and taking the proper precautions.

Blaze has had no symptoms and is ready for her run for the reality series’ top spot this fall, he said.

Simpson said the outbreak is affecting competitive events as summer arrives, such as the trail event the association he belongs to holds.

“The American Competitive Trail Horse Association has canceled 100 competitive trail rides in June,” he said.

Simpson, who’s a member of the trail horse association, said each of the 100 rides typically attracts about 40 horses.

Other events are affected, too.

For the first time in its 32-year history, the National Pony Express Association is postponing its annual re-enactment of the famous ride from St. Joseph, Mo., to Sacramento, Calif., this summer because of the outbreak, The Associated Press reported.

Simpson said another competition he planned to attend in Arkansas was canceled.

“They’re trying to keep it from spreading and to give it a chance to die out,” he said.

The competitive horse rider said he is taking precautions with Blaze in the meantime. He plans to go to a show in Alabama this weekend.

“I’ll just make sure she is stalled in such a way that she can’t touch another horse,” he said. “I’ll make sure when I’m on her, that I don’t let her touch noses with another horse. No kisses.”

View the original article here

Cowgirls Abandon Mares in Herpes Outbreak

Even cowgirls get the blues. The contestants in a Utah rodeo queen contest had to abandon their mares and ride toy stick ponies -- all because of an equine herpes outbreak.

The girls took it in stride at the Davis County Sheriff's Mounted Posse Junior Queen Contest this week, doing their routines around the arena as if they were on horseback. They were judged on knowledge of the drill, rather than their riding skills.

"It's kind of weird, but you can't really help that the disease is going around," said Savanna Steed, 15, of Far West, Utah, a former queen who has been riding and competing since she was 4.

"It's an outbreak that we don't have a vaccine for," she told ABCNews.com. "It's airborne and if you have a horse and it touches something and the other horse touches it, they get it. It's easy to catch."

Utah has 13 suspected and seven confirmed cases of equine herpes virus after horses at a regional cutting horse competition at the Golden Spike Arena in Ogden first showed symptoms of the illness.

Most commonly, the virus spreads by horse-to-horse contact but contaminated equipment and clothing and hands can also infect a horse with the virus. The arena took precautions by just eliminating the horses from the contest.

Veterinarians have been concerned because this EHV-1 virus is a mutant strain and is not covered by existing vaccines, according to Bruce L. King, Utah state veterinarian. And it's highly contagious.

"It can be bridle to bridle, it can be aerosolized, and it can be nose to nose," King told ABC's affilliate, KTVX in Salt Lake City. "You could bridle your horse and go to another horse, touch him and get it that way."

Equine herpes is not transmitted to humans, according to Dr. Kenneth Fife, who specializes in infectious diseases and is professor of medicine at Indiana University Medical School.

The virus takes two forms in humans: herpes simplex [HSVI] 1 and 2. The first is associated with cold sores and fever blisters on the mouth and is usually acquired as a child. The second is sexually transmitted and affects the genitals.

"It's moderately contagious," said Fife. "The important thing about herpes simplex is that it typically requires direct contact with an infected person. You don't catch it from someone standing across the room."

HSVI 2 can be transmitted from a mother to her fetus and be life-threatening to the newborn. It can also make those who are exposed more vulnerable to HIV infections. HSVI 1 can be associated with fatal brain infections, though it is rare.

"Generally, it's a bothersome condition that doesn't have a lot of serious medical consequences for most people, apart from the stigmas associated with genital herpes," said Fife.

The only herpes virus that crosses species lines is a monkey virus that causes cold sores in the animal, but can potentially become a brain infection in humans, he said. Handlers can be infected.

Savanna wasn't worried for a moment about getting herpes. And she and her fellow cowgirls, though disappointed, didn't let their audience down.

"With the tornado and everything, it was nice to see something fun," said her grandmother, Janet Steed, who watched the contest on television.

"She's been doing this for a really long time," said her grandmother. "And oh, is she good. She does it really well and wins a lot."

View the original article here