Topical Vaginal Treatment: A New Herpes Breakthrough?

Researchers have come up with a new type of treatment to keep genital herpes at bay- vaginal treatment. Laboratory mice have tested out tiny anti-herpes RNA particles in their vaginas which have proven to herpes simplex virus 2, or HSV 2, at bay for a week. The RNA, also called siRNA, are small bits of genetic molecules that can shut down specific genes. This was how the herpes infection could not surface on the area for a while.

HSV 2, also known as genital herpes, is a life-long infection that is spread through sexual transmission. Genital herpes has no absolute cure for it yet, hence the topical treatment test is an enormous step forward to finding a magic spell to cure it.

Herpes is a type of virus. Viruses spread in the body by first entering a host cell of the host body. Then the virus forces the cell to create copies of the virus itself, after which the viruses destroy the cell move onto the next ones.

The treatment used for the HSV 2 used two different types of siRNAs. One of the siRNAs made sure the vaginal cells were not able to create more viruses, while the other siRNA targeted the virus gene that controlled the reproduction.

Researchers declare that they are happy with how practical the treatment seems to be. The treatment allows the vaginal area to be free of infection for up to a week after application. This could be helpful as topical treatments are not often as affective as an entire week.

The treatment targets a gene called nectin-1, a gene which is present in the vagina of mice and people as well. This gene seems to be only used during the development stage of a person, so researchers are confident that it will not affect an adult in any manner. However, some argue that this gene came come to use during pregnancy. Even then, to find a long term anti-herpes treatment as this is a big step forward.

How Herpes Lead to Cervical Cancer?

Research has shown that there is a chance that genital herpes may lead to cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the cause of death for thousands of women annually.

So How Are These Two Connected?

There are several kinds of herpes virus, but the one found to be linked to cervical cancer is herpes simplex virus 2, one of the main causes of genital herpes and is known to affect millions across the globe. A shocking survey showed that half of the women who suffered from invasive cervical cancer was found to have the herpes simplex virus 2 in them. Many did not even show signs of having herpes.

However, researchers assure that the HSV 2 is not the culprit alone. HSV 2 is quite harmless and not exactly fatal when found on its own. The real danger comes if the HSV 2 is found with the human papillomavirus, also known as HPV, in their body.

There are many different kinds of HPV out there, and their effects on the body are relatively harmless. They are prone to cause genital warts, and are usually a sexually transmitted disease. However, there are also some dangerous kinds of HPV which can prove to be a cause of concern.

There are 14 types of HPV out there that can lead to a fatal health state, and invasive cervical cancer. These types of HPV cause 90% of the cervical cancer cases and are also the cause of various other kinds of genital cancers.

Herpes Typy 2

HSV 2 is one of the main causes of genital herpes and is a solely sexually transmitted infection. It is known to cause blisters in the genital and rectal area of a person, which then break to make very painful sores. Herpes is a very contagious infection. A person carrying herpes is constantly shedding the herpes virus. Genital herpes has yet to find a cure; there are medication to soothe and lessen herpes attacks; however, there still has been to discovery to completely eliminate the HSV after it has entered the body.

A person who has both HSV 2 and HPV were twice or even thrice more likely to get cervical cancer than a person who did not. This is one of the reasons why doctors stress on women to get a Pap smear, where the lab reports show if the person has HPV present in their body or not. A regular round of Pap smear is a necessary health regime for all women, doctors stress.

The good news is that when detected early, such as via a Pap smear, cervical cancer has a very high rate of getting cured, even to a 100% in many cases. Women are encouraged to get a Pap screening on an annual basis; however, those with unusual results should consult a doctor and get a Pap smear for two or three times a year.

The spread of HPV can easily be stopped by using latex condoms or diaphragms. The herpes simplex virus 1, another cause for genital herpes, is not yet known to have any relation with cervical cancer.

More posts about Herpes and cervical cancer: Can Herpes Lead to Cervical Cancer?

Newborns and the Spread of Herpes

Herpes is well known to be the epidemic that is affecting all of the sexually active population around the world. There are two common types of herpes. The herpes simplex virus one causes cold sores, fever blisters and so on, and are more likely to be seen in younger children; however, HSV 1 is also proven to be one of the causes of genital herpes. Herpes simplex virus 2 causes genital herpes and is commonly known to be a popular sexually transmitted disease.

How does any of this link to new born babies? Mothers who are already affected by herpes may affect their infant with herpes during birth. This is a topic of concern, as severe cases of herpes in new born infants can lead to death. Studies have been conducted to find a method that would prove to be the safest way to deliver a baby without spreading the infection to the child.

Newborns

Records in several hospitals in Washington State from 1989 to 1999 show that caesarean deliveries reduce the chances of the infants contracting herpes during delivery. The investigation showed 85 caesarean deliveries of mothers who were infected by genital herpes, and 117 vaginal deliveries. One infant was found with herpes in the case of caesarean delivery and 9 cases were found for vaginal delivery.

Researchers also conclude that women who have ulcers on their skin during the time of delivery are also less likely to infect their babies with herpes, as they have a higher chance of having a caesarean delivery. The study conducted earlier had 78 women who had ulcers on their genitalia, and none of these women had transferred herpes to their babies.

Other factors were also involved in increasing the chances of the baby getting herpes. Cervical herpes is more easily transferred to the baby than the normal herpes on the skin. Premature delivery is also a cause of concern if the mother has herpes. The study also revealed that if the mother was 21 or younger, the baby was more likely to be infected by herpes during delivery.

Many women may not be aware that they carry the herpes virus and may be actively shedding without showing any symptoms. This can be dangerous for any new baby. Mothers should always be cautious, and take the proper measures to check if they do have herpes or not, and if they do, then take the necessary steps to have a healthy baby.

How Will Herpes Affect Your Life?

If you have been recently diagnosed that you are suffering from herpes, the first thought that comes to mind is how you will handle this unwanted change in your life. The feeling of anger and sadness as well as getting worried for your future is normal. However, don’t worry; as you can still lead a rich and fulfilling life with your friends and family. In this article, we have highlighted some of the ways to improve your general state of life while living with herpes.

Herpes is a chronic sexually transmitted disease that has affected millions of people across the world. Individuals who notice herpes symptoms have to unfortunately stay with recurring symptoms for the rest of their life. There are some individuals who do not show any symptoms but are still suffering from herpes. The symptoms of herpes can differ from individual to individual, but the most common ones are fever, muscle soreness, and blisters with pus formation. The blisters usually last for 1-3 weeks, dry and fall off. However, they are back after a few days.

A few simple steps that you could follow to extend your herpes-free period is by having a healthy diet, exercising every day, drinking lots of water, and getting at least eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. There are certain foods that can trigger herpes outbreaks, so you should avoid having them completely. These small adjustments in your life will help you a lot in the long run.

Herpes may also affect one’s dating life. You need to be honest with your partner before any sexual activity. You should explain them the consequences of having sex with a herpes infected person. However, this can be embarrassing for many. To make life easier, a better option is to look for partners on herpes dating websites that are found in abundance.

With the advancement of Internet, there are several online dating websites that have been specially designed for mature individuals living with herpes. There are millions of members registered on the herpes dating websites who have found a partner online. The most important advantage of these sites is that the mature singles suffering from herpes do not have to worry about rejection or conveying their partner about the disease.

Thus, they can live a happy and normal life while having a successful relationship. You can find mature singles of all ages that are active on the sites. Moreover, the numerous forums on herpes dating sites as well as their chat facility are a great way to contact the herpes community and know about their stories. You can share your thoughts and ask queries too. This will build your confidence and provide the right path to lead a content life.

Although herpes is a fatal disease, that doesn’t mean you do not have to right to find a companion for yourself. The herpes dating websites are about finding love through understanding. If someone is really meant to be with you forever, then they will surely accept this part of your life. So, stay cool and find a compatible partner for yourself who will fill your life with happiness and take away all the sorrows and stress.

One Day Treatment for Herpes FDA Approved

FDA has now approved Famvir as a form of treatment for genital herpes and cold sores. There has been lots of medication for temporary relief of herpes and various methods to make the herpes attacks shorter. However, Famvir is the first medication that consists of taking medicine for only one day. As FDA has now approved of it, Famvir is now considered as a safe alternate of medication to shorten the herpes attacks as well as making the attacks less severe.

About 45 million people from the age of twelve onwards suffer from herpes infection in the United States of America. Cold sores and fever blisters are caused by herpes simplex virus 1, and genital herpes is caused by both herpes simplex virus 1 and herpes simplex virus 2. Genital herpes causes multiples blisters in the genital and rectal region of the patient; these blisters then burst and make painful sores which stays for days.

Cold sores are a type of contagious infection that can be spread by using the same towels, kissing, sharing a razor or even using the same utensils. Genital herpes, however, is a sexually transmitted infection; it can be spread by unprotected sex, oral sex and through any cuts in the skin. Herpes is a very catchy virus. Famvir is one of the first drugs that can be used to treat both HSV 1 and HSV 2.

FamvirFamvir is a high dose oral medicine which the Patient is required to take for only one day. The treatment of genital herpes consists of taking one 1,000 milligram tablet of Famvir twice a day for one day as soon as signs of a herpes attack show up. Cold sores are treated by a 1,500 milligram dose taken only one a day. Famvir can be only be taken if prescribed.

Famvir is a reputed medicine, and had received FDA approval to treat shingles way back in 1994, along with the treatment of cold sores and genital herpes infection. The one day treatment is comparatively new.

Famvir is manufactured by the renowned medicine company called Novartis. However, the one day Famvir treatment works best if the medicine is taken in about 6 hours of the first symptoms showing. These symptoms include appearance of herpes sores, or any itching or burning sensation. The faster the medicine is taken, the more affective it is. Novartis claims that the virus is extremely affective in replicating itself, so it is important to take the medicine in time.

Tests were conducted to see how affective Famvir is at calming down a herpes attack or healing cold sores. There were separate trials for genital herpes and cold sores. Three hundred and twenty nine people participated in the trial for genital herpes, and were given the 1,000 milligram dose twice a day on the onset of a genital herpes attack. Some of the volunteers received a placebo pill, which is a dummy pill that had no medicine but looks the same as the original pill. The volunteers who had consumed Famvir had a much milder attack that was less painful and lasted for four days. Those who had received the placebo pill had stronger attacks which lasted for about six days.

There were four hundred and eighty one people who took part in the clinical trials for the cold sores. The volunteers received either a Famvir pill of 1,500 milligram once a day, or a placebo pill of the same dimensions once a day. Famvir proved to have shortened the length of the cold sores and lessened the severity of the sores as well.

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Can Herpes Lead to Angina?

Studies now suggest that a certain type herpes can lead to a higher risk of angina, which is a form of pain in the chest. If fact, this form of herpes is so new that most people have probably never heard of it- the herpes in the DNA.

There is a certain type of herpes that embed into the egg or sperm of a person from certain other diseases, such as roseola, a type of disease that mostly affect children. When the egg or sperm that is affected by the virus is conceived, the zygote formed with it will have a copy of the herpes virus in all the cells that it is made of- in other words, the herpes virus literally becomes a part of the new baby.

So how does this affect the new baby? Studies have yet to discover anything drastic. However, research shows that about 1% of the population of America has the herpes virus embedded into their DNA. Such a form of herpes is not curable, of course, as the virus is latched onto the DNA of every cell in the body, however, a close monitoring of cardiovascular health should keep be able to keep the effects of the virus in check and allow the person to lead a healthy life.

It is not very difficult to find out if a person is affected by such kind of herpes. The test is quiet simple, and many researchers suggest that this can be included in the set of tests that every newborn baby has to take.

Herpes and Angina

Of course, the question that must be in everyone’s mind is how any of this is related to angina. Angina is the chest pain that occurs when someone’s blood capillaries are blocked, and this usually occurs before a heart attack. Three million people are affected by angina every year in the United States alone. Research conducted in Canada show that people affected by the herpes in their DNA have three times more risk of suffering from angina than the average person when they are in their 40s. However, taking preventative measures and leading a healthy life can lessen the odds of this happening.

There, of course, lies the question on how the two diseases are related. According to Canadian researcher Louis Flammand, the virus in the body might be responsible for destroying the linings of the arteries and thus hindering the flow of blood around the body. When there is a blockage of blood flow, or when the blood cannot pass the smaller capillaries properly, pressure from the incoming and blocked blood builds up, with leads to the pain in the chest which we call angina.

However much studies have come up with theories, these are not absolute results and studies are still ongoing on the matter to prove anything properly. Many other researchers argue that including a herpes DNA check is not worthwhile since so few of the population are affected, and the other results of having herpes in the DNA are still unknown. To conclude, studies are still being conducted to understand the matter in better light and see how it affects our bodies, and what we can do to prevent any bad effects.

Herpes Is Catchy Even After Treatment

Absolute curbing of the herpes virus is old news. Recent figures show that even after taking high does medicine to stop symptoms of genital herpes, you are still capable of spreading the herpes virus to your sexual partners.

Taking strong enough medicine can allow all of your herpes symptoms to disappear. However, that does not mean that you can consider yourself being the same as someone who does not have herpes at all. Studies show that even the strongest of medicine does not completely stop the shedding of the herpes virus.

Researcher Christine Johnston says that even when the patient is taking extremely high doses of anti-herpes drugs, they are still likely to undergo short periods of “shedding”, where herpes virus is released from the body.

One out of five people in Europe and America carry the herpes simplex virus 1 and herpes simplex virus 2
, although not everyone may show the symptoms of it. Symptoms include the spreading of painful sores on the skin of the genital area or the rectum. There are no absolute cure for the herpes infection, there are only medicines to curb the symptoms, such as valacyclovir and acyclovir. Since there are no medicine to properly get rid of the virus, that means no one can be completely cured if they are once affected by HSV 1 or HSV 2.

Herpes Symptoms Treatment

There has been clinical trials recently, only to show that treatment of the herpes symptoms cannot completely reduce the risk of spreading the herpes virus to your sexual partner. The clinical trials had people affected by the herpes virus on a strong medication. On the first go, volunteers are asked to have a regular 400 mg pill of acyclovir two times a day. The volunteers were tested for HSV 2 in their genital and rectal regions four times a day by swabbing them for eight to fourteen weeks. The results showed that the person was 95% less likely to show positive for HSV 2, however, they were tested positive 3% of the time.

In the next studies, the volunteers that were taken often suffered from severe outbreaks, and thus they were given a higher dose of medication, 800 mg acyclovir three times a day or other medication in different doses to give a similar result. The results showed that the volunteers tested positive 7% of the time, proving that even strong medication does not stop periodical herpes shedding.

The results prove that the herpes virus is not exactly dormant during its inactive periods, and is willing to find a way out of the body to latch onto another body. Thus extra precaution is required by the infected person at all times.

The good news is that treatment radically decreases the chances of your partner contracting herpes from you, however, the bad news is that the chances are never zero. Researchers encourage patients to use condoms and safe sex practices as these will lessen the changes of spreading herpes any further.

Women, Herpes and Oral Sex

Studies show that now people can be infected by both herpes simplex virus 1 and herpes simplex virus 2 in the genital region. Women are some prone to getting infected. Furthermore, oral and vaginal sex can lead a woman to being infected by HSV 1.

Studies show that a woman is 9 times more likely to be infected by HSV 1 via oral sex than someone who have no sex at all. Vaginal sex makes a woman six times more like to get infected by HSV 1.

The worrying matter is that even if a person is infected by HSV 2, it does not mean the person cannot be affected by HSV 1 or be protected from it.

Women and Herpes

Studies also show that women are more likely to get herpes than man. Some studies argue that this is due to the fact that women tend to have more delicate skin, which can lead to a higher chance of microscopic lacerations. These lacerations can easily welcome all kinds of microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, etc. hence the genital herpes virus is welcomed into the body without the person even being aware of the matter.

HSV 1 is more commonly known for causes cold sores or fever blisters in younger children. However, due to stricter disciple and a higher maintenance of hygiene, children are becoming less and less likely to suffer from cold sores or fever blisters. This makes them vulnerable to acquiring genital herpes later on in life from HSV 1, which is now proven to also affect the genital area.

Researchers are now looking for a vaccine that will protect against both herpes simplex virus 1 and herpes simplex virus 2. The genital herpes is increasingly becoming an epidemic, and researchers worry about finding a solution to this as soon as they possible can, and also find a way to create a vaccine to protect the future generations from this sorry fate of herpes.

Genital Herpes Rates Not Going Down

Studies are being carried out, preventions for STDs are being known everywhere. Yet, the numbers for genital herpes and those affected by the infection is not going any lower. Numbers are crunching higher and now statistics say that one in every six American individual that are from the age category 14-49 years have herpes. If that does not sound serious enough, studies show that almost half of the African American females are affected by constantly spreading herpes simplex virus 2, or more commonly known as the genital herpes.

Twenty-four million people are affected by genital herpes in the United States of America today. This means the nation’s health care has to spend well over 16 billion dollars on just treating genital herpes alone. Even then, not everyone with herpes is getting the proper treatment or medication for their infection.

According to recent studies, women are twice more likely to be infected than men. This is due to the fact that the skin around the female genital area is more delicate and prone to lacerations. These cuts create passageways for viruses to enter the body, thus making it easier for the female to contract herpes. This also explains why African American women have such a high chance of having HSV 2 in them. In the black community, the background rate of infected people are already quite high, thus making African American females more susceptible to having the genital herpes infection.

Studies also show that people who have just one sex partner had a 4% chance of contracting herpes, whereas someone who had over ten partners had a 27% chance of contracting herpes. This is largely due to the fact that many people are not aware if they have herpes or not. Not all herpes virus carriers show symptoms of the infection, which makes it hard to tell who has herpes and who does not. Thus if a person has more sex partners, they would have a higher chance of getting the genital herpes virus, if they did not have it already.

This Leads to the Next Shocking Fact

Approximately four people out of five are not even aware that they have herpes, as they have not checked out done a blood test, hence they were never diagnosed with the disease. Many do not show symptoms, and lots of people ignore the sores, thinking they might be something minor. This is a big problem. If a person remains untreated and does not take medication for herpes, they have a higher chance of spreading herpes to their sexual partners. If they have more than one sexual partner, they have a chance of spreading it to many people.

To make matters worse, research has revealed that HVS 2 and HIV can be linked together. A person who has genital herpes is three times as likely to catch HIV in them as someone who does not have herpes. They are also more likely to spread the disease to other people as well. Even after the sores of the genital herpes have healed, there is still an increased chance of getting HIV into their body if they come in contact with the virus. Furthermore, someone who has both genital herpes and HIV is likely to spread the HIV virus during the herpes flare-ups, along with the genital herpes virus itself.

What is needed here is the state services to step up and create social awareness. People need to understand the severity of the situation, and understand that unless careful measures and steps are undertaken, there could be a herpes and HIV epidemic. The sad part of the story is that the necessary preventive measures and the testing to see if someone has herpes are neither elaborate, nor expensive. The public needs to be aware of why these steps are important. It is disappointing that public organizations fight it difficult to fund the necessary campaigns to highlight the importance of keeping herpes at bay.

Fortunately, there are campaigns to educate the masses on the importance of safe sex and symptoms of herpes. The public health organizations encourage people with high risk for having herpes to get tested to see if they have contracted herpes or not. This category includes people with multiple sexual partners, bisexual and gay men as well as people who are already infected by HIV.

The Half Billion Herpes Cases Around the World

The herpes simplex virus 2 has spread far and wide across the world. Studies estimate that there must be over half a billion cases of herpes, with over 24 million new cases coming up every year.

The reason why the virus is spreading like such an epidemic and remains in such large numbers is due to the fact that there still have not been a definitive cure found for herpes. Hence, once a person is affected by herpes, they will have to keep it for life.

Statistics from the World Health Organization show some worrying facts about herpes and its affect throughout the globe. About sixteen percent of people between the age range of fifteen to forty nine are affected by genital herpes, which means about 536 million people are out there carrying the herpes virus. Furthermore, about 24 million more people become infected by the herpes each year.

Studies also show that women are more prone to catching the genital herpes virus than men. Statistics show that European men have the least chances of having herpes, about 13%, whereas Sub-Saharan women in Africa had the most chance, which was a shocking 70%.

However, researchers do note that many areas do not have reliable or recent details regarding herpes to base any strong facts on. Furthermore, they also realize that many people are not even aware that they carry the genital herpes virus in their body, as they might not be showing any symptoms of the infection at all.