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Cannabis May Help Combat Herpes Viruses

Written by Megan on June 30, 2009 — Leave a Comment

ScienceDaily (Sep. 24, 2004) — Tampa, FL (Sept. 22, 2004) — The compound in marijuana that produces a high, delta-9 tetrahydrocannbinol or THC, may block the spread of several forms of cancer causing herpes viruses, University of South Florida College of Medicine scientists report.

Once a person is infected with herpes, the viruses can remain dormant for long periods within white blood cells before they burst out and begin replicating. This reactivation of the virus boosts the number of cells infected thereby increasing the chances that the cells will become cancerous.

The USF team found that this sudden reactivation was prevented if infected cells were grown in the presence of THC. Furthermore, the researchers showed that THC acts specifically on gamma herpes viruses. The chemical had no effect on another related virus, herpes simplex-1, which causes cold sores and genital herpes.

Small concentrations of THC were found to be more potent and selective against gamma herpes viruses than the commonly used antiviral drugs on the market.

It was emphasized that more studies are needed. “We have not evaluated the effect of THC in an animal model yet so we do not recommend people start using pot to prevent or treat cancers.”

In fact, Dr. Meveczky said, THC has also been shown to suppress the immune system so smoking marijuana could “do more harm than good” to patients whose immune systems are often already weakened.

The findings, published Sept. 15 in the online journal BMC Medicine, could lead to the creation of antiviral drugs based on nonpsychoactive derivatives of THC.

For the complete article, please visit http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/09/040923092627.htm

Posted in Herpes, Herpes Treatment

Chicago Students and STD Testing

Written by Megan on June 29, 2009 — Leave a Comment

Responding to high levels of sexually-transmitted infections in Chicago high schools, the city Board of Education yesterday voted to increase STD testing and education for teenagers.

The project will be run in tandem with the Chicago Department of Public Health. Cook County leads the nation in reported cases of gonorrhea, and has the third highest number of Chlamydia cases. Teenagers account for more than 60 percent of new cases in Chicago. School leaders hope more education, testing and treatment will lower those numbers.

It is unclear when the program will begin in schools, nor how many schools will be involved. The two agencies will offer prevention education, as well as urine-based testing for the two STDs. The program will be free for students and their families.

For the complete article, please refer to http://www.chitowndailynews.org/Chicago_news/CPS_to_provide_testing_for_STDs,29054

Posted in STD Testing

Farrah Fawcett, Anal Cancer, and HPV

Written by Megan on June 29, 2009 — Leave a Comment

The death of Farrah Fawcett after her long and courageous battle with anal cancer has saddened all of those who loved her.

Anal cancer is closely related to the human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV is the virus that causes genital warts and cervical cancer. This does not mean that Farrah had a history of sexual promiscuity; it just means that like many Americans, she was exposed to the virus at some point in her past.

Approximately between 45 and 90 percent of all caners of the anus are caused by the HPV virus. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the U.S. Approximately twenty five percent of females in the United States are infected with the HPV virus, however only a small fraction of these women will develop anal cancer.

For the complete article, see http://www.examiner.com/x-12106-Charleston-Family-Health-Examiner~y2009m6d28-More-on-Farrah-Fawcett-Anal-Cancer-and-HPV

Posted in HPV Infection

Can You Get Herpes From A Toilet Seat?

Written by Megan on June 29, 2009 — Leave a Comment

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection that is caused by types 1 and 2 of the herpes simplex virus and is extremely contagious and cause painful sores on the genitals and the area surrounding it that can last for weeks without treatment of any type.

It can be spread through skin to skin contact, but mainly is prevalent on the mouth or genitals; as other skin on the body is too thick for the virus to get through. Type 1 is spread by kissing, since it is oral herpes, but it is also spread when oral sex is performed, but turns into genital herpes for the other person. Type 2 is spread through sexual contact, having sexual intercourse, anal or oral sex.

To prevent yourself from getting either form of highly contagious herpes, you should not have any type of contact with a person with an outbreak of herpes. This can include cold sores, blisters, and sores on the genitals. If your partner has oral or genital herpes, do not have sexual contact with him or her when an outbreak is present.

Type 2 of the herpes simplex virus, (genital herpes), is not able to live on a non-living surface, such as a toilet seat, hot tub, or bathtub. Therefore, it is not possible to contract herpes from any of those objects. The virus that causes herpes is very delicate and it cannot live long or at all on such surfaces. It requires skin-to-skin contact or bodily fluid contact through sexual encounters in order to live and multiply.

Everyone who is sexually active has the possibility of getting herpes. The risk of getting it increases with age and with the number of partners. It is always best to talk to a partner and know their sexual history and to get tested before getting involved sexually.

For the complete article, see http://www.micronutra.com/journal/herpes/can-you-get-herpes-from-a-toilet-seat

Posted in Herpes Treatment

Will Pap Smear Show Genital Herpes?

Written by Megan on June 29, 2009 — Leave a Comment

Pap smear checks for cell changes in the cervix and will determine if a woman has an infection, or has abnormal or unhealthy cells, that can be cancerous in nature. Early detection of cancer cells will save a woman’s life and if caught at the early stage, treatment can be applied and the chances of curing it are possibly greater.

Women over 18 years of age are advised to have a regular pap smear. Even women who are not sexually active and have gone through menopausal stage need to get Pap tests. It is vital to have Pap smear as a routinely health care to detect and prevent any instances that will lead to a more risky illness.

On rare cases, a Pap smear may indicate the presence of damaged cells that have been infected with the Herpes Simplex Virus type 2. At this point however, Pap smear tests are not reliable as a test for Herpes virus detection.

The accuracy of Pap test in detecting Trichomonas (a sexually ¬transmitted vaginal infection), Candida (yeast) or large amounts of bacteria, usually Gardnerella (the most common bacteria normally found in the vagina). Pap smear test involves a sample from the vaginal discharge while PCR or viral culture will involves scraping off of a tissue out of the skin lesions in sores and blisters during an outbreak.

Whether Pap smear shows the genital herpes infection, it is extremely important to prevent the risk of getting infected. When the lesions are present during an outbreak, avoid touching the sores because it is highly contagious at this time and to avoid spreading the virus to other parts of the body.

For the complete article, see http://www.forces-of-nature.net/topics/herpes/Will_Pap_Smear_Show_Genital_Herpes.htm

Posted in Herpes

HIV testing technology in US needs to change or risk missing acute infections

Written by Megan on June 29, 2009 — Leave a Comment

A fourth generation HIV testing assay detected almost two-thirds of individuals with acute HIV infection, investigators report in an article published in the online edition of the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. The researchers believe that their results show the ARCHITECT HIV Ag/AB Combo Assay to have significant advantages, including the time needed to obtain a result compared to the current pooled HIV RNA testing strategy used to diagnose acute HIV infection. Such assays are already routinely used in the United Kingdom.

Diagnosis of acute HIV infection relies on detection of HIV virus using viral load tests, or p24 antigen. Pooled HIV viral load testing has been shown to be an effective means of diagnosing acute infections. However, it is slow, it typically taking between seven and 21 days to obtain the results, cumbersome, and labourious. It is therefore not a realistic technology for resource-limited settings, nor for addressing the problem of ongoing transmission from people during acute infection.
The ARCHITECT Combo assay was positive for 13 of the 21 acute samples. The median viral load of individuals testing positive with this technology was significantly higher than that of individuals testing negative (662,ooo copies/ml vs. 3576 copies/ml).

“The failure to diagnose acute HIV infection represents an important public health problem”, note the investigators, “persons with primary infection may be up to 10 times more likely to transmit HIV per sexual act than are individuals with established infections”.

For the complete article, please refer to http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/D9111996-68D9-4F3D-A499-C9559819B045.asp.

Posted in HIV Testing

No More Cold Sores? Scientists Find Possible Process To Fight Herpes

Written by Megan on June 25, 2009 — Leave a Comment

Scientists have discovered a new way for our immune system to combat the elusive virus responsible for cold sores: Type 1 herpes simplex (HSV-1). A group of virus hunters from the Université de Montréal have identified a cellular process that seeks out and fights herpes.

“Once human cells are infected with Type 1 herpes simplex, the virus comes back because it hides and blocks protection from our immune system,” says Luc English, the study’s lead author. “For the first time, our research team has identified a combative cellular mechanism in this game of hide-and-seek.”

The team made its discovery while conducting various tests in HSV-1 infected mice cells.

The research team plans to study how activation of the herpes-combating cellular process could be applied to other illnesses. “Our goal is to further study the molecules implicated in this mechanism to eventually develop therapies against diseases such as HIV or even cancer,” says English. Treatment options might be imaginable in a decade.

“Now that we’ve identified the novel mechanism in cells that activate immune response to Type 1 herpes simplex, scientists are one step closer to creating new treatments that can activate the defense against this and other viruses,” says Dr. Desjardins. “While it may not be possible to completely eradicate Type 1 herpes simplex in people who are already infected, at the very least, future therapies may be able to keep the virus in its dormant state.”

For the complete article, see http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090323112058.htm

Posted in Herpes Treatment

A generation born with HIV/AIDS defies the odds

Written by Megan on June 25, 2009 — Leave a Comment

Babies who were born with HIV/AIDS in the 1980s have defied initial expectations. No one expected them to live long.

Since the mid-1990s in developed countries, antiretroviral drugs have largely prevented mothers from transmitting HIV/AIDS to their babies.

Nearly 30 young adults and teenagers who were born with HIV/AIDS meet every week at the Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida. “We don’t want to talk about HIV every day,” said Eric Koumbou, 19. “If you talk about HIV and you don’t have it and I do, sometimes it makes me angry or makes me sad.”

For the complete article, please see http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/06/22/hiv.children.generation/index.html?eref=ib_topstories.

Posted in HIV and AIDS, HIV Testing

To Fight AIDS, State Recommends Routine HIV Screening

Written by Megan on June 25, 2009 — Leave a Comment

BOSTON — In an effort to reduce AIDS rates in Massachusetts, state public health officials recommended that everyone 13 and older get HIV-tested as part of their routine medical care.

The goal is to make HIV screening as common as cholesterol tests and blood pressure monitoring. That way, HIV infections could be treated immediately, before they progress to full-blown AIDS.

Currently, about a third of people in Massachusetts with HIV develop AIDS within two months of diagnosis. Lauren Smith, medical director at the state Department of Public Health, says that number is too high.

“That tells us that, in fact, they were infected with HIV probably for many years — possibly a decade,” says Smith, “and suggests that we lost many opportunities to intervene and provide them very effective care that can ensure that they live longer and healthier.”

Smith also says the state’s health care system could save money if HIV is detected and treated earlier. HIV testing remains voluntary in the state and is free at many doctors’ offices and health clinics.

“It would be rolled into routine clinical care,” says Smith. “That’s why we screen for cholesterol, that’s why we take people’s blood pressure — it’s because we can do something very effective about it. Similarly, we need to screen everyone for HIV because we have effective treatments that can make a big difference in this condition.”

For the complete article, please refer to http://www.wbur.org/2009/06/25/hiv-testing.
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Posted in HIV and AIDS

Oral Herpes Can Be Transferred to the Genitals

Written by Megan on June 24, 2009 — Leave a Comment

Many Americans know that cold sores are caused by a herpes virus. But few understand the relation between oral herpes and genital herpes. Also confusing is whether herpes on the lip or mouth can be transmitted to the genital area.

There are several strains of herpes virus. Herpes simplex virus Type 2 is the strain associated with genital herpes. Many cold sores, on the other hand, are caused by herpes simplex virus Type 1. But Type 2 can also cause sores on the mouth, and Type 1 can spread to the genitals.

The types are closely related, and they usually lie dormant in nerves near an infection site until emerging on the skin during an outbreak, often preceded by tingling, itching and pain. Soap and water kills the virus fairly easily, so washing is a good way to help keep it from spreading.

Herpes is transmitted primarily by skin-to-skin contact when the infection is active, but carriers can also transmit the virus when they have no noticeable symptoms — and many do not.

THE BOTTOM LINE
Cold sores can cause a genital infection and vice versa.

For the complete article, please refer to http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/19/health/19real.html?pagewanted=print&position=.

Posted in Herpes

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Cannabis May Help Combat Herpes Viruses

Chicago Students and STD Testing

Farrah Fawcett, Anal Cancer, and HPV

Can You Get Herpes From A Toilet Seat?

Will Pap Smear Show Genital Herpes?

HIV testing technology in US needs to change or risk missing acute infections

No More Cold Sores? Scientists Find Possible Process To Fight Herpes

A generation born with HIV/AIDS defies the odds

To Fight AIDS, State Recommends Routine HIV Screening

Oral Herpes Can Be Transferred to the Genitals

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