Why lips like these could mean herpes

THE shape of your lips could determine how much you enjoy sex, a new study has revealed.
Experts believe women with a more prominent tubercle, that's the middle part of the top lip that points upwards - such as Angelina Jolie and Megan Fox have - are getting more fun in bed.

But are your lips also sending warning signals about your health?

Dry or sore lips could indicate anything from diabetes to herpes or Crohn's disease.

Dermatologist Shona Birch, who runs a private practice in Sevenoaks, Kent, said: "Really hot or cold weather could leave you with dry or cracked lips.

"But it could also be down to something more serious. If symptoms persist and you can't find a reason for it, then it's best to consult a pharmacist or a GP.

"There are lots of things you can do to keep your lips healthy. Use a lip balm with a protective sunscreen.

"Try not to lick your lips when it's cold - it will only make them dryer.

"And use a petroleum jelly before you go to bed at night to keep them moist."

Here, Sun Health tells you what to look out for... and explains why you should listen to your lips.

Cracked lips
Could mean: Diabetes

Cracked lips are very common and in most cases may be due to nothing more than a mild case of anaemia.

This leads to open cracks or sores in the corner of the mouth - a condition doctors call angular cheilitis.

But in isolated cases it could be a sign of undiagnosed diabetes. As blood sugar levels rise, this stimulates the growth of a fungus that can attack the lips.

Swollen lips
Could mean: Crohn's disease

Most people know that Crohn's disease affects the bowel. But it can also show up in the mouth and lips.

The condition, which affects one in every 1,000 people in Britain, can cause inflammation and swelling in different parts of the body, including the lips.

It even has its own name - oral Crohn's. Around ten per cent of Crohn's sufferers are also affected around the mouth.

Burning lips
Could mean: Herpes

A burning sensation on the lips can be one of the first signs of an outbreak of the herpes virus, which causes cold sores.

Within 24 hours, blisters may start to appear on and around the lips which are painful and, after a few days, they can burst and leak contagious fluid.

Avoid touching these sores, kissing or even sharing soaps, flannels or lipstick.

Numb lips
Could mean: Severe allergy

Numbness or tingling in the lips, especially if it is rapidly followed by swelling, could be a sign of a severe allergic reaction to a food or chemical.

Doctors call this angiooedema and it means the body is releasing huge amounts of the hormone histamine into the bloodstream in an over-reaction by the immune system.

Blue lips
Could mean: Croup

Going blue around the mouth and lips is a sure sign of a lack of oxygen.

In babies, it can be a symptom of croup, a respiratory condition that causes a hoarse, barking cough.

In adults, blue lips are often a symptom when the heart is struggling to pump oxygen-rich blood around the body, for example in people who suffer from chronic heart failure.

Lip rash
Could mean: Eczema

A rash around the edge of the mouth is often due to dry skin caused by excessive lip licking or thumb-sucking.

Dubbed "lick eczema", it should clear up when the habit stops and also responds to regular applications of one per cent hydrocortisone cream for a few days.

Coldsores
Could mean: Poor diet

A poor diet, stress or lack of sleep is often a strong trigger for cold sore outbreaks.

You should also avoid foods and drinks rich in an amino acid called arginine, such as peanuts, cashew nuts, chocolate, beer and cola.

Snake Plant for Herpes

A recent analysis of scientific data suggests that snake plant (Clinacanthus nutans) may help treat genital herpes and herpes zoster (which causes chickenpox and shingles).

Four randomized controlled trials that included a total of 286 participants were included in the review. Two studies tested the effects of snake plant on genital herpes, and the other two tested the effects herpes zoster.

The researchers concluded that the plant may have beneficial effects on these two viral infections. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings and identify a potential mechanism of action.

For more information about integrative therapies for herpes infections, please visit Natural Standard's Comparative Effectiveness database.

References

Kongkaew C, Chaiyakunapruk N. Efficacy of Clinacanthus nutans extracts in patients with herpes infection: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials. Complement Ther Med. 2011 Feb;19(1):47-53. View Abstract
Natural Standard: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. www.naturalstandard.com

Nose Is Gateway for Virus Tied to Brain Disorders

The nose apparently can be a portal for a cousin of the herpes virus that is linked to brain disorders, scientists have discovered.
These findings reveal a new way the brain can get infected.
Scientists investigated human herpes virus-6 (HHV-6), a member of the family of viruses that includes genital herpes as well as oral herpes, which causes cold sores. HHV-6 is linked with brain disorders such as multiple sclerosis, encephalitis and a form of epilepsy, and causes roseola, a disease common among infants that leads to a high fever and skin rash.
"This is a virus that we've all been exposed to, that we all pretty much acquired in childhood," said researcher Steven Jacobson, a neurovirologist at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in Bethesda, Md. "Most of the time it's utterly benign."
The way this virus entered the brain had remained a mystery, as the seat of our intelligence is largely protected by the so-called blood-brain barrier, which filters out many germs and drugs.
However, researchers had known that other viruses, such as influenza and rabies, apparently could use the sensory network hooked up to the nose as a kind of highway into the central nervous system.
To see how HHV-6 enters the brain, scientists analyzed tissue samples from autopsies, including a patient who had multiple sclerosis. Although viral DNA was seen throughout the brain, it was found largely in the olfactory bulb, the brain region involved in detecting odors.
In addition, the researchers found DNA from HHV-6 in nasal mucus samples from healthy people, those suffering a loss of smell, and people with multiple sclerosis. This suggests the nasal cavity might harbor the virus in both healthy and diseased individuals.
Moreover, in experiments, scientists demonstrated that HHV-6 could infect lab-grown versions of the olfactory ensheathing cells, which help olfactory neurons grow and establish connections in the brain. The researchers believe the virus might use these cells as a bridge across the blood-brain barrier, the first time scientists had evidence these cells could be a route of infection.
"Now researchers can start looking to see if other viruses might use this route as well," Jacobson told LiveScience.
Jacobson cautioned that while this virus might help trigger brain disorders, it was not necessarily the primary cause. "We may all have it, but some might have a special genetic susceptibility to it, or maybe there's an environmental trigger that causes neurologic disease to then occur," Jacobson said.
Further studies could also investigate whether this virus has any effect on behavior. "It all depends on where this virus goes in the brain," Jacobson said. With the new information, researchers could then look for therapies against this virus.
The scientists detailed their findings Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Drugs can limit effects of herpes

Dear Dr. Donohue — I have a question about Valtrex and genital herpes. I had a few outbreaks of herpes in a year and was advised to take this medicine daily to suppress them. I have been taking it for two years. It gives me peace of mind, but I worry about permanent side effects. Can you take it less often? What happens if I stop taking it completely? — Anon.
Answer — The herpes virus lives in an affected person for life. Those who suffer frequent recurrences or painful outbreaks have the option of suppressing those outbreaks by taking Valtrex (valacyclovir), Famvir (famciclovir) or Zovirax (acyclovir).
One method is episodic treatment, taking the medicine only at the first signs or symptoms of an outbreak. A second method is chronic suppressive therapy, the daily use of medicine to prevent outbreaks. The safe length of time for this therapy hasn't been established. A third option is to take no medicine if the outbreaks are not terribly painful or if they do not occur frequently.
Psychologic distress and lessening the chance for spreading the virus are two other reasons for suppressive treatment.
No one can predict what will happen if you stop completely. You might have a few yearly occurrences, as you did in the past. Side effects from these drugs include headache, nausea and stomach pain. Serious side effects, which are quite rare, are blood clots, a decrease in blood platelets and kidney damage. Taking the drugs once a week doesn't work
You and your doctor have to decide if daily medication is appropriate for you.
Dear Dr. Donohue — After two days of sinus headaches, I awoke with double vision. Doctors admitted me to a stroke ward. Then they determined that I had damage to cranial nerve III (3) and partial damage to IV (4). Can you shed some light on what happened? —D.D.
Answer — The eyes view objects from a slightly different position. To fuse the images they get into a single picture, the six eye muscles of each eye and the three nerves that control them have to align the eyes in exact positions. If one or more muscles or one or more nerves are out of whack, people see two images.
Diabetes, high blood pressure, small strokes, multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis (a nerve illness) are the major causes of double vision. A less-serious cause is a temporary disruption of blood supply to one of the eye nerves or eye muscles.
In that instance, the visual disturbance clears in a matter of weeks or months. This sounds like what happened to you. The sinus headaches are not likely responsible.
In the meantime, glasses fitted with a prism can restore single images.

Write Dr. Donohue at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, Fla. 32853-6475.

How to Treat Genital Herpes simply – A Safe, sufficient Herpes medicine Discussed

What is Genital Herpes and how can I find a natural treatment for genital herpes which I can reply on?
Genital Herpes is an very tasteless health which is very contagious. So who gets Genital herpes? Genital herpes can sway men and woman of any age. It is ordinarily contracted straight through sexual intercourse and can be passed on from a man to a woman or visa versa. The Genital herpes is a virus which resides in the body (herpesvirus hominus). The two types of the virus are Herpes Simplex 1 (Hsv1) which infects the mouth. This type of herpes is known as a cold sore or fever blister. Herpes Simplex 2 (genital herpes) affects the genital and anal area in men and woman. Herpes, specifically Genital herpes is an Std which is very contagious. If you aware that you have genital herpes, you must let your partners know.
What does genital herpes look like and how do you know if you have it?
A genital herpes outbreak starts off with a blister (or many blisters) forming. This occurs about 2 weeks after contracting the virus. The outbreak can last any weeks. Once the blisters rupture, the outbreak is over, but the genital herpes virus is still inside your body. This means that outbreaks will continue to occur periodically. It is advisable to treat the virus inside the body with a known treatment for genital herpes which is tried and tested. Curative Natural
Oils have been in enterprise for many years and the genital herpes treatment they offer is proven to be effective!.
How do you treat Genital herpes, without the use of harmful drugs?
There are many treatments available for herpes, but many can be very harmful and risky to the body. It very advisable to choose a stock which is natural, and will not damage the body, yet still efficient in not only clearing the outbreak quickly, but controlling and possibly eliminating time to come outbreaks.

IAS: Herpes Drug Slows HIV Progress

ROME -- A drug that suppresses herpes simplex-2 (HSV-2) also curtails the progression of HIV, a researcher reported here.
In a randomized controlled trial in Uganda, acyclovir (Zovirax), taken twice a day, increased the time before co-infected participants needed HIV treatment or suffered an AIDS-defining illness, according to Steven Reynolds, MD, of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in Bethesda, Md.

In places where access to antiretroviral drugs is limited, the approach may ease the pressure on treatment resources, Reynolds told a session at the 2011 meeting of the International AIDS Society here.

He added that more research is needed to confirm the findings, but acyclovir treatment "may be warranted" in people with both HIV and HSV-2.

The study enrolled 440 people with both infections and assigned them randomly to get 400 mg of acyclovir twice daily or placebo, Reynolds reported.

Participants had a CD4-positive T-cell count of between 300 and 400 cells per microliter of blood and were not eligible for HIV treatment under Uganda's guidelines.

The goal was to measure the impact of acyclovir over a two-year period on the risk of reaching a level of 250 cells per microliter or fewer, or suffering a World Health Organization stage 4 event, Reynolds said. At either point, therapy would be indicated.

Over the study period, 205 participants reached the primary endpoint, he said -- 95 in the treatment arm and 110 in the placebo arm. Those figures yielded a hazard ratio for progression of 0.73, with a 95% confidence interval from 0.56 to 0.97, which was significant at P=0.029.

Analysis showed the difference was almost entirely driven by people who started the trial with a plasma viral load of greater than 50,000 copies of HIV RNA per ml, Reynolds said.

In that group, the hazard ratio for progression was 0.62, with a 95% confidence interval from 0.43 to 0.96, which was significant at P=0.03. In contrast, among those with a lower viral load, the hazard ratio was a nonsignificant 0.90, Reynolds reported.

The researchers also found that patients on placebo had a rising plasma viral load over time -- an annual average increase of 0.402 log10 copies of HIV RNA per ml -- while those on acyclovir saw their viral load fall by an average of 0.061 log10 copies per ml.

The difference was significant at P=0.001, Reynolds said.

But the study may be missing the point, in the light of recent findings in treatment as HIV prevention, according to Pedro Cahn, MD, of Fundación Huesped in Buenos Aires and a former president of the IAS.

Cahn himself is involved in a study testing a similar drug -- valacyclovir (Valtrex) -- for the same purpose, but he told MedPage Today that such strategies can only have an application as long as it's necessary to delay treatment because resources are scarce.

Cahn and others here are arguing that most resources should be put into expanding access to treatment, rather than using them to delay the medical need for therapy.

In the "big picture," it's now clear that full-scale treatment of people with HIV -- regardless of the stage of their illness -- is the best way to slow and perhaps halt the pandemic, Cahn said.

The researchers have made "very interesting scientific findings," he said. "The issue is what should we do once the scientific questions have been answered."

The study was supported by the NIH and PEPFAR. Reynolds is an employee of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Cahn has previously reported financial links with Abbott, Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Pharmacia, and Roche.

Detail Information about Cold Sore

Definition

A cold sore is a fluid-filled blister that usually appears at the edge of the lips. Cold sores are caused by a herpes simplex virus infection.

Description

A cold sore is a fluid-filled, painful blister that is usually on or around the lips. Other names for cold sores are fever blisters, oral herpes, labial herpes, herpes labialis, and herpes febrilis. Cold sores most often occur on the lips, distinguishing them from the common canker sore that is usually located inside the mouth. Cold sores do not usually occur inside the mouth except during the initial episode. Canker sores usually form either on the tongue or inside the cheeks.

Cold sores are caused by a herpes virus. There are eight different kinds of human herpes viruses. Only two of these, herpes simplex, types 1 and 2, can cause cold sores. It is commonly believed that herpes simplex virus type 1 infects above the waist and herpes simplex virus type 2 infects below the waist. This is not completely true. Both herpes virus type 1 and type 2 can cause herpes lesions on the lips or genitals but recurrent cold sores are almost always type 1.

Oral herpes is very common. More than 60% of Americans have had a cold sore and almost 25% of those infected experience recurrent outbreaks. Most of these persons became infected before age 10. Anyone can become infected by herpes virus and once infected, the virus remains latent for life. Herpes viruses are spread from person to person by direct skin-to-skin contact. The highest risk for spreading the virus is the time period beginning with the appearance of blisters and ending with scab formation. However, infected persons need not have visible blisters to spread the infection to others since the virus may be present in the saliva without obvious oral lesions.

Viruses are different from bacteria. While bacteria are independent and can reproduce on their own, viruses enter human cells and force them to make more virus. The infected human cell is usually killed and releases thousands of new viruses. The cell death and resulting tissue damage causes the actual cold sores. In addition, herpes virus can infect a cell and instead of making the cell


produce new viruses, it hides inside the cell and waits. Herpes virus hides in the nervous system. This is called "latency." A latent virus can wait inside the nervous system for days, months, or even years. At some future time, the virus "awakens" and causes the cell to produce thousands of new viruses which causes an active infection.

This process of latency and active infection is best understood by considering the cold sore cycle. An active infection is obvious because cold sores are present. The first infection is called the "primary" infection. This active infection is then controlled by the body's immune system and the sores heal. In between active infections the virus is latent. At some point in the future, latent viruses become activated and once again cause sores. These are called "recurrent" infections. Although it is unknown what triggers a latent virus to activate, several conditions seem to bring on infections. These include stress, illness, fatigue, exposure to sunlight, menstruation, fever, and diet.

Causes & symptoms

While anyone can be infected by herpes virus, not everyone will show symptoms. The first symptoms of herpes occur within two to 20 days after contact with an infected person. Symptoms of the primary infection are usually more severe than those of recurrent infections. The primary infection can cause symptoms like other viral infections including fatigue, headache, fever, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

Typically, 50–80% of persons with oral herpes experience a prodrome (symptoms of oncoming disease) of pain, burning, itching, or tingling at the site where blisters will form. This prodrome stage may last anywhere from a few hours, to one or two days. The herpes infection prodrome occurs in both the primary infection and recurrent infections.

In 95% of patients with cold sores, the blisters occur at the outer edge of the lips which is called the "vermilion border." Less often, blisters form on the nose, chin, or cheek. Following the prodrome, the disease process is rapid. First, small red bumps appear which quickly form fluid-filled blisters. The painful blisters may either burst and form a scab or dry up and form a scab. Within two days of the first red bumps, all the blisters have formed scabs. The skin heals completely and without scarring within six to 10 days.

Some children have a very serious primary (first episode) herpes infection called gingivostomatitis. This causes fever, swollen lymph glands, and numerous blisters inside the mouth and on the lips and tongue, which may form large, open sores. These painful sores may last up to three weeks and can make eating and drinking difficult. Because of this, young children with gingivostomatitis are at risk for dehydration (excessive loss of water from the body).

Most people experience fewer than two recurrent outbreaks of cold sores each year. Some people never experience outbreaks while others have more frequent occurrences. In most people, the blisters form in the same area each time and are triggered by the same factors (such as stress, sun exposure, etc.).

Diagnosis

Because oral herpes is so common, it is diagnosed primarily by symptoms. It can be diagnosed and treated by the family doctor, dermatologists (doctors who specialize in skin diseases) and infectious disease specialists. Laboratory tests may be performed to look for the virus. Because healing sores do not shed much virus, a sample from an open sore is taken for viral culture. A sterile cotton swab is wiped over open sores and the sample used to infect human cells in culture. Cells which are killed by herpes virus have a certain appearance under microscopic examination. The results of this test are available within two to 10 days.

Oral herpes may resemble a bacterial infection called impetigo. This skin infection is most commonly seen in children and causes herpes-like blisters around the mouth and nose. Also, because oral herpes can occur inside the mouth, the blisters could be mistaken for common canker sores. Therefore, doctors need to determine whether the blisters are oral herpes, canker sores, or impetigo. The diagnosis and treatment of herpes infections should be covered by most insurance providers.

Treatment

There is no cure for cold sores but many alternative treatments can reduce outbreaks and shorten healing time. During an outbreak of cold sores, salty foods, citrus foods (oranges etc.), and other foods that irritate the sores should be avoided. Wash the sores once or twice a day with a warm, saline solution and pat gently to dry. Application of ice or a cold wet teabag for 10 minutes four or five times a day can relieve the itching and burning.

Prevention

The only way to prevent oral herpes is to avoid contact with infected persons. This is not an easy solution because many people are not aware that they are infected and can easily infect others. As of 2001 there were no known herpes vaccines available, although vaccines are being tested.

Several practices can reduce the occurrence of cold sores and the spread of virus to other body locations or people. These practices are:

-Avoidance of sun exposure to the face. Before getting prolonged exposure to the sun, apply sunscreen to the face and especially to the lips. Wearing a hat with a large brim is also helpful.
-Avoid touching cold sores. Squeezing, picking, or pinching blisters can allow the virus to spread to other parts of the lips or face and infect those sites.
-Wash hands frequently. Persons with oral herpes should wash their hands carefully before touching others. An infected person can spread the virus to others even when he or she has no obvious blisters.
-Avoid contact with others during active infection. Infected persons should avoid kissing or sexual contact with others until after the cold sores have healed.
-Wear gloves when applying ointment to a child's sore.
-Be especially careful with infants. Never kiss the eyes or lips of a baby who is under six months old.
-Be watchful of infected children. Do not allow infected children to share toys that may be put into the mouth. -Toys that have been mouthed should be disinfected before other children play with them.
-Maintain good general health. A healthy diet, plenty of sleep, and exercise help to minimize the chance of getting a cold or the flu, which are known to bring on cold sores. Also, good general health keeps the immune system strong which helps to keep the virus in check and prevent outbreaks.
-Participate in a stress reduction program. Yoga, massage, aromatherapy, meditation, hypnosis, or biofeedback can relieve stress which may reduce outbreaks.

Herpes Dating Recommendation

Herpes, a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease will get within the means of your dating and love life if you let it.
For instance, if you try and talk concerning it with a brand new love or dating interest, there is a very good chance you'll be rejected as someone he or she would like to start out a relationship with.
Tread slowly with someone new if you do not feel snug discussing it and don't become intimate till you do feel comfortable.
On one hand, you actually cannot blame a possible match for rejecting you. When all, you have got an infectious sexually transmitted disease. And they will continuously doubt your decision creating method regardless of what they say. So why trouble?
On the opposite hand, would not it make a lot of sense to satisfy potential love or dating interests who have herpes already? Why go through the guilt, shame and rejection with non-herpes people when thousands of folks in your own area who have herpes are offered and share your outlook on dating?
Dating individuals with herpes takes the problem off the table and you both will concentrate on obtaining to understand every alternative better and planting the seeds for a beautiful future partnership.
If you do commit to date a non-herpes person, be accountable and shield her from contracting this annoying life vogue changing disease.
You must be honest and out yourself as an individual with herpes.You will feel higher and she or he will appreciate and respect you. Hopefully they will not dump you and you will be ready to start out building a stable relationship.
Do not let your hopes for a meaningful and lifelong love relationship end with Herpes.There are thousands of people simply such as you in your area. All you wish is a place where you'll be able to find and meet them and an online dating website is just what you need.

STI numbers triple over 10 years

Cases of sexually transmitted infections have tripled in a decade, according to new figures.

Increases were recorded in genital herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV across Scotland between 1999 and 2009.

The sharpest rise was in cases of genital chlamydia which can lead to infertility. Reported diagnoses increased from 5,676 to 18,277, according to Scottish Government figures.

The Conservative party, which obtained the details, said the increases paint a "hugely worrying picture" of sexual health.

Diagnoses of genital herpes increased from 933 to 2,627 over the decade, while cases of gonorrhoea increased from 538 to 1,021. Figures for infectious syphilis were not available for 1999 but showed an increase from four cases in 2000 to 189 in 2009.

The number of HIV-infected people increased from 156 in 1999 to 360 in 2010. For the decade from 1999, the total number for all five infections went from 7,303 to 22,540.

Conservative public health spokeswoman Nanette Milne MSP said: "It is clear the approach adopted by successive governments in Scotland has not reversed the trend and that is why we need to focus much more on educating younger people about the consequences and symptoms of these diseases.

"Only by knowing what they are letting themselves in for can we hope to avert the problem."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We are committed to driving down the number of sexually transmitted infections and have invested significantly in recent years in our sexual health strategy, Respect And Responsibility.

"These figures follow improvements to services, which have led to an increase in testing and, in turn, an increase in detections. We will shortly be publishing our new sexual health and blood borne virus framework, and one of its high level outcomes will be fewer sexually transmitted infections."

Rate of sexually transmitted diseases high in region

Hamilton County has a "mini-epidemic" of sexually-transmitted diseases, says the author of a new report gauging the region's health.

The county's rate of syphilis is almost nine times higher than the nation's, while gonorrhea and chlamydia rates are double and triple, respectively, the national rates, according to the report, "Indicators of Healthy Communities," released Monday.

"We don't like to talk about it, but we have a problem here. We have a horrible problem locally that we need to address," said Eddie Hooker, an emergency medicine physician and associate professor of health services administration at Xavier University.

In 2010, the incidence rate for syphilis in Hamilton County was 32 per 100,000, compared to 3.6 for the U.S. and 2.0 for Ohio.

Lack of money and manpower to track and sometimes treat individuals infected with chlamydia and gonorrhea are part of the problem, Hooker said.

People can get tested at any hospital or physician office, and those organizations notify local health departments if someone tests positive for an STD.

The physician who orders the test usually prescribes treatment for the individual - but some don't come in to get their final test results, and many don't refer their partners for testing or treatment, Hooker said.

The Cincinnati Health Department, which does the bulk of STD testing in the region, keeps data on infections, but they don't have the personnel or the budget to follow up with people who test positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea, said Larry Holditch, medical director for the department.

"The main reason is the volume," Holditch said. "You're talking about 6,300 cases of chlamydia and 2,500 cases of gonorrhea. You'd have to hire 100 staff. There's just not the money or staff to do the follow-up."

When someone tests positive for an STD through one of the department's health centers, staff give the individual a card that they can share with their partner, he said.

"We don't get a huge return on that," he said.

Another issue, Hooker and Holditch said, is that in Ohio, it's illegal to provide treatment to the partner of a person who tests positive for an STD if they don't come in for testing.

Health department personnel do follow up on individuals who test positive for syphilis and HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, and their partners, Holditch said.

And, he said, the private or hospital-based physicians who ordered the tests also have a responsibility to follow up infected individuals.

At Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, doctors and nurses are using text messages to notify teens who test positive for STDs to get treatment and bring their partners in, said Jill Huppert, a pediatric and adolescent gynecologist.

"We looked at the rates of STDs in girls who were coming into the emergency department, and almost a quarter of them who were tested had chlamydia or gonorrhea. But we couldn't find them afterwards or get them into treatment or even just let them know they had something," she said.

Now, nurses ask for teens' cell numbers when they check into the emergency department or teen health center.

Ohio law allows providers to notify teens of infection without notifying their parents as well, Huppert said.

If an agency outside the health department wanted to take on the task of following up on individuals with STDs, Hooker said, "I can guarantee you that I will be standing up here next year saying you made a difference."

Monday's health report does show some good news, Hooker said: Deaths from heart disease, cancer and stroke are all decreasing, though the region is still higher than the nation in those categories.

Xavier, the Health Improvement Collaborative of Greater Cincinnati and the United Way of Greater Cincinnati put together the report, which was first released in 1997. It was last issued in 2006 but will be issued annually beginning next year.

Eight human herpesviruses

There are eight human herpesviruses. (Medical texts refer to herpesvirus as one word.) Also, every animal species that has been investigated also has its own herpesvirus. What these viruses all have in common is the ability to hide out in the body without causing symptoms, and then reappear at a later date. The human herpesvirus family includes:

1. herpes simplex virus type 1 (cold sores and whitlows on fingers and hands, also half new cases of genital herpes)
2. herpes simplex virus type 2 (genital sores, also sometimes cold sores and whitlows)

The other viruses caught quite different illnesses. These are:

3. varicella-zoster virus (also called herpes varicella/chickenpox and herpes zoster/shingles)
4. Epstein Barr virus (often abbreviated to EBV)
5. cytomegalovirus (CMV)
6. human herpesvirus 6 (HHV6)
7. human herpesvirus 7 (HHV7)
8. human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8 or it can be called KSHV - see below)

1 - Herpes simplex virus type 1 (short version - see also cold sores):
How common? By age 15 around 25% of UK population, by age 30 around 50%. The rates are much higher in other countries.
How is it caught? By direct skin contact with the affected part, when the virus is active.
How long before it appears (incubation period)? 4 or 5 days is usual, but it could be as soon as 2 days or as long as two weeks - or even longer.
What does it cause? Often nothing, at its most obvious it causes a flu-like illness followed by blisters or ulcers on the affected skin. If it recurs, there are likely to be fewer blisters.

2. Herpes simplex virus type 2 (short version - see also our Frequently asked questions):
How common? Around 25% of the sexually active UK population. Over the whole country between 3% and 10%. The rates are much higher in other countries.
How is it caught? By direct skin contact with the affected part, when the virus is active.
How long before it appears (incubation period)? 4 or 5 days is usual, but it could be as soon as 2 days or as long as two weeks - or even longer.
What does it cause? Often nothing, at its most obvious it causes a flu-like illness followed by blisters or ulcers on the affected skin. If it recurs, there are likely to be fewer blisters. 

3. Varicella-zoster virus (short version - see also our shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia pages):
How common? Almost 100% of UK population by adulthood. However in tropical countries the rates are much lower.
How is it caught? Chickenpox is caught like flu: virus floats in the air, from the breath of an infected person.
When it returns it is called shingles. No one can catch shingles, but if you have not had chickenpox and you have skin contact with shingles, you can catch chickenpox.
How long before it appears (incubation period)? Two weeks is usual, but it could be as soon as 7 days or as long as 23 days.
What does it cause? A flu-like illness followed by blisters over the body. If it recurs, as shingles, the blisters will be a restricted area, often around the ribs. Older people may develop post-herpetic neuralgia, a pain the nerves that may be severe and may last for months or year. See our pages on how this is treated.

4. Epstein Barr virus (EBV, also called glandular fever, mononucleosis, mono, kissing disease):
How common? Virtually everybody worldwide.
How is it caught? Saliva.
How long before it appears (incubation period)?
What does it cause? In babies and children, the symptoms are often so mild that they are not noticed. In teenagers and adults it causes a fever, swollen glands, aching joints and it may cause ongoing fatigue. If it recurs, it will cause the same symptoms but they will not be as strong and will not last as long. People on drugs following organ transplants may suffer from ill-health caused by this virus. If a news report features 'herpes' and 'cancer', it is usually about EBV as this very occasionally causes Hodgkin's lymphoma or nasopharyngeal cancer. These are most likely to occur in children with malaria in tropical countries and in adults in China. 

5. Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
How common? Half the population has CMV by a young age, with higher rates of infection in poorer areas.
How is it caught? The virus is present in saliva, breast milk and other secretions.
How long before it appears (incubation period)? ... to be completed ...
What does it cause? In adults, it is usually caught with no symptoms at all. Sometimes it causes the same symptoms as a mild glandular fever (see above).

6. Human herpesvirus 6 (roseola infantum/exanthem subitum)
How common? By the age of 2, almost all babies have type 6B virus.
How is it caught? Saliva, and, in older people, possibly semen and other secretions.
How long before it appears (incubation period)? 5 to 15 days.
What does it cause? There are two types 6A and 6B. Type 6A has not been shown to cause any disease. Type 6B causes roseola in babies between 6 months and 1 year old. It is usually a mild infection, which is self-limiting. Symptoms include a fever lasting for a few days, swollen glands and normally a mild rash which appears after the fever goes. Occasionally children will have a swollen liver. Is is a major cause of fever induced seizures in babies. Since it is usually caught in childhood it is rare for adults to get this virus. If they do it is a more serious illness than in babies. HHV-6B has rarely been associated with a variety of viral illnesses, including mononucleosis syndromes, focal encephalitis, and pneumonitis.

7. Human herpesvirus 7:
How common? By the age of 3, almost all children have HHV-7.
How is it caught? Saliva, and, in older people, possibly semen and other secretions.
What does it cause? Check back later when more information on this virus has been added to the website.

8. Human herpesvirus 8 (also called Karposi's sarcoma herpes virus or KSHV) How common? This virus is quite common in some parts of the world. In Europe and the US it is not very common - under 10% have it. 

Interesting Facts About SEX

PS : Just don’t forget the condoms.

STI signs

It’s not always easy to tell if you or your partner has a sexually transmitted infection since many don’t have symptoms. But talk to your doctor if you show any one of these warning signs:

•A burning sensation when you urinate or you need to urinate more often.

•Itching or sores, small bumps or blisters in your genital area.

•Unusual discharge.

•Lower abdominal pain.

•Testicle pain.

•Bleeding after intercourse or between periods.

•Pain during intercourse.

PS . Just don’t forget the condoms.

:( SAD NEWS- Baby boy dies from cold sore virus days after midwife says head blisters are nothing to worry about

A newborn baby has died after picking up a common cold sore virus.

Louise Foster, 20, and partner Danny Harvey, 21, were delighted when their first baby Riley was born on May 8.

When he was just three days old his mother noticed some blisters on the back of his head and was told they were probably caused by the suction equipment used during the delivery.

Baby Riley died at Colchester General Hospital after picking up a common cold sore virus

Mr Harvey said: 'I was so chuffed when Riley was born, he was brilliant. He looked like us and had thick black hair. 

'The only thing we were concerned about was his breathing and the little blisters but the midwife reassured us it was all fine so we stopped worrying.'

But tragically when Riley was just nine days old he was having a feed when he went limp and stopped breathing in his mother's arms.

The boy's mother noticed blisters on the back of his head when he was three days old (pic posed by model)

Mr Harvey, a delivery driver, said: 'She turned round and said he's stopped breathing. I checked him and I couldn't find a pulse.

'It's the worst thing I've ever had to go through.'

The new parents, from Clacton in Essex, gave their son the kiss of life until paramedics arrived and whisked him to hospital in an ambulance.

Miss Foster said: 'They were trying to breath for him but there was no oxygen in his blood. That's when they stopped. It was devastating, just horrible.'

Tests later revealed Riley had theherpes simplex 1 virus - which is the cause of cold sores.

It attacked his heart, liver and lungs. It is thought he picked up the virus just days after he was born.

The virus is rare in newborn babies and affects one in only 10,000 in the UK.

Riley's parents hope their tragedy will help others spot symptoms of the virus so it can be treated before it turns fatal.

Miss Foster said: 'Six babies a year die of the infection but that's six too many.'

The difference between Cold Sores and Herpes

Many people don’t know if Cold Sores can be classed as Herpes.

What is Herpes?

Herpes is a contagious viral skin infection that causes blisters and sores on the skin. There are two types of herpes; the Herpes Simplex Virus 1 [HSV-1] that causes symptoms above the waist (mainly on and around the lip area) and the Herpes Simplex Virus 2 [HSV-2] that causes symptoms below the waist (mainly on and around the genital area). When your bout of herpes symptoms are over the virus goes into a latent stage (inactive and hidden). The virus never leaves your body and can emerge (show symptoms) as an active infection again at any time.

How is Herpes contracted?

The herpes virus can be contacted during any form of sexual intercourse, skin-to-skin contact, sharing of towels and through oral sex from the mouth area of a person with HSV-1 to the genital area of another person and vice versa. Oral Herpes (HSV-1) can also be transmitted by sharing razors and kissing a person with the active virus.

What is a cold sore?

Cold sores are small fluid filled fever blister on and/or around the mouth area. These blisters are caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and these blisters are contagious. These fever blisters are usually associated with Canker Sores which are not the same.

How does one get a Cold Sore?

You can contract a cold sore by kissing, sharing razors, skin-to-skin contact, oral sex and sharing towels with a person who has the virus.

What are Canker Sores?

Canker Sores are ulcers (open wounds on the mucus membranes) in the mouth. Oral herpes occur on or around the mouth while Canker Sores occur inside the mouth.

How do you get Canker Sores?

The exact reason why people get Canker Sores is unknown. Many people who have recurrent Canker Sores usually suffer from low immune systems, stress, hormonal disorders, bowel disease or certain bacterial infections.

Symptoms

Herpes Cold Sores Canker Sores Blisters and sores on or around genital area and lip area Painful Fever Sore muscles Cold and flu like symptoms Rash or bumps on skin Activated by sunlight, stress, fatigue, pregnancy, injury to genital area or mouth Take 7 to 14 days to clear up Blisters on/around the lips Painful blisters Fever Activated by sunlight, stress, fatigue, pregnancy or injury to the mouth Take 7 to 10 days to clear up Painful lesions anywhere in the mouth except gums, palate and lips Small oval ulcers Small cluster of sores Recurrent Clear within 14 days Deep ulcers take 21 to 42 days to clear

What is the difference between Cold Sores and Herpes?

Cold Sores (Oral Herpes) Herpes (Genital Herpes) Appear above the waist Contracted mainly through kissing and oral sex Caused by Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Appear below the waist Contracted mainly through sexual intercourse and direct skin-to-skin contact Caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus 2

How can we treat these conditions?

There is no cure for Herpes or Canker Sores. These treatment options are to give comfort to the person, lessen the duration of the infection and increase the time lapse between outbreaks. For Cold Sores: Put cold tea bags on your lips at the first sign of a breakout to inhibit the growth and reproduction of the virus. Place a piece of ice on the fever blister to numb and give comfort to the area. Use a good lip balm to moisturize the area and prevent the blisters from cracking and bleeding. Use Super-H to treat your cold sores. A completely natural, effective and safe product guaranteed to treat those sores. For Genital Herpes: Use an Aloe Vera extract to sooth sores. Take warm baths. Keep the sores dry and clean. Wear loose cotton underwear. Eat healthy foods like fish, chicken and rice. Eating fruits and green vegetables are also important. Vitamin C and zinc should be taken to boost your immune system. Our Super-H remedy stops pain, itching, swelling, aches and outbreaks. Super H heals herpes infections fast. For Canker Sores: Rinse your mouth out with a solution that consists of half a teaspoon of salt in 1-cup of water. Calamine (Calamox) lotion can be used as a soothing agent. Ointments and liquid products that contain benzocaine (pain reliever) can be used to relive the pain.

OHSU Researchers Discover MS-Like Disease In Monkeys

Findings could lead to major advance in MS research in humans

Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have discovered a naturally occurring disease in monkeys that is very much like multiple sclerosis in humans — a discovery that could have a major impact on efforts to understand the cause of multiple sclerosis.

The disease that the researchers discovered in monkeys at OHSU’s Oregon National Primate Research Center is associated with a herpes virus that could give significant clues into how multiple sclerosis develops in humans. MS researchers have long believed that a type of herpes virus may trigger multiple sclerosis in people who are genetically susceptible to the disease.

The OHSU researchers' findings were published online today in the Annals of Neurology.

“These findings could have a huge impact on our understanding of MS and could be a landmark in someday developing more effective treatments for the disease, or even methods to prevent the onset of MS,” said Scott Wong, Ph.D., senior author of the study and a scientist at the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and the Oregon National Primate Research Center.

Both elements of the OHSU discovery are important for MS researchers.

Before the OHSU findings, researchers had been able to study MS-like diseases in nonhuman primates only after the disease had been artificially induced. A naturally occurring disease, such as the one discovered at OHSU, can give researchers many more clues into the causes and development of the disease.

Medivir: terms of herpes-drug venture are reset

Swedish pharmaceutical company Medivir AB (MVIR-B.SK) said Wednesday it has renegotiated the terms of its commercial partnership with Meda AB (MEDA-A.SK) for its cold sore (herpes labialis) product Xerese and will get $45 million for product rights in North America and Mexico.

-Under the terms of the renegotiated agreement, Medivir will now receive a $45 million payment from Meda in return for the transfer of all rights to the product in U.S., Canada and Mexico.

-This agreement will trigger a payment to AstraZeneca PLC AZN +1.15% , the patent originator, according to agreed terms.

-The amended agreement also provides Meda with the exclusive U.S. rights to Xerese for the genital herpes indication.

-Meda is responsible for the development of this indication for which Medivir will be eligible to receive a $10 million development milestone if the product is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

-Medivir will also receive single digit royalties on sales in the U.S. and full commercial rights outside U.S.

-Medivir will pay Meda a single digit royalty on these sales.

-Other agreements that Medivir has for Xerclear with GlaxSmithKline PLC GSK +0.78% , Daewoong Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd and Luxemburg Pharmaceutical will remain unchanged by the transaction with Meda for North America.

-"The revised agreement fairly reflects our view of the market potential and provides us with cash proceeds that we can devote both to our R&D projects in the infectious disease area and to other product in licensing opportunities to take advantage of the commercial platform acquired through the acquisition of Biophausia."

-Xerese is FDA-approved and available in the U.S. as a prescription medicine. Meda launched the product in the U.S. in Feb. 2011 and Medivir currently receives a double digit royalty on Meda's sales in this market.

-Shares closed Tuesday at SEK129.75.