Herpes Dating

If you have herpes, it doesn't mean your sex life is over. You are not alone!

If you have herpes it does NOT mean that you are always contagious and will automatically spread it to your partner. There are ways to reduce the risk of transmission and keep your partner safe. There are many couples in which one person has herpes, and the other person does not.

There are many herpes social and support groups you can join to meet other people who are in the same situation. Some of these groups are very active and are a great place to make friends and find people to date. There are also several online dating services for people with herpes.

Remember, you are not alone! Your life is continuing!

Information about herpes dating: http://datingwithherpes.org/

Online dating service: http://www.herpesdating.com/

Herpes social groups: http://www.datingwithherpes.org/social_groups.htm

How to reduce the risk of herpes transmission: http://datingwithherpes.org/reducing_risk.htm

Photos: http://www.flickr.com/

Herpes virus to kill cancer cells?

A German biotech company has announced positive results from a genetically engineered herpes virus that is designed to kill cancer cells. It not only kills the cancer cells but leaves healthy tissue unharmed. Results from clinical trials has showed promise.

Being injected with a herpes virus might seem strange but researchers believe that viruses could one day become a valuable addition to conventional cancer treatments.

The results have shown in animal testing and limited human testing the ability to kill colorectal and liver cancer cells.

Source: http://www.thecancerblog.com/2007/07/12/herpes-virus-to-kill-cancer-cells/

Vaginal Herpes

The fact is herpes is more common in women than in men. Moreover, herpes affects one woman out of every four! It's estimated that over half a million new cases of the herpes simplex virus occur every year.

Some of the earliest symptoms can include:
· An itching or burning sensation
· Pain in the legs, buttocks, or genital area
· Vaginal discharge
· A feeling of pressure or fullness in the abdominal area
A few days following the initial symptoms, sores or lesions erupt at the site of the infection. These sores can occur inside the vagina or on the cervix in women, as well as in the urinary passage in both men and women.

Herpes lesions may first appear as small red bumps that develop into blisters which become painful, open sores. After several days these sores become crusted and then heal without scarring.

The first episode of genital herpes can also include symptoms such as:
· fever
· headache
· muscle aches
· urinary pain or difficulty
· swollen glands in the groin area.

After genital herpes invades the skin or mucous membranes, the virus travels to the sensory nerves at the end of the spinal cord where it remains inside the nerve cells in an inactive state. Most people experience a monthly recurrence of symptoms. During a recurrent episode of genital herpes the virus travels along the nerves to the skin where it multiplies at or near the site of the original herpes lesions, causing new sores to appear.

There are three drugs currently available to treat genital herpes. However, these medications are not cures. Pharmaceutical treatment of genital herpes may shorten the length of first episodes and reduce the severity and frequency of recurrent episodes. These drugs are:
· Zoviraz (acyclovir),
· Famvir (famciclovir),
· Valtrex (valacyclovir).

Zoviraz is useful for first and recurrent episodes of herpes, while Famvir and Valtrex are approved by the FDA to treat recurrent episodes.

Patients can help speed healing and avoid spreading the infection by following a few simple steps during periods of active herpes:

· Keep the infected area clean and dry.
· Don't touch the sores; if you do wash your hands immediately.
· Refrain from sex from the time you first notice symptoms until sores/lesions are completely healed and covered by new skin.

Recurrent episodes of herpes can be triggered by minor trauma, other infections including colds, menstruation, and stress.

http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/herpesgenital1/a/genitalherpes_3.htm

Photos: www.flickr.com