February 2020 - Herpes123.com - All You Need to Know about Herpes.

Herpes Q&A Sites – Professional Suggestions

A few we've picked for

Herpes Q&A Sites

Healthline.com

medical information and health advice you can trust

Healthline is the fastest growing medical information site with over 200 millon visitors every month. They have a team of professionals providing the latest medical suggestions.

For herpes basic knowledges, check this comprehensive herpes guide.

MedicalNewsToday.com

the latest news in medical research

Check The latest herpes news on MedicalNewsToday.com.

MedicalNewsToday dive into medical research of the past and present, and break it down to give people the clear-cut facts. It's editors and writers create more than 250 pieces of content every month. They are trying to unravel the complexities of health information and make it easy to understand.

WomensHealth.gov

OWH - the office on women's health

OWH aims to provide national leadership and coordination to improve the health of women and girls through policy, education, and innovative programs.

Check this long list of Genital Herpes FAQ on Womenshealth.com

CDC.gov

centers for disease control and prevention

CDC is one of the major operating components of the Department of Health and Human Services. CDC works 24/7 to protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S.

Checking CDC's Fact Sheet, Herpes Statistics, Herpes Treatment articles on herpes.

Herpes Communities - 02/27/2020

Herpes Ongoing Research: Pritelivir, a New Treatment Option?

Although there are various treatment options available for herpes and they work well, medicine is an ever-changing science, and scientists and researchers experiment with novel drugs to provide more benefits to the patients and lessen the disease burden in the society. One such drug is Pritelivir.

The use of pritelivir under investigation for the treatment of herpes. Pritelivir is an inhibitor of the HSV-2 helicase-primase complex and acts through a different mechanism when compared to already available antiviral drugs available for herpes in the market (e.g., acyclovir, valacyclovir).

However, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has put a hold on the clinical development of pritelivir because of unexplained skin (hair loss, dry crusty skin) and blood (anemia) toxicities in monkeys, despite positive findings in two studies. In a clinical study, pritelivir was associated with significantly less viral shedding compared with valacyclovir. Moreover, patients receiving pritelivir had fewer days with genital lesions. However, the drug is still under research and may or may not be available for use in the future, depending on its safety and efficacy.

Vaccine Development

Several therapeutic vaccine trials have been carried out to “boost” natural immunity in persons with a known history of HSV-2 infection to reduce the risk of recurrent infection. A clinical trial of the gD2/alum vaccine showed that immunization of HSV-2 seropositive persons with a history of genital herpes reduced the number of recurrences (0.42 per month in vaccines versus 0.55 in placebo recipients) [1].

However, two other studies did not demonstrate any clinical benefit [2,3]. Several therapeutic HSV-2 vaccine trials are currently under investigation, and two vaccines have shown limited efficacy in reducing viral shedding following immunization. Additional research studies of these vaccines to optimize the dose, dosing schedule and the effect on recurrences are underway.

Circumcision Status

Circumcision has been affiliated with a decreased risk of acquisition of some infectious agents, for instance, HIV. A clinical trial of circumcision in Uganda (that was aimed at decreasing HIV transmission) showed a 28 percent reduction in HSV-2 incidence among study participants in the arm that had circumcision. [4].

Tenofovir

A variety of topical and oral agents are currently under investigation for the prevention of herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) acquisition and shedding of virus [5]. For example, tenofovir, when used for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to an HSV-2 negative patient, may also reduce the risk of acquiring HSV-2.

The effect of vaginally administered tenofovir gel on acquiring HSV-2 infection was evaluated in a study of HSV-2- negative women from South Africa who participated in a clinical trial designed to assess the efficacy of this drug in reducing the acquisition of HIV infection [6].

The incidence of HSV-2 infection was notably decreased in the group that received tenofovir gel compared with the group that received just a placebo drug. However, we cannot confidently say if tenofovir gel has a role in decreasing viral shedding among women with HSV-2 infection.

In a randomized study of 64 immunocompetent women with symptomatic HSV-2 infection, tenofovir vaginal gel did not remarkably reduce viral shedding or the number of days with genital lesions [7]. Therefore, further studies are warranted before these agents can be recommended for HSV-2 prevention in routine care.

REFERENCES

Herpes News / Living with Herpes - 02/20/2020

Having Both Genital Herpes and HIV? Here are the Treatments

Since both the infections are sexually transmitted, having similar risk factors, the prevalence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2 infections in HIV-infected patients is high (50 to 90 percent), and recurrent infections can be more frequent, severe, and of longer duration than in HIV-seronegative patient populations.

Antiviral treatment of first-episode HSV-2 infection certainly reduces the disease duration but does not eliminate the hidden, inactive virus, which can subsequently reactivate. Clinical HSV recurrences are a common problem among HIV-infected patients, particularly those with advanced immunosuppression ( patients with deficient white blood cells that give immunity to the body).

Antiviral Medications

The drug class nucleoside analogs (acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir) have well-established safety and efficacy for the treatment of genita7 ybl HSV infections in HIV-infected patients; these drugs are generally well tolerated at the presently recommended doses.

Each of the recommended agents has been showed to decrease pain, duration of sores, and viral shedding with comparable efficacy and safety among HIV-seronegative patients with primary and recurrent HSV-2 infection. As the efficiency appears to be almost similar among all of these antiviral agents, the selection of any one drug (e.g., acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir) should be decided based on cost, formulary considerations, and frequency of dosing for patient convenience.

Main Treatment Priciples

The principles of treatment of HSV-2 in HIV-infected persons are similar to those for HIV-uninfected persons. The antiviral therapy is recommended for all patients with first-episode genital HSV infection. However, the clinicians should be aware that the treatment of HSV-related disease in the HIV-infected host should continue until all lesions have completely healed. Also, some patients may even require hospitalization depending on disease severity, although most cases can be managed by oral medications.

The HSV antiviral therapy in HIV-infected patients with clinical recurrences of HSV-2 infection compared takes precedence over no intervention at all. Management options of recurrent disease include episodic therapy (e.g., self-administration of antiviral drugs for individual outbreaks as they arise) or suppressive therapy (daily use of antiviral medications for long-term maintenance).

The recommended doses of antiviral treatment are higher for both suppressive and episodic therapy for HSV recurrences in HIV-infected patients as compared to those in HIV-seronegative patients. In the HIV-infected patient with HSV ulcerative disease, treatment should continue for a minimum of five days or until lesion resolution.

Although most of the patients can be treated with oral regimens, patients with severe ulcerative disease or brain involvement may require intravenous therapy initially with acyclovir.

Immune Reconstitution Syndrome

The initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV-infected patients with advanced immunosuppression can lead to a paradoxical worsening of underlying HSV infection. Therefore, clinicians may sometimes prescribe coadministration of antiretroviral therapy for HIV and suppressive HSV antiviral therapy.

Living with Herpes / Other STDs - 02/20/2020

Coping with Herpes: How to Live with Herpes?

Herpes is a painful condition, and symptoms typically include pain in or around the vagina or penis with pain. It may be more noticeable when urinating or performing intercourse between sexual partners which severely affects the relationship later between two partners and causes depression due to its recurring nature leaving them with poor sexual quality, psychological issues related to HSV, feelings of shame, embarrassment, anxiety, or depression.

Coping with Herpes Diagnosis

A national study conducted in 2012 found that adults infected with HSV-2 were twice as likely to be depressed as adults who are not having it. Upon receiving a diagnosis of genital herpes, it is not surprising that people feel isolated with mixed feelings of anger, frustration, and then sadness.

They may not feel comfortable sharing these feelings with their partner or any close friends. They may become fixed on figuring out who passed the infection on to her. Feeling as though life is over and that enjoying a healthy sex life will never happen again creates further sadness and guilt.

Once these feelings of embarrassment pass and the emotional side of herpes has been dealt with, life with herpes will not seem quite as charmless. A little mindfulness regarding diagnosis and dealing with depression can help living with herpes a lot easier.

Dealing with herpes depression?

Remember that herpes is a prevalent condition that affects millions of people. You are not alone in your diagnosis, and many others are struggling with the same emotions. Once you realize how prevalent this condition is, it will feel less alienating, and you can begin to accept it.

You first need to embrace self-acceptance. It is a process that may take time, but one that can help you rein in feelings of depression you may be struggling with after knowing the disease. Herpes is not that big, but depression is a serious deal if you’re feeling it!

How to Overcome your depression and Mental Health?

Mental health of a patient badly suffers when it hears the word “Herpetic” and is often further complicated by the unfortunate stigma that is attached to the stress of having a “Sexually transmitted Disease.”

The First important thing to realize and admit that You are physically mentally and emotionally DEPRESSED!!!

Sometimes you feel like you will require psychological support to get over these health issues. The sooner you do this, the sooner you can get on with your life. Get help if you’re upset, depressed, or having suicidal thoughts. And call someone! Your close friend, any family member, or the one you feel most comfortable sharing this. If you’re feeling depressive all the time, life can’t go on with this diagnosis. Remember that symptoms of herpes can be controlled, thanks to antivirals available in the market. There may be some days when your condition does not allow you to have sexual intimacy, try to enjoy different things in that time, do not perform sex if it fives your pain and tell your partner about your symptoms.

If you feel like down in the dumps, get counseling immediately from a proper health advisory, or join a Herpes Support Groups on different platforms. By connecting to other people who are struggling with herpes diagnosis, just like you, you’ll quickly find out that you are not alone and able to share your inner feelings and fight with the fears and depression around you, knowing that you are not alone for the rest of your life.

Patient can benefit from treatment for it, which may include counseling, medications, or self-help therapies. It is imperative to receive herpes treatment not just for your mental well being but also to prevent further outbreaks of herpes, as depression and anxiety can disturb your immune system.

How to open up to your partner?

Of course, being open and telling a partner is extremely stressful, but not disclosing, it can be even worse. There is a chance you may be rejected if your partner finds out or that you may spread the infection to other partners. However, in a stable relationship, the two will find a way to learn about herpes, understands each other, and begin coping with herpes in a positive light. Again, it’s not a terminal condition. It is an infection that comes and goes more as a nuisance than any other disease.

Tell your partner what’s going on, ask your doctor how to avoid spreading it, and get support. If you find that it’s hard to get past feeling betrayed or down about the situation, you may want to talk with a counselor who can help you both to handle those emotions and talk about the concerns you may have regarding health, sex life, and relationship. And the outcomes of this disease if you wanted to get pregnant and transmission in newborn.

Cope With Depression / Living with Herpes - 02/19/2020

Herpes & Pregnancy: Risks, Treatments And Suggestions

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is prevalent across the world among women of reproductive age. The major complication of maternal herpes during pregnancy is herpes simplex virus (HSV) transmission to the newborn, as neonatal infection can cause severe illness. It can affect their central nervous system or multiple organs, such as the liver and lungs. The infection may lead to the death of the newborn.

Neonatal Herpes Transmission

Transmission of HSV to neonates usually occurs during childbirth as a result of direct contact with the virus that is shed from infected sites (vulva, vagina, cervix, perianal area). Viral shedding can occur even in the absence of signs and symptoms in the mother. The highest risk for neonatal infection occurs in women who have a newly acquired (primary or nonprimary first-episode) genital HSV infection near the time of delivery of the baby. If you were infected before you became pregnant, the risk of transmitting the virus is low. The risk of neonatal disease is extremely low in women with recurrent HSV infection. However, it’s very important to ensure that there is no outbreak at the time of birth.

Women without a history of genital herpes

For women without any known history of genital HSV who present with a new genital ulcer during pregnancy, antiviral therapy is started even if the results of viral studies are not available as yet. The first-line treatment is with oral acyclovir 400 mg three times daily for 7 to 10 days. An alternative treatment option includes valacyclovir. It can lead to fewer maternal and fetal complications.

Suppressive therapy at 36 weeks of pregnancy

For all those women who present with a genital HSV lesion anytime during pregnancy, whether with a primary, nonprimary first-episode or recurrent infection, daily suppressive therapy at 36 weeks of gestation is recommended until the onset of childbirth. Daily suppressive therapy has an advantage over no other treatment at all, as it reduces the risk of recurrence of HSV delivery, and hence the likelihood of cesarean delivery. Although safety data regarding valacyclovir is limited, the use of acyclovir is safe for the fetus at any time during pregnancy.

Cesarian delivery

Cesarian delivery can potentially decrease the risk of newborn infection. However, sometimes it may even fail to do so. Women with a history of HSV and genital HSV lesions or symptoms at the time of labor usually benefit from cesarean delivery.

Screening pregnant women for HSV

Although some experts can recommend against it, serologic screening with accurate tests is available. Screening has been proposed to identify women without any known history of herpes simplex virus (HSV) so that they can take precautions to avoid acquiring an HSV infection. Screening can also identify women with a past medical history of HSV so they can be offered suppressive antiviral therapy, examined carefully for lesions at the onset of labor, and offered cesarean delivery if needed.

Maternal and fetal monitoring

Acyclovir is often well-tolerated by both the mother and the fetus and does not require any kind of monitoring. Moreover, weekly genital cultures or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for HSV during late gestation are not recommended, as they do not predict shedding at the time of delivery, which is the source of neonatal infection. Maternal HSV is not an indication for antepartum fetal monitoring (nonstress test, biophysical profile) since the fetus and placenta (from which fetus attaches to the womb takes its nutrition) are typically not infected.

Antepartum obstetric procedures

Procedures that are performed through the cervix (birth canal) (e.g., cerclage, chorionic villus sampling) are typically avoided in women with genital lesions to reduce the risk of infecting the womb but may be performed in patients who do not have genital lesions. Procedures that are performed through the abdomen (e.g., amniocentesis, fetal blood sampling) can be performed even in women with active genital disease.

Genital Herpes in Women / Living with Herpes - 02/19/2020

How is Herpes Diagnosed? Herpes (HSV) Testing Guide

Clinicians recommend specific screening tests for sexually transmitted infections, but HSV testing is not part of the usual screening. Your clinician will recommend testing individually, based on history and symptoms. If you have symptoms that suggest herpes, she or he can take a swab of an active lesion and send it to a lab for confirmation (Viral culture and DNA tests). If you do not have symptoms but are curious to know if you’ve been exposed to HSV, a blood test will indicate if you have antibodies to it.

Herpes Facts - 02/12/2020

Herpes Simplex: How Do You Get It & What Triggers the Outbreaks?

To date, there are two kinds of herpes simplex virus infections that can cause oral and/or genital herpes:

• HSV-1: This is the type of herpes virus that is a more common cause of oral herpes, which presents with cold sores or blisters around your mouth. HSV-1 is often spread through skin-to-skin contact, and hence it can also be transmitted to your genital area during oral sex. Therefore, it may cause genital herpes as well. Recurrent episodes are much less common when compared to HSV-2 infection.

• HSV-2: This is the type of herpes virus that usually causes genital herpes. Generally, a person can only get herpes type 2 infection during sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection. However, the virus spreads through sexual contact as well as skin-to-skin contact somtimes. HSV-2 is ubiquitous and highly contagious, and it can transmit from one person to another even in the absence of an open sore.

Potential Herpes Triggers

Sexual Transmission

Anyone who is sexually active has undoubtedly a risk of acquiring herpes infection. You are most likely to spread herpes to a sexual partner in the presence of blisters and open sores. However, it’s also possible to spread herpes infection to your partner in the absence of any signs or symptoms. This is due to the reason that herpes infection can be present on your body without causing any symptoms, like blisters or pain. Therefore, any person who has the disease can shed the virus and pass it to a sexual partner at any time.

It is understood that the friction during sexual intercourse irritates the skin and spreads the infection. It should be noted that although the friction of sexual intercourse seems to be a problem trigger, it probably won’t cause a flare-up every time.

Having multiple sexual partners, young age at the first sexual encounter, and having another sexually transmitted illness increases the likelihood of acquiring herpes infection.

Female Gender and Pregnancy

Females are more likely to have genital herpes than men. The virus is transmitted more easily from male to female than vice versa. Many women become infected with HSV when they’re young and are not aware of having the disease unless they’re tested, sometimes many years later. It is believed that hormonal changes like those during menstruation can also trigger an outbreak.

Although most women with genital herpes give birth to healthy babies, they always have a risk of transmitting the virus to newborn, while giving birth. This can lead to various complications in a neonate.

Cold and Sunlight

The common cold and sunlight seem to be among the triggers responsible for outbreaks of oral herpes (cold sores), but as yet, no proof exists that they trigger genital herpes outbreaks.

Surgery and Weak Immune System

Physical trauma to the body, for instance, while having surgery, may make you more prone to herpes symptoms. Moreover, people whose immune systems are weakened by other illnesses as in HIV or chemotherapy, tend to have outbreaks more often than healthy people with optimum immunity.

Keep in mind that triggers may not be the same for everyone, and doctors are not sure about how lifestyle affects herpes symptoms. You may have a trigger that is not listed or is yet to be found, so if you have a feeling about what may be causing you a herpes outbreak, talk to your healthcare provider.

Herpes Facts - 02/11/2020