|
Herpes Simplex is a disease caused by the virus Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 and type 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2). Although the virus is the same, the site of infection differs and allows for categorization into oral herpes and genital herpes. These 2 are the most common types of herpes that occur. In oral herpes there are cold sores or blisters around the mouth and on the face. In genital herpes the infection is limited to the genital area. What makes herpes a difficult disease to manage is the cyclical nature of its symptoms. Herpes characteristically swings between periods of active disease and being asymptomatic. Thus, there will a period where the blisters and sores will be visible, which is the active period, and then these will clear off during the remission period. However, even though there is a period of remission, viral shedding can happen, making the person high risk for transmitting the infection. Herpes is transmitted mainly through skin to skin contact - coming in contact with a skin blister or the body fluid of an infected person, or skin contact during viral shedding. Once a person contracts herpes, the virus attaches itself to the sensory nerves. Here it
remains life long as a latent virus. Herpes being a viral disease can be treated only with antiviral medication. However, there is still no definite treatment for Herpes that has been developed. Antiviral medicines help in slowing down the reproduction of the virus, giving the immune system more time to react. There has been research that is developing a Herpes vaccination. However, so far, we don't have a herpes vaccination that is effective and safe since the HSV-2 is evading attempts at being made into a herpes vaccination. In the US, the National Institute of Health (NIH) is in the third stage of testing a herpes vaccination against HSV-2. So far, the herpes vaccination has been seen to be effective in women who had no previous exposure to HSV-1. The herpes vaccination has also shown effectiveness in preventing the contraction of HSV-2. It also reduced symptoms of newly contracted HSV-2 provided the woman did not have HSV-2 at the time of getting the herpes vaccination. Since the herpes vaccination has so far not worked if the patient already had HSV-2, it limits its usage to a high degree since a large population in countries like the US already have the virus. The herpes vaccinations that are being prepared and tested have also not been tested for their effect on men yet. New technology using the RNA and DNA of the virus is being employed in developing herpes vaccinations and are being tested on mice. Experimental trials on humans are in very basic stages yet, and hopefully in the near future we shall be successful in marketing a safe and effective herpes vaccination. Childhood Vaccination
|
No Comments.
