 Herpes
info Web sites
Wikipedia is a wonderful internet
resource which appears to be accurate and fairly
comprehensive in its presentations, no matter what the
subject. The best aspect of Wikipedia is that it updates
its information regularly. It however can be too
scientific in its terms and content for the untrained,
lay population.
The Herpes Simplex Virus family that
infects humans in the form of cold sores or genital
herpes sores is explained well here. The important point
this article makes is that infected herpes victims can be
carriers & shedders, without symptoms being apparent.
For example, say no cold sores are visible around the
mouth and you don’t ask your date if his canker sores are
bothering him—than after some intrusive kissing, the
saliva of a carrier/shedder could infect you! The same
scenario could be replayed in a recreational sexual
encounter—no sores visible, does not mean that your
partner is not a carrier and/or a shedder of the virus
through his seminal fluids. Oral sex in the latter case
would almost with certainty have you infected with
genital herpes above the waist. These cold sores are
nastier than the normal variety and will erupt more
frequently.
The other interesting point that
Wikipedia made was that research implicates the human
herpes virus as a causative factor in the development of
Alzheimer’s disease. I would think however, just because
you have had cold sore eruptions in your life,--doesn’t
mean you’re headed into this bad sentence,--it’s
multi-factorial and your own immune system function would
plan a major role in protecting you, if you take care of
it!
This is
the American Herpes Foundation’s website. It appears well
set-up, concise and fulfilling a special niche in this
big topic. The best aspect of this website is that they
inform the public about all aspects of testing for the
presence of the herpes virus,--if they want to know if
they are carriers of either cold sore herpes (HSV-1) or
genital herpes (HSV-2). They present data on three herpes
type-specific (HSV-1 or HSV-2) serological tests (blood
tests). This data is very usual and
practical.
The
concern about being tested is that although genital
herpes infection (HSV-2) is common most people are
undiagnosed because they are asymptomatic (no symptoms)
or they have atypical (unusual)
symptoms.
My only
criticism of the website is that the date of the
website’s information management is not apparent. They
also seem to indicate that their serological testing info
is as of 2003. If this is so, it needs
updating.
This is
one of the most concise and informative fact sheets on
Herpes simplex virus infections as an STD or sexually
transmitted disease. They include both the core sore
herpes (HSV-1) and the genital herpes (HSV-2) as causes
of venereal
disease.
They
mention the problem of carriers that are shedders while
not having any sores visible. The interesting point is
that even skin that had herpes sores and appears healed
can still shed the virus. So for those who think condoms
are enough to protect even when sores are not present,
remember genital herpes sores can be found around the
thighs and buttocks, not just sex organs or portals such
as the vagina or anus. This skin is not
safe.
They also
state the some people only show PRIMARY infection or
their first symptoms, years after the herpes virus has
infected their nervous system. This is a point most
medical websites have not made and I have reviewed the
best.
The other
problem with contracting genital herpes is that you may
be more prone to becoming infected with HIV which is
later known as the AIDS
virus.
They state that one in five teens and/or
adults have genital herpes in the
U.S. They also state that most
people do not know they were infected due to lack of
symptoms and hence they can easily infect others. I
think, since I found no date of posting on this web site,
that this may be an out-dated stat. It’s likely that the
ratio is higher now.
Cure
Zone.com BLOG appears to be an excellent support site for
genital and cold sore herpes sufferers. It also has a lot
of good medical insights and data. The people provide
their own medical presentations of herpes infections and
so you find out how untypical herpes infections can
present.
This is
stuff that most doctors will not learn from their limited
clientele in their years of practice unless they work in
some huge inner city
clinic.
This is a blog that presents the
psychological suffering side of human herpes simplex
virus infections, in particular genital herpes. This
appear to supply excellent support.
Yahoo!
Health © 2009 is a concise guide to the basics of herpes
virus infections, whether it is the cold sore variety
(above the waist; HSV-1) or the genital sore variety
(below the waist; HSV-2). This site focuses in on genital
herpes.
I would research as many sites as possible
when challenged with herpes or if you are afraid you may
contract it, especially genital herpes. This is one to
consider studying.
Yahoo!
Health © 2009 is a concise guide to the basics of herpes
virus infections, whether it is the cold sore variety
(above the waist; HSV-1) or the genital sore variety
(below the waist; HSV-2). This site focuses in on cold
sores of the head
region.
I would
research as many sites as possible when challenged with
herpes or if you are afraid you may contract it,
especially genital herpes. This is one to consider
studying.
This is
the WebMD on genital herpes and it is a Cadillac design!
I think it is a perfect lay person’s choice for important
medical info regarding herpes virus infections whether
they are classified as cold sore herpes (HSV-1) or
genital herpes
(HSV-2).
This website has interesting science
presented such as an experiment done on mice where they
washed the surface of their vaginas with small RNA
molecules which protected these mice from contracting
genital herpes for a week. Another window on this
website had a video exploring the possibility of a
vaccine being developed to eliminate the human herpes
infection problem.
This is
the International Herpes Management Forum. It does
provide some global demographics and related medical
epidemiology, etc. for human herpes virus infections
which include both cold sore herpes and genital herpes
and other herpes
infections.
This
website is not as useful or practical for the common
herpes virus infected person who wants good practical
research and advice on this condition as others available
online. However, it is updated to the recent date of
December 15,
2008.
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