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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 20, 2000)
Keep herpes away with facts ■ International Herpes Awareness Week delivers key information to a public that needs to know the truth By Brooke Ross Oregon Daily Emerald Many people have no idea they are carrying a sexually transmitted disease, when in fact 9 out of 10 of sexually active people have been exposed to the herpes virus. This is because the symptoms of the sexually transmitted virus are not always obvious. In an effort to improve awareness of herpes, the International Herpes Alliance des ignated Nov.18-25 International Herpes Awareness Week. { { The best protection against herpes is to know your partner. Dr. Gerald Fleischli director University Health Center yy The University Student Health Center offers several resources for students to defend themselves from herpes and learn more about the virus. “The best protection against her pes is to know your partner,” said Dr. Gerald Fleischli, health center director. Fleischli said the health center treats at least two cases of the sex ually transmitted Herpes Simplex Virus 2 each week, but also said there seems to be a greater aware ness of herpes than there used to be. “People have realized it’s defi nitely something to be concerned about,” he said, adding there are still some general misunderstand ings about the virus. The most common misconception students seem to have is that they’re fully protected by using condoms, but this is not the case, he said, be cause there is still skin to skin con tact involved. “Sexual contact is definitely the [number] one way to contract her pes,” said Marjorie McDaniel, fam ily nurse practitioner at the health center. She said Herpes Simplex Virus 2 has no cure, and results in painful sores on or around the gen itals. Herpes Simplex Virus 1 caus es break outs of simple cold sores around the mouth. A person can contract either type of herpes in either place be cause oral sex can pass on both forms, McDaniel said. She added that it is also impor tant that people seek treatment as soon as they believe they may have herpes, because sores can dry up after a few days and will not show in a herpes test even if a pa tient has the virus. It’s difficult to determine when a patient first contracted herpes be cause a person can be infected long before they notice any symp toms, because the virus can hide in nerve bundles throughout the body, McDaniel said. Students can take a herpes test at the health center which in volves scraping sores with a cotton Facts about herpes International Herpes Awareness Week is Nov. 18-25. There is no cure for the Herpes Sim plex Virus 1 or 2. Using condoms does not always pre vent the contraction of Herpes Sim plex Virus 2. Herpes outbreaks are triggered by weak immune systems, poor nutri tion, stress and lack of sleep. More than 90 percent of people have herpes antibodies in their blood. Students can be tested for the her pes virus at the University Student Health Center. swab to find any viral particles, McDaniel said. Those particles are then cultured to determine results. McDaniel said students should be aware of herpes because few people escape contact with the virus in their lifetimes. Nearly 90 percent of people have the anti bodies in their blood, she said, which means they have been ex posed to herpes. Cindy Smith, an adult nurse practitioner at the health center, said many students are infected bill don’t know it. “I think there’s more sexually transmitted diseases out there than most people realize,” Smith said. One way students can protect themselves is by seeking general medical checkups, she said, adding there are also certain anti viral medications that can help control herpes outbreaks. Foot long Sub Expires 12/3/00 SUBSHOP 1225 ALDER 345-2434 Not valid with any other discounts or coupons MON-FRI 10AM-10PM-SAT 11AM 9PM - SUN 12P] There are EU reasons to apply Here's the most important: represent the student body on the Oregon Daily Emerald Board of Directors 'Select the editor 'Approve the budget * Add leadership experience to your resume The Board meets every third Tuesday of the month at 5:30. The two-year student term begins in lanuary. This position is open to any student currently enrolled at the UO.For more information, call 31,6-5511. To apply, send a letter of interest to: ODE Board Search Committee. 300 EMU or email to emeraldaioregon.uoregon.edu Deadline Monday, November 27th ^Oregon Dailvj « Emerald Black £ white and read all over campus. A\ULA. ,iiLWL.rj STUDENTS • FACULTY • STAFF Flu Vaccination Due to the nation wide shortage of flu vaeeine, the University Health Center will he giving flu vaccinations according to the following CDC guidelines. / 65 years and older / adults -U'ho have chronic disorders such as usthmu, diabetes, heart disease and/or kidney dysfunction / women -who are in their second or third trimester of pregnancy Students meeting the criteria may receive the vaeeine Monday through Friday 9am to 4pm. Faculty and staff meeting the criteria may receive the vaccine Wednesday, Thursday, and briday Sam to 9am. Students S4.00 Faculty & Staff provided by FFlill For more information on availability of vaeeine and plans for flu clinics, call the llniversitv Health Center at 346-4444. y/e Vy/e*/ y/e#/ esperiptce* Don't miss out. Work for your college paper. For more inrormation on how to freelance for the Oregon Dally Emerald call 346-5511. '■ ' ' :: ' . " ■■ Visit Us On Campus For An Interview On Nov. 21st! Place: EMU Bldg. Room D Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact Your Career Services For More Info. Positions Available Throughout Oregon, Vancouver WA, and the PORTLAND METRO Area! Mu*» Be Available Thru Dee. 23rd!
