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!