Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About The print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1977-1989 | View Entire Issue (April 7, 1982)
Herpes symposium informative, alarming By Laura Henkes A topic which has .unfortunately been put aside, die shadow of. other social diseases such as syphilis i gonorrhea, is the herpes simplex virus or HSV. But recently, a two-day HSV symposium spon- red by The Oregon Health Sciences University, took jig step forward in educating health professionals, rtners of herpes sufferers, and other interested per ns. Dr. Fred Rapp of Pennsylvania State University’s partment of Microbiology, first explained that ipes viruses of different types are present in almost animals and that humans can be infected by five dif- ent types of herpes viruses, two of which are the as referred to as HSV-I and HSV-II. Eighty to 90 percent of the adult population has perienced HSV-I in some form, most probably in Idhood,. and with minor symptoms; and thus they iy those antibodies in their systems. Common symptoms, Dr. Rapp noted, are blisters cold sores, especially about the mouth, although ay may also be found around the eyes, nose, or nitals. He added that these sores are likely to reappear proximately every two years; however, individuals ay be surprised by a recurrence of an episode which ay have initially occurred as many as 15 to 20 years ¡or. HSV-II is generally considered to be sexually ansmitted; but Dr: Rapp advised that HSV-I may so be sexually transmitted. After the first or primary lection , he indicated that there-is generally a recur- nce about four times a year, with latent periods bet- een. The reason that HSV has not been considered an epidemic in the past, Dr. Holmes feels, is because there is no cure for it. Therefore, many persons who contract the disease do not consult doctors or clinics; as a result the statistics do not reflect the true number of incidences. A new drtig, called Acyclovir has recently been publicized as a treatment for HSV. Dr. Holmes stated that it is useful for “primary” infections in reducing pain and the number of infectious days in the cycle. But he quickly added that this is the only time it is useful-that it is of no consequence to those experienc ing recurring infections or “initial” episodes of HSV-II. Additionally, it is of no value in treating symp toms of HSV-I. Dr. Neville Vines, an associate clinical professor of psychiatry at the Oregon Health Sciences University Dr. Neville Vines, an associate professor of clinical psychiatry at the Oregdn Health Sciences University expounded on the psychological effects of herpes. “The isolation adds stress to an already stressful experience,” he said. “Also, there is the threat of future pain. What about family or relationship situa tions when out of the blue there is some kind of recur rence of herpes that has been latent for years?” ONLY THOSE CASES DIAGNOSED BY PRIVATE PHYSICIANS. increase.) year : 1966 cases : 29,560 NOTE: ? 1972 The general concurrence at the seminar was that epidemic and is just as Gonorrhea is officiaFly there are approximately that those suffering from herpes can take positive steps by “faking responsibility for their own illness; taking crucial steps to reaffirm their own power over at least part of their lives.” This he feels, can partially be ac complished by bringing to the surface hurts and angers, and by expressing them in a positive manner. No dues or charges. Dr. Holmes pointed out other symptoms which .2. VENEREAL DISEASE ACTIO • 1200 SE Morrison Portland, OR 97214 233-1131 1979 260,890 between physicians and health professionals Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is currently an prevalent, if not moreso, than gonorrhea. considered to be in epidemic proportions, and 2*000,000 cases per year. you have been with someone recently; and this is very destructive, because this may not necessarily be the case.” Dr. Vines explained, “Most people pick it up when they are undergoing a great deal of stress. Stress builds on stress and the cycle becomes debilitating physically and psychologically.” But Dr. Vines feels Ktion. (Approximately 10-fold ' 83,620 As a final note, Dr. Vines gave some very prac [ Dr. King Holmes, of the U.S. Public Health Ser ie Hospital in Seattle distinguished between tical advice: “There are no undesirable side effects primary episodes” and “initial episodes” of HSV ai from hugging; and you can’t O.D. on it.” ds. A primary episode would be the first incidence For approximately five years, the Herpes i a given individual of either oral or genital herpes ither HSV-I or HSV-II); the person has no an Research Clinic at Harborview Medical Center in Seat tle has been working with comfort measures to help sies tó either virus. An initial episode, he went on to explain, is the those experiencing herpes problems. ist episode of HSV-II in someone who has had at une time in their life, oral or HSV-I, and thus has tose antibodies in their system. | Dr. Holmes estimated that for both HSV-I and RESOURCES FOR H E R P’ e S iSV-II there are 3-4 million “recurrent” cases per ¡ar, meaning a recurrence from the latent stage; tese recurrences could be “symptomatic” or “asymp- PORTLAND AREA H.E.L.P. CHÁPTF” 1. foatic.” He heavily emphasized that “the first” (or P0 Box 14934 primary”) attack of herpes is the most severe and in Portland, OR 97214 ■Bents who’don’t have any antibodies, it is even 198^ Scheduled Meeting »ore severe. For a female first exposed, it is more severe than At. Providence Medical Center or males. Dr. Homes explained that the severity dif- In the Social Room ¡rences between male and female are due to the 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. evere infection that develops in the cervix of approx- Apr i1 12, Apri1 26, Ma y + » tnately 90 percent of women who have a primary in- Juhe 28. ®uld be caused by the virus: “It can also move into l>e lymph glands in the groin and cause pain. It can lot into the blood stream where it causes a syndrome ■st like influenza—fever, chills, muscle aches and ®ins, headache, and often a stiff neck.” One of the audience questions to Ms. Winter in volved the use of condoms, which are generally thought to-be effective in preventing the spread of veneral diseases. But, Winter cautioned, “I never recommend that condoms be used when there is an active infection. The variety of materials in condoms varies with brands. It is very difficult for us to say that the virus will or will not pass through a condom. My advice: Abstain when you know you have symptoms. Wear a condom all the rest of the time.” Dr. Frederick T. Fraunfelder, professor and chair man of the Opthalmology Department at the Oregon Health Sciences University discussed herpes and eye infections. He added that venereal diseases in general grow easily in the eye because of the kind of tissue in the eye, because the eye is in a wet environment, and thus easily transmitted. Unlike herpes which occurs in other areas, there are treatments which will be effective in treatment of herpes in the eye. Complications arising from herpes prior to and after birth were identified by Dr. Andre J. Nahmias, professor and chief of Pediatrics/Infectious Disease and Immunology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. One out of 4,000 babies will have herpes. COUNCIL Herpes can be contracted by the baby, according to Dr. Nahmias, prior to birth if there is a leak or break in the sac or by passing through the birth canal upon birth. Premature births are also more common in babies with herpes. He added that of newborns with herpes, 82 percent of the time the mothers were asymptomatic (showing no symptoms). One of Dr. Nahmias’ concerns was in handling of the new-born baby by the parents, not realizing that cold sores are contagious, and thereby passing the disease onto the baby by touching or kissing it. Overall, the symposium presented such a large volume of information, that it is important not only to persons who have or have had herpes, but also to everyone as concerned, knowledgeable individuals. Additional information can be obtained through the agencies and also through “The Herpes Hand book,” a 44-page book which is available for only $2 from the Oregon Health Sciences University at 233-1131. The book may also be obtained by writing to: Herpes Handbook; OHSU-L220A;-Portland, OR 97201. »VENEREAL D I S E A S E. CLACKAMAS COUNTY HEALTH DEPT.J V.D. CLINIC 1425 S. Kaen Road Oregon City, OR 97045 655-8568 4. HERPES RESOURCE CENTER/ASHA P0 Box 100 P?lo Alto, CA 94302 (415) 321-5134 5. V. D. HOTLINE, 1-(800)-227-8922 (To 11-Free) Weekdays 8:00 a.nu - 8:00 p.m. Weekends 10:00 a.m. - 6100 p.m. page 5
