#hsv ii

[cannabis-alchemist-blog-blog]

Like the inside of a banana peel can heal warts, even genital ones, cannabis can surpress the symptoms of HSV II.

This is the most amazing plant I have ever encountered!

[scienceofscience-blog]

Disease du jour: HSV II (Genital herpes)

Herpes Simplex Virus Type II (HSV II) is the most common source of what we call "Genital Herpes". Although the prevalence of HSV I-associated genital herpes is rising (mainly due to an increase in oral sex), it does not contribute greatly to the overall prevalence of genital herpes. HSV II infection does not prevent infection with HSV I and vice versa.

Pathophysiology

HSV II does not always have a clinical presentation (symptoms). When it does, it typically leads to skin lesions on the affected area. HSV II is spread by direct skin-skin contact with an infected person and travels from small skin breaks or abrasions. Viral shedding (when the virus can be transmitted) can occur at any point whether or not an infected individual is symptomatic, although shedding is most frequent directly before and after an outbreak.

Prevention

Despite great effort, researchers have yet to develop a viable vaccine. Antiviral medications, such as acyclovir and valacyclovir can prevent outbreaks and shedding, but are not an effective preventive measure. Consistent condom use and limiting sexual partners are still considered the best method of prevention for HSV II, although condoms are less effective at preventing female-male transmission.

Public Health Concern

Some evidence suggests that HSV II infection increases the risk of HIV acquisition as much as 2-fold. (1) Although the biological mechanisms for this increased risk are still unknown. Increasing this concern is that as many as 80% of HSV II-infected individuals are unaware of their infection. (2) This is due, in part, to poor diagnostic measures for HSV II. The common test cannot distinguish between HSV I and HSV II, although a test that can is becoming more widely used. Co-infection of HSV II with HIV may lead to increased outbreaks of HSV II, which can also increase the risk of transmission of HIV.

Epidemiology

Global prevalence of HSV II is estimated at 535 million with a seroprevalence of about 16.2%. In America the age-adjusted seroprevalence is around 17.2%. HSV II seroprevalence is highest among women (23.1% compared to 11.2% for males) and non-Hispanic Blacks (40.3% compared to 13.7% among non-Hispanic whites). (3)

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV‐2) seroprevalence in (A) non‐Hispanic white people and (B) non‐Hispanic black people by age on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 1976–80, 1988–94 and 1999–2004. Note: The percentage of persons is weighted. Error bars indicate 95% confidence intervals. *Age‐adjusted using the 2000 US census civilian, non‐institutionalised population aged 14–49 years as the standard. Source: Xu et al