February 2007 Newsletter
HSV InfectionsTreatment OptionsDiagnostic TestingHerpes & PregnancyOral Herpes InfectionsAsymptomatic Viral SheddingSmart LivingVaccines for Herpes

Herpes.org Newsletter- February 2007 by Dr. H., Medical Director and Sally G, MSW www.herpes.org posted February 01, 2007 Welcome to the Herpes.org Newsletter. In this, issue, we invite you to read our newest articles: Alternatives in Intimacy. The Psychology of Herpes. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Herpes in the News- A patient-friendly summary of recent medical developments in Genital Herpes research and treatment. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FAMVIR VS. VALTREX September, 2006 Few comparative studies have been done between famciclovir (Famvir) and valacyclovir (Valtrex), both of which have been shown to reduce symptoms of genital herpes (HSV-2) when compared to placebo. In a September 2006 study, Wald A, et al. from the University of Washington, Seattle compared the effects of Famvir and Valtrex as daily suppressive therapy for people with genital herpes. The study examined the comparative rates of suppression of recurrent genital herpes virus as well as viral shedding. Two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies were done comparing daily famciclovir 250 mg bid with daily valacyclovir 500 mg. The results showed that the time to first recurrence was similar in famciclovir and valacyclovir recipients, but the time to first virologically confirmed recurrence was shorter among famciclovir recipients. Also, HSV was detected on 3.2% of days among famciclovir recipients but only 1.3% of days among valacyclovir recipients. Their conclusion was that Valacyclovir appears to be somewhat better than famciclovir for suppression of genital herpes and associated shedding. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FDA OKS FAMVIR AS 1-DAY HERPES TREATMENT The FDA previously recommended five days of Famvir treatment for genital herpes and the drug was not approved for treatment of cold sores in people with healthy immune systems. In August 2006, the FDA modified its recommendations for Famvir as the first one-day antiviral treatment for recurrent genital herpes and cold sores. Patients are recommended to take 1,000 milligrams of Famvir twice daily for one day at the first sign of genital herpes symptoms, including "prodrome" (or the pre-outbreak symptoms of tingling, itching, or burning.) A dose of 1,500 milligrams of Famvir is recommended at the first sign of cold sore symptoms, (oral herpes) once for one day to shorten outbreaks and reduce symptoms. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- RATE OF GENITAL HERPES INFECTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES DECLINING A study by Fujie Xu et al. published in the August 2006 Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) examined trends in HSV-1 (oral herpes) and HSV-2 (genital herpes) in the United States in 1999-2004 compared with 1988-1994. Cross-sectional, nationally representative surveys of blood tests of people ages 14 to 49 were taken to determine HSV-1 and HSV-2 estimates from 1999-2004 with those from 1988-1994. The results showed that between 1999 and 2004, 17% of Americans had HSV-2 down from 21% of Americans with HSV-2 between 1988 and 1994. Decreases in HSV-2 seroprevalence were especially concentrated in people ages 14 to 19. The study also found a reduction in the rate of infection with HSV-1, the virus that causes cold sores. HSV-1 fell from 62% between 1988 and 1994, to 57.7% between 1999 and 2004. The researchers warn, however, that HSV-1 may one day become an important cause of genital herpes. An increase in rates of teens having oral sex is partially attributed to helping reduce the rate of HSV-2, but it may also be increasing genital infections with HSV-1. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- POSSIBLE LINK BETWEEN HERPES AND ALZHEIMER'S New research announced January 7 out of the University of Rochester Medical Center supports growing concerns that herpes plays a role in the development of Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia. The study shows a link between the gene ApoE-4, the leading known risk factor for Alzheimer's, and HSV-1, the form of herpes that causes cold sores around the mouth. The research involved measuring the activity levels of HSV-1 in the brains of mice with different forms of the human ApoE gene. It was found that ApoE-4 enables the herpes virus to multiply and be more active in the brain. Past studies have shown a correlation between herpes and Alzheimer's. Patients suffering from Alzheimer's who have the ApoE-4 form of the gene, also have more herpes DNA in the brain regions that are affected by Alzheimer's. And people with the ApoE-4 version of the gene who have HSV-1, are more likely to get Alzheimer's than those who lack either the gene version and the virus. Also, other scientists have found that people who frequently break out in cold sores are more likely to have the gene that makes them more vulnerable to Alzheimer's. If the new study correlates to humans, having the ApoE-4 gene and HSV-1 increases the chance of a person getting Alzheimer's disease. Currently over 80 percent of Americans are infected with HSV-1. Dr. H. Comments: The association between herpes viruses and a number of chronic human illnesses has been debated over the years. For example, an association of Bell's Palsy (one-sided facial paralysis) with herpes simplex virus has been fairly clearly defined. The significance of the presence of viral DNA in various brain cells, as discussed by this article, is uncertain at this time. Continued research will likely bear answers over coming years. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For any other questions, contact Dr. H at HERPES.ORG THIS PAPER WILL BE UPDATED AT PERIODIC INTERVALS AS SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE, APPROVED THERAPIES, AND FEEDBACK FROM USERS OF THIS SITE SUGGEST NEW INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE CIRCULATED. HERPES.ORG DOES NOT PURPORT TO ESTABLISH A PHYSICIAN-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP. ALL TREATMENT DECISIONS SHOULD BE MADE BETWEEN A PATIENT AND HIS/HER PRIVATE PHYSICIAN. NO TREATMENTS SHOULD BE ATTEMPTED WITHOUT A FIRM AND CONVINCING DIAGNOSIS OF THE CONDITION BEING TREATED.