Herpes Testing Blog

The death of Farrah Fawcett after her long and courageous battle with anal cancer has saddened all of those who loved her.

Anal cancer is closely related to the human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV is the virus that causes genital warts and cervical cancer. This does not mean that Farrah had a history of sexual promiscuity; it just means that like many Americans, she was exposed to the virus at some point in her past.

Approximately between 45 and 90 percent of all caners of the anus are caused by the HPV virus. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the U.S. Approximately twenty five percent of females in the United States are infected with the HPV virus, however only a small fraction of these women will develop anal cancer.

For the complete article, see http://www.examiner.com/x-12106-Charleston-Family-Health-Examiner~y2009m6d28-More-on-Farrah-Fawcett-Anal-Cancer-and-HPV

Many Americans know that cold sores are caused by a herpes virus. But few understand the relation between oral herpes and genital herpes. Also confusing is whether herpes on the lip or mouth can be transmitted to the genital area.

There are several strains of herpes virus. Herpes simplex virus Type 2 is the strain associated with genital herpes. Many cold sores, on the other hand, are caused by herpes simplex virus Type 1. But Type 2 can also cause sores on the mouth, and Type 1 can spread to the genitals.

The types are closely related, and they usually lie dormant in nerves near an infection site until emerging on the skin during an outbreak, often preceded by tingling, itching and pain. Soap and water kills the virus fairly easily, so washing is a good way to help keep it from spreading.

Herpes is transmitted primarily by skin-to-skin contact when the infection is active, but carriers can also transmit the virus when they have no noticeable symptoms — and many do not.

THE BOTTOM LINE
Cold sores can cause a genital infection and vice versa.

For the complete article, please refer to http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/19/health/19real.html?pagewanted=print&position=.