Amadeus, the company that developed the HPV vaccine, is now developing a Herpes vaccination, or to be more accurate, HSV-2. Image by: Freedigitalphotos.net
Viruses are significant factors with regard to population changes throughout history. For instance, history could be different, had knowledge of the smallpox vaccine discovered in China a thousand years ago reach Europe (and America) on time. Smallpox plague killed a third of Europe’s population in the 14th century. It was responsible for the fall of at least three empires around the world, almost destroyed the entire population of South America and by the end of the 18th century killed more than 400,000 people each year in Europe [1,2].
The latter is just a small example to viruses various impacts during history. It was up to extraordinary people along history, to bring medical revolution.
Vaccination means immune protection.
Vaccines protect against dangerous infectious diseases that can cause great suffering, severe disability and even death. They can be used to prevent the spread of infection, as well as treat current infections by effectively activating the immune system [3,4].
How does a vaccine work?
Vaccination relies on the body’s ability to defend itself better against pathogens, if exposed to them in the past. When a deadly virus encounters a person for the first time, the virus does not allow the immune system to adapt to it and fight it.
Vaccination relies on the body’s ability to defend itself better against pathogens, if exposed to them in the past. When a deadly virus encounters a person for the first time, the virus does not allow the immune system to adapt to it and fight it. Therefore, the disease will break out in all its fury, not allowing the body to defend itself, making it a losing battle [5].
We have come to realize that, injecting weakened viruses puts our immune system in an advantage, a way for the body to recognize it and deal with it better in the future, and, although the disease does erupt as a result of the vaccine itself (containing the virus, even if it is weakened), it causes very mild symptoms, if at all.
Vaccination is safe and effective.
All vaccines undergo long and careful review by scientists, doctors, and the federal government to make sure they are safe. And if that is not enough, in the United States, all vaccines must go through extensive testing to show that it works and that it is safe before the FDA will approve it.
The HPV vaccine is a very important vaccine developed recently. This vaccine prevents infection with certain strains of HPV that causes, among other health problems, cervical cancer [6].
Amadeus, the company that developed the HPV vaccine, is now developing a Herpes vaccination, or to be more accurate, HSV-2.
Amadeus, the company that developed the HPV vaccine, is now developing a Herpes vaccination, or to be more accurate, HSV-2.
The vaccine has just completed phase 1 vaccine trial, and is now about to enter phase 2. Results of the phase 1 trial showed that the new herpes vaccine produced an immune response in 95% of the humans it was tested in [7].
Currently, the vaccine is destined to treat people who are already infected with HSV-2, however, over time it will be tested whether the vaccine also works to prevent the spread of the virus.
In term of natural treatment, there are two effective and clinically proved products on the market called Novirin and Gene- Eden- VIR [8]. For more information, Click here: http://www.buy-gene-eden.com/
Current treatments against Herpes virus are topical and oral, and include penciclovir, acyclovir, famciclovir, and valaciclovir. In term of natural treatment, there are two effective and clinically proved products on the market called Novirin and Gene- Eden- VIR [8].
Although this vaccination development seems promising, we must not be complacent. The vaccine in question is against HSV-2 and not HSV-1, and in rare cases HSV-1 may also cause genital herpes.
Moreover, it will take still a while until the vaccination passes further testing and gains FDA approval. So we must continue taking responsibility to prevent further spreading of the virus.
References:
1. D. Littman RJ, Littman ML. The Athenian plague: smallpox. Proceedings of the American Philological Association. 1969; 100:261-75.
2. E. Miller, G. 1980. Discussion: times, places, and persons, p. 109-114. In A. M. Lilienfeld (ed.), Aspects of the history of epidemiology. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.
3. Neighmond, Patti (2010-02-07). “Adapting Vaccines For Out Aging Immune Systems” Morning Edition (NPR).
4. Immunization Action Coalition, Top Ten Reasons to Protect Your Child by Vaccinating
5. “Vaccine Overview” (PDF). Smallpox Fact Sheet. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
6. news.com.au – “Professor Ian Frazer is developing vaccines for herpes simplex and cervical cancer.” Published on October 03, 2014.
7. ProactiveInvestors.com.au – “Admedus vaccine for herpes has success; moves to next clinical trial.” Published on October 2, 2014.
8. Polansky, H., Itzkovitz, E. Gene-Eden-VIR Is Antiviral: Results of a Post Marketing Clinical Study. Published on August 12, 2013.