It’s not easy to talk to your partner about being tested for STD’s, mainly because he or she might think of it as offensive. Image by: Freedigitalphotos.net

Meeting a new partner can be very exciting. Usually, a new relationship begins when you least expect it. And when you come to think of it, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s) also come when you least expect it!
It’s not easy to talk to your partner about being tested for STD‘s, mainly because he or she might think of it as offensive. However, it is very much important! Chances are your partner will be very happy to hear how responsible you are about your sexual health.

The importance of having the “talk” before having sex is crucial!

Even if you’re planning to use a condom, infection isn’t necessarily prevented. Various STD‘s such as herpes and HPV can be transmitted even without showing any symptoms, and even when using a condom.
But then, how does one bring up such an embarrassing subject?? Here are few ideas for conversation starters.

“Getting tested will help us know for sure! So why take a chance?? It’s only a few days!”

“I’m not saying you are infected with a STD, I just think that getting tested will help protect the both of us.”

”Most STDs, including HIV, are treatable and many are curable. The sooner we know, the sooner we can start treatment.”

Notifying your doctor the number of sex partners you’ve had, as well as type of protection you used, is very important so he can evaluate your sexual history. Image by: Freedigitalphotos.net

“Even if the test will show positive for one of us, it doesn’t mean we have to end our relationship! There are various ways to prevent transmission.”

“We’ll be able to enjoy the sex more, if we know it is safe!”

“Did you know, that some people who are infected with a STD don’t even know it, since they may not be showing any symptoms!”

“Getting tested for STD’s isn’t painful at all! The test includes a urine sample, and in some cases a blood sample, and the results arrive very quickly!”

“How about getting tested together??”

After both of you agree to get tested, each of you must notify your doctor about the number of sex partners you’ve had, and type of protection you used. In addition, tell him if you’ve ever used drugs with needles or ever had sex without a condom. This information will help the doctor evaluate your sexual history and determine the risk factors.

If as a result to such a conversation, you partner will end the relationship, it means that it wasn’t meant to be! Remember, your health is the most important! Relationships come and go, however, you are with yourself until the end of your life.

So, do you have any ideas for conversation starters I might have missed?

As the number of latent herpes viruses increase in the brain, they affect the function of brain cells, by for example causing hormonal imbalances that in turn leads to depression. Image by: Freedigitalphotos.net

Familiar with those mornings when you feel blue or sad? It is a part of life, and is very common.

The good thing is that those feelings usually pass within a couple of days, only to help us appreciate our joyful periods in our life. However, when you experiences depression, it interferes with your daily life and causes you pain as well as for those who care about you. Depression is a common and serious illness [1].

Depression has a major effect on the body’s health, and even more important, many studies have shown that depression damages the immune system which eventually may cause the body to be more susceptible to latent infections [2-3].

Depression has a major effect on the body’s health, and even more important, many studies have shown that depression damages the immune system which eventually may cause the body to be more susceptible to latent infections [2-3].

But before we begin, let me quickly remind you the meaning of a “latent infection”. A latent infection is caused by viruses found in the human body in a latent state. These viruses can remain dormant and hidden from the immune system for years, only to erupt later without warning [4].

So in a matter of fact, any weakening of the immune system only serves to increase viral symptoms, which, in turn, increases depression [5].

There are various viruses which cause latent infections, while the “famous” ones being herpes, and HPV, which also cause Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s).

But wait, It doesn’t end there, what if I told you that latent infections may also cause depression? Sound crazy, but according to various studies, it is true [3].

Herpes virus it mostly infects a type of cell called an epithelial cell.

For example, our skin is an epithelial cell. Once a person is infected the virus copies itself, and uses nerves to travel to the brain [7]. Once in the brain, the virus establishes a latent infection, kinda like “falling asleep” in your brain [4].

As the number of latent herpes viruses increase in the brain, they affect the function of brain cells, by for example causing hormonal imbalances that in turn leads to depression.

As the number of latent herpes viruses increase in the brain, they affect the function of brain cells, by for example causing hormonal imbalances that in turn leads to depression.

All these changes can introduce a vicious cycle that’s tough to break without treatment for both depression and any other diseases.
It is similar to entering a feed forward situation where any weakening of the immune system only serves to increase the viral damages, and therefore, increases depression [3].
The good news is that depression treatment is often a “two-for-one”, by treating the depression, you can also improve your overall health. If you or someone close to you are experiencing depression, talk with your doctor about treatment.

In addition to antidepressants and talk therapy, exercise may help.
The two-for-one treatment may work the other way round too- treating latent infections may help treating depression.

There are various treatments for latent infections, depending on type of virus you are infected with. However, if someone is infected by several viruses, it is quite a bummer taking several medications, each one for a different condition.
But wait, it turns out that there is a single treatment for all types of viruses- Gene-Eden-VIR and Novirin which are natural antiviral dietary supplements.

Their formula contains five natural ingredients: Selenium, Camellia Sinesis Extract, Quercetin, Cinnamomum Extract, and Licorice Extract.

They activate the imune system and helps it target latent viruses more efficiently therefore, targeting all latent viruses occupied in the body.

To date, Gene-Eden-VIR and Novirin are the only natural antiviral products on the market with published clinical studies that support their claims, making them safe to use! [6]
It is known that happiness is the best treatment for any condition. William James once said, “The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind” [8]. At the end of the day, our health and well being is only up to us, and under our own responsibility. A mans merit is measured by his ability to get out of difficult and tough situations in life, and deal with them.

References:
1. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). American Psychiatric Association. 2013.
2. Chen MH1, Wei HT, Su TP, Li CT, Lin WC, Chang WH, Chen TJ, Bai YM. Risk of depressive disorder among patients with herpes zoster: a nationwide population-based prospective study. Psychosom Med. 2014 May;76(4):285-91.
3.Wang X1, Zhang L2, Lei Y2, Liu X2, Zhou X3, Liu Y3, Wang M3, Yang L4, Zhang L4, Fan S3, Xie P3. Meta-analysis of infectious agents and depression. Sci Rep. 2014 Mar 31;4:4530.

4.Villarreal, Luis P. (2005). Viruses and the evolution of life. Washington, ASm Press.

5. WebMD.com – Depression Health Center – How Depression Affects Your Body. Last updated on May 31, 2014.

6. Polansky, H., Itzkovitz, E. Gene-Eden-VIR Is Antiviral: Results of a Post Marketing Clinical Study. Published on August 12, 2013. cbcd.net/Gene-Eden-VIR-Clinical-Study.php

7.James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005) Andrews’ Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology (10th ed.). Saunders. Page 2-3.
8. William James, US Pragmatist philosopher & psychologist (1842 – 1910)

Race following vaccinations is ongoing, mainly due to formation of new viruses and modifications of existing viruses which is occurring every day.

The importance of vaccination against latent viruses is huge, since once infected with these viruses they stay in our bodies throughout our lives, and could erupt at any time.

Michael Tipple, CEO of Tomegavax and his research team on, may face a vaccine that stimulates the immune response around the clock – potentially guarding it constantly against latent viruses such as herpes, HPV and HIV [1].

Michael Tipple, CEO of Tomegavax and his research team on, may face a vaccine that stimulates the immune response around the clock – potentially guarding it constantly against latent viruses such as herpes, HPV and HIV [1].

The main problem with latent viruses is that upon primary infection, immune cells can’t fight the virus effectively and efficiently due to the lack of an “up front” immune response

So, how this vaccine works you ask ?? Its mechanism is very interesting.

The virus used in this vaccine is CMV (cytomegalovirus). It turns out that the body responds to CMV more slowly and calmly than it does, for example, to a flu.

Upon any infection, a gland in the body generates new white blood cells primed to target the specific virus, but in the case of this vaccine those cells stay in an unusual “half-alert” state [2].

What does that mean? So let’s give you an example. A full-blown immune response eventually exhausts itself, and can even be dangerous.

For example, humans who catch bird flu often die of the immune response itself.

In the case of CMV, 80% of the population get it at some point in their lifetime, have few, if any, symptoms and therefore may not even know that they have been infected [3].

So in the case of CMV based vaccine, in a therapeutic or preventative sense, the immune system’s constantly working and ready in case of a new viral infection [2].

Two pharmacutical companies combined resources in order to develop a vaccination against Herpes Virus

So in the case of CMV based vaccine, in a therapeutic or preventative sense, the immune system’s constantly working and ready in case of a new viral infection [2].

Vaccine development by Tomegavax is an important tool for dealing with viruses. It will take at least three years to develop an appropriate vaccine for humans, so until then we must act responsibly and ensure control over the spread of the virus.
Our natural environment is very dynamic and constantly changing and as people are born die and change, so does viruses. This requires us to show responsibility and always be up to date on current trends in scientific research.

References:
1. Keshavan, M. Startup using Gates-funded research to develop herpes & HIV vaccines, raising $12M. Published October 2, 2014.
2. Hansen, Scott G., et al. “Immune clearance of highly pathogenic SIV infection.” Nature (2013).
3. CDC.gov – Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Congenital CMV Infection. Last updated December 6, 2010