According to the study, anger, which depresses the immune system causes the body to be more exposed to viruses. Image by: Freedigitalphotos.net

Sociologist Peggy Thoits, described emotions as “involving physiological components, cultural or emotional labels (e.g., anger, surprise etc.), expressive body actions, and the evaluation of situations and contexts” [1]. Emotions are often associated with ones mood, temperament, personality and motivation [2].

An interesting fact, which I’m sure most of you are aware of, is that emotions are also influenced by hormones and neurotransmitters, for instance, dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin, oxytocin, cortisol etc. Therefore, non of us will be surprised of the alternative definition of emotion, “ a positive or negative experience that is associated with a particular pattern of physiological activity” [3].

So, I’m sure it’s a bummer being sad or angry.

And other than the lousy felling we have while experiencing those kinds of emotions, they have a huge impact on our physiological status a health.

And let me tell you one thing, you can be sure it is not a positive impact.

Anger causes many physiological problems, such as increasing blood pressure, threat of a stroke, heart disease, depression, anxiety disorders, and, in general, depresses the immune system.

And it doesn’t end there, in order to find relief, angry people use other health endangering habits such as smoking or drinking, or via compulsive behavior habits such as workaholism and perfectionism [6].

According to a recent study, anger, anxiety, happiness, and relaxation have either a positive or negative impact on a patient’s health depending on the type of emotion and its duration [4]. Moreover, an additional study showed that “anger is bad for your health” [5].

According to a recent study, anger, anxiety, happiness, and relaxation have either a positive or negative impact on a patient’s health depending on the type of emotion and its duration [4].

Moreover, an additional study showed that “anger is bad for your health” [5].

According to the study, anger, which depresses the immune system causes the body to be more exposed to viruses.

What was interesting to see in the study is how IgA decreased as a result of stress and anger, causing us to be more vulnerable to respiratory problem such as colds or flu, while on the other hand increased as a result to feelings such as care and compassion [7].

Lets use the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) as an example.

When a person is angry, he is creating a right environment for latent viruses due to suppressed immune system, which may cause EBV to reactivate [8], and when the virus is reactivated in replicates and can cause many different symptoms.

we need to focus on moderating these feelings, taking whatever caused them in perspective, in order to avoid unpleasant health problems in the future. Image by: Freedigitalphotos.com

As Alberts Schweitzer once said, “Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory.”

Anger, sadness and stress are common feelings which we experience on an everyday basis.

They cannot be ignored, and are an important component of our lives. However, we need to focus on moderating these feelings, taking whatever caused them in perspective, in order to avoid unpleasant health problems in the future.

References:
1. Thoits, P. A. (1989). The sociology of emotions. Annual Review of Sociology, 15, 317-342.
2. “Theories of Emotion”. Psychology.about.com. 2013-09-13. Retrieved 2013-11-11.
3. Schacter, Daniel L. (2011).Psychology Second Edition. 41 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010: Worth Publishers. p. 310.
4. Brod S1, Rattazzi L, Piras G, D’Acquisto F. “As above, so below” Examining the interplay between emotion and the Immune System. Immunology. 2014 Jun 18.
5. Why anger is bad for you. Published on March 14, 2014.
theaustralian.com.au/news/world/why-anger-is-bad-for-you/story-fnb64oi6-1226854026035#
6. CompassionPower – Anger and Health.compassionpower.com/AngerandHealth.php
7. Anger suppresses your immune system. Published April 14, 2011. aetiology.co.nz/14/anger-suppresses-your-immune-system/
8. Microbiology and Immunology On-Line – University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Virology – Chapter Eleven – Herpes Viruses. Last updated May 24, 2011.

You may also catch herpes from a sex partner who does not have any visible sores and even from someone who doesn’t know if he or she is infected. Image by: www.freedigitalphotos.net

The CDC notes that “Genital herpes is common in the United States. About one out of every six people aged 14 to 49 years have genital herpes”.

Herpes is a virus that causes oral cold sores, as well as genital blisters.

Fluids found in a herpes sore carry the virus, therefore contact with those fluids can cause infection, so you can catch herpes by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the disease [3].

Another interesting fact about the herpes virus is that it has the ability to cause a “latent infection”, which means he remains in the body and hides from the immune system for years, without causing any symptoms, only to erupt later without warning [4,5].

Interestingly, you may also catch herpes from a sex partner who does not have any visible sores and even from someone who doesn’t know if he or she is infected because the virus can be released through their skin and spread the infection regardless of symptoms

Interestingly, you may also catch herpes from a sex partner who does not have any visible sores and even from someone who doesn’t know if he or she is infected because the virus can be released through their skin and spread the infection regardless of symptoms.

Broad knowledge helps us understand disease significance, ways of transmission, as well as methods to prevent the spread of the disease . Image by: www.freedigitalphotos.net

Transmitting the virus is more common when genital blisters or ulcers are present, however, transmission during the period with no symptoms is common as well [1-3].

Awareness of Sexually Transmitted Diseases is very much important, however, awareness alone is not enough for prevention.

Broad knowledge helps us understand disease significance, ways of transmission, as well as methods to prevent the spread of the disease . Therefore, we must show responsibility and expand our knowledge of STD’s.

References:
1. Garland SM1, Steben M2. Genital herpes. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2014 Aug 4. pii: S1521-6934(14)00139-4.
2. Johns Hopkins Medicine – Frequently Asked Questions About Herpes – What if I Don’t Have Lesions?

3. WebMD.com – Common Symptoms of Genital Herpes – December 24, 2013. webmd.com/genital-herpes/guide/common-symptoms

4. Pebody, R. G., et al. “The seroepidemiology of herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 in Europe.”Sexually transmitted infections” 80.3 (2004): 185-191.

5. Nahmias, André J., and William E. Josey. “Herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2.” Viral infections of humans. Springer US, 1984. 351-372.‏

Herpes virus wear armor making them stronger

Many knights differ from each other by their armor, depending on their enemies’ level, and type of armor. You may compare it to the different composition of many viruses in nature, that adopt a specific outer envelope depending on their host.

The role of the virus’ outer envelope is first and foremost to protect it, mainly due to the fact that viruses are parasites that cannot survive outside the host cell [1].

If by any chance you ever had those annoying cold sores in your mouth, you are probably infected with herpes. It turns out that the symptoms are usually limited to sores or blisters, and it doesn’t end here- evidently, the virus stays in your body in a latent state, which is basically similar to falling asleep.

In this state, amazingly, it has the ability to hide from your immune system! And finally, in some cases such as stress or strong sunlight it will travel back to your skin and eventually cause an eruption of cold sores on your mouth [2,3].

In the case of Herpes virus, scientists have discovered that the structure of its outer envelope is similar to a grid, a “mesh like” structure if you may, allowing it to withstand enormous environmental pressures, and explains why herpes can maintain long-term infections [4,5].

A close up of a piece of fabric which illustrates the Herpes outer envelope

Let me remind you that up to date, there is no Herpes vaccine, so what’s striking about this discovery is that it may open up new possibilities for vaccine developments.

It is very important to find a vaccine since it would prevent the continued suffering of Herpes patients as well as the economic burden caused by the needed treatment.

Finally, we are on the right path for discovering a herpes vaccine. We must rely on talented scientists around the world, who dedicate themselves completely in order to discover new facts about herpes virus.

References:

1. Wimmer, Eckard, et al. “Synthetic viruses: a new opportunity to understand and prevent viral disease.”Nature biotechnology 27.12 (2009): 1163-1172.

2. Nahmias, André J., and William E. Josey. “Herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2.” Viral infections of humans. Springer US, 1984. 351-372.‏

3. Whitley, Richard J., David W. Kimberlin, and Bernard Roizman. “Herpes simplex viruses.” Clinical Infectious Diseases (1998): 541-553.

4. Scientific American – Crow, D. The Epstein–Barr Virus Wears Chain Mail. Published on October 13, 2014.

5. Zhou, Z. Hong, et al. “Four Levels of Hierarchical Organization, Including Noncovalent Chainmail, Brace the Mature Tumor Herpesvirus Capsid against Pressurization.”Structure” 22.10 (2014): 1385-1398.