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1. ACCENT: Tried it several times and the results were great at first but not really amazing and for the price and pain (did I mention PAIN?), it’s not the panacea promised in the ads. If you’ve got a mild case, it would probably be good, but for moderate or severe, it helps, but does not eliminate.

2. Bliss Fat Girl Slim: So wanted this to work. I’d read some good reviews, but for me it was just a nice moisturizer. I didn’t really see anything happening (used it for 3 straight weeks).

3. Oligo DX Cellulite Reducing Gel: One item on my line-up that works. I wasn’t expecting much when I started using it (my hopes have been dashed too many times!), but I really see results when I use it. I’m firmer, more toned and even (dare I say) a bit thinner? I will definitely re-purchase (for a third time!)

4. Celluthin: In the pink bottle. Wanted it to work and all the reviews on amazon.com promised it would. But alas, it just doesn’t seem to do the trick with me (used for 3 straight weeks). I don’t get it?

5. Bliss stimilator: Cheap, easy to use and it works. Lather up and then swirl this thing around on your thigh, arms, wherever you see the bumps. It will stimulate circulation and you’ll see smoother skin (at least temporarily!)

6. Pycnogenol: My new secret weapon. Dr. Murad and others tout antioxidants as the enemy of cellulite. I tried this one and for me, it really helps. I eat a pretty high antiox diet, but adding this supplement a few times a week seems to really work.

7. 30 Day Shred (Jillian Michaels): God, I hate to admit it, but this thing works. She is no sweet little thing: She’ll bust your butt! It’s only 20 minutes but you’ll sweat. I actually enjoy it and really enjoy the results (when I do it consistently). Why does everything have to come down to diet and exercise? Oh well…

A pharmacy technician refers to a member of the pharmacy staff who is working under the guidance of a registered pharmacist, and is in-charge of doing pharmacy-related tasks like giving medication and providing patients with health care products and services. To be qualified to work in this industry, one must have the necessary qualities, and must undergo proper pharmacy technician training in a duly licensed pharmacy tech school.

The principal responsibility of a pharmacy technician is to help licensed pharmacists in preparing medications for patients, as well as furnishing them with necessary health care products. They are also typically in-charge of medicine inventory and placing labels on them. Customer support can also be included in their work, as well as other clerical and pharmacy-related duties and responsibilities.

In a typical retail or mail-order pharmacy, technicians can have distinct duties and responsibilities. This will usually depend on the state they are working in and the laws that apply in them. Doctors can send prescriptions to a pharmacy technician, and he is responsible for analyzing them and making certain that they are complete and concise before the actual preparation of the medication. Once the prescription is verified, the technician will now acquire the medicine and extract the right proportions and dosages before giving them to the patient.

When working in hospital or nursing home environment, pharmacy technicians may be required to perform additional work like analysis of patient records and preparing of medication. Upon verification of a prescription by the pharmacist, it will now be up to the technician to bring it to the patient, after which he will take down a log of the important details in administering the medicine. They also make sure that patients have a 24-hour supply of their needed medication.

One of the advantages of being a pharmacy technician is its work environment; clean, well-organized, has excellent ventilation and lighting. An individual must be physically and mentally fit to efficiently perform their tasks and responsibilities. Working hours can have graveyard shifts, and working days can include weekends or holidays, especially on hospitals and other similar establishments that are open 24-hours a day.

A lot of pharmacy technicians engage in an on-the-job training before working, but formal pharmacy technician training programs are also available. Certified technicians are usually given priority, but that doesn’t mean those who are not certified perform less effectively. In the US, there isn’t any clear Federal law which covers the matter of requiring technicians to acquire certification before working.

Formal pharmacy technician training, like regular education programs, will involve classroom and laboratory work, study in different areas like pharmaceutical and medical terms, calculations, recording, techniques, pharmacy law and ethics. They will also need to become well-versed in medicine names, its functions and proper dosage. Most pharmacy technician training programs have internships in order for them to have an actual experience in their field. Once they complete their training, the pharmacy tech school will be able to award them with a certificate, diploma or an associate’s degree, all of which will depend on the type of program they undergo.

To have a better chance of success in this industry, one must posses great skills in customer support and working with a group because they will be interacting with patients, professionals and co-workers most of the time. They will also benefit from having a good foundation in reading, spelling and mathematics. It is important that a technician is very observant, can work with initiative, responsible, organized, alert and has passion for work. Equally important is having precision in skills and actions since we are dealing with human lives here, and we can’t compromise anything.

The demand for pharmacy technicians has soared with the increasing duties of pharmacists. In order to become a proficient pharmacy technician, it is important that you undergo proper pharmacy technician training from an accredited pharmacy tech school. This is a very rewarding career and can take you a long way.

Whether you are a new contact lens wearer or you have been using them for years to correct your vision, you may be wondering how can you tell if a contact lens is inside out. If you suspect you may be wearing your contact lenses incorrectly or they just feel uncomfortable, here are some ways you can determine this to avoid the problem in the future.

Look at the Lens

Before placing the lens in your eye, hold it on the tip of your index finger and look at it carefully from the side. Is it shaped like the letter “U” or it is flared on the sides, like a soup bowl? The correct shape of a soft contact lens should be like the letter “U”. If its shaped like a soup bowl, then its inside out. Some people also recommend the “taco test” whereby you gently squeeze the lens so that the edges touch. If they touch completely, then the lens is right side out. If the edges flare out and dont touch fully, then its inside out. Simply flip the lens around and it will be positioned correctly for wearing.

Another way to determine if your contact lens is right side out is to look at it from the top. This is especially important if you are wearing the colored enhanced type. The edge of a tinted lens will be look very blue. If it looks greenish, then it is inverted and you should carefully flip the lens around in order to wear it properly.

Find the Engraving

Some contact lenses have factory engraving on them, done by special lasers. This can include the manufacturer information, model number, brand name or grade of materials used. While this is not detected by the human eye when wearing, it can be of help when trying to determine if you are wearing your contact lenses correctly. Some brands have a “1-2-3″ engraved on them, so you would make sure this is the side facing downwards on your finger as you place the contact into your eye. If you can read this label, then the lens is inside out. You can remove it safely without damaging your eyes and flip it around for replacement.

Ask the Professional

Of course, please check with your eye doctor if you experience any discomfort with your contacts. They can often help you more with this perplexing problem or demonstrate to you further what to do. Common sense should tell you if you are wearing your contact lens incorrectly. If they feel uncomfortable or you feel slight pressure on your eyes, its probably because you have placed the lenses incorrectly on your eyes. You may want to practice a little when first getting a new set of contact lenses to see what works best for you and to get used to the feel of them. Once you do, you should enjoy months of enjoyable experience with your new lenses.

Shy bladder syndrome is a serious condition. For anyone who hasn’t heard of this before, person suffering with this is not able to successfully urinate in a public rest room. This in many cases is a mental condition that was a result of an event in their life. If you know someone who is experiencing this some of the tips for shy bladder treatment may be useful.

Those who suffer from shy bladder syndrome can experience many problems as a result of this condition. It may result in them having limited activity or enjoying life, as they may be afraid to steer away from home in fear they may have to use a bathroom in a public place.

A first step is to talk to your health care provider. They may offer a few solutions for you. Another thing you can try is reducing the amount of fluids you drink before leaving the comforts of your home.

If you happen to be out and need to use a restroom, check to see if it’s empty, find a quiet area with a door that may give you more control and more relaxing for you.

There is medication available to help you reduce the anxiety your experience. It won’t completely solve the problem, but will help you feel a little bit more comfortable and relax the nerves.

You may find group sessions you can join with other individuals experiencing the same problem. By being in a group, you can here what works for others and try them.

Many people have found comfort in hypnosis. This is a reliable method for phobia related problems and for improving one’s way of life. It can be highly effective. This is a form of shy bladder treatment that is worth looking into for a successful cure.

Everywhere you look on the Internet, charitable causes have set up websites offering services and seeking donations. How do you navigate the maze of charities when you are in need of help? One man has appeared online in the Twitterverse with a helping hand to those in need. Richard Bassett, CADAC has opened a place on Twitter to guide people in the often grueling task of finding someone who can help them in a time of crisis. Richard has brought his knowledge and expertise of putting those in need together with a charity that can actually assist them with their individual requirements.

Speaking with Richard I was struck by his relaxed demeanor. A man with a calming strength and deep knowledge of the struggle those who are often invisible in our communities live with daily. He discusses his background in social services, counseling and community support with an ease that is both dynamic and comforting. Within moments of speaking with him I realized this is the person of whom I wanted to be in contact if I was faced with a personal crisis.

His life is the stuff of Hollywood and where his story actually begins. Living in LA during the 1980s Richard was an aspiring actor and model who supplemented his income as an X-Ray Technician. Which as he put it I could make much more money (opposed to a being valet or a waiter) and could adjust my hours around my auditions. Then in 1984 Richard began working with a colleague, amFar director Dr. Michael Gottlieb doing chest X-Rays of HIV/AIDS patients. I took the radiographs of these patients and they were the worst chest x-rays I had ever seen in my career. Richard explained. I was crushed to see healthy patients literally die in a matter of weeks. There was no treatment at the time.

Richard eventually gave up his dreams of being an actor and returned to his hometown of Boston, Massachusetts. He soon rose to a management position in radiology left him cut off from working with the patients about whom he cared so deeply. To reconnect, Richard began volunteering with the AIDS Helpline. Bassett adds, In talking to thousands of callers, I concluded that AIDS and Addiction were massive issues.

He moved away from his comfortable career in medical management and returned to college to pursue a degree in social services. Though friends and colleagues tried to dissuade him, Richard was steadfast in following this new path. He adds, I got a job as an HIV/AIDS Case Manager and returned to school, (University of Massachusetts), and became a Certified Drug & Alcohol Addictions Counselor specializing in dual diagnoses. I took to it like a fish to water.

It was in 2009 that he began looking for a way to help greater numbers of people. Twitter became the perfect place to share his knowledge and experience in social services with a wider audience. It was Richards goal was to create a place where he could easily be approached and interact with the urgency that is so often required when a person is searching for help. He began a basic but convincing Tweet dialogue with those he could see shared his goals of helping others and joined a network that is always ready to retweet his message to their networks for greater impact.

Richard is able to help others on Twitter (http://twitter.com/RichBassett) where he has listed many of the organizations and charities with which he has worked. Every day he sends out beacons of hope in the form of tweets composed of names and links to trusted charities; tweets that he knows can lead those in need of assistance back to him for compassionate advice.

INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis [pronounced sore-EYE-ah-sis] is a noncontagious, lifelong skin disease and happens to both sexes equally and can occur at any age, although it most frequently appears for the first time between 15 and 35 years of age. It is probably one of the longest known illnesses of man and simultaneously one of the most misunderstood and is normally graded as mild (affecting less than 3% of the body), moderate (affecting 3-10% of the body) or severe.

It can also produce inflammation of the joints, which is called psoriatic arthritis and has been shown to affect health-related quality of life to an extent liken to the effects of other chronic diseases such as depression, myocardial infarction, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure or type 2 diabetes.

While it does get worse over time; It is not possible to predict who will go on to develop extensive psoriasis or those in whom the disease may appear to vanish. Research continues to accelerate at a rapid pace and will continue to advance our knowledge of what causes this disease.

SYMPTOMS: Research shows that the signs and symptoms of psoriasis usually appear between 15 and 35 years of age and often disappear (go into remission), even without treatment, and then return (flare up). Controlling the signs and symptoms typically requires life long therapy. Symptoms can vary from person to person but may include one or more of the following: Red patches of skin covered with silvery scales, Small scaling spots (commonly seen in children,), Dry, cracked skin that may bleed, Itching, burning or soreness, Thickened, pitted or ridged nails, Swollen and stiff joints. Additional symptoms may include: Genital lesions in males, Joint pain or aching (psoriatic arthritis), Nail changes, including yellow-brown spots, dents (pits) on the nail surface, and separation of the nail from the base. About 10 percent of people with psoriasis have joint inflammation that produces symptoms of arthritis.

Most people report a decrease in illness severity during the summer months or periods of increased sun exposure; however, a small minority find that their symptoms are aggravated by strong sunlight, and these individuals actually experience a worsening of their disease in the summer. Call your health care provider if you have symptoms or if the skin irritation continues despite treatment.

TREATMENT: There are many treatments available that work wonders for one victim but have no effect or benefit for another. They range from local (cortisone cream application, emollients, coal tar, anthralin preparations, and sun exposure)to systemic (internal medications, including methotrexate and cyclosporine). As a first step, medicated ointments or creams, called topical treatments, are applied to the skin. Treatments for more general or advanced psoriasis include UV-A light, psoralen plus UV-A light (PUVA), retinoids (eg, isotretinoin [Accutane], acitretin [Soriatane]), infliximab (Remicade), etanercept (Enbrel), and alefacept (Amevive).

THE NATIONAL PSORIASIS FOUNDATION: Is an excellent organization that offers support to persons with psoriasis. The Foundation reports that 56,000,000 work hours are lost each year by those who have the disease. Additionally, a survey conducted by the Foundation in 2002 indicates that 26% of people living with moderate to severe psoriasis have been forced to alter or discontinue their normal daily activities. The Foundation estimates that between 10% to 30% of The affected people also have psoriatic arthritis. Internationally, plaque psoriasis occurs universally and varies with race, geography, and environmental factors (eg, exposure to sun).

CONCLUSION: Psoriasis is a disease of the skin that causes itchy or sore patches of thick, red skin with silvery scales and is a chronic, meaning lifelong, affliction because there is at present no cure. It may be one of the oldest recorded skin conditions and can last a long time, even a lifetime. It is known to affect approximately 2 percent of the world’s population and is rarely found among people with dark skin. Psoriasis has been known about for at least 5 thousand years and if any particular nutrient had been proven to be beneficial surely we would all have heard about it by now.

INTRODUCTION: An excessive sweating condition is often caused by a disorder of over-active sweat glands like the thoracic gland and creates a lot of inferiority complexes, thus leading people to avoid facing the public and in turn lowering their morale and spirits. It could also be a sign of menopause.

Perspiring At Night is a very common problem for a lot of people. It happens at night because we come to a point where the bed is no longer able to absorb more heat. It is the very last action that the body takes in order to cool down. Excessive sweating can be very embarrassing and may sometimes indicate a more serious health condition.

HYPERHIDROSIS: Is a genetic condition that produces abnormal sweating of the hands, underarms, feet, scalp, face, or blushing that is beyond the usual emotional and physiological need. It also is known to cause the development of skin infections and also increase your body odour. It affects more than 4,000,000 Americans and can negatively affect people both socially and functionally in their day to day lives. This condition presents many choices and important decisions so please consult your MD.

TREATMENT: Excess perspiring produced either by disorders of sweat glands or over active glands can be cured very easily by either a thoracic surgery procedure or an excessive perspiration treatment. Treatments to cure overactive sweat glands and unusual sweating problems is easily available but your MD should take into consideration your health, age, severity of the problem, allergies to specific medications, procedures and therapies.

Some of the other ways to cure hyperhidrosis or abnormal sweating problems include surgical removal of the overactive glands, iontophoresis (The use of an electric current to introduce the ions of a medication into bodily tissues.), application of aluminum chloride solution and psychological counseling.

You ought to remember that the problem cannot be solved unless some kind of treatment or cure is undertaken. In fact the drugs that claim to treat the condition do not label themselves as treatment for hyperhidrosis; they just claim that managing it is an added feature of the medicines. You should also remember that such over-the-counter remedies are only temporary solutions and not a permanent one.

Botulinum toxin or Botox is another treatment that is used to cure over active sweat glands. It was first used to treat eye muscle spasms and wrinkles. But many people observed that botox also decreased perspiration in those areas where it was injected and thus many MD’s started using botox injections to treat excessive sweating. Botox is very expensive and has a success rate of 90 percent, but the effect will last only for 6 to 8 months.

There are many people who have gotten some relief using one of the methods mentioned above, but if you have tried some of the above said solutions and have found no relief from excessive perspiring, then surgery would be your best option. Consult your Physician.

CONCLUSION: Abnormal sweating includes sweaty palms and feet along with body odor. It is also called hyperhidrosis or hyperhydrosis, and is a result of overactive glands and may be controlled with strong antiperspirants, which plug the sweat ducts. This excessive sweating problem can only be cured by thoracic surgery procedure. Watch out for different safe methods and if all goes well you might end up finding a solution for your problem yourself.

INTRODUCTION: Almost 15,280 women die yearly in the United States from ovarian cancer. Despite this, the 5-year survival rate for ovarian cancer has improved significantly over the past 30 years. The prognosis of ovarian cancer is closely akin to the stage at diagnosis. No approved screening method is available at this time for this disease.

The Mayo Clinic has one of the largest ovarian cancer practices in the US, treating more than 1,200 people in 2006 who had a primary or secondary diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Mayo Clinic uses a large variety of imaging techniques to detect cancer of the ovaries, including PET scans, CT scans and MRIs.

WOMEN: Cancer of the ovaries is the seventh most common cancer in women in the United States, with over 25,000 women newly diagnosed each year with this disease. It is the fifth leading cause of deaths by cancer in women and frequently does not result in symptoms until the cancer is morely widely spread. Only about 20% of patients are diagnosed early, when the disease may be curable. Ovarian cancer usually occurs in women over 50, but it can also affect younger women. About 90 percent of women who get ovarian cancer are over the age of 40, with the greatest number being aged 55 years or more.

RISK: All women are at risk for ovarian cancer, but older women are more likely to get the disease than younger women. The precise cause of ovarian cancer is unknown, but several risk and contributing factors have been identified. Women who have been pregnant have a 50% decreased risk for developing ovarian cancer compared to women who have not. Oral contraceptive use decreases the risk of ovarian cancer. These factors support the theory that risk for ovarian cancer is related to ovulation and that conditions that suppress this ovulatory cycle play a protective role.

Genetic factors and Family history play an important role in the risk of developing cancer of the overies also. A history of breast cancer increases a woman’s chances of developing ovarian cancer. The lifetime risk for developing ovarian cancer is 1 percent. This compares to a 4-5% risk when 1 first-degree family member is affected, rising to 7 percent when 2 relatives are affected.

DISEASE: Early disease causes minimal, nonspecific, or no symptoms. The disease is uncommon in patients younger than 40 years, after which the incidence increases. Based on the surgical staging, patients are classified as having limited disease (stage I and II) or advanced disease (stage III and IV). Patients with limited disease are classified as having low or high risk for recurrence as follows: Low risk for recurrence includes the following; Grade 1 or 2 disease, No tumor on external surface of the ovary, Negative peritoneal cytology, No ascites, Tumor growth confined to the ovaries.

High risk for recurrence includes, Grade 3 disease, Preoperative rupture of the capsule, Tumor on the external surface of the ovary, Positive peritoneal cytology, Ascites Tumor growth outside of the ovary, Clear cell tumors, Surgical stage II for postoperative treatment. chemo drugs are indicated in all patients with ovarian cancer except those persons with surgical-pathological stage I disease with low-risk characteristics.

SYMPTOMS: may include a Heavy feeling in pelvis, Pain in lower abdomen, Bleeding from the vagina, Weight gain or loss, Abnormal periods, Unexplained back pain that gets worse, Gas, Nausea, Vomiting, or Loss of appetite. Symptoms may be caused by something other than cancer, but the only way to know is to see your doctor, nurse, or other health care professional.

Traditionally, it was believed that ovarian cancer does not produce any characteristic symptoms until the tumor has metatasized, and that early signs of cancer of the ovaries were not recognizable. However, in June 2007, the American Cancer Society, along with other medical societies including the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation and the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, released a consensus statement about possible early symptoms of cancer of the ovaries. This statement was based on research indicating that some of the early symptoms of cancer of the ovaries can, in fact, be recognized.

TREATMENT: Treatment is usually surgery followed by treatment with chemotherapy. There are also many combinations of these treatment methods and it is well worthwhile to get a second opinion about treatment before entering into a specific program. The more knowledge you have, the easier it is to make informed decisions about your cancer treatment. Arlene Dunlop is a breast and ovarian cancer survivor whose treatments have kept her alive, well and out enjoying life.

Conclusion: Cancer of the ovaries actually represents a group of different tumors that arise from diverse types of tissue contained within the ovary. Ovarian cancer can invade, shed, or metastasized to other organs. A malignant ovarian tumor can grow and invade organs next to the ovaries, such as the fallopian tubes and uterus. Ovarian cancer often produces signs and symptoms, so it is important for women to pay close attention to their bodies and know what is normal for it.

Ovarian cancer most often appears in women who are older than 60 (about 50 percent of patients are over age 65), although it may occur in younger females who have a family history of the disease. Cancer of the ovaries is the most common cause of cancer death from gynecologic tumors in the US. Ovarian cancer is diagnosed in about 23,000 female in the United States per year. Cancer of the ovaries is a frightening diagnosis, but coming to it with knowledge and information helps a great deal. The sooner ovarian cancer is found and treated, the greater the chance for recovery.

Introduction:

Diabetes is a disease that affects the way the body uses glucose (say: gloo-kose), a sugar that is the body’s primary source of fuel. It is a chronic condition that requires close attention, but with some practical knowledge, you can become your most important ally in learning to live with the problem.

“The prevalence of diabetes is increasing because obesity is increasing,” says Judith Fradkin, director of the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the National Institutes of Health. Normally, the first step in treatment is to make patients understand that this is a condition that can be effectively controlled. “The amount of money it will cost in ten years to manage diabetes is going to bust the economies of many countries” says institute president Paul Robertson.

Diabetes, caused by the body’s inability to create or use insulin effectively to stop a buildup of sugar in the blood, now afflicts close to 21 million in the North American and roughly 250 million worldwide. It is an affliction that can also cause long-term complications in some people, including heart disease, stroke, visual impairment, kidney damage and can also cause other problems in the blood vessels, nerves, and gums.

Blood:

During the past 10 years, medical studies have shown that by reducing high blood pressure and cholesterol and keeping blood sugar levels as near to normal as possible, diabetics can forestall many of the disabling complications that once seemed inevitable.

“This knowledge, along with simpler, more accurate blood tests and better medicines, has improved treatment”, says Buse, an endocrinologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “New drug treatments, more accurate methods for monitoring blood sugar levels and assessing control of diabetes, and practical steps that patients can use are more common than ever”, she says. “Until 1993, it wasn’t clear that reducing blood sugar prevented or delayed complications, and it’s only within the past decade that physicians learned that managing blood pressure and cholesterol reduced complications”, she says.

Types:

There are two major forms of diabetes: type 1, an autoimmune disease that results in loss of the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas and usually occurs in children or young adults, who need daily insulin shots; and type 2, which accounts for 90% of diabetes cases and is associated with obesity and inactivity and reduces the body’s ability to use insulin efficiently.

Type 1 diabetes (formerly called insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes) occurs when the person’s own immune system attacks and destroys the cells of the pancreas that produce insulin. Type 1 diabetes occurs at about the same rate in men and women, but it is more common in Whites than in minorities.

Type 2 diabetes (formerly called non-insulin-dependent diabetes) is different. It is the most common type of diabetes and about 9 out of 10 people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. It is more common in older people, mainly in people who are overweight.

Conclusion:

The best way to prevent this disease is to make some lifestyle modifications and maintain a healthy weight.

INTRODUCTION: Herpes is a very common infection caused by two different but closely related viruses. Simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and Simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). It infects the nervous system, altering the DNA of the nerve cells supplying the skin through which it entered. It may also play a role in the spread of HIV, the virus that is said to produce AIDS. The virus is spread by touching, kissing, and sexual intimacy, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It is most contagious when sores are open and “weeping” until the scabs heal and fall off. Herpes is estimated to affect as many as 80 million Americans.

SYMPTOMS: include feeling like you have influenza and blisters that appear and then burst in the genital region, producing painful sores which may include burning feelings if urine passes over sores, inability to urinate if severe swelling of sores blocks the urethra, itching in the infected region.

Severe 1st episodes may have symptoms that include swollen, tender lymph glands in the groin, throat, and under the arms, fever, chills, headache, general feelings of malaise, achy, influenza-like feelings. Flare-ups usually heal in 10 days to 2 weeks. They may be more painful and last longer in women or men with illnesses that weaken the immune system like leukemia and HIV.

Outbreaks normally begin with pain, tenderness, or itching in the genital region and may also include fever and headache. Avoid physical contact with the area from the start of the first signs (tingling, itching, burning) until all sores are completely healed, not simply scabbed-over.

SORES: The first outbreak routinely occurs within 2 weeks after transmission, and the sores typically heal within 2 to 4 weeks. They may also show up inside the mouth, but this usually only occurs the first time oral symptoms appear. Also it is possible to get genital herpes from cold sores. Other signs and symptoms during the primary episode may include a second crop of sores, and flu-like symptoms, including fever and swollen glands. Genital herpes can produce recurrent painful sores in many adults, and infections can be severe in persons with suppressed immune systems. There may be some early warning signs before an outbreak happens such as tingling, burning, or itching where sores occurred before.

TREATMENT: There is no known cure for the disease, but antiviral medications can shorten and prevent outbreaks during the period of time the person takes the medication. Treatment should begin at the first signs of an outbreak for best results as far as duration and healing are concern. Should it begin before the lesions appear, it is possible that the outbreak can be averted. Recently valacyclovir was released to be used as a three day treatment for recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes. This is an effective approach that achieves the highest blood levels of medication available.

CONCLUSION: Herpes is an infection that is created by a simplex virus. It can make people more susceptible to HIV infection, and it can make HIV-infected individuals more infectious. It is contagious if the carrier is creating and shedding virus and can produce a wide range of signs and symptoms. Some are dramatic and very easy to recognize; some are subtle and may be ignored or confused with some other ailment. The Virus is extremely contagious and can be passed from person to person through any type of unprotected sex.

Studies show that more than 500,000 Americans are diagnosed with genital herpes each year, and the largest increase is occurring in young teens. Efforts to develop a vaccine by biotechnology companies are ongoing. There is no cure to date.