Health
Incurable, 'highly contagious' STD affects nearly 900 million people under age 50
The rise of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continues to pose threats.
The prevalence of one uncurable STI in particular – genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and 2 – is at a global high, according to a new study published in the BMJ Journals Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Approximately 846 million people between 15 and 49 years old (more than one in five) were living with a genital herpes infection as of 2020.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that at least one person each second, amounting to 42 million people annually, is estimated to acquire the infection.
While HSV-2 is slowly declining, genital HSV-1 is increasing, although it does not cause as much burden, one expert said. (iStock)
The researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine, Qatar, noted that both types of HSV infections are lifelong and can cause symptomatic genital ulcer disease (GUC).
HSV-2 “almost always” causes sexually transmitted genital infection, the researchers said, while HSV-1 mainly causes oral infection, like cold sores, but can be sexually transmitted to cause a genital infection.
The infection can lead to painful genital sores and blisters that typically recur in random episodes throughout life. In 2020, more than 200 million people in the same age group suffered at least one painful symptomatic episode, data shows.
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Not every case of HSV is symptomatic, which makes transmission more likely.
The researchers concluded that the “high incidence and prevalence” of HSV worldwide requires new prevention and treatment measures, such as vaccines, to control the spread and reduce the disease burden.
Approximately 846 million people between 15 and 49 years old are living with a genital herpes infection as of 2020. (iStock)
Study co-author Laith Abu-Raddad, a health care policy and research professor at Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, emphasized the scale of HSV’s impact.
“Symptomatic genital herpes imposes a substantial global burden, affecting 200 million people annually and incurring significant economic costs, estimated at $35 billion per year due to health care expenditures and productivity loss,” he wrote in a statement to Fox News Digital.
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“Addressing this pressing health challenge requires a fundamental solution,” Abu-Raddad went on.
“Developing a vaccine capable of protecting against HSV-1 and HSV-2, the viruses responsible for genital herpes, represents a pivotal step toward controlling this infection on a global scale.”
Curing the incurable
There is currently no cure for HSV, although there are treatments to help manage symptoms.
The STI can also lead to more serious complications like neonatal herpes, which can be transmitted from a mother to her baby during childbirth.
HSV-2 accounts for 90% of symptomatic episodes and is linked to a significantly higher risk of contracting HIV, according to the WHO.
HSV can cause painful sores and blisters that can occur in periodic episodes, according to experts. (iStock)
Dr. Gabe Gaviola, senior medical director at Everlywell in New York — an at-home STD testing and treatment platform — shared his concern about increased exposure.
“HSV is highly contagious and often asymptomatic, which means many people may unknowingly transmit the virus,” Gaviola, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. “This makes prevention and early diagnosis more difficult.”
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“There’s also a persistent stigma associated with genital herpes, which may discourage individuals from seeking treatment or disclosing their herpes status to partners, leading to further spread.”
Gaviola reiterated how HSV infection can increase the risk of contracting other STIs due to the “sores and compromised skin barrier,” which makes it “even more crucial to seek proper testing and treatment.”
“New data in this study highlight just how widespread HSV-2 and HSV-1 are, with millions of new and existing cases each year,” one doctor said. (iStock)
“High prevalence rates, especially in individuals aged 15 to 49 years old, are driven by a lack of public awareness, prevention efforts, and access to testing and treatment,” he said.
For those experiencing symptoms, Gaviola recommends getting regular screenings and being open with sexual partners to reduce the spread.
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“Safer sex practices, including condom use and antiviral treatments for those who have HSV, can help reduce the transmission of HSV,” he added.
While HSV outbreaks can be controlled and potentially become less frequently or severely over time, flare-ups can occur during times of stress or illness, according to Gaviola.
Experts explain that the nature of HSV make it difficult to pinpoint a cure. (iStock)
HSV remains dormant in nerve cells after initial infection, which makes it “extremely difficult to completely eradicate from the body,” he said.
“It can reactivate at any time, often without warning,” he warned. “This dormancy also allows the virus to evade the immune system, which prevents the body from eliminating the infection.”
“It can reactivate at any time, often without warning.”
“While there are no cures yet, progress in vaccine development and antiviral therapies is promising,” he said.
“Public health measures to reduce transmission and improve treatment are critical in managing the global burden of HSV.”
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Anna Wald, M.D., professor of medicine, laboratory medicine and epidemiology at the University of Washington, noted that the nature of the herpes virus, much like chickenpox and shingles, makes the development of a cure difficult – although early, preclinical trials are underway.
According to Wald, there have also been some attempts to develop a preventative HSV vaccine that have failed. (iStock)
“[A] cure is likely to require gene therapy, which is a potentially risky approach for a non-lethal disease,” Wald, who was not involved in the research, told Fox News Digital. “So progress is slow as a result.”
There have also been some attempts to develop a prophylactic vaccine that have failed, according to the doctor.
“Testing vaccines for prevention is very expensive, but there are some new candidate vaccines that will hopefully be in trials in the next few years,” she shared.
“In my opinion, a preventative vaccine would be an optimal approach, but we don’t yet know how to make one that will work – and testing them is a lengthy and costly process.”
The top gifts this holiday season might not be the best fit for everyone, especially those who have Alzheimer’s disease.
There are seven million Americans living with the disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association – and some gifts might not be appropriate depending on a person’s stage of dementia.
“Family members and friends may have to rethink their gift-giving strategies when shopping for someone living with dementia,” Elizabeth Edgerly, Ph.D., senior director of Community Programs and Services at the Alzheimer’s Association in Chicago, said in a press release statement.
Not all gifts are appropriate for people with Alzheimer’s, the association noted. (iStock)
“Gifts that may have made you a holiday hero in the past may no longer be a good fit,” she went on.
“You want to start by considering where the person is cognitively, so you can choose a gift they are able to use and enjoy.”
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The Alzheimer’s Association released the following list of gifts that are suitable for people at every stage of the disease.
Gift for early-stage Alzheimer’s
Incorporating old photos with familiar faces into gifts can be helpful and thoughtful. (iStock)
1. Dry-erase calendars and white boards with colorful markers are a bright way to jot things down.
2. Label makers can help someone with memory issues to stay organized and keep track of household items.
3. Gift cards for ride-share services or favorite activities can keep your loved one engaged.
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4. GPS trackers, in the form of watches, bracelets or key rings, can offer an individual their independence while keeping them safe.
5. “Memory” calendars can be filled with family photos and pre-marked with important dates.
Gifts for middle to late stages
The Alzheimer’s Association recommends soothing gifts like blankets for those who are in the later stages of dementia. (iStock)
6. Music playlists can be compiled with your loved one’s favorite artists and songs.
7. Comfy, loose-fitting clothing, like sweat suits, slip-on shirts, night gowns, bathrobes and lace-free shoes, are easy to throw on, remove and wash.
8. Framed photos or collages with the names of people present will help with identification.
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9. Soothing gifts like a soft blanket or handheld massage ball can help relieve stress and anxiety.
10. “Adaptive” dining accessories — like no-spill cups, plate guards and silverware with handles — encourage independence at the dinner table.
Gifts for engagement
Mentally stimulating gifts like puzzles and activity books can be great for keeping the mind alert. (iStock)
11. A memory phone can store photos with names and contact information.
12. Puzzles and activity books stimulate the brain and promote cognitive sharpness.
13. Card games and board games encourage engagement with others while also keeping the mind sharp.
14. An outing to a movie, concert, sporting event or museum can keep the recipient involved and entertained.
15. DIY crafts, like scrap-booking or ornament painting, promote at-home engagement.
Things to consider while shopping
When shopping for someone living with dementia, Edgerly recommends considering two things about the recipient: What does this person like and what can this person do?
“It is important to adapt your gift to where the person is in the disease.”
“Lifelong passions, including hobbies and favorite activities, don’t necessarily dissipate with a dementia diagnosis,” she told Fox News Digital. “However, it is important to adapt your gift to where the person is in the disease.”
“For example, someone who was an avid golfer may not be able to play anymore, but a picture book featuring golf courses or players may be a perfect fit.”
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Edgerly suggested thinking about “what brings them joy,” such as photos of family members or past pets that can be made into a custom gift.
“Create a mug, ornament or special notebook with those photos on the cover,” she recommended. “Do they have a favorite song list? Create a playlist for devices like Amazon [Alexa] or Google Home. Pick a gift that caters to these interests, but in a way that is cognitively appropriate.”
One of the best gifts for someone with dementia, according to an expert, is the gift of your time. (iStock)
Gifts that help support the person living with dementia in a fun way are good options, the expert noted, as well as items that bring comfort.
“The best gift I bought for my mom after she developed dementia was a giant box of individually wrapped whoopie pies (a dessert cake),” Edgerly shared.
“The adage that the best things in life are free is true.”
“She was able to hand them out to all her friends and the staff at the assisted living facility. I made sure she had plenty to give out. She had the biggest smile on her face handing those out to everyone.”
But one of the best gifts you can give to someone with dementia, according to Edgerly, is the gift of your time.
“Make plans to spend time with the person doing the things they like,” she advised. “It can be playing a game, looking at old pictures, watching a favorite movie or going out to eat.”
“The adage that the best things in life are free is true. Spending time and engaging the person in meaningful ways can be the best gift of all.”
Researchers have revealed another potential reason to avoid ultraprocessed foods.
Seed oils — which are plant-based cooking oils that are often used in processed, packaged foods — have been linked to an increased risk of colon cancer, according to a new study published this week in the medical journal Gut.
Researchers at University of South Florida (USF) Health and Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute analyzed 162 tumor samples from colon cancer patients, according to a USF press release.
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They found that the tumors contained “an excess number” of molecules that cause inflammation and “a shortage” of healing molecules.
Seed oils — which are plant-based cooking oils that are often used in processed, packaged foods — have been linked to an increased risk of colon cancer, according to a new study. (iStock)
“It is well-known that patients with unhealthy diets have increased inflammation in their bodies,” said study author Dr. Timothy Yeatman, professor of surgery in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and associate center director for Translational Research and Innovation at the TGH Cancer Institute, in the release.
“We now see this inflammation in the colon tumors themselves, and cancer is like a chronic wound that won’t heal – if your body is living off of daily ultra-processed foods, its ability to heal that wound decreases due to the inflammation and suppression of the immune system that ultimately allows the cancer to grow.”
“It is well-known that patients with unhealthy diets have increased inflammation in their bodies.”
The findings highlight the potential harms of the Western diet, according to Yeatman. In addition to “inflammatory seed oils,” he also cited culprits like added sugars, saturated fats, ultra-processed foods and chemicals.
“A human’s immune system can be extremely powerful and drastically impact the tumor microenvironment, which is great if harnessed correctly for health and wellness — but not if it’s suppressed by inflammatory lipids from processed foods,” the researcher said.
Dr. Timothy Yeatman and Ganesh Halade, co-authors of the study, are pictured in the lab. (Ryan Rossy)
In prior studies, the same research team found that an “imbalanced diet” also increased the risk of heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes, the release stated.
Based on these findings, the researchers recommend treating cancer with “resolution medicine,” which would aim to reverse inflammation using healthy, unprocessed foods rich with omega-3 fatty acids and derivatives of fish oil, according to the above source.
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Regular exercise and balanced sleep would also play important roles in the resolution medicine approach.
“This has the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment, moving beyond drugs to harness natural healing processes,” Yeatman said.
“It’s a vital step toward addressing chronic inflammation and preventing diseases before they start.”
Dr. Yeatman reviews images of the tumors in the lab. (Ryan Rossy)
The new USF study was funded by the National Institutes of Health.
There are currently clinical trials underway at TGH Cancer Institute to study the potential benefits of resolution medicine in treating and preventing disease.
Fox News Digital reached out to the study researchers for comment.
Dietitians weigh in
Sherry Coleman Collins, a food allergy dietician and expert from the Atlanta metropolitan area, said she doesn’t think it’s accurate to suggest that seed oils cause cancer.
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The expert pointed out that there is an “overwhelming body of scientific literature” that shows the positive health benefits of replacing saturated fats (like lard and butter) with unsaturated fats (like safflower oil).
“This includes a significant reduction in cardiovascular disease, which is the No. 1 killer in America,” she told Fox News Digital.
One dietitian recommended using olive oil, noting that there’s a “significant body of evidence” for its use as part of a Mediterranean approach to eating. (iStock)
However, Collins said, “It is something to watch as we continue to better understand why colon cancer has been on the rise, and how diet impacts that increased rate.”
Seed oil isn’t the only problem with ultraprocessed foods, the dietitian pointed out.
“They tend to be very high in sodium, fat and sugar,” Collins said. “Lacking fiber and nutrients, but high in calories, they taste delicious, but don’t promote good health.”
To reduce the risk of colon cancer, dementia and many other diseases, Collins recommends cutting out smoking, limiting alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and eating a fiber-rich diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Ganesh Halade is pictured in his lab using a highly sensitive analytical technique to detect trace amounts of lipids in 162 tumor samples from TGH Cancer Institute. (Ryan Rossy)
In terms of cooking oils, Collins recommends using olive oil, noting that there’s a “significant body of evidence” for its use as part of a Mediterranean approach to eating.
“Extra-virgin olive oil can be a wonderful, versatile oil to use in low-medium heat cooking and it tastes great, and has a very good fatty acid profile,” she told Fox News Digital.
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“For higher-heat cooking, I like avocado and peanut oils for their high smoke point and neutral flavor, and they too have good fatty acid profiles.”
Collins agrees with the researchers’ recommendation to increase the intake of omega-6 fatty acids, as the American diet is “woefully deficient.”
“It is something to watch as we continue to better understand why colon cancer has been on the rise, and how diet impacts that increased rate,” a dietitian said. (iStock)
“Fatty fish, like salmon, is the best source — these can also be found in some nuts and seeds, including walnuts and chia, but they are not as bioavailable or absorbable as those of fish,” she added
Jason Fung, a Canadian nephrologist (kidney specialist), noted that the study is “preliminary and far from definitive.”
“Why take a chance?”
“The hypothesis is that eating too many seed oils means we have too many omega 6 fats, which are pro-inflammatory, and inflammation can be an important contributing factor to cancer,” he said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“It’s an interesting and plausible hypothesis, but not definitive.”
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Even so, Fung confirmed that he does not keep any seed oils at home.
“I only use olive oil and butter for my cooking at home. Why take a chance?”
Only around one-third of children have been vaccinated against the flu, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
As of Nov. 30, only 37% of kids had gotten flu shots, compared to 43% at that same date last year.
Among adults, 39% had received flu vaccinations, which was roughly the same amount as last year.
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Flu vaccination coverage had been on the uptick prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC stated, but numbers dropped at that time and have not rebounded to pre-COVID levels.
Only around one-third of children have been vaccinated against the flu, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (iStock)
The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older gets a flu vaccine each year, with only “rare exceptions.”
It is particularly important for high-risk groups including adults 65 and older, children under 2, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, the same source stated.
“Although vaccines are not perfect, they are immensely important for improving human health and reducing the severity of strains.”
Those who have heart disease, lung disease, asthma, neurologic conditions, liver disease, blood disorders, kidney conditions and metabolic disorders are also considered high-risk.
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Dr. Jacob Glanville, CEO of Centivax, a San Francisco biotechnology company, said the trends of decreasing rates are “concerning.”
“It makes it even more imperative for officials in the scientific and medical community to improve the communication channels to the public regarding the benefits and safety of vaccines,” he told Fox News Digital.
One expert called for government authorities to express their support of sound vaccine policies for the health of citizens — “especially those most vulnerable, like children and the elderly.” (iStock)
“Although vaccines are not perfect, they are immensely important for improving human health and reducing the severity of strains, and are of critical importance to protecting society from pandemics.”
Glanville called for government authorities to express their support of sound vaccine policies for the health of citizens — “especially those most vulnerable, like children and the elderly.”
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For children who may have needle phobias, the FluMist nasal spray is another option for flu vaccination for ages 2 and older, according to Summer Kerley, GVP of pharmacy growth and clinical programs for Rite-Aid in North Carolina.
In addition to vaccinations, it’s also important to stock the medicine cabinet with essential items to further bolster your immune defenses, one expert said. (iStock)
“Our pharmacists have seen a lot of success for parents who may delay vaccinations because their child is terrified of needles,” she told Fox News Digital.
In addition to vaccinations, it’s also important to stock the medicine cabinet with essential items to further bolster immune defenses, according to Kerley.
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“Dietary supplements like vitamins C, D3 and zinc enhance our immune response and overall function,” she said.
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