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.”
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Health
Parasitic infection causing ‘explosive’ stomach illness exceeds 1,000 cases in northern state
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Cases of cyclosporiasis infections are rising across America, with more than 1,000 people diagnosed in Michigan and more than 500 in Ohio.
This is the largest outbreak of its kind in Michigan’s history and one of the country’s largest in years, according to the Associated Press.
The parasitic infection can cause weeks of watery diarrhea. The source of the infections has not been identified and no deaths have been reported.
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Michigan officials announced the outbreak last week following the identification of more than 170 cases since June 22 in the southeastern part of the state. Typically, only about 50 cases are identified in Michigan each year, according to AP.
A cyclospora infection often causes watery, “explosive” diarrhea that can last for weeks or even months if left untreated, the CDC says. (iStock)
Similar illnesses have been reported in 28 other states, including neighboring Ohio, where diagnoses have popped up across the Michigan border.
Cases have been climbing since the CDC identified an uptick in infections in mid-June, with illnesses now reported in dozens of states.
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Michigan has now reported more than 1,200 cases and at least 40 hospitalizations. In Ohio, northwest counties have identified more than 500 cases, including at least 306 in Lucas County, according to the latest available local figures.
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Texas has reported at least 48 cases, and illnesses have been identified in numerous other states as health officials investigate the source.
The hallmark symptom of a cyclospora infection is watery, often “explosive” diarrhea that can last for weeks or even months if left untreated, the CDC says.
Other symptoms of cyclosporiasis include severe abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, fatigue and significant weight loss. (iStock)
Other symptoms include severe abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, fatigue and significant weight loss.
The official outbreak season for the parasite runs from May 1 through Aug. 31, a window where warmer temperatures historically coincide with a spike in infections, according to the CDC.
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While the infection can sometimes clear up on its own, it frequently requires antibiotics. The CDC advises anyone experiencing symptoms of cyclosporiasis to contact a healthcare provider for testing and treatment.
The CDC, alongside the Food and Drug Administration and state health officials, is actively investigating several multistate clusters, but they have yet to find a cause behind the spread.
Fresh produce should be washed thoroughly before eating, although this may not eliminate the risk of infection, the AP noted. (iStock)
Past infections have reportedly been linked to consuming contamined fruits or vegetables, or being exposed to contaminated irrigation water.
Fresh produce should be washed thoroughly before being eaten, although this may not eliminate the risk of infection, the AP noted.
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Michigan officials recommend purchasing salad mixes or whole heads of lettuce instead of pre-washed, bagged lettuce. Remove two to three leaves from the outer layer of the lettuce head before washing and cook vegetables when possible.
Fox News Digital’s Khloe Quill contributed to this report.
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Washington, DC – GLP-1 weight-loss drugs have become a prevalent part of American healthcare, and the current administration is getting behind the movement.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital at the Great American State Fair in the nation’s capital on July 6, CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz voiced his support for the use of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) medications, such as Ozempic, for appropriate uses.
“I’m a fan of GLP-1 drugs when used correctly,” he said. “They do help people who are overweight lose weight quite effectively. They’re not a replacement for diet and exercise, but they might jumpstart the system so it’s easier for you to use healthier tactics.”
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This is especially helpful for those who may have trouble moving due to joint pain or are experiencing internal dysfunction, Oz said.
Certain GLP-1 drugs are covered by Medicare for overweight candidates with certain conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, and Oz projected the benefits will continue to benefit taxpayers.
Dr. Mehmet Oz is pictured in Washington, D.C., at the Great American State Fair, where he spoke about federal health policy. (Angelica Stabile/Fox News Digital)
“We believe these are so effective in reducing conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes that they’ll actually save money for the federal taxpayer, because [they’re] going to make you healthy enough that you don’t have to consume health services,” Oz said.
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“We think about 70% of all the money we spend on healthcare is caused by chronic conditions, and obesity is the No. 1 driver of all that, so it’s a smart decision.”
Oz recently announced the launch of the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program, which will allow more seniors to access GLP-1 drugs for only $50 a month if they meet qualifying health criteria and receive prior authorization from a doctor.
The doctor expressed support for broadening affordable access to GLP-1 medications for Americans. (iStock)
“There are a lot of overweight people who don’t have high blood pressure, diabetes or other conditions, so they don’t get access to the drug normally,” he said. “We want them to have the ability to use it as well.”
Although these access shifts could boost Americans’ overall health — and in some cases could be lifesaving — Oz noted that there is “no silver bullet” when it comes to these medications.
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“I love the fact that the innovation that’s coming out of pharmaceutical companies is allowing us to save lives and make lives better,” he said. “But the real secret to longevity is eating right, exercising, sleeping, dealing with the stress of your life, finding some purpose in your existence [and] realizing you have agency over the future.”
“These are things that your mom would have told you [and that] you don’t need a doctor to be emphasizing.”
Medicating appropriately, combined with eating right, exercising and staying connected with others, can help make health goals attainable, the doctor said. (iStock)
While GLP-1s may not be a fix-all, combining these medications with foundational health practices “makes a lot of sense,” Oz said.
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“I don’t want people being fat-shamed … I don’t want you feeling guilty that you’re gaining weight even though everyone else around you seems to have figured it out,” he said. “It’s not that simple — our set points for hunger are different. We have different things going on in our lives.”
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“But if you realize how precious you are — the temple of the soul is so valuable. It’s the greatest gift your parents ever gave you, and you take advantage of every tool out there to make it work … which includes using medications when appropriate. That, to me, is MAHA.”
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