Cold sores are contagious, and the HSV-1 virus that causes cold sores is present in an estimated 80% of the population. Most people are infected by HSV-1 at an early age, usually by the time they are five years old. Once the virus infects an individual, it will remain in that person�s body forever. Though HSV-1 is latent or dormant for much of the time, it is still present in the body. The virus is usually present near the person�s mouth, but it can spread all over the body. It is important to understand that an infected person can spread HSV-1 to others even while not currently experiencing an outbreak.

One of the most common ways that HSV-1 is spread is through an object an infected person used, like a toothbrush or tube of lip balm. If particles of the HSV-1 virus are transferred to an object and it is used by someone else, that person runs a strong risk of infection.

People are most likely to become infected by HSV-1 by exposure to someone with a cold sore. A cold sore goes through several phases before it disappears. The tingle stage is the first. At this point, the cold sore has not yet formed, but the virus has been reactivated. The risk of spreading the virus increases at this time, but the risk is highest when the sore is in the weeping stage. This is when the sore bursts open and expels a clear liquid. Even during the crusting stage, when the sore is scabbed over, the risk of infection is greater than normal.

It is important to note that HSV-1 can not only spread between people, but also to different parts of the infected person�s body. Herpetic whitlow, the HSV-1 infection of the fingers is particularly painful. People must be sure to wash their hands thoroughly when they have a cold sore to prevent the spread of HSV-1.

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People suffering their first cold sore outbreak are often recommended to take antiviral medications. These pills are only obtainable by prescription, so the cold sore sufferer must consult a doctor first. Cold sore medication such as acyclovir or famciclovir can provide pain relief and reduce the healing time of a cold sore. Antiviral medication is most effective if people start taking it when the cold sore first appears.

There are several types of creams used to treat cold sores. Creams containing docosanol are particularly useful. Docosanol is used to fight against the HSV-1 virus that causes cold sores and it can relive pain as well as help heal the cold sore sooner. Other types of cold sore treatment include creams designed to numb the area around the cold sore and moisturizer creams that help revitalize the skin around the cold sore. Lip balm can prevent the cold sore from cracking open.

Many conventional pain relief medicines like acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen are great cold sore treatments. These medicines treat the inflammation, providing pain relief. While there is no cure for cold sores, there are several types of cold sore treatment that make having a cold sore a shorter, more bearable experience.

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One type of female impotence is analogous to male impotence and may be caused by decreased blood flow to the clitoris during sexual intercourse. Psychosocial factors such as previous or ongoing sexual or physical abuse or an unresolved conflict over sexual identity may also play a role in female sexual dysfunction.

To provide appropriate treatment to a woman suffering from sexual dysfunction, her physician first has to overcome the challenge of separating intrinsic from extrinsic reasons for such dysfunction. Besides pain during sex or the presence of a clear underlying disorder, it may be difficult to distinguish between a woman�s inability to become aroused and have an orgasm from the technique used by her partner to stimulate her. Many women may only be able to have an orgasm through clitoral stimulation but gender roles and other barriers may get in the way of a woman expressing her needs to her sex partner. Mental stimulation plays a major part, if a woman is dissatisfied with her sex partner for other reasons, this may translate into decreased libido with that partner. This is called situational sexual dysfunction and the woman may experience no problems with a partner she considers more appealing.

Where an underlying reason can be identified, female sexual dysfunction is treatable. In many cases, a doctor may recommend counseling for a woman and possibly her partner.

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There might be various reasons responsible for erectile dysfunction ranging from physical abnormalities to psychological stresses to lifestyle factors. Although psychological factors like stress, depression etc and lifestyle factors like smoking, alcoholism can be controlled; but physical causes like arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, can cause E. D. Blood does not flow easily through hardened, narrower-than-normal arteries thus preventing erection. High blood pressure and high cholesterol can also lead to arteriosclerosis. An occasional failure in having an erection due to stress, performance anxiety, lack of sexual desire and problems with ejaculation or orgasm is not to be considered as impotence. It is considered to be a case of erectile dysfunction only if the condition persists for a consistent period of time and on a series of occasions.

Earlier men suffering from impotence had to live off their sexual fantasies or indulge in painful treatment procedures including surgery. But ever since oral ED drugs have been introduced, treatment of erectile dysfunction has been easier than ever. But these drugs are to be used only under medical recommendation. There are several drugs in this category to have entered the market, but the most popular and trusted ED drug is the pioneer drug Viagra. Viagra, taken an hour prior to sexual activity works by enhancing the effects of nitric oxide, a chemical present in its active component Sildenafil citrate. It helps in relaxing smooth muscles in the penis during sexual stimulation and allows increased blood flow thus facilitating erection.

Though the brand drug Viagra is a trusted companion of many impotent men, its generic variety has in its short tenure managed to win over the hearts of its users with its effective quality and cheap price. Generic Viagra has all the FDA-approved chemistry, manufacturing steps, and quality control measures adopted by the brand drug but due to its cost saving in research and development, generic drugs could be provided to the consumers at one-third the price of the brand drug. Thereby, generic drugs like Generic Viagra offer guaranteed satisfaction and pleasure at convenient prices making them the most favorable companion in fighting impotence.

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HIV is a retrovirus with two primary types: HIV-1 and HIV-2. There are many strains of both types and all mutate rapidly, which has made it particularly difficult for researchers to find an effective vaccine or treatment for the virus. HIV infection is often mostly or entirely asymptomatic (without symptoms) and the most common signs, which include fever, fatigue, rash, and lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes), are often mistaken for mononucleosis, flu, or similar, comparatively harmless diseases.

AIDS is the late stage of HIV infection. People who have AIDS grow weaker because their bodies loose the ability to fight off illness. In adults, AIDS develops 7 to 10 years after infection, on an average. In young children, it usually develops much faster.

It is not possible to get HIV /AIDS from touching those who are infected. Hugging, shaking hands, coughing and sneezing will not spread the disease. HIV /AIDS cannot be transmitted through toilet seats, telephones, plates, glasses eating utensils, towels, bed linen, swimming pools or public baths.

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is an incurable but preventable disease. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), the virus that cause AIDS, spreads through unprotected sex (intercourse without a condom), transfusions of unscreened blood, contaminated needles and syringes (most often those used for injecting drugs) and from an infected woman to her child during pregnancy, childbirth and breast feeding.

All people including children are at a risk for HIV/AIDS everyone needs information and education bout the disease and access to condoms to reduce this risk.

Anyone who suspects that he or she might be infected with HIV should contact a health worker or an HIV.AIDS center to receive confidential counseling and testing.

The risk of getting HIV through sex can be reduced if people don’t have sex, if the reduce the number of sex partners, if uninfected partners have sex only with each other, or if people have safer sex- sex without penetration or while using a condom. Correct and consistent use of condoms can save lives by preventing the spread of HIV.

Girls are especially vulnerable to HIV infection and need support to protected against unwanted and unsafe sex.

Parents and teachers can help young people protect themselves from HIV /AIDS by talking with them about how to avoid getting and spreading the disease, including the correct and consistent use of male or female condoms.

HIV infection can be passed from a mother to her child during pregnancy or childbirth or through breastfeeding. Pregnant women or new mothers who are infected with HIV, or suspect that they are infected, should consult a qualified health worker to seek testing and counseling.

Un-sterilized needles or syringes, most often those used for injecting drugs, can spread HIV. Used razor blades, knives or tools that cut or pierce the skin also carry some risk of spreading HIV.

People who have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) are at a greater risk of getting HIV and of spreading HIV to others. People with STIs should seek prompt treatment and avoid sexual intercourse or practice safer sex.

NUTRITION AND AIDS

Consuming a balanced diet lessens the impact but does not cure the disease, whereas poor nutritional status definitely contributes to onset of symptoms such as body wasting and fever.

All persons with HIV infections and AIDS need early ongoing medical nutrition therapy. The goal should be to educate individuals about the importance of consuming a well- balanced diet, to provide adequate nutrition for maintenance or improvement in the nutritional status and to prevent protein-energy malnutrition and vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

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Secondly we need to understand the positive results of HIV that is when the body has been infected by the human immunodeficiency virus. When blood tests are carried out doctors don’t search for HIV but they come across it in our blood, HIV+, HIV antibody positive or seropositive HIV add up to the simple meaning of being infected with positive HIV results. The HIV virus is not a disease it’s a progressive emanation that damages your body immune system.

The HIV virus is best know for targeting the T cells having chances of attacking the cells of the brain, nervous system, digestive system and lymphatic system. Hence the T cells can be referred to as the brain operator of our system, and when these cells are infected our body becomes weak and cannot battle bacteria, cancer, fungi and other parasites, When T cells are infected with HIV it kills the strength of a human progressive and recovery system.

Once HIV infects your T cells then it works like a factory reproducing itself to grow the virus inside the body, which eventually results in the virus moving into the bloodstream. HIV can destroy all fresh T cells repeating its process of reproduction in this manner. The immune system then gets absolutely weekend multiplying this virus all over you, this can be termed as “opportunistic infection”..

A person with a HIV-weekend immune system comes down with one or more of rare opportunistic infections, with low T cell counts it can be diagnosed as an AIDS patient, ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICENCY SYNDROME. AIDS can be thought of the most severe form of HIV disease, all but a handful of medical experts now believe that HIV is the primary agent that leads to the development of AIDS.

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Behaviorally, there is little doubt that there are dramatic differences between the sexes. This can be seen even in the earliest of years. (This is so in spite of vigilant efforts by “rights” groups to blur distinctions and to declare sexual equality by legal fiat.) Girls with dolls and boys with trucks and guns manifest with no coaching from parents, and reflect the natural nurturing tendencies of girls versus the more aggressive and protecting inclination of boys. Physically the primary and secondary sexual characteristics are obviously different. These features, in fact, attract the opposite sex and prepare each sex for reproduction, caregiving and protection for the young.

But sex is not just about recreation or procreation. It can directly impact health. For example, the risk of breast cancer is directly linked to childbearing and nursing in women ““ having children and nursing them for extended periods of time decreases the number of ovulations a woman has and thus decreases the pro-cancerous estrogen surges. Other research has demonstrated that fulfilling sexual activity in women is also linked to health.

A man’s sense of strength, perception of attractiveness to women, feelings of being loved and depended upon, financial success, respect, and feeling accepted are all intricately tied to sexuality. Male sexual self-worth goes hand-in-hand with physical and mental health.

Who primarily commits violent crime in society? Is it not young men in the heyday of their testosterone surge? Sexuality and health at their peak create the potential for either great accomplishment or great harm depending upon how these energies are focused.

On the other hand, when male hormone levels start to ebb in later years, health decline parallels this downturn. Men experience loss of muscle mass, lowered energy levels, decreased immunity, increased susceptibility to a variety of degenerative diseases, decreased libido and fertility, and various degrees of impotence. Sensing this decline, men can feel hopeless, worthless and at the end of life. Such feelings further fuel the downward health spiral often resulting in an early death.

The importance of sexuality in men is evidenced by polls showing that men would sooner risk serious life-threatening side effects than forego the possibility that a new drug (e.g. Viagraâ„¢) might rejuvenate them sexually. Being sexually alive even in the very oldest of men may be as important as life itself.

Although male hormone levels decrease with age, the slope of the curve can be dramatically altered. It will not, however, be just a matter of taking a pill. Supplemental male hormones are available but their use disrupts the body’s natural balances and can cause negative feedback inhibition. When this occurs, exogenous hormones (pills) send a signal to hormone-producing tissues that hormone levels are high enough. Endogenous (from the body itself) production therefore slows. Over time this can weaken hormone-producing tissues so that the initial problem of inadequate production is compounded. This is at least part of the mechanism for the adverse effects of anabolic (male hormone-like) steroids taken by athletes and bodybuilders. Young men eager to exaggerate muscularity end up with withered and weakened testicles and other endocrine glands setting them up for serious diseases as they get older.

A better alternative is to make healthy lifestyle changes (suggested in the Optimal Health Programâ„¢ http://www.wysong.net/optimal_health_page1.shtml) combined with natural nutritional supplementation, which has been proven to provide benefit to many.

Androgenic phytonutrients from herbs (such as Tribulus terrestris, Muira puama, Avena sativa and nettle leaf), amino acids (including L-arginine) and certain foods such as melons naturally increase testosterone production without the danger of negative feedback inhibition as experienced with anabolic steroids and other hormones. Increased testosterone levels, in turn, increase libido, act as an aphrodisiac and help prevent impotence. (In fact, modern research has revealed that testosterone is the only substance capable of generating libido in both men and women.)

Recent studies suggest that these phytonutrients also affect brain chemicals such that potency and erectile capacity are improved and male reproductive system growth, function, and repair is enhanced.

Phytonutrients can also improve sexual function through inhibiting the binding of sex hormone-binding globulin to its receptor site on prostatic membranes. This provides relief to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) sufferers who often experience painful intercourse, a certain impediment to sexuality.

Other nutrients such as zinc, vitamin B12 and vitamin C directly stimulate sperm production and motility and thus increase fertility. Modern, processed, food fraction-based dietary fare can be woefully deficient in these nutrients. Selecting good supplements and converting the diet to more natural, fresh and varied foods is the solution.

Lifestyle changes (outlined in the Optimal Health Programâ„¢ http://www.wysong.net/optimal_health_page1.shtml) ““ not the least of which is maintaining healthy body weight and regularly exercising ““ when combined with proper nutrition can rejuvenate the entire body and with that send a signal to the sexual core of our biological being that we are alive and well. Such signals stimulate a natural invigoration of sexuality, and with that mental and physical health.

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Suggestions: Increasing the Odds of Conception

Between, the time, a women has her period or menstrual cycle, a woman can get pregnant. Simply, count the number of days, until the cycle, has ended. Every woman has a different number of cycle days. The cycle days are usually 21 to 35 days. Day one is the observation of red blood, and last day, observing brown or pink spotting. Take total number of days, and subtract by 14 days. Calculated number should be remembered. However, when total number of cycle days, change, from one month to another, harder to calculate. From the calculated number, prior four days and two days afterwards, is the optimal time for conception. However, intercourse every other day (during this time), gives time for the male, increasing sperm supply. Using, an ovulation predictor Kit, provides a more accurate time, when intercourse, should occur. Starting a day early, then calculated, reduces the odds of miscalculation. Sperm can live, in the reproductive tract, up to seventy-two hours. Thus, starting intercourse, beginning days of optimal time, increasing odds of conception. During the morning hours, sperm count is the highest. During that time or within time frame of days, couple should put aside, their busy schedules or agenda, spending quality time together. Certainly, creating a relaxing and seductive environment, in a peaceful, moment of time. Creating setting, by aromatic candlelight, soft music, and any additional, pleasurable ambiance. According to WebMD.com, ‘The Overachiever’s Guide to Getting Pregnant Fast’: “Approximately 60% of couples who are actively trying to conceive (having intercourse two to three times a week) will conceive, within the first 6 months of trying, 75% within 9 months, 80% within a year, and 90% within 18 months.” Certainly, able to predict the ovulation period of time, helps couples, predetermine the month, child will be born (or multiple births), but certainly, there is no guarantee. According to the Chinese calendar, predicting the birth of boy or girl, high percentage rate of accuracy. Beware, a regimental conception, may cause stress upon woman or male, creating an infertile development. Obviously, exact length of pregnancies, does vary. Often, conception seems to occur, between February and May. Cold climate changes, seems to bond couples, closer and frequently together.

A woman’s temperature is higher, during the period of ovulation. A Basal temperature thermometer measures minute changes, in temperature, and has range of a few degrees. When the Basal temperatures, is 96 to 98 degrees Fahrenheit, considered normal period for ovulation. Temperatures 97 to 99 Fahrenheit, time after ovulation. However, basal temperatures are not always accurate. Time for ovulation, will not always, indicate an increase in Basal temperature. Many pharmacies, sell Basal temperature thermometers, and available for sale, on the Internet.

Pharmacies, and Internet websites, sell male infertility tests kits. These measure sperm concentration. Test determines, a certain threshold, for a male fertility. Advance tests for male infertility, consulting a physician, for a semen analysis. Recommended, males should not wear briefs or Speedo bathing suits, may reduce sperm count.

Professor A.F. Haney, Obstetrics/gynecology, and chairman of obstetrics/gynecology, at the University of Chicago, Illinois, invented a watch, has a sodium monitor on the back. When sodium level increases, reflects the timing of ovulation. This occurs, when cervical mucus increases, and creates a more pliable and slippery area, facilities ease of more sperm, entering the female reproductive tract. During this time, prevolulatory rise in estrogen, lasting several days. The watch, referred to as OV Watch.

During intercourse, missionary position, conception is more likely. The woman should be, either laying down or kneeling. In this position, deepest penetration, places the sperm closer to the cervix. This maximizes amount of semen. Lying side-by-side, achieves the same results. However, provides a better relaxing position, when one of the partner’s, is overweight or has back pain. After intercourse, the woman should remain in bed, laying on her back and elevating her pelvic region with a pillow, for at least half an hour. According to some experts, in this position, force of gravity, provides sperm additional travel time, reaching the fallopian tubes. However, those women, more likely, getting urinary tract infections, should avoid this position, and go to the bathroom, after intercourse. During intercourse, no conclusive evidence, a woman having an orgasm, will become pregnant.

Smoking Tabacco, changes the cervical mucus, may prevent, sperm from reaching the egg. Also, smoking increases potential, for miscarriage and causing birth defects. Second hand smoke or spending time, near someone that smokes, equally unhealthy.

Women, deciding to discontinue, taking a birth control pill, about half of those women, starting conception, will get pregnant, within first three months, and majority, within twelve months. Women having discontinued, using patches or rings, for birth control, have similar or shorter time to wait, than the pill. Discontinuing the use of Depo-Provera shot or progrestin-only hormonal method, (Delaying fertility), within six months, pregnancy is likely, through normal conception. When Intrauterine devices (IUD) are removed, usually, following first menstrual cycle, pregnancy is feasible.

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Genital Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus II (HSV-II). It is estimated that 500,000 to 1 million new cases occur each year in the U.S alone. The infection is transmitted during sexual intercourse or by other intimate contact with the genitals, mouth, or rectal area. Once you’re infected, the virus remains in your body for the rest of your life. Usually it’s in an inactive state, which means it is not causing symptoms.

However, the virus may become active at any time and in some people the disease may recur frequently. Outbreaks can occur from physical or emotional stress, tight clothing, intercourse without enough lubrication, menstruation, or the stress of an illness.

Herpes is very contagious, especially when sores are present. However, it can be contagious when there are no obvious sores. After their first outbreak of herpes, some people shed active virus particles even though they don’t have any symptoms themselves. Remember, you CAN infect other people even when you don’t have any blisters or you CAN be infected even if you don’t see any blisters on someone else. Herpes can be diagnosed from a smear taken from a lesion by a health care provider. Diagnosis is often based on symptoms alone. Herpes will not be tested for or detected by a routine pap smear!

Symptoms

The symptoms of herpes are often most severe during the first outbreak.

Initial Symptoms of HSV-II include:

Tingling, itching, and pain in the genital area, followed by eruption of small clear blisters, (lesions). The blisters often appear in groups, or clusters.

Some people only get one blister sometimes. These lesions rupture on about the 5th day to form wet ulcers that are terribly painful to touch, and can be associated with painful sex, painful urination, pain in the lymph nodes in the groin and terrible pain in area of the blisters.

In women, blister can appear on the vulva, around or in the vagina, or anywhere in the genital area. Involvement of the cervix occurs about 80% of the time during the first outbreak — but you can’t see your cervix yourself — your health care provider can. In men, the infection can cause lesions on the penis, on the penis shaft, on the glans penis (head) and scrotum, and sometimes in the urethra. Some people infected with genital herpes will have NO symptoms at all.

Initial symptoms and recurrent outbreak symptoms may include:

• painful sores (blisters) on the genitals of both sexes, thighs, or buttock
• tingling, and itching
• fever (often only with the first outbreak of blisters)
• flu-like symptoms (headache, muscle ache, fever, chills, fatigue)
• vaginal discharge
• painful urination
• painful sex
• tender, enlarged lymph nodes in the groin

Incubation Period

2 to 12 days.

Treatment

Genital herpes can not be cured. The virus will stay in your body forever, but it will remain dormant most of the time, if you are lucky. There is a treatment for it that your health care provider can prescribe. Acyclovir, an anti-viral drug, can relieve the symptoms faster than they would without the drug. Acyclovir or famciclovir (Famvir) will also shorten the amount time you are contagiousness and help you have fewer and shorter outbreaks in the future. Ask your health care provider about this drug if you have genital herpes it works very well for many people.

If a woman has herpes during pregnancy, she can pass the disease to her baby during delivery. A pregnant woman with a history of herpes must tell her obstetrician. If you have an outbreak at the time of delivery, a cesarean section is usually performed instead of a vaginal birth and will usually prevent any complications to the child.

Prevention

To prevent genital herpes:

• Ask and talk! Ask your partner(s) if they have had herpes because herpes may be spread from areas not protected by condoms; for example, the groin, thigh, and abdomen.
• Abstain from sexual intercourse.
• Use condoms every time you have intercourse, condoms and spermicide used properly will protect you from HSV-II
• Avoid oral-genital and oral-anal sex with someone who has cold sores on the mouth, or if you have cold sores. Cold sores are caused by HSV-I and can infect the genitals.

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