Tag: Strains

In Dire Need of Swine Flu Vaccine

According to the World Health Organization, efforts for developing a swine flu vaccine has been ongoing since the first human case of the virus has been confirmed. Estimates place the initial doses of the vaccine will be administered in 5 to 6 months time.

While people diagnosed with H1N1 virus seems to be headed for recovery, there have been deaths recorded. Aside from that, receiving vaccines for this virus is important particularly the elderly and individuals with a weak immune system, since they are prone to complications such as pneumonia.

Likewise, the vaccine will serve as protection in case the condition persists particularly during the winter months which is the time when influenza is at its peak.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), although they are still incomplete, current evidence shows that seasonal influenza vaccines will provide minimal or no protection against swine flu. Every year, a new batch of flu vaccine is developed and matched with strains that the WHO determines will most probably circulate in the winter months, which happens to be the peak season for influenza outbreaks.

Influenza virus comes in various strains which contains different proteins on their surfaces. The body’s immune system can only fight and destroy a virus if they are able to recognize these proteins. It is worth noting that antibodies that recognize one strain may not detect other strains.
Existing vaccines may only offer some protection against swine influenza if the proteins on its surface are identical to strains used to develop previous vaccines. According to the NIBSC, they are trying to determine if the swine flu virus, which is an H1N1 strain of type A influenza, as well as previous H1N1 vaccines match current vaccines.

The preparation of a vaccine commences after a virus develops as they provide the starting point for the production of the vaccine. As such, there is always a time delay while a vaccine is being developed. Preparation of a vaccine involves several steps so it would take several months before a vaccine becomes available.

According to WHO estimates, the virus needed for producing the vaccine will be accessible to vaccine manufacturers by the middle of May while the initial dose for a new vaccine would be ready within 5 to 6 months after that. Waiting time would be much longer if the growth of the vaccine proceeds rapidly.

Vaccination plays a crucial role in the prevention and reduction of the effects of serious conditions. Unfortunately, they are not entirely effective and could lose its effectiveness if the virus mutates.
Existing flu vaccines are valid for about one year and are 70% – 80% effective against transmission with strains of influenza virus that are identical to strains used in the production of vaccines.

The WHO believes that it is too early to tell how the A(H1N1) virus would change. It is closely monitoring any changes in the virus and this would help countries quickly react to any important changes that the virus may show.

Vaccines help the body combat certain diseases in case an individual becomes afflicted with the illness in the future. On the other hand, an antiviral drug is used on people who is already infected with a virus. Although they work in various ways, they generally work to prevent the virus from spreading to different cells in the body.

Swine flu vaccines are administered prior to exposure to a virus so they would be protected from that agent. Antivirals only work if administered within a certain period of time before or after they are exposed to the virus.

The Facts About Warts And Cervical Cancer

There are many varieties of warts, and many strains of the virus that causes them. In the instance of warts which can lead to cervical cancer, too much of the American population has too much misinformation. This leads many people to be in a panic, and this panic is unnecessary.

The first, and most important fact, is that the general types of warts which many people have are not a factor. The plantar warts which appear on the feet, for example, are not a casual factor in later cervical cancer, because they do not contain the specific strains of the virus which leads to cervical cancer.

Another misconception is many people are not aware of the fact that the childhood disease commonly known as chicken pox is also not relevant to later cervical cancer, as it too does not possess that strain of the virus.

The bottom line is that the specific strains of human papilloma virus which can lead to cervical cancer are sexually transmitted. When a person becomes infected with this virus through sexual contact with an infected person, the warts will usually develop. Not developing these warts is not a sign that one has not contracted the virus, as many can be symptom-free even if the virus is present in their system. An outbreak of genital warts, however, is a visible sign that one is infected. In such an instance, even if a person has the warts removed by a professional, the virus is still in one’s system.

Approximately seventy percent of cervical cancers are caused by approximately ten different strains of the human papilloma virus. There are more than thirty strains of this virus which are sexually transmitted, but they are not all cancer-causing viruses. Currently, there are a number of methods available in aiding one’s resistance against the genital warts, but none are one-hundred-percent effective, and some contain their own risks.

One is the new drug called Gardasil. In many areas, Gardasil being administered by vaccine is already in practice. It has been stated that the reason for giving this vaccine to little girls as young as nine years of age is to ensure protection against the genital warts and the particular strains of the cancer-causing virus before the girls become sexually active. One negative repercussion to this practice is that the vaccine has not been researched enough to ensure its safety, and a number of young girls have already died from receiving it. Another repercussion is that such a vaccine can promote early sexual activity.

Another method used to protect against genital warts are condoms. This is not effective, because regardless of the exact placement of the wart or cluster of warts, the virus is not localized solely to that particular point. The virus is not only in the wart or wart cluster itself, it is frequently also on the surrounding skin areas.

The main risk factors associated with genital warts are: beginning sexual activity at a young age; having multiple sexual partners; and not being aware of whether one’s partner is infected, whether he actually has visible warts or not. In other words, indiscriminate sexual activity is the number-one risk factor in acquiring genital warts, and, in women, the potential of cervical cancer. While plantar warts and the other common varieties are difficult enough in themselves, they are not related to the genital warts that can lead to cervical cancer.

How to Deal with Juvenile Warts

Juvenile warts require more than the simple treatment that is required for warts on adults. Children can, unfortunately, be cruel. They also find it hard to leave warts alone. Therefore, additional remedies may be required to deal with juvenile warts.

Juvenile warts are actually flat warts. They are often called juvenile warts because they occur most often on children and young adults. These warts may appear white, brown, or yellow. They can be itchy or sting slightly if touched often. They are called flat warts because they have a flat top.

Juvenile warts are caused by the human papaloma virus. There are actually sixty strains of the virus, and it is contagious. Many children will experience juvenile warts because their immune systems are not strong enough to fight these viruses. However, some children may go their entire lives without having a single wart.

Because juvenile warts are contagious there are steps that must be taken to protect the child as well as other children. The warts may spread to other parts of the body if touched frequently. Since juvenile warts are often seen on the face or hands, it is easy to spread them to other areas of the body, or to other children.

To protect the child and other children, the warts should be covered. Covering with a band aid is not recommended, however. Warts thrive in warm, damp places on the body. A cluster of warts may occur if the original wart is covered with a band aid, which will insulate the wart and cause the virus to spread within that area.

There are many over the counter medicated treatments available for juvenile warts. These treatments involve a small, round, band aid like covering. The pad of the covering contains medication with acids that eat at the wart and cause it to disappear faster. The covering also helps the child to leave it alone, and prevents other children from touching the wart.

Juvenile warts cause more than physical discomfort. When juvenile warts are present, children often feel ugly, and their self worth drops considerably. Other children may compound these feelings with teasing and harmful remarks and pranks.

Covering the wart can help prevent some of these feelings and events. However, it is important to let the child with juvenile warts know that they are not less than they were simply because they have juvenile warts. Helping the child understand where the warts come from and that they are easily treated can provide a lot of comfort for the child with juvenile warts.

To further the advocacy of these children, some type of education about juvenile warts should take place with all children. Many schools are beginning to require health classes for older students, where issues such as juvenile warts are discusses. This education will likely limit the number of children teased mercilessly on the playground for their wart problems.

Parents should also make siblings aware of the facts about juvenile warts. This will help cut down on teasing and self esteem issues within the home. It will also keep the other children from touching the warts and getting them themselves.

Genital Warts: Men Need To Be Concerned Too

Only females can die from cervical cancer. Perhaps that is the reason why there has been so much recent emphasis and debate on producing and mandating a vaccine to prevent girls from acquiring the virus which causes the genital warts. Perhaps it is also the reason why most talk about irresponsible sexual activity is generally focused on girls and women. Where there is less focus, however, is that males can be equally responsible in preventing genital warts in themselves. Males can avoid contracting these warts, and can also avoid passing them on if they do become infected.

Given the status of American society today, it should not be surprising that for males as well as females the focus is not on conducing oneself in a responsible manner, but to take preventive measures while continuing risky behavior. Although males generally have much less chance of genital warts leading to life-threatening illnesses, studies show an average of an eighty-percent risk of acquiring genital warts during their lifetimes.

Studies rarely add that the primary risk factor is that of having numerous sexual partners. In that genital warts in men rarely lead to serious health conditions in themselves, the main concern is to not infect their partners with these warts.

One of the most recent studies on the subject of these warts has been by the Medical College of Georgia. The goal of these studies has been to perfect a vaccine made especially for men. The concept behind these studies was that even though men do not usually have life-threatening risks from warts, transmitting the infection to their partners is reason enough to take the issue seriously. Preventing males from acquiring any of the four strains of the virus which cause these warts would in turn prevent outbreaks of warts. This in turn would ensure the safety of their partners.

Although the Medical College of Georgia began its studies into the possibility of such a vaccine a number of years ago, at last check there have been no conclusive results. The College had been seeking test-subjects who had not yet developed genital warts. They were specifically looking for sexually-active males who were between the ages of sixteen and twenty-three, to participate in these research studies.

But while the Medical College of Georgia was also responsible for the largest similar research on this vaccine in women, the vaccine has not only been approved for but distributed to girls, while the vaccine for males has not been. As both males and females are susceptible to this virus, it would seem that preventing both from acquiring genital warts should be the same priority.

As those who have been conducting this research have lacked this priority, it leaves the subject of responsible conduct in the hands of men themselves.