Viruses In Human Semen That Are Capable Of Entering The Bloodstream

According to a publication by centers for disease control and prevention, the human semen can harbor some viruses that are capable of causing viremia.
Viremia is a medical condition in which a virus enters the bloodstream of a person and hence have access to virtually every tissue and organ in his body. It is analogous to bacteremia, a condition where bacteria enters the bloodstream.

Viruses that are capable of causing viremia and found in Human Semen include:

1. Adenoviruses 
2. Transfusion transmitted virus 
3. Lassa fever virus† 
4. Rift Valley fever virus† 
5. Ebola virus 
6. Marburg virus† 
7. GB virus C 
8. Hepatitis C virus 
9. Zika virus 
10. Hepatitis B virus 
11. Cytomegalo virus 
12. Epstein Barr virus 
13. Human herpes virus 8 
14. Human herpes virus 7 
15. Human herpes virus 6 
16. Human simplex viruses 1 and 2 
17. Varicella zoster virus 
18. Mumps virus† 
19. Adeno-associated virus 
20. BK virus 
21. JC virus 
22. Simian virus 40 
23. HIV 
24. Human T-cell lymphoma virus 1† 
25. Simian foamy virus 
26. Chikungunya virus†

Kindly read the article The Breadths Of Viruses In Human Semen

for more details.

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What Does Vaginal Seeding Really Means?

I recently learnt that Neonatal Colonization is disrupted when a child is born via caesarean section, and babies born through this delivery mode are at a high risk of having some inflammatory and metabolic diseases such as asthma, allergies, obesity and other chronic immune disorders.

Recent research findings suggest that the interruption of neonatal colonization could hamper adequate immune development and set the stage for later diseases. And also that caesarean born neonates miss out on lots of beneficial bacteria (known as microbiota) which their vaginally born counterparts enjoy. Although, caesaren born babies are mainly colonized by skin microbes (a different species) but most mother still feel the need to transfer microbes to their caesarean born neonates. This need has propelled researchers to find alternative ways to augment skin microbes. Thus, the introduction of vaginal seeding.

A more recent study suggest that vaginal seeding can create balance and restore lost microbiota however there are lots of warnings from some reputable research bodies that this method could cause more harm than good.

So, instead of gambling with your baby's health, try some other methods of transferring microbes like breastfeeding for at least half a year and ask your doctor for advice on other safe bonding tips.

What Is Vaginal Seeding?

Vaginal seeding also known as microbirthing is a procedure whereby vaginal fluids (swab) are applied over new-born child's mouth, eyes, face and skin shortly after delivery by caesarean section.

The essence of this procedure is to create a biome that is equivalent to a baby delivered vaginally.

Photo credit: CaptanMums

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Human Semen Can Host At Least 27 Different Viruses

When scientists discovered that the Zika virus can survive in semen for up to 6 months, people exposed to the disease—especially those hoping to have children—were horrified. It’s now known that the virus can be sexually transmitted up to 41 days.

Now, a new meta-analysis has found that 26 other viruses can also live in human semen and go on to infect the bloodstream.

Those include the viruses that cause Ebola, HIV, hepatitis B, and herpes.

After reviewing more than 3800 scientific publications, the authors also found evidence that at least 11 viruses can live in the testes, including those that cause influenza, dengue, and severe acute respiratory syndrome.

These viruses could potentially be found in semen, too, the authors say. Though not all 27 viruses are capable of person-to-person transmission, they can have other serious consequences, like reducing fertility or increasing the risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted disease.

Some of these viruses can even cause mutations in the DNA of sperm, which could then fertilize an egg and pass along the virus-induced mutations to future generations. The findings, published last week in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Emerging Infectious Diseases journal, suggest that more viruses can live in semen than previously thought.

But the authors warn that far more research is needed to understand how and whether the viruses can be sexually transmitted and exactly which viruses remain viable in semen, for how long, and at what concentrations.

Souce: Science Mag
By: Karl Gruber

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New Antibody Attacks 99% of HIV Strains

Scientists have engineered an antibody that attacks 99% of HIV strains and can prevent infection in primates.

It is built to attack three critical parts of the virus - making it harder for HIV to resist its effects.

The work is a collaboration between the US National Institutes of Health and the pharmaceutical company Sanofi.

The International Aids Society said it was an "exciting breakthrough". Human trials will start in 2018 to see if it can prevent or treat infection.

Our bodies struggle to fight HIV because of the virus' incredible ability to mutate and change its appearance.

These varieties of HIV - or strains - in a single patient are comparable to those of influenza during a worldwide flu season.

So the immune system finds itself in a fight against an insurmountable number of strains of HIV.

Super-antibodies

But after years of infection, a small number of patients develop powerful weapons called "broadly neutralising antibodies" that attack something fundamental to HIV and can kill large swathes of HIV strains.

Researchers have been trying to use broadly neutralising antibodies as a way to treat HIV, or prevent infection in the first place.

• 'Mind-blowing' cows hold clue to beating HIV
• Antibody helps keep man's HIV at bay for 10 months

The study, published in the journal Science, combines three such antibodies into an even more powerful "tri-specific antibody".

Dr Gary Nabel, the chief scientific officer at Sanofi and one of the report authors, told the BBC News website: "They are more potent and have greater breadth than any single naturally occurring antibody that's been discovered." 

The best naturally occurring antibodies will target 90% of HIV strains.


"We're getting 99% coverage, and getting coverage at very low concentrations of the antibody," said Dr Nabel. Experiments on 24 monkeys showed none of those given the tri-specific antibody developed an infection when they were later injected with the virus.

Dr Nabel said: "It was quite an impressive degree of protection." The work included scientists at Harvard Medical School, The Scripps Research Institute, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

'Exciting'

Clinical trials to test the antibody in people will start next year.

Prof Linda-Gail Bekker, the president of the International Aids Society, told the BBC: "This paper reports an exciting breakthrough.

"These super-engineered antibodies seem to go beyond the natural and could have more applications than we have imagined to date.

"It's early days yet, and as a scientist I look forward to seeing the first trials get off the ground in 2018. "As a doctor in Africa, I feel the urgency to confirm these findings in humans as soon as possible."

Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said it was an intriguing approach.

He added: "Combinations of antibodies that each bind to a distinct site on HIV may best overcome the defences of the virus in the effort to achieve effective antibody-based treatment and prevention."

Source: BBC News
By: James Gallagher
Health and science reporter, BBC News website

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Which Of These 13 Things Do You Know About Herpes Virus?

This post is written to inform non-medical people like myself about the virus called Herpes which is spreading at an alarming rate today. As you read on, you'll learn more about Herpes Virus in less than 2 minutes than your doctor would tell you in a whole day. Among many things, you'll learn what Herpes Virus is, its symptoms, how it's contacted and lots more.

Kindly contact your doctor for more information on the causes of herpes simplex virus, how to prevent it, how to manage herpes in pregnancy, effective treatments for the virus and how to cope during outbreaks...

Herpes simplex virus (HSV), often called herpes is a viral and infectious disease which has been known for at least 2000 years. According to a study in 2007 (as seen in wikipedia), genital herpes ranked second for social stigma out of all sexually transmitted diseases (HIV took the top spot for STD stigma). It's of two types, namely:
• Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1)
• Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-2)

According to WHO, an estimated 3.7 billion people under age 50 (67%) have HSV-1 infection globally.
While an estimated 417 million people aged 15-49 (11%) worldwide have HSV-2 infection.

So, which of these things do you know about herpes simplex virus?

1. Herpes commonly appear on the genitals or mouth (it can also appear in various parts of the body).

2. Herpes Simplex Virus 1 commonly cause infections around the mouth but can also cause genital herpes while Herpes Simplex Virus 2 is a sexually transmitted infection that causes genital herpess.

3. Herpes may be spread to an infant during childbirth. This can cause brain damage, blindness or even death of newborns.

4. Herpes Virus can cause some serious disorders like herpetic whitlow, herpes infection of the brain, neonatal herpes (when it affects newly born baby), etc.

5. Herpes Virus is a lifelong infection (there's no permanent cure yet but there are medications for herpes symptoms relieve).

6. Both HSV -1 and HSV -2 are asymptomatic (showing no symptoms). However, the common symptoms of herpes are cold sores, painful blisters or ulcers around the infected areas.

7. With HSV-2 the risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV infection is increased.

8. In most cases, herpes spread through direct (or skin-to-skin) contact with an infected person or sharing objects such as toothbrush or eating utensils.

9. Estimated prevalence of the infection was highest in Africa (87%) and lowest in the Americas (40-50%).

10. Herpes could be spread from one place on your body to another, such as from your genitals to your fingers, then to your eyes or to other parts of your body.

11. Antiviral medications, such as acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir, are the most effective medications available for people infected with HSV. These can help to reduce the severity and frequency of symptoms, but cannot cure the infection.

12. Worldwide rates of either HSV-1 or HSV-2 are between 60% and 95% in adults.

13. As with almost all sexually transmitted infections, women are more susceptible to acquiring genital HSV-2 than men.

Learn more about Herpes virus and some relevant Herpes Facts

Also read: WHO guidelines for treatment of Genital Herpes Simplex Virus

Photo Credit: Medical Daily

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What Does Hippocratic Oath Mean?

As a non-medical person, you've probably come across the term "Hippocratic Oath" and wondered what it means, well,  you're not alone as lots of people don't know what it means too. This post was written to give you an insight into what doctors' obligations and ethical behaviour to patients and wider society is.

Note: Doctors who violate these codes may be subjected to disciplinary proceedings, including the loss of their license to practice medicine...

The Hippocratic Oath is an oath historically taken by physicians and other healthcare professionals which is widely believed to be written by a Greek physician called Hippocrates. It requires new a medical professional (physician) to swear by a some healing gods to practice medicine honestly and uphold specific ethical standards. The original oath was written in Ionic Greek, between the third and fifth centuries BC.

Hippocrates who founded Hippocratic School of Medicine (which revolutionized medicine in ancient Greece) is often regarded as the "Father of Medicine" in the western culture. He is the writer of Hippocratic Corpus... He's commonly portrayed as the paragon of ancient physician.

Today, there are several versions of Hippocratic Oath but for the purpose of this post, we'll share two versions - the original version (as translated by James Loeb) and the modern version (as written by Louis Lasagna, Academic Dean of School of Medicine at the Tufts University, 1964. )

Hippocratic Oath (Original Version - English Translation)

I swear by Apollo the Healer, by Asclepius, by Hygieia, by Panacea, and by all the gods and goddesses, making them my witnesses, that I will carry out, according to my ability and judgment, this oath and this indenture.

To hold my teacher in this art equal to my own parents; to make him partner in my livelihood; when he is in need of money to share mine with him; to consider his family as my own brothers, and to teach them this art, if they want to learn it, without fee or indenture; to impart precept, oral instruction, and all other instruction to my own sons, the sons of my teacher, and to indentured pupils who have taken the physician’s oath, but to nobody else.

I will use treatment to help the sick according to my ability and judgment, but never with a view to injury and wrong-doing. Neither will I administer a poison to anybody when asked to do so, nor will I suggest such a course. Similarly I will not give to a woman a pessary to cause abortion. But I will keep pure and holy both my life and my art. I will not use the knife, not even, verily, on sufferers from stone, but I will give place to such as are craftsmen therein.

Into whatsoever houses I enter, I will enter to help the sick, and I will abstain from all intentional wrong-doing and harm, especially from abusing the bodies of man or woman, bond or free. And whatsoever I shall see or hear in the course of my profession, as well as outside my profession in my intercourse with men, if it be what should not be published abroad, I will never divulge, holding such things to be holy secrets.

Now if I carry out this oath, and break it not, may I gain for ever reputation among all men for my life and for my art; but if I transgress it and forswear myself, may the opposite befall me.

Hippocratic Oath (Modern Version of the - written by Louis Lasagna)

I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:

I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.

I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of over-treatment and therapeutic nihilism.

I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug.

I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery.

I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.

I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.

I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.

I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.

If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.

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