Sexual Health Buzz

A recent study offers more evidence that “high risk” HPV types have a role in the development of some types of head and neck cancers and suggests the risk is higher as the number of lifetime oral sex partners increases.

Head and neck cancers include those of the oral cavity, and most HPV-related head and neck cancers are of the oropharynx (tongue, soft palate, and tonsils). The American Cancer Society estimates there are about 34,000 cases of oropharyngeal cancer each year in the U.S. Heavy tobacco and alcohol use is strongly linked to these diseases, but “high risk” HPV is also thought to play a role with some cases.

Research published in the May 10, 2007 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine found HPV 16 DNA present in 72% of tumors taken from patients with oropharyngeal cancer. Additionally, 57% of cancer patients were seropositive for HPV 16 antibodies, compared to 7% of the control group. The results also indicate sexual behavior might play a role in oropharyngeal cancers: 42% of cancer patients said they have had six or more lifetime oral sex partners, compared with 26% of control patients. Other risk factors for oropharyngeal cancer included a family history of head and neck cancer and poor oral hygiene. Heavy use of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana were also associated.

Studies such as this inevitably lead some partners of those diagnosed with HPV to wonder if it’s safe to engage in oral sex. It should be pointed out that the vast majority of cases of HPV don’t lead to cancer, and cancers of the oropharynx are not common and don’t develop quickly: in the article’s discussion the authors note that “exposure to HPV can precede the appearance of oropharyngeal cancer by 10 years or more.”

There are few guidelines regarding oral sex and HPV, apart from common sense precautions of abstaining while skin lesions related to the virus are present (including cervical cell changes detected on Pap tests). The effectiveness of latex barriers (condoms or dental dams) in reducing oral HPV transmission hasn’t been studied, but some experts say they have value in protecting against other STIs when performing oral sex and may also reduce the risk of acquiring HPV.

The latest research and news of all aspects of HPV is available through ASHA’s HPV News. Published six times a year, HPV News covers the latest research developments, vaccine information, medical management of HPV infection, personal stories from individuals dealing with HPV, and so much more. Subscriptions to HPV News are available through the ASHA webstore.

This information brought to you by the American Social Health Association and presented strictly for educational purposes.

Talk about HPV

So I told one of my best friends of five years that I had genital herpes.

She was really quiet… which was STRANGE to me because she’s
so vocal about everything… lol.

She was like, what do you want me to say, I’m not going to wig out and not be your friend anymore… lol.

So it made me feel a little better but something just wasn’t right. But I let it go.

Anyway, she hits me back on IM, says, let me be a good friend to you the way you are to me, are you ready?

I HAVE IT TO! IRONY!

She’s only had it for about a year though, so she’s not taking it well right now. I gave her a lot of encouragement, and told her when she was ready, I have a GREAT group to get support from *wink*.

Revelation after revelation I tell ya. God is good. Thanks for
everything you guys! *HUGZ* – Anonymous

Want to share your story?

More Telling Stories

The trial of a much-anticipated new HIV vaccine was suspended last week, following a review by an independent monitoring board that deemed the vaccine ineffective. The suspension of the phase II clinical trial of Merck & Co.’s investigational HIV vaccine (V520), in development for a decade, marks a setback in the global effort to combat the worldwide HIV epidemic.

The trial, called STEP, was an international phase II “test of concept” trial in uninfected volunteers at high risk for acquiring HIV infection. It intended to test both whether the vaccine would help prevent the occurrence of new HIV infections as well as reduce the amount of virus in those who developed infection. The trial enrolled 3,000 HIV-negative volunteers from areas of North and South America, the Caribbean, and Australia between 18 and 45 years of age. A planned interim efficacy analysis conducted in approximately 1,500 volunteers revealed the disappointing results.

The vaccine did not prevent infection. In volunteers who received at least one dose of the three-dose vaccine series, 24 cases of HIV infection were observed in the 741 volunteers who received vaccine, while 21 cases of HIV infection were observed in the 762 participants in the placebo group. In the subgroup who had received at least two vaccinations and who were HIV negative for at least the first 12 weeks of the trial, 19 cases of HIV infection were observed in the 672 volunteers who received vaccine and 11 cases were observed in the 691 volunteers who received placebo. In addition, the vaccine did not reduce the amount of virus in the bloodstream of those who became infected; HIV RNA levels approximately 8 to 12 weeks after diagnosis of infection were similar in the vaccine and the placebo arms.

Though the results are disappointing, researchers have stated that there are many other trial vaccines currently being tested, as well as some that are soon to go into testing. This is promising, due to the fact that different vaccines stimulate different types of immunity. “It isn’t the end of the line,” said Mitchell Warren, executive director of the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition, a New York group advocating prevention. Merck’s data “aren’t the answers we wanted, but they will help improve our other vaccine candidates.”

This information brought to you by the American Social Health Association and presented strictly for educational purposes.

Are you like Micheline Fornarotto – married for years, a history of normal Pap tests, and never a sign or symptom of an STD?

When Micheline’s gynecologist, Dr. Alan Welt, asked for Micheline’s consent to order an HPV test along with her Pap, she thought, “Sure, why not? I have nothing to worry about.”

But when the lab returned her HPV test results, they showed she had an infection with a high-risk type of the virus (even though her Pap looked normal). Six months later, a repeat HPV test showed the infection was still there. That told Dr. Welt that further examinations were needed. And they showed that Micheline had an early stage of adenocarcinoma – a form of cervical cancer that frequently goes undetected by the Pap test. Luckily, however, her cancer was caught early enough to spare her the need for chemotherapy and radiation.

Now on theHPVtest.com, watch Micheline and her doctor tell her remarkable success story. If you weren’t already convinced about the importance of getting the HPV test, you will be.

Please feel free to forward this post to a friend! If you would like to receive newsletters like the one I have shared with you today you can sign up to get those at thehpvtest.com

Researchers at the School of Veterinary Medicine are helping develop an alternative treatment for breast cancer.

Genetic engineering of the non-life threatening herpes virus has allowed them to destroy breast cancer cells without harming normal cells.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is responsible for one in three cancers detected in women.

“You put a tumor in the back of a mouse and use the herpes virus to inactivate the tumor,” he said. “The virus is injected into the tumor and then digests the tumor. It basically eliminates the cancer.”

Read the entire article here

Hat Tip: The Daily Reveille

It was a high-profile failure in the daunting quest to develop a vaccine to prevent AIDS. Merck’s vaccine was the farthest along, considered the most promising and was closely watched by experts in the field.

Officials at the company, based in Whitehouse Station, N.J., said 24 of 741 volunteers who got the vaccine in one segment of the experiment later became infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. In a comparison group of volunteers who got dummy shots, 21 of 762 participants also became infected.

Here’s the rest of the story

Could you imagine being a volunteer for a clinical trial such as this one, being HIV free, and at the announcement of the failure of the vaccine finding out that you now have HIV?

I realize that some were given dummy shots and others were not but that can’t be the best news to find out that you contracted HIV from experimental testing.

You’re not suppose to actually contract the viruses that these vaccines are supposed to keep you from getting. It’s all very disturbing to me. I am so disappointed about this setback for the HIV community.

Don’t be afraid to talk about genital herpes with your healthcare provider. Be prepared for your next visit. This form can help. Before you go, write down any questions you have about herpes or it’s treatment.

1. What are the symptoms of genital herpes? How often will I have them?

2. Is there a way to get less severe outbreaks?

3. How can I reduce the number of outbreaks I get?

4. Should my partner get tested?

5. Should I get tested for other sexually transmitted diseases?

6. Should I start taking medicine? If not now, when should I start?

7. Which STDS are you planning on testing me for?

8. How long will it take to get my test results back?

There’s a poll going on over on the Shut Up N Post! STD Message Board. There are some regulars that post over there that would like to know if you have tried suppressive therapy and if so did it help you?

We would LOVE it if you would stop by and participate in this poll. It’s called: Suppressive Therapy Experiences

You do have to be registered in order to vote in the poll. Registration is easy and it’s free to join. If you are worried about privacy then make sure to create an alias name nobody knows about.

Hope to see you there!

Once you contract herpes, you keep herpes. There is no cure for herpes. It’s a good idea to wear condoms but they are not 100%.

Genital herpes outbreaks and asymptomatic shedding can pop up anywhere below the belt line and usually within the boxer shorts area.

Condoms do not cover 100% of everything which is why sometime people can contract herpes even though they use condoms religiously.

You can contract herpes (depending on the location) through kissing, oral sex, anal sex, and vaginal sex. Active herpes virus and a warm moist opening in the skin is all it takes.

Now a lot of people out there think they are clean and herpes free but are you really? Standard and routine STD testing doesn’t include testing for herpes.

If you are not sure what your status is then you might want to pick up the phone and give your doctor a call to see when was the last time they actually tested you for it.

Washing up after sex isn’t going to make herpes go away either.