Latest news with #HSV
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hamburg sign French attacker Rayan Philippe
Hamburg have today announced the signing of Rayan Philippe from Eintracht Braunschweig for a reported €2.5m. The 24-year-old French striker has signed a four-year contract with the newly promoted Bundesliga club. 'Rayan was a key performer for Braunschweig and played a big role in them staying up last season in particular,' said Stefan Kuntz, HSV's board member for sport. 'He's an extremely interesting player and we've closely followed his positive development. He's shown his strengths in the second division and we're now pleased that Rayan will take the next step in his career together with HSV as we both move into the Bundesliga and try to establish ourselves there.' Advertisement Philippe scored 13 goals and provided six assists in 34 league games for Eintracht Braunschweig last season as they finished in the relegation playoff. He then scored against Saarbrucken in the playoff to secure EBS's place in the 2. Bundesliga season for the 2025/26 campaign. 'I'm really happy about joining HSV and I look forward to getting to know my teammates and the staff,' added Philippe. 'I'm already excited about my first home game here after already experiencing the atmosphere at the Volksparkstadion. I want to get to work straight away to help the club achieve their goals. HSV have a rich history and are now back in the Bundesliga, which I'm really looking forward to experiencing. I want to show that this team and myself have the quality to survive and do well in this league.' GGFN | Daniel Pinder
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Natural Health: What can I do about my stress-related cold sores?
I get a cold sore almost every time I get stressed — it can be related to work or a relationship. I meditate daily and take good care of my health, which makes it even more frustrating. Stress is a well-known trigger for cold sores. Other triggers include fatigue, sun exposure, food sensitivities and allergies, medication interactions, and menstruation or hormonal changes. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). HSV-1 is typically contracted in early childhood, with an estimated 90% of all adults being exposed to this virus at some point in their lives. Studies suggest that the herpes simplex virus may require the amino acid arginine for replication, while lysine can help counteract this effect. Arginine-rich foods include chocolate, nuts, oats, carob, coconut, and soybeans, which can trigger outbreaks in some. Lysine is present in vegetables, legumes, fish, sprouts, and dairy products. For some individuals, lysine supplements may help reduce the frequency or severity of outbreaks. Vitamin C and zinc can be taken internally and applied topically to manage cold sores. You will need to take approximately 50mg of zinc daily and up to 5,000mg of vitamin C in 1,000mg increments throughout the day for three days, then reduce this to 3,000mg for maintenance. Zinc has been shown to be effective in inhibiting HSV replication in research studies. It is also well-documented for immune support, and specifically in the management of viral infections. Vitamin C is known as an immune-supportive nutrient, and it also specifically works against the herpes virus (this applies to other herpes-related conditions such as shingles, genital herpes, and the Epstein-Barr virus). Vitamin D is another crucial nutrient for immune support, and individuals dealing with recurrent cold sores may have lower levels of it in their blood. One of the most effective topical treatments is a concentrated extract of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) applied to the affected area. Lemon balm contains several constituents that work synergistically to prevent the virus from taking hold, and is most effective when used as a cream or balm. The recommended extract strength is 70:1 to arrest the outbreak and promote rapid healing of the blisters. If you are unable to track down this concentrated lemon balm extract, consider the more widely available option, propolis extract. Topically, propolis, which bees collect from resins, gums, and sticky plant buds, can help heal lesions quickly and reduce the likelihood of additional infection. Check out the Cork business Hanna's Bees ( for a wide range of bee products, including propolis tincture at only €14.50 for 20ml (which is an excellent size for travel and will last an age). We're taking the ferry to travel to France for our summer holidays. I've three children under 10, and all of them get travel sickness. What remedy would you recommend? Two excellent herbal remedies for motion or travel sickness are chamomile and ginger. You can combine these herbs and add honey to sweeten if needed. Use a teaspoon of dried herbs per cup of boiling water and steep for four to six minutes. This infusion doesn't have to be taken hot — you can strain it off and let it cool, then store it in a water bottle. Additionally, consider packing Sea Bands, which are designed to be worn over the acupressure points in the wrist, allowing you to manage any symptoms as soon as nausea arises. It is a good idea to practise using the bands in advance of the holidays. Ask your children to wear the bands on both wrists for around 10-15 minutes before they hop in the car. These are relatively inexpensive and can be found at most pharmacies. NOTE: The information contained in this column is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor.
Los Angeles Times
24-06-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Navigating Viral Encephalitis and Connections to HSV, West Nile, and Rabies
When the brain gets inflamed, every second counts. Encephalitis symptoms start with flu-like symptoms and can rapidly progress to severe neurological issues. Swelling of the brain tissue can cause serious neurological symptoms and in some cases devastating outcomes. Encephalitis is a serious condition that can be life threatening if not treated promptly. Medical care and hospital admission are often required for management and monitoring. While many viruses can cause encephalitis, a few stand out for their prevalence and clinical significance: Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), West Nile Virus (WNV) which is spread by mosquitoes, and the rabies virus. Each of these pathogens requires a different and rapid approach to give patients the best chance of recovery. Encephalitis can present with a wide range of symptoms and outcomes from mild confusion to long term neurological deficits or even death. Understanding the targeted management strategies for these infections is key to navigating this medical emergency. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) the same virus that causes cold sores is the leading cause of sporadic viral encephalitis in the US. The initial phase of HSV encephalitis is often acute with symptoms developing rapidly and requiring urgent attention. When it gets into the brain it can cause severe damage quickly. The stakes are high with an HSV infection so immediate empiric treatment is an absolute necessity often started based on clinical suspicion alone before diagnostic tests can confirm the cause [5]. Certain people such as those with weakened immune systems are more likely to get HSV encephalitis. Symptoms may include fever, headache, confusion and can progress to more severe complications including loss of consciousness. Other symptoms can include seizures, personality changes and focal neurological deficits. Severe cases can result in loss of function or even loss of consciousness. The cornerstone of treatment is the antiviral medication acyclovir given intravenously at 10 mg/kg every 8 hours for 14-21 days [2]. Treatments may include additional medications such as corticosteroids to reduce brain swelling and supportive care as needed. The course of treatment can take several weeks depending on the severity of the illness and the person. The urgency cannot be overstated. Any delay in starting acyclovir is associated with higher risk of death and permanent neurological damage. To put it in perspective, randomized studies have shown that the mortality rate with acyclovir treatment is 25% compared to 59% in those who did not receive it [6]. Long term complications can include memory loss and other cognitive impairments so individualized care for each person is essential. Diagnosing HSV encephalitis involves a few key tests. A lumbar puncture to analyze cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is essential. Diagnostic workup may include blood tests for markers of infection or immune response. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on the CSF can detect HSV's genetic material with incredible accuracy, with sensitivity and specificity rates of 96-98% and 95-99% respectively [2]. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred imaging technique as it can show characteristic inflammation often in the temporal lobes of the brain. An electroencephalogram (EEG) which measures the brain's electrical activity can also provide clues sometimes showing a pattern known as lateralized periodic discharges that points to HSV. Steps to prevent or manage HSV encephalitis include taking precautions to avoid exposure and seeking medical attention if symptoms develop. As the most common mosquito borne cause of viral encephalitis in the US, West Nile virus, a type of flavivirus, is a significant public health challenge. West Nile virus is a form of infectious encephalitis primarily caused by viruses transmitted through mosquito bites. The incidence of severe neuroinvasive disease is higher in older adults and people with weakened immune systems who are more likely to get serious forms of the illness. There is no antiviral medication proven effective against West Nile virus. Management is focused on supportive care to manage symptoms and prevent complications. Supportive measures may include: Additional treatments may include various supportive therapies. These may include physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy to help people regain lost functions. Recovery steps can take time and depend on the severity of the illness and the person. Diagnosis is confirmed by detecting specific IgM antibodies in the CSF or serum which indicates recent infection. PCR testing can also be used. While MRI findings can vary, involvement of deep brain structures like the basal ganglia or thalamus may suggest WNV encephalitis [3]. The acute phase of the disease can be serious and require urgent medical attention. Neurological complications may affect speech and require therapy as part of rehabilitation. Outcomes vary widely; each person's recovery is unique and people may experience different long term effects so individualized care is essential. Rabies is perhaps the most feared form of viral encephalitis and for good reason. Rabies virus is a well known cause of encephalitis; it is one of the infectious agents that causes encephalitis and specifically rabies virus can cause encephalitis by invading the central nervous system. Once symptoms appear the disease is nearly 100% fatal. This grim prognosis makes prevention the only option as rabies encephalitis is a serious and acute neurological emergency. The focus of management is entirely on post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) a series of interventions given to someone who may have been exposed to the rabies virus from an animal bite or of encephalitis due to rabies may include fever, headache, confusion, agitation, muscle spasms, difficulty swallowing and loss of consciousness. Other symptoms may include loss of coordination, hallucinations and paralysis. Loss of consciousness is a serious sign indicating severe neurological involvement. In advanced cases a person with rabies encephalitis will require hospitalization and the illness can progress rapidly over days to weeks and be fatal without urgent medical care. According to the Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines PEP is a multi-step process that must be initiated immediately [1]. The first and most critical step is to thoroughly clean the wound with soap and water to reduce the amount of virus at the site of exposure. This is the key action to take to prevent the virus from causing infection. Next Rabies Immune Globulin (RIG) is given. A dose of 20 IU/kg is injected into and around the wound to neutralize the virus before it can enter the nervous system. The final component is a series of vaccinations. The human diploid cell vaccine or purified chick embryo cell vaccine is given in four doses on days 0, 3, 7 and 14 after exposure. This regimen stimulates the body to produce its own antibodies against the virus providing long term protection. As the World Health Organization emphasizes timely and appropriate PEP is highly effective in preventing rabies and can be life saving for the person exposed. Regardless of the suspected cause, certain principles of care apply to all patients with encephalitis. Continuous monitoring for complications like ICP, seizures and respiratory failure is essential as these can arise quickly and require immediate attention [1]. Clinicians must have a high index of suspicion for encephalitis in any patient presenting with unexplained altered behavior, new onset seizures or focal neurological deficits. Not all encephalitis is caused by an infection. Autoimmune encephalitis such as anti-NMDAR encephalitis occurs when the immune system attacks healthy brain cells. This is often associated with specific antibodies or tumors. Blood tests to identify these antibodies can help distinguish autoimmune from infectious encephalitis and guide treatment. Autoimmune encephalitis can mimic viral forms and requires a completely different treatment approach involving immunotherapy. This highlights the need for a broad differential diagnosis [7]. Because of the deadly potential of untreated HSV, standard practice is to start empiric IV acyclovir in most suspected cases of encephalitis while diagnostic test results are pending [4]. This covers the most common treatable cause without delay. Managing viral encephalitis is a race against time that depends on rapid recognition and etiology specific interventions. For HSV the life saving treatment is urgent acyclovir. For West Nile virus supportive care is key to guiding patients through the illness. For rabies the battle is won before it even starts with post-exposure prophylaxis being the only defense against an otherwise fatal disease. Mistakes or delays in diagnosis and treatment can lead to irreversible brain damage or death so swift decisive action is required in every suspected case. For more information resources like the Encephalitis Society offer valuable resources for patients and healthcare professionals. [1] Tunkel, A. R., Glaser, C. A., Bloch, K. C., Sejvar, J. J., Marra, C. M., Roos, K. L., Hartman, B. J., Kaplan, S. L., Scheld, W. M., Whitley, R. J., & Infectious Diseases Society of America (2008). The management of encephalitis: clinical practice guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, 47(3), 303–327. [2] Halperin J. J. (2017). Diagnosis and management of acute encephalitis. Handbook of clinical neurology, 140, 337–347. [3] Kumar R. (2020). Understanding and managing acute encephalitis. F1000Research, 9, F1000 Faculty Rev-60. [4] Ellul, M., & Solomon, T. (2018). Acute encephalitis - diagnosis and management. Clinical medicine (London, England), 18(2), 155–159. [5] Alam, A. M., Easton, A., Nicholson, T. R., Irani, S. R., Davies, N. W. S., Solomon, T., & Michael, B. D. (2023). Encephalitis: diagnosis, management and recent advances in the field of encephalitides. Postgraduate medical journal, 99(1174), 815–825. [6] Abboud, H., Probasco, J. C., Irani, S., Ances, B., Benavides, D. R., Bradshaw, M., Christo, P. P., Dale, R. C., Fernandez-Fournier, M., Flanagan, E. P., Gadoth, A., George, P., Grebenciucova, E., Jammoul, A., Lee, S. T., Li, Y., Matiello, M., Morse, A. M., Rae-Grant, A., Rojas, G., … Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance Clinicians Network (2021). Autoimmune encephalitis: proposed best practice recommendations for diagnosis and acute management. Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry, 92(7), 757–768. [7] Graus, F., Titulaer, M. J., Balu, R., Benseler, S., Bien, C. G., Cellucci, T., Cortese, I., Dale, R. C., Gelfand, J. M., Geschwind, M., Glaser, C. A., Honnorat, J., Höftberger, R., Iizuka, T., Irani, S. R., Lancaster, E., Leypoldt, F., Prüss, H., Rae-Grant, A., Reindl, M., … Dalmau, J. (2016). A clinical approach to diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis. The Lancet. Neurology, 15(4), 391–404.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Shilajit: What are its benefits and who needs it
Shilajit is a natural substance found mainly in the Himalayas. It is a phytocomplex- a bioactive found in plants, that has been formed for centuries by the gradual decomposition of certain plants by the action of microorganisms. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Known in northern India as salajit, shilajatu, mimie or mummiyo, it is a black-brown powder formed in the mountains between India and Nepal, Russia, Tibet, and north of Chile. For years, shilajit has been used in as a rejuvenator and anti-aging compound. It is composed of fulvic acid, ellagic acids, fatty acids, resins, latex, polyphenols, phenolic lipids, amino acids and more. While the substance is very popular, what are its benefits and who needs to use it? Find out below! Benefits of Shilajit Image credits: X It is antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Humic substances including fulvic acid account for 60-80% of the compound, along with some amount of DBPs. As per a published in the Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, it reduces oxidative stress and enhances antioxidant capacity. A published in the National Library of Medicine revealed that shilajit could modulate neuronal function and promote neuritogenic effects. The fulvic acid in it is known to prevent the aggregation of tau protein which is linked to Alzheimer's. One of the most popular benefits of Shilajit is its ability to increase testosterone. Purified shilajit, was evaluated in people between the ages 45-55 in terms of its effects on male androgenic hormone and it was found that in 90 days it significantly increased total testosterone, free testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone, as per a published in the National Library of Medicine. Shilajit also has antiviral properties. It is known to have in vitro effects against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). It also improves the immune system with its folvic content which suppresses the activity of HCMV, RSV, and human-acquired immune deficiency virus (HIV), as per a published in ScienceDirect. It is known to heal bone fractures and strengthen bones. A clinical trial conducted in Iran revealed the shilajit accelerated bone repair after a tibia fracture surgery. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Another study indicated that it had positive effects on femur bone fracture repair. Who needs Shilajit? Image credits: X According to the benefits of shilajit, people with low energy, low immunity, lack of bone health, fertility issues and memory issues should consume the compound. However, it is better to get medical advice before consuming any kind of supplement. People who are on medications for hypertension or have hormone-sensitive conditions must consult a doctor about taking shilajit and its dosage as it could interact with the medicines. Additionally, it is important to buy dietary supplements like these from trusted sources as unregulated products may have heavy metals and mycotoxins. Excessive dosage of shilajit is also known to have side effects such as digestive issues, low blood pressure, hormonal changes, iron overload and more. Lastly, prolonged doses of shilajit are known to possibly lead to liver toxicity which can be harmful in the long run.
Sinar Daily
23-06-2025
- Health
- Sinar Daily
Understanding herpes risks for pregnant mothers and babies
The virus is highly contagious and can be transmitted through direct contact with an infected person's bodily fluids, including saliva or genital secretions. Neonatal herpes, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition, occurs when a newborn contracts the virus during delivery. - Photo illustrated by Sinar Daily SHAH ALAM – Herpes, caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), is a common viral infection presenting in two primary forms: HSV-1, typically linked to oral infections and HSV-2, which usually causes genital infections. The virus is highly contagious and can be transmitted through direct contact with an infected person's bodily fluids, including saliva or genital secretions. While herpes infections are often manageable, they can lead to severe complications, particularly for newborns. - 123RF photo While herpes infections are often manageable, they can lead to severe complications, particularly for newborns. Neonatal herpes, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition, occurs when a newborn contracts the virus during delivery. KPJ Damansara Obstetrics and Gynaecology specialist, Professor Dr Imelda Nasreen Nasruddin @ Balchin, shared a poignant case describing the dangers of neonatal herpes. "In 1999, I witnessed an 11-day-old baby brought into the emergency department, who sadly passed away. "A post-mortem revealed that the baby's liver was filled with herpes simplex virus infection, which was the cause of death," she shared in her Facebook post. Upon further investigation, she said the mother admitted to having experienced a genital herpes infection about a month before giving birth but had not informed the midwife. "Now, medical guidelines recommend that if a pregnant mother contracts a genital herpes simplex virus infection within six weeks before her due date, the advice is to deliver via Caesarean section to protect the baby from contracting HSV," she said. Genital herpes in pregnant women often goes unnoticed, as symptoms can range from painful sores to mild irritation or even no symptoms at all. What is Herpes? Herpes is classified into two primary types: HSV-1 (oral herpes): Commonly associated with cold sores or fever blisters around the mouth and face. HSV-2 (genital herpes): Typically affects the genital and anal areas but can also occur in other parts of the body. The virus is highly contagious and can be transmitted through direct contact with an infected individual, including kissing, sharing utensils, or sexual contact. Symptoms and Diagnosis While many infected individuals experience mild or no symptoms, others may have painful sores, itching, or burning sensations in affected areas. Recurrences are common, as the virus remains dormant in the body and can reactivate during periods of stress, illness, or weakened immunity. Diagnosis is often made through physical examinations and laboratory tests such as swabs from sores or blood tests. More Like This
