VANCOUVER -- About one in five people are infected with the herpes virus. And the number is rising. While genital herpes can be managed, it is incurable and infections can pose a major threat to newborns. Now a vaccine is being tested on women in the Lower Mainland to see how well it can protect them against this all too common virus.
Alix Bacon, Sex Educator, says, "as a sex educator, herpes is something I feel strongly about."
Counsellor Alix Bacon co-hosts a university radio program on sexual health.
She says half of all her consultations deal with concerns about herpes.
Alix says, "they get it and they are devastated. They think their sex life is over, they don't know how to cope or communicate. No one will want to marry me. I know people who don't date for years."
That's why Alix is participating in a North American-wide trial to test a new herpes vaccine, not yet approved in Canada. So far she's had two out of 3 doses.
Alix says, "I think if the vaccine works it would be wonderful. We're going to prevent women from getting it we're going to draw awareness to what herpes really is and reduce the stigma around it."
Dr. Paul Zickler, Lead Investigator for BC Arm of Study with TASC Research Services, says, "it's about 75% effective in people who get the vaccine. It doesn't work in males unfortunately."
To qualify, women have to test negative to both the type one herpes virus that generally causes cold sores and outbreaks above the waistline and the type 2 herpes virus that typically causes outbreaks in the genital area, though these infections can be interchangeable.
Dr. Zickler says, "the infected rate is about one in five or six of the population so basically to get say 175 participants that will be available for the study, we have to screen 300-400 people to get that."
Even though the vaccine doesn't work in men, researchers are hoping the vaccine if approved will help reduce the numbers of infected people over time.
Alix says, "condoms do not protect against genital warts or herpes. You don't even have to have sexual intercourse, you just have to have genital areas making contact."
To protect yourself, counsellors say sit down and talk to your partner. If you have herpes, seek help, there are treatments and ways to not pass on the virus. For more information about the herpes vaccine trial you can contact the research clinic in Surrey at 604-584-8889. Women have to be between 18 and 30 to qualify. A benefit of the trial, is knowing whether or not you've been exposed to the herpes virus.
Friday May 19, 2006
