How herpes worsens and improves oral health
Article Source: HealthSnare.com
When we hear the word "herpes", we think of horrible "bugs" that can cause sores around the mouth right down to the genitals. The Greeks named these viral bugs, "herpes", because of their creeping nature.
Viral diseases affecting oral health
These viral bugs are classified into separate families and cause different types of viral diseases from the common flu to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). All these types of diseases can weaken the immune system, making people susceptible to oral diseases. The herpes simplex virus can cause oral herpes or "orolabial herpes" that we may recognise as fever blisters or cold sores (oncovex) on the face and mouth. The virus can be spread through simply sharing the same tea cup or coffee mug and exchange of bodily fluid.
Oral Herpes (Herpes Simplex Virus)
There are two types of herpes simplex virus: type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2); that can cause oral herpes, deriving from the family "herpesviridae" (dsDNA) and subfamily "alpha". These viruses spread through replication in cell nucleus and remain dormant or active in neurons of mucoepithelial cells (facial nerves).
The oral herpes virus infects and inflames the mucosa of the cheeks, mouth and gums that can result in acute herpetic gingivostomatitis, pharyngitis, dysphagia and lymphadenopathy. Reoccurring herpes simplex labialis and intraoral HSV stomatitis can severely affect the palate, alveolar, tongue and gums. Symptoms can be triggered by sunlight, illness, skin damage, menstruation, stress and anxiety. Vaccines are produced to try and prevent infection and treatments, such as acyclovir and zinc oxide, are produced to treat symptoms. Some people have no symptoms in an asymptomatic infection and may not know that they have the virus. Even when latent, the virus moves through spine nerve tissue. Infection cannot be cured.
Oral Herpes and Dental Cancer
The possibility of herpes viruses contributing to dental cancer exists and further research is underway to establish the links. Dental or oral cancer is a disease of the oncogenes cells where the DNA mutates primarily as squamous cell carcinoma, although other oral cancer types also occur. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is considered a risk factor in development of oral cancer. Mutation in the DNA of oncogene cells can occur when the basement membrane of the epithelium is broken and there is predisposition to developing cancer. Someone who smokes or drinks alcohol excessively and has cold sores may be at higher risk of dental cancer.
Using viruses to treat Dental Cancer
A joint study by The Royal Marsden NHS Trust and the Institute for Cancer Research reveals how the herpes virus can also be used to treat oral or dental cancer. Researchers have discovered that by allowing a genetically modified herpes simplex virus (such as the one causing cold sores) to multiply in cancer cells of patients already diagnosed with cancer, the cancer cells burst, causing proteins to be expelled that improves their immune system function. As a result, the likelihood of cancer tumour reoccurrence is lowered. While lifestyle factors may cause herpes simplex virus and oral cancer that harms health, the herpes simplex virus when engineered, can be used to treat diseases and improve overall wellbeing for longevity.
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Alex Cunningham
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Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 Time: 5:19 PM
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