Half of Moshi infected with Herpes – research
Nearly half of the population of Moshi is infected with a virus known as Herpes, which is closely related to the one that causes HIV/Aids.
By Salome Kitomary, PST, Moshi
Nearly half of the population of Moshi is infected with a virus known as Herpes, which is closely related to the one that causes HIV/Aids.
A household study conducted by the Kilimanjaro Reproductive Health Programme (KRHP) which involved more than 2,500 residents in the municipality, came up with the shocking results.
However, the chief researcher from the centre, Prof Saidi Kapiga, said the findings should not be a cause for alarm as victims could still live with the virus for many more years without showing any signs of serious illness.
He said the study, which was conducted last year, was meant to assess the rate of infection against the background of health education provided in the area, especially on prevention of further spread of HIV/Aids.
He said men and women adults at the age ranging between 20 and 40 years had volunteered for blood analysis.
`It was established that 43.8 per cent of women and 39 per cent men have herpes. The virus was discovered years back before the outbreak of HIV/AIDS. However, the virus increases chances for a person to contract HIV/AIDS,` Prof. Kapiga said.
Describing the symptoms of herpes, the researcher said a sufferer would experience itching of sores around the private parts, which heal but reappear after a short while.
`There is a therapy for the illness, which is not a total cure. The disease is transmitted through sexual contact,` he said.
Prof. Kapiga said the disease could also be passed over to a new born during child birth, adding since the virus circulates in the blood stream; it is likely to cause some complication in the nervous system at the advanced stage.
The outcome of the research also discovered that health education on HIV/AIDS preventive measures had sunk into the minds of the majority of people interviewed.
Source: Guardian
