The Naked Truth

Study: herpes increases risk of brain inflammation

by Sabine Kortals, Editorial Director What is encephalitis? It's a disorder marked by swelling and inflammation of the brain...and people who test positive for herpes could be more likely to suffer from its potentially debilitating effects (e.g., tremors, muscle degeneration, paralysis or diminished cognitive function). That's according to a recent study in The Lancet Infectious Diseases Medical Journal. Researchers analyzed the records of more than 200 people with encephalitis symptoms and found that about 42% of the cases were caused by infections...and about 19% of this group developed encephalitis because they had herpes.
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Is hepatitis C really an STD?

by Linda Lesondak, PhD The short answer is yes: hepatitis C can be spread through sexual activity...specifically, unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex when the blood, saliva, semen or vaginal secretions of an infected partner enter the body.
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Is hepatitis B sexually transmitted?

by Kat VanKirk, DHS It's a common misperception that you can't get hepatitis B through sex. Truth is, hepatitis B is easily transmitted through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex when the bodily fluids of an infected partner enter the body. Although rare, you can also get the virus from blood transfusions, or by sharing contaminated needles (including tattoo or piercing needles), syringes or other instruments that pierce the skin...and a pregnant mom who's infected can pass the virus to her baby.
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