01 – December – 2011 – The Chart

Gene could be factor in frequent cold sores

People who get frequent flare-ups of cold sores may have variations of an obscure gene, according to a study published this week in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. This is the first gene to be associated with cold sore outbreaks.

Cold sores are the lesions caused by herpes simplex virus type 1, a persistent and common virus. The sores usually appear on the lip, around the mouth and sometimes on the nose, chin and fingers. Apart from the distress the sores can cause by their appearance, they can be painful and stick around for two weeks. FULL POST

December 1st, 2011

07:13 AM ET

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iReporters share their stories on World AIDS Day

Every year World AIDS Day is held on December 1 as an opportunity for countries and organizations around the globe to come together in their fight against the infectious disease. The Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS estimates that 30.8 million people were living with HIV/AIDS in 2009.

In the United States, many people struggle with prevention, education and treatment. These iReporters shared their personal connection to HIV/AIDS with CNN.com.

Ben, 21, of Minneapolis, Minnesota

Ben contracted AIDS from his partner of a year who hadn't told Ben that he had the disease. “I was shocked, a little scared,” he said. “[But] I had already done a lot of research so I knew what it was about.” He has been volunteering with HIV/AIDS awareness organizations for two years and is currently in a supportive relationship.
FULL POST

Post by: Thaddeus Morgan -- Special to CNN
Filed under: HIV/AIDS