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[Patrick O'Neil]

On 27 Feb 1995, Jackson Kang-M Lin wrote:

> I have read a little bit about the contents of both The Hot Zone and The 
> Coming Plague and heard a lot from my professors. Surely Ebola viruses 
> are scary and needed for attention. But doesn't something else like all 
> those STD's need more attention? I just read about herpes simplex viruses 
> type I and II, for example, from books and this bio-internet that more 
> than 85% of adults in U.S have this virus, and once you contract the 
> virus, it will become your permanent "houseguest" and never leaves. So, Are 
> this type of STD (HSV I) and possibly serious neonatal infections actually 
> more scary than Ebola viruses? At least Ebola viruses are not one of the STD's? 

Herpes of both types do remain with you for life but, all in all, they 
are more an occassional irritant rather than deadly, however, supposedly 
genital herpes (normally HSVII) can increase a woman's risk of cervical 
cancer.  Having the virus can also increase your vulnerability to HIV if 
you are exposed.  
 If a woman has HSVII and it is active while giving birth, it can damage
the baby.  Under such circumstances, a doctor would normally select
C-section to avoid risk of exposure to the baby.  Beyond this, these
viruses are rather benign, generally becoming less "expressive" as time
passes.  The become silent riders hidden within peripheral nerves. 

HSVI is normally associated with cold sores of the mouth and HSVII is 
normally genital, but you can have either one express at either location, 
depending upon the location of original infection (or subsequent 
infection).  Improper hygeine can lead to blindness if you touch an 
active sore with a finger (to scratch or whatever) and then at some later 
point rub or touch your eye(s).  

Retroviruses are also permanent riders.  Once one enters, it becomes a 
part of your genome.  As a matter of fact, vertebrate genomes are 
littered with ancient, endogenous retroviruses.  Most of them are no 
longer active nor activatable.  They are just along for the ride.  There 
is one ancient retrovirus that is shared by both chimpanzees and humans at 
the same location in the same chromosome, indicating that it has been 
with us for over 5 million years - it had to infect the common ancestor to 
both chimps and humans for both of us to share it in that manner.

> P.S. How much is "The Coming Plague?" I plan to buy one, but having 
> trouble of locating one. I have heard it is a very hot book right now. 
> Must be!

I don't know the cost but if it runs as average, then it will be about 
$19 plus.  If you haven't been able to find it yet, it will come.  These 
books appear to be hot items right now.  I want the book too.

Patrick