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Prevention and awareness are key essentials in maintaining our physical bodies. Many resources may be found here including: statistics, demographics, and basic health regulations to assist you in a lifelong journey of whole health focusing on the first component of wholeness, the body. The health and faith resources found on this site combined can bring balance between our body, soul (mind, will and emotions) and spirit. Learn more about the continuum of care in whole health while increasing your faith, utilizing wisdom, and bringing wholeness to your overall being, body, soul and spirit.
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Wondering how you can be more health conscious and are unsure where to start? You can check the National Health Observances calendar and see how you and your congregation celebrate health and honor those you love by making them aware of resources and agencies that provide support and materials to help you succeed!
Focus on health observances throughout the year.
Timely Topics:
Here's how to fight the "flu"...
Use this guide to discover the most common causes of the most common symptoms for your illnesses...
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Genital Herpes (Herpes Simplex Virus-HSV)
Description: The cold sore or fever blister is a common occurrence, and everyone is familiar with its appearance. It is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. Similar lesions can occur on the genitalia. Herpes I and Herpes II were originally thought to be two different types of viruses, type I may also infect the lip. After initial infection, both types of herpes simplex remain in the body permanently and are incurable. Recurrent lesions occur, often precipitated by exposure to sunlight, illness with fever or stress. The eruptions can occur anywhere on the skin. HSV II usually causes genital herpes and can be transmitted by direct sexual contact.
Incidence: Common (sixty million Americans; eighty percent of Americans have oral herpes, or “cold sores”)
Prevalence: Female (the infection can be passed on to the newborn if exposure to active sores occurs during delivery)
Signs and symptoms:
- Itching, burning in genital area, legs or buttocks
- Vaginal discharge
- Abdominal pressure
- Blisters and open sores (mouth, penis, vagina)
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Painful urination
- Swollen glands in groin area
Risk factors:
- Age (less than twenty-five years of age)
- Unprotected sex (though this disease can also spread without sex)
- Having many sexual partners
Usual treatment:
- Medication (antiviral)
- Site treatment of sores
- Avoidance of sexual contact until sores have completely healed, then use condoms
Usual course: The lesions heal on their own in eight to twelve days but recurrence may be frequent, especially if illness, fatigue, or stress, weaken the immune system. Treatment with antiviral agents reduces incidence of relapse. Although herpes simplex is not curable, it poses little threat to normal life.
Spiritual considerations:
- Promote exploration of feelings, which may include anger, guilt, blame, and sadness
- Instill hope
- Encourage use of self-help groups
Suggested scriptures: Psalm 142:6a; Psalms 1:1-3
Resources:
American Social Health Association
P.O. Box 13827
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
(919) 361-8400
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Faith, hope, and love coupled with wisdom assists the believer in achieving health harmony in the soul (mind, will, and emotions) and spirit. Strengthen your inner man's soul and spirit by the associated articles, resources, and inspiration in our faith section. May the Lord prosper you with whole health. Learn more about the continuum of care in whole health while increasing your faith, utilizing wisdom, and bringing wholeness to your overall being, body, soul and spirit.
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We welcome collaboration with any professional health care agencies, as well as, church leaders. Also, if you are interested in linking, contributing or assisting Congregational Health ReSource with content, please contact us.
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