Lecture Notes: Herpes and HPV

Vocabulary flashcards covering the characteristics, transmission, and treatment of Herpes and HPV as discussed in the lecture.

Herpes virus

A class of virus that causes ulcers and remains in the body for life, manifesting as cold sores in the mouth or as genital herpes.

Systemic effect

An occurrence where a virus, such as herpes, spreads throughout the body, which is more common in immunocompromised individuals like HIV patients.

Fomites

Inanimate objects, such as door handles, that can potentially harbor viruses, though herpes is generally not considered to be transmitted through them.

Antivirals

Medications that inhibit the reproduction of viral particles and slow down viral development or division without providing a cure.

Acyclovir

An antiviral medication mentioned in the transcript used to inhibit the reproduction of viral particles.

Spermicides

Chemicals designed to kill sperm cells that do not kill viruses, although some may lower the division of HSV.

HPV (Human papillomavirus)

A virus associated with genital warts and certain types of cancer, specifically cervical and vaginal cancers.

Genital warts

Physical growths near the genitals caused by HPV modifying cell replication machinery to produce uncontrolled cell growth.

Pap smear

A diagnostic test for women used to check for HPV by looking for dysplasia or cells dividing in a strange way.

Dysplasia

The abnormal division or growth of cells in tissue, which is a key indicator looked for during Pap smears to detect cervical cancer.

Gardasil

The name of the vaccine mentioned in the lecture that is used to prevent HPV.

Adjuvant

A chemical in a vaccine that carries the vaccine into the tissues.

Attenuated virus

A form of a virus injected during vaccination that is modified so it does not cause disease but still triggers an immune response.