The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Genital

  • Film highlights dangers of Female Genital Mutilation

    The dangers of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) were showcased at Genesis Cinemas, Abuja, in a film entitled ‘Alero’, which evoked deep emotions from the audience.

    ‘Alero’ tells the story of a young girl who was circumcised by her parents as part of the custom of their village.

    The film, watched by a select audience, mirrored the physical and psychological effects she had to endure as she underwent the crude “surgery’’.

    The Executive Producer, Dorothy Njemanze, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview that the film was part of activities to commemorate the International Day for Zero Tolerance for FGM.

    Njemanze said the essence of the film was to use visual medium, especially motion pictures, to highlight the dangers involved FGM practice and to debunk the notion that only takes place in rural areas.

    “FGM takes place rampantly in urban areas, contrary to popular opinion, as people call these ‘surgeons’ from the villages to the cities and towns to circumcise their girls.’’

    She told NAN that the film was produced in line with international standard with the help of FilmCorp Advocacy Films.

    According to her, the film can be viewed on international movie sharing platforms such as Netflix.

    The lead actress, Joy Otaro, who played ‘Alero’, told NAN that acting in the movie opened her eyes to the realities of FGM and enabled her to appreciate the horrors women who were cut faced.

    Otaro urged young people to be actively involved in the campaign against FGM in order to fully eradicate the menace from the cultural system.

    NAN reports that the screening of the film also featured a panel discussion on the history of FGM, its scope and health implications.

    The panel comprised Dr Eleanor Nwadinobi, a medical consultant, Mr Bem Alugh, a representative of the Ministry of Education, and Mr Edosa Oviawe, an employee of Ipas Nigeria, an NGO that works to increase women’s access to vital reproductive health care.

    The film is a collaborative work between FilmCorp Advocacy Films and Dorothy Njemanze Foundation.

  • Lagos, NGO warn against female genital mutilation

    Lagos, NGO warn against female genital mutilation

    • Practice violates rights of women

    There is no religion, faith or creed that supports female genital mutilation (FGM), hence no girl-child and woman should undergo same again. This was the submission of representatives across the three prominent religions in Nigeria at a one-day forum organised by the Child Health Advocacy Initiative (CHAI).

    CHAI is a non- governmental organisation promoting the Health and Development of Women and Children in Nigeria. Present also were government representatives.

    Executive Director, CHAI, Mrs. Lola Alonge, said FGM violates all human rights principles, including equality, non discrimination of sex and the right to health, as FGM causes lifelong physical and psychological harm. It also affects the family, community, relationships and economic development.

    Dr Alonge said: “Trained health workers, who perform FGM are violating girls and women’s right to life and health. We, therefore, call for the domestication of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP). On May 2015, President Goodluck Jonathan signed the VAPP into law. This law bans FGM and other traditional harmful practices. But the VAPP only applies at the Federal Capital Territory. It is now up to each state to domesticate the law. Previously, 11 states have enacted laws against FGM. However, there is inconsistency between passing and enforcing the law.”

    Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who was represented by Director, Family Health and Nutrition, Dr. Folashade Oludara said, FGM is the most barbaric form of killing and harming of female folks.

    “That leaves them psychologically traumatised. FGM is a deeply rooted cultural belief that needs to be removed. It is not just enough to make the law, we need to call people together and create awareness on how to end FGM. In Lagos, we have 44 per cent practice because Lagos is a multi-national state with various ethnic groups. FGM heals with irreparable scare that prevents the woman from enjoying sex, having babies, among other harms. Everyone needs to come together to fight against the practice. We are told that 28 per cent are being conducted by health workers, but am sure it’s not in Lagos because any health worker caught doing so will be prosecuted,” he added.

    His Women Affairs counterpart, Dr. Lola Akande, said FGM was an abuse against the girl-child and women hence the urgent need to get it abolished. The commissioner, represented by Dr. (Mrs) Sola Falana, said Lagos was ready to collaborate with CHAI in the eradication of the practice.

    “We believe this is an abuse, and we have a number you can dial to report cases of abuse in Lagos. The state government has always been in the forefront against such practices and we are ready to collaborate with CHAI in the eradication. But this is a collective effort; we need to carry out sensitisation especially to our men. Today, many women are not enjoying their marriage because of this FGM, it has led to so much deaths,” she added.

    President, Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Dr. Sariyu Ashiru, said the practice has no medical benefit, but it is still lingering because of culture. “These procedures are being performed by quacks, which is why the victim ends up with complications,” she said.

    In the same vein, Baale of Marine Beach, Chief Joseph Omobolanle Ogunmola said his community has started campaigning against the practice through the pastors, Imams and the Baales.

    He said: “The practice is endangering the life of our young girls. We want them to live. It should be our collective responsibility to sensitise our families to stop FGM so that our females can live long and in good health.”

    Also at the event, Pastor Laide Adenuga of Redeemed Aids Program Action Committee (RAPAC) said there is no verse in the Holy Bible that endorses FGM so the act itself does not glorify God.

  • Man chops off own genital ,says he acted on strange voice

    Man chops off own genital ,says he acted on strange voice

    A middle aged man, Oluwole Aiyeloja on Saturday cut off his male organ with a razor blade at Obanla junction in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    The development stunned many people who witnessed the drama which has generated reactions in
    the town.

    Just as residents and passers-by were still expressing surprises on the incident,Oluwole attempted to slice his scrotum with razor blade in his hand before people around vehemently resisted his action.

    Symphatisers reportedly invited the police from “A” Division Police headquarters  who promptly rushed him to the hospital where he is still receiving medical treatment.

    A witness,Olaolu Oluyede said Oluwole’s action caught residents of the area unaware saying”I was busy attending to a customer when someone called my attention to a well dressed man sitting on a bench close by.”

    “While people were still in a shock as to why a well dressed man will suddenly be putting off his clothes in public, he then did the worse by cutting his penis”.

    The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Femi Joseph  confirmed the incident.

              He added that preliminary investigation conducted by the police showed that the victim was
              suffering from both spiritual and psychological problems.

    Joseph said, the man in his statement said he heard a voice that directed him to cut his penis and he obeyed  the directive.

    The PPRO said the victim had not committed any criminal offence, and therefore would not be prosecuted over the matter.

  • Baby Buhari to undergo surgery in UK for genital

    The baby whose step mother cut off his genital, Buhari Dauda will soon undergo another phase of surgery where a genital implant would be carried out on him.

    The Director General of the Niger state Child’s Rights Agency, Barrister Mariam Kolo who disclosed the plan toThe Nation said that the state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has taken responsibility of the medical bills of the baby.

    According to her, the Baby who just finished another round of surgery in Bida will be taken to the UK within the year.

    She said that the culprit, who is Buhari’s stepmother, Bara’atu would soon be arraigned the high Court for prosecution.

    Baby Buhari was two months old when his genital was cut off by his stepmother, Bara’atu Rabiu who used a knife to carry out the act without giving a cogent reason for her action.

    The baby who is now 11 months may grow up with a functional manhood after the possibility of having one has been ruled out by medical experts.

    The DG also said that one of the primary responsibility of her agency is to ensure the protection of children from all forms of abuse.

  • Imo fights genital mutilation

    Imo fights genital mutilation

    Its enlightenment and educational accomplishments have not weaned Imo State off the age-old horrors of female genital mutilation or FGM. The state has the highest percentage of FGM in the country with 68 % prevalence. But there is someone fighting it with all the resources she can muster: Mrs  Nneoma Okorocha, wife of the state governor.

    Many young girls between the ages of one month to five, as well as married women have been forced to undergo this painful ritual with the attendant consequences, which include lifelong trauma, infection and sometimes death.

    This practice has been predominant in four Local Government Areas of Ohaji-Egbema, Ngor-Okpala, Ikeduru and Oguta.

    But respite has come. Mrs Okorocha in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund Agency (UNFPA) has launched an intensive campaign against FGM and other practices that are inimical to the wellbeing of the girl-child.

    The governor’s wife who anchored the campaign under the auspices of her pet project, the Women of Divine Destiny Initiative (WODDI), noted that she keyed into the passion of the wife of the President, Aisha Muhamadu Buhari to end the barbaric practice that has resulted in the avoidable deaths of women and children, especially in the rural areas.

    The governor’s wife who decried the prevalence rate of the practice in Imo State, during launch of the anti-FGM/C campaign at the Imo International Convention Centre in Owerri, called for a collaborative efforts to end the scourge.

    She observed that the practice does not only violate the rights of the girl child but makes it difficult for her to live up to her responsibilities as a wife, as well as endangers her life.

    Mrs. Okorocha lamented that despite global condemnation of the practice, Imo State is still leading in the barbaric act, adding that the campaign will be taken to all the nooks and crannies of the state to create awareness on the dangers inherent in female circumcision.

    She hinted further that part of the measures she has adopted to eliminate the menace in the state, is to criminalize the practice through an Executive bill she has presented to the State House of Assembly.

    According to her, “Female Genital Mutilation is a form of violence against women which is perpetuated by unfounded myth and baseless traditions. It is a practice that is very rampant in our region and unfortunately Imo State was found to have one of the prevalence rate of 68 percent.

    “In Imo State, intervention by UNFPA through the Ministry of Health, Women Affairs and Social Development has focused on four Local Government Areas of Ikeduru, Ohaji/Egbema, Ngor-Okpala and Oguta.

    “In spite of this intervention, it is noted that this practice is undertaken in our communities throughout the state and has been continuing unabated, parents especially mothers have been secretly indulging in the act, leaving the victims in perpetual agony and regrets.

    “This can no longer be allowed to go on. It has therefore become imperative to end this harmful traditional practice”.

    The State Attorney General, Barrister Miletus Nlemedum, while commending the governor’s wife for the initiative, assured that the judiciary will take the matter seriously.

    He promised to assist make the war against FGM a success in the state.

    Similarly, the State Chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers,Eze Sam Ohiri represented at the occasion by Eze G.N Ejiogu, assured of the support of traditional institution in eradicating the practice in the State.

    He said, “henceforth, we are going to keep watch on the women to find out those who are still engaged in the practice. it may not be an easy task but we are going to do everything possible to check the practice in our domain. it is not part of our culture and we will no longer allow it”

    Giving bite to the campaign, the state governor Rochas Okorocha, warned women who still engage in the practice to desist from doing so or risk imprisonment.

    The Imo governor disclosed that as soon as the bill against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is passed into law by the State House of Assembly,the punishment for offenders will be several years of imprisonment as will be specified by the establishing law.

    He described the practice as barbaric and unacceptable.

    According to him, “barbaric cultures which are not beneficial to the people should be abolished”.

    He urged the State Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the bill into law, to enable a permanent solution to the problem.

    In her speech, the country representative of UNFPA, Mrs Beatrice Mukta, commended the wife of the Governor for her relentless fight against FGM.

    She noted that the battle against the practice will not be an easy one and therefore appealed to traditional institutions as well as women in the state to support the move by the Governor’s wife.

    Meanwhile at the launch of the campaign, which was preceded by a road-walk, the participants were moved to tears as they watched the emotional clips of the horrible practice.

  • Experts seek end to female genital mutilation

    Experts seek end to female genital mutilation

    There was high euphoria across the country when former President Goodluck Jonathan signed the bill outlawing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) into law on May 5, last year.

    In spite of the widespread optimism that the law will save millions of Nigerian girls and women from the myriad health implications of FGM, concerned observers insist that the age-long practice is still very much in existence.

    According to the United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA), Osun State has the highest prevalence of FGM in the entire South-West geo-political zone.

    Mrs Ratidzai Ndhlovu, UNFPA Country Representative in Nigeria, said this at a meeting organised by UNFPA, in collaboration with Shericare Foundation (SCARF), the pet project of the wife of Osun State governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola.

    “The prevalence rate of female genital mutilation in Osun State stands at 76.6 per cent,’’ she said.

    She stressed that all hands must be on deck to eradicate the age-long practice.

    Speaking on the high prevalence of FGM, Mrs Aregbesola, who is an ambassador of the anti-FGM campaign, warned perpetrators of tradition to desist from the act or face the full wrath of the law.

    She decried the prevalent rate of female circumcision, insisting that urgent efforts should be made to stamp out the practice.

    She moaned that Osun State ranked number one on the list of the six states where FGM was most endemic in the country, adding that this compelled her to lead an intensive advocacy against FGM and sensitise the citizens to the dangers of the tradition.

    Mrs. Aregbesola emphasised that the reasons adduced by those engaging in the removal of external female genitalia were not tenable, saying that the perpetrators were only inflicting unwarranted lifelong trauma on the circumcised females and denying them sexual pleasure.

    “Investigations have revealed that none of the reasons adduced by perpetrators has any link to any medical objective, in which case the genitals of a female child or woman is just altered for a reason not aimed at saving her life.

    “The UNFPA, through a study, has confirmed that the practice of FGM in the endemic states in Nigeria was only anchored on various traditional beliefs and social pressures to conform to culture.

    “Documented studies have revealed that the health implications of FGM range from dangerous infections arising from unsanitary conditions, in which the practice is carried out to death through severe bleeding,’’ she said.

    Mrs. Aregbesola, who described FGM as a violation of fundamental human rights, said she would ensure that the practice was completely eradicated.

    Sharing similar sentiments, Dr Kayode Oguniyi, the Director of Primary Health care and Disease Control, said the government would henceforth ensure strict enforcement of the law against FGM.

    He also said it was worrisome that Osun State still had the highest prevalence of female genital mutilation in the Southwest.

    Oguniyi said the law prohibiting FGM in Osun, which was signed by Governor Rauf Aregbesola, stipulated two years imprisonment without an option of fine for anyone caught engaging in the practice.

    “Let me agree that Osun is still one of the places where this old tradition is still being practised.

    “As regards the prevalence of female genital mutilation in the Southwest, Osun has the highest figure with about 76 per cent.

    “We do not like it and we are working very hard to remove the tradition from our state,’’ he added.

    Oguniyi said as part of the campaigns, the agency was also training some people as anti-female genital mutilation ambassadors.

    He said the ambassadors carried out house-to-house campaigns to sensitise people to the ills of the harmful tradition.

    Medical experts, nonetheless, insist that government at all levels ought to embark on a more aggressive public awareness campaign on the health implications of FGM, while strictly enforcing the law banning the practice.

    Dr Banke Popoola, a gynaecologist, said since there was an extant law criminalising FGM, offenders should be punished accordingly, adding that such punishments should also be publicised to serve as deterrent to others.

    She also said the cruel practice of cutting the clitoris of young females should be discouraged by everyone, particularly those in the rural communities.

    Nevertheless, Dr Grace Adanri, the Research Director, Better Life Africa, called on the government to enforce all laws prohibiting violence against persons, as part of efforts to secure a better future for the Nigerian girl-child.

    She said FGM, in some cases, could lead to the opening of passages between the vagina and bladder or anus, thereby triggering Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF), a condition more commonly associated with obstetrics complications such as obstructed labour in teenage pregnancy.

    Besides, Adanri said there was a possibility of the failure of the wound to heal, leading to excessive growth of scar.

    “This could also lead to hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases, reproductive tract infections, infertility, obstructive labour, painful menstruation and painful sexual intercourse, among several other health issues,’’ she said.

    Adanri also said FGM could, as well, lead to Recto-Vaginal Fistula (RVF) particularly when “the pelvis and birth canal of the pregnant woman are not fully developed’’.

    She, however, underscored the need to stage intensive awareness campaigns on the ills of FGM.

    Observers insist that since the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared FGM as a violation of human rights, government should enforce the extant laws on FGM to the letter.

    • Victor Adeoti writes for News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

     

  • Stepmother cuts off baby’s genital

    The male organ of a two months old baby, Buhari Dauda has been cut off by his stepmother, Baraatu Rabiu.

    Dauda from Kuta community of Shiroro Local Government of Niger state would grow have to grow up without a functional manhood.

    Medical personnel battling to save the life of the baby boy gave this verdict after assuring that the victim has been responding to treatment.

    A Paediatric Surgeon, Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi at the Ibrahim Babangida Specialist hospital, Minna told newsmen that ‎though the boy may have survived the attack, little Dauda has been inflicted with a permanent scar for life.

    Details on what led to the incident still remains sketchy as the father and mother of the baby declined to explain the incident to newsmen.

  • Coalition against genital mutilation

    Coalition against genital mutilation

    UNICEF and an NGO are leading a campaign against female genital mutilation (FGM). They are seeking stiffer penalties for offenders, OGOCHUKWU ANIOKE reports

    The United Nations Chil-dren’s Fund (UNICEF) and a non-governmental organisation, Inter-African Committee on Female Genital Mutilation have called for the end of female genital mutilation or FGM.

    The age-old practice is said to be prevalent in Ebonyi and other Southeast and Southsouth states.

    UNICEF and the NGO also wooed the media to help in speeding up the end of what has been described as a scourge.

    Both organisations addressed journalists at a workshop co-sponsored by Federal Ministry of Information in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

    The theme of the workshop was “Female genital mutilation/cutting abandonment in Nigeria”.

    National President of the NGO, Prof Modupe Onadeko expressed shock that every year three million girls and women undergo the painful and life-threatening crude operation.

    Onadeko, a retired professor of Medicine, said that Ebonyi, Imo, Osun, Nasarawa, among other states in the country have high prevalence rate and called for the total abandonment of the practice.

    She stated that apart from the pain the girls and women go through during mutilation other dangers associated with the Female Genital Mutilation includes, risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, urinary tract infections, fracture and death and called for the support of faith-based organisations in the campaign to end it.

    Prof Onadeko debunked insinuations and traditional beliefs that uncircumcised girls are usually promiscuous and do not get married. She also condemned the use of the finger by mothers and mothers-in-law especially in Ebonyi and Imo states in pricking, piercing or cutting the clitoris, adding that such practices amount to circumcision.

    Prof Onadeko urged the state governments to domesticate the law prohibiting female genital mutilation and rights of newborns and women, adding that there should be stiffer penalties for offenders.

    She said the various types of female gentile mutilation or circumcision account for the increasing number of prostitutes and mortality of women during child delivery.

    Onadeko, a retired professor of medicine from University of Ibadan said that research had revealed that 95 percent of prostitutes in Nigeria had their female organs mutilated by circumcisers.

    “No Anastasia, no analgesics, some could bleed to death. Their belief is that if the clitoris is allowed to grow it could grow longer than the male organ, and then there would be two masters in one boat. They also believe that cutting the woman would drive away evil spirit from the girl child or woman. Some say it is to make her not to be promiscuous, so would remain a virgin for the husband or her would-be husband. Any of them who failed to do it is mutilated in the seventh month of pregnancy”.

    She explained that any cutting of the female genitalia is harmful, and violation of her rights, and called for implementation of any existing laws against the practice while the state that had not enacted such laws should do so.

    Onadeko said that the prevalence of the mutilation is more in Osun state with 77% prevalence, followed by Ebonyi state 74 %, Ekiti 72%, Imo 68%,  and Oyo 42%.

    She noted that the worst of the mutilation is the infibulations type where the girl-child or woman has her genitalia stitched up leaving  only a small hole for her urination and menstruation.

    The professor explained that the cutting accounts for the series of protracted labor and ultimate complications in child delivery including VVF, and had in many cases resulted to deaths.

    “There is no need for cutting any parts of the body of any person except for medical reasons. In the cases of these mutilations they are done in respect or obedience to culture and traditions. In some cases these children are held down by able bodied men or women for them to be cut, their bodies/face are cut with unhygienic implements to give marks so that no other family can claim them.”

    The medical expert said that leaving the female organ as created does not make her promiscuous rather makes for pleasurable marriage and normal child delivery.

    Many other experts drawn from various disciplines delivered talks at the workshop.

    In an opening remark, the Chief of Communication UNICEF Nigeria, Doune Porter said the agency decided to put up the programme to partner the media in combating the act and commended the Wife of the President for the proposed flag off of the campaign against FGM/C scheduled to hold in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The Chief of Communication said that the agency has recorded greater success in the advocacy pointing out that the agency would not relent until the country records total abandonment of the practice.

    Porter further said that some practitioners in Ile Ife, Osun State have abandoned the act and joined in the advocacy and called other practitioners in areas where there is prevalent cases to abandon the

    practice and join in the advocacy.

    She also commended the Federal Ministry of Information and the United Nations Fund for Population Activities, UNFPA for collaborating with the agency in the media dialogue.

    Journalists across the Southeast, Southsouth and Abuja participated in the dialogue and resolved to champion the campaign in their different state.

  • Genital herpes

    Genital herpes

    Herpes is a generic name for a group of viruses that cause a variety of diseases. The ailments people generally associate with herpes are those that produce small blisters on the skin, which open and are replaced by a crust before they heal completely. Genital herpes is caused by a virus called herpes simplex (HSV2), which causes crusted sores, commonly around the lips and mouth (“cold sores”) and the genitalia. The infectious condition itself is also known as herpes simplex.

    The virus is intermittently present in the mouth of healthy carriers and is spread by personal contact; genital herpes is spread by sexual contact with an infected person and is a venereal disease. Although some forms can be transmitted through the air or by contact with infected articles (especially towels) used by someone with active herpes, infection usually occurs through direct physical contact.

    An attack begins with itching of the skin in the affected area, quickly followed by redness and swelling. Within a few hours fragile blisters (vesicles) appear and rupture to exude a sticky serum like fluid which rapidly crusts. Unless secondary infection with bacteria occurs, the lesions heal without scarring within about a week.

    Because herpes blisters individually are the size of a pinhead or smaller, they may not be easily visible. Generally, the affected area will be red, tender, and mildly to severely painful. Fever, headache, and general malaise may also be present.

    Genital herpes infections may cause a painful cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix) in women, with ulceration and a vaginal discharge. The results of recent research studies have suggested that women who develop herpes cervicitis may have an increased risk of developing cancer of the cervix in later years. The condition is now seen as a reason for regular screening by Pap smears, which can detect early cancerous changes at a stage when treatment is simple and curative.

    In men the genital infection is usually less severe. However, those whose immune response is impaired (such as cancer patients, HIV/AIDS sufferers or organ transplant recipients) can be very susceptible to herpes infection.

    Genital herpes may be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby during delivery. Babies infected during birth by their mothers’ active genital herpes are very likely to die or suffer severe brain damage because they have little or no resistance to the virus.

    Once the virus enters the body, in stays there for the rest of the person’s life, unless a natural remedy is applied. Recurrent attacks may occur, usually during periods when the person is feeling run down, anxious, or depressed, before menstruation, or after sexual intercourse.

    In holistic lifecare, the best prospect of prevention and control of genital herpes is in going back to nature in terms of personal hygiene, protected sexual contact and use of potent herbal remedies. Also, a body kept healthy by proper nutrition and exercise has the best chance of keeping the virus under control.

    The holistic remedy being suggested for total cure of Genital Herpes is a combination of natural extracts of Eugenia caryophylatta, Citrus lemonis, Euphorbia unispina, Hypericum perforatum and Echinacea augustifolia.

     

    For further information and consultation on Holistic Lifecare research and services, especially on Blood Infections, Infertility, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Chronic Debilitating Conditions as well as mental and social problems, please call  on: 0803-330-3897 or visit: Mosebolatan Holistic Lifecare Centre, Adeyalo Layout, Ogbere-Tioya, Off Olorunsogo Express Bridge, Ibadan. Website: www.holisticlifecare.com. Distance is no barrier, we can send remedies by courier if need be.

  • Genital herpes

    Herpes is a generic name for a group of viruses that cause a variety of diseases. The ailments people generally associate with herpes are those that produce small blisters on the skin, which open and are replaced by a crust before they heal completely. Genital herpes is caused by a virus called herpes simplex (HSV2), which causes crusted sores, commonly around the lips and mouth (“cold sores”) and the genitalia. The infectious condition itself is also known as herpes simplex.

    The virus is intermittently present in the mouth of healthy carriers and is spread by personal contact; genital herpes is spread by sexual contact with an infected person and is a venereal disease. Although some forms can be transmitted through the air or by contact with infected articles (especially towels) used by someone with active herpes, infection usually occurs through direct physical contact.

    An attack begins with itching of the skin in the affected area, quickly followed by redness and swelling. Within a few hours fragile blisters (vesicles) appear and rupture to exude a sticky serum like fluid which rapidly crusts. Unless secondary infection with bacteria occurs, the lesions heal without scarring within about a week.

    Because herpes blisters individually are the size of a pinhead or smaller, they may not be easily visible. Generally, the affected area will be red, tender, and mildly to severely painful. Fever, headache, and general malaise may also be present.

    Genital herpes infections may cause a painful cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix) in women, with ulceration and a vaginal discharge. The results of recent research studies have suggested that women who develop herpes cervicitis may have an increased risk of developing cancer of the cervix in later years. The condition is now seen as a reason for regular screening by Pap smears, which can detect early cancerous changes at a stage when treatment is simple and curative.

    In men the genital infection is usually less severe. However, those whose immune response is impaired (such as cancer patients, HIV/AIDS sufferers or organ transplant recipients) can be very susceptible to herpes infection.

    Genital herpes may be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby during delivery. Babies infected during birth by their mothers’ active genital herpes are very likely to die or suffer severe brain damage because they have little or no resistance to the virus.

    Once the virus enters the body, in stays there for the rest of the person’s life, unless a natural remedy is applied. Recurrent attacks may occur, usually during periods when the person is feeling run down, anxious, or depressed, before menstruation, or after sexual intercourse.

    In holistic lifecare, the best prospect of prevention and control of genital herpes is in going back to nature in terms of personal hygiene, protected sexual contact and use of potent herbal remedies. Also, a body kept healthy by proper nutrition and exercise has the best chance of keeping the virus under control.

    The holistic remedy being suggested for total cure of Genital Herpes is a combination of natural extracts of Eugenia caryophylatta, Citrus lemonis, Euphorbia unispina, Hypericum perforatum and Echinacea augustifolia.

     

    For further information and consultation on Holistic Lifecare research and services, especially on Blood Infections, Infertility, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Chronic Debilitating Conditions as well as mental and social problems, please call  on: 0803-330-3897 or visit: Mosebolatan Holistic Lifecare Centre, Adeyalo Layout, Ogbere-Tioya, Off Olorunsogo Express Bridge, Ibadan. Website: www.holisticlifecare.com. Distance is no barrier, we can send remedies by courier if need be.