On Saturday, October 19th, Evansville Lodge #73 of the Fraternal Order of Police will be hosting a hayride and dance for hundreds of area residents with special needs.
The festivities will begin at 7:00pm at the FOP camp on Happe Rd. Each year, the FOP coordinates this event with ARC and would not be possible without the many volunteers who ensure the party goers have a great time.
The media is invited to attend.

They may have lower levels of protective antibodies to the virus than in years past

(HealthDay News) — Today’s teens may be at higher risk than ever of contracting genital herpes because they don’t have enough immune system antibodies to shield them against the sexually transmitted virus, a new study suggests.

This increase in risk may be the result of fewer teens being exposed in childhood to the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), a common cause of cold sores, researchers reported Oct. 17 in the online edition of the Journal of Infectious Diseases.

“HSV-1 now is the predominant herpes strain causing genital infection,” explained Dr. David Kimberlin, chair of infectious diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, and the author of a journal editorial.

According to Kimberlin, the new findings suggest that almost one in 10 adolescents who a decade ago would have already acquired HSV-1 and built up some immunity may now encounter HSV-1 when they first become sexually active. That could leave them more susceptible to genital herpes than young people were in the past.

“This [also] has potentially significant consequences on neonatal herpes transmission,” which occurs when a baby contracts the herpes virus from a genitally infected mother, Kimberlin said. “We must continue to monitor these changes and watch for shifts in neonatal herpes infection that possibly could result.”

Of the eight types of herpes, the two that are most important in terms of disease transmission are HSV-1 and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), both of which cause lifelong infections with no known cure. These viruses can have dormant periods after an initial outbreak. HSV-1 is usually contracted in childhood, by skin-to-skin contact with an infected adult, whereas HSV-2 is most often sexually transmitted.

However, recent research indicates that HSV-1 is becoming a major cause of genital herpes in industrialized countries. One study found nearly 60 percent of genital herpes infections were caused by HSV-1, the researchers noted.

A shift by young people toward participation in oral sex might help explain the trend, experts said, since the herpes virus can easily be transmitted in this way from the mouth to the genitals.

“I tell patients herpes is like your credit history — whatever you did you can never get rid of,” said one expert not connected to the study, Dr. Marcelo Laufer, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Miami Children’s Hospital.

“Every year the proportion of patients who get infected with HSV-1 through oral sex is increasing,” he said. “Adolescents who reach that age without being exposed to HSV-1 might, through oral sex, be more susceptible to the infection.”

The virus is usually passed through saliva, but in more recent years better hygiene may have kept the virus from spreading to young children, Laufer theorized. That means that fewer children are now exposed and are producing antibodies against HSV.

HSV-1 and HSV-2 can also cause significant problems for newborn infants, who don’t yet have mature immune systems capable of fighting the viruses. As many as 30 percent of infected babies die from this infection if they have the most severe form of the disease, Kimberlin noted.

In the new study, a team of researchers led by Heather Bradley of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention used data from federal government surveys to track the prevalence of herpes among 14- to 49-year-olds in the United States.

Overall, they found that 54 percent of Americans in this age range were infected with HSV-1.

Among 14- to 19-year-olds, however, the prevalence of protective HSV-1 antibodies fell by nearly 23 percent from 1999 to 2010, the research team found.

Among those aged 20 to 29, HSV-1 prevalence dropped more than 9 percent. HSV-1 prevalence remained stable among those in their 30s and 40s.

These data suggest that more teens lack HSV-1 antibodies at their first sexual encounter now than in decades past, and so are more susceptible to genital herpes.

“In combination with increased oral sex behaviors among young people, this means that adolescents may be more likely than those in previous time periods to genitally acquire HSV-1,” the researchers concluded.

More information

There’s more on genital herpes at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A team of USI students representing USI’s radiologic and imaging sciences took first place in the Quiz Bowl hosted by the Indiana Society of Radiologic Technologists (ISRT) at their annual conference this month at the Holiday Inn Airport, Evansville. The students competed against 16 teams from across the state. Team members included: Alyssa Schutte, Janessa Sproles, and Claire Tuggle. They were coached by Jarrod Brown, clinical instructor for Deaconess Gateway Hospital. The Quiz Bowl consisted of 30 certification exam-type questions in two timed rounds for a total of 60 questions.

Joy Cook and Heather Schmuck, both clinical assistant professors of radiologic and imaging sciences, chaired the conference. Both were installed as new ISRT officers for the 2013-14 term—Cook as president and Schmuck as secretary.

The ISRT, an affiliate of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, has 1,000 members, representing medical professionals and students who work in radiography, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, sonography, magnetic resonance imaging, computerized tomography, and all other imaging modalities.

• Upcoming Impact Visit Days:
• Saturday, November 9, 2013
• Monday, January 20, 2014

Additional IMPACT Visit Days:
Registration for these events occurs closer to the event date

• Saturday, April 5, 2014
• Saturday, July 12, 2014

Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. (CT). By visiting campus during an IMPACT Visit Day, you will have the opportunity to:

• Speak to faculty from all academic departments and student life offices
• Take a campus tour led by a current UE student
• Attend information sessions about scholarships and financial aid
• Meet with admission counselors
• Be our guests for lunch
• Meet with a Career Advisor regarding the Career Advantage Program.
  (Students who select to meet with a Career Advisor must complete the Do What You Are assessment.)

If you are interested in attending an IMPACT Visit Day, please use the following online registration form. A confirmation packet will be sent with directions to campus and parking information. All information must be completed to schedule your attendance. If you have questions about the event, please e-mail e-mailadmission@evansville.edu.

(Washington, D.C.) – Representative Larry Bucshon (IN-08) released the following statement regarding the Senate debt deal that failed to address the long-term trajectory of spending, achieve deficit reduction, and include reforms to ObamaCare.

Rep. Bucshon said: 

“I firmly believe the United States should not default on its payments and I have worked to avoid the prospect of default; however, I could not support this legislation. The Senate debt deal does not offer any real solutions to address the challenges we face as a nation.  The final deal failed to achieve any deficit reduction or to cut spending, nor did it include any substantial changes to ObamaCare, including a delay of the individual mandate or repeal of the onerous medical device tax. 

“It’s estimated this year, that the average Hoosier will pay 72% more for their healthcare, while big business received a break from the Obama administration and Indiana’s 300 medical device companies expect to layoff over 2,000 employees because of the medical device tax.  This is unacceptable and it is shameful that President Obama and Democrats in Washington, D.C. forced a shutdown and possible default only to preserve every aspect of the President’s unaffordable, unfair healthcare law. 

“This legislation is merely the byproduct of a dysfunctional, Democrat-run Washington, D.C. that would rather kick the can down the road than work on serious solutions. I will not leave our children and grandchildren with crippling debt because President Obama and Senate Democrats refuse to tackle our fiscal challenges.”

BACKGROUND:

CNN Anchor Wolf Blitzer recently argued that the Administration should “…accept the advice Republicans are giving them, delay it [the individual mandate] for a year, get it ready and make sure it works.” (Time; 10/10/2013)

The Daily Show host, Jon Stewart, also argued to Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius, that individuals should get the same break from ObamaCare that the Administration granted businesses. (CNN; 10/8/2013)

In an editorial on Tuesday, the Chicago Tribune told readers that delaying ObamaCare’s individual mandate a, “matter of fairness.” (Chicago Tribune; 10/15/2013)

Evansville Police Sergeant Brian Talsma will be involved in this event and organization. On behalf of Sgt. Talsma and the House of Hope group, I would like to invite the media to their community event taking place this Saturday.

On behalf of House of Hope Southwest Indiana, I am extending an invitation to area media groups to attend their Fall Fun and Fellowship event this Saturday, October 19^th. The event will begin at 3:00pm at 5950 Gardner Rd in Chandler Indiana.

House of Hope is a faith based residency and counseling program with a mission of helping teens in need.  House of Hope Southwest Indiana is in the process of raising funds to further expand the ministry, and will soon be providing long-term assistance to teens and their families.

At approximately 3:45, there will be a special announcement about an upcoming fundraiser and awareness campaign involving Evansville Police Sgt. Brian Talsma. We are excited to see one of our officers involved in the community in such a huge way.  The event will include games, a bonfire and time of worship and fellowship.

We would appreciate any media coverage you can provide. Additional information about House of Hope and Sgt. Talsma’s special project will be provided on Saturday.

• Event Timeframe:

o 3pm – event begins

o 3:30pm – 1st house tour

o 4pm – speeches, followed by eating

o 5pm – 2nd house tour

o 6:30-7pm – live praise & worship

Just because the leaves are falling, doesn’t mean you should. Our hospital offers therapy programs and fall prevention tips to keep you on your feet and in positive motion. Innovative, experienced teams work with you one on one, improving balance, coordination and strength to help you avoid falls for a safer, more enjoyable season. – See more at: http://www.healthsouthdeaconess.com/#sthash.gvhkkDpy.dpuf