Pass it on
We inherit many things from our parents; they pass along traits from their genes to ours.However, for 1 in every 116 newborn babies, their parents may have passed along the herpes virus, known as HHV-6. Researches suspect the HHV-6 infections are passes along from parent to child when the HHV-6 virus injects its genetic makeup into a parent's DNA. A parent then passes the virus to the child one of two ways: either through the placenta (when viral particles of mother cross into placenta) or more commonly through the chromosomes and DNA that a child receives from a parent.
In children who have the herpes virus, they often develop a slight infection marked by a high fever and sometimes a rash. In more rare and serious cases respiratory and intestinal problems may occur along with seizures. The greater problem, however, is that when the HHV-6 virus is passed on by chromosome integration, it enters into areas of DNA on chromosomes that are responsible from immune regulation and aging, called telomeres. Telomeres that possess viruses such as HHV-6 can trigger more serious problems such as cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and chronic fatigue syndrome. While scientists continue to study the correlation between the HHV-6 virus and more serious problems, doctors are now able to detect the HHV-6 infection at birth, so parents and children can be better informed.
My Response
I always thought that herpes (HHV-6) was only spread through skin to skin contact. I never thought of it as being able to be passed on through DNA. It is incredible to think that the virus inserts its genetic material into a parent's DNA, and then the parent passes it along to their offspring. This just goes to prove how complex and intricate one person's DNA really is. The HHV-6 virus does not seem initially too harmful in early childhood, with a high fever and rash being the main symptoms.However, if HHV-6 teolmeres can really lead to more serious health issues like cancer, epilepsy, and MS, then I definitely think that researchers need to spend more time studying the connection between the two and then they can hopefully find a way to cure the herpes virus altogether.
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=pass-it-on-children-can-inherit-herpes
posted by Elizabeth @ 10:34 AM
3 Comments:
I never knew that a herpes virus could be passed through either the placenta or especially DNA. Also to find that it would have side effects in the child when the parent possibly never experienced these effects. It's good that doctors are now able to detect if the baby has it, giving the parents time to prepare and learn more about it. This all was really interesting to find out.
It is quite interesting that the herpes virus can be passed through genetics. This makes me wonder whether other STDs can be passed through genetics as well. It is very useful that doctors can detect whether or not a child has the virus. I think scientists should put time into studying a way to keep children from having the side-effects (cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and chronic fatigue syndrome) and then eventually figure out a cure for this virus if possible.
I never would have guessed that herpes could be so dangerous. It is awful yet incredible that a disease can actually change the DNA of its victims by injecting its genetic make up into it, therefore not just affecting its victims but that victims entire family line. I also never knew that herpes was so deadly. I always believed it was just a rash with an occasional fever, so it was a shock when I read how it can cause cancer or epilepsy.
Post a Comment
<< Home