With the recent studies making the possible direct connect to Alzheimer’s due to (Herpes simplex) HSV1, HHV6 and HHV7, and the 2 to 3 fold increased risk factor of contracting HIV due to (Herpes simplex) HSV2, it is now more important than ever to ask for help.
The Penny for your thoughts campaign is a great opportunity that allows you to ask for help and to give you a voice. A voice for yourself or for others who are suffering silently. This effort does not exclude people who are doing just fine and are not affected by the herpes virus, we need your help as well!
I have created a form letter that can be easily printed and addressed to your own local Congressman or Senator, asking for help with Herpes research and asking to fast track the study of the Herpes vaccine, RVX101 and RVX201. This will help the proper representatives understand that we need help now, rather than waiting the customary 15 years.
Simply click below to download the letter, print, address your proper representative, sign and mail. But before you mail it, I ask that you tape a penny at the bottom of the letter. The reason for this is because any money that is received, they must account for. This will ensure that your letter gets the proper attention. :)
Dear Congressman/Congresswoman/Senator,
The reason for my letter is to ask you for help and this is not for something that is very common. I am asking for help towards Herpes research and to fast track a particular vaccine study.
For many individuals (80% of people who are infected), Herpes is not a big deal and they are doing just fine; or are completely unaware. (This is due to the lack of proper testing). However, to the 20% of the approximate 5 billion people world wide {1} who are Herpes positive, many succumb to this infection and suffer in often debilitating ways. Many suffer from severe neuralgic pain, outbreaks, (blisters, ulcers), unforeseen side effects, and for many of these people antiviral medication simply does not work. Many people are unaware of the suicide rate within the Herpes communities because it is never talked about in public. These are the millions who suffer in silence. Your sister, your brother, your partner, or even your parents who never said a word. Wouldn’t it be great to make these people healthier and more productive, instead of suffering?
This concern of Herpes has also increased due to research on two very important diseases, HIV and Alzheimer’s. The risk factor for HIV {2} in individuals with herpes simplex who are positive with HSV2, increases 2- to 3-fold. This is not only substantial, it is very troubling. There is also the growing concern over the new research on the subject of Alzheimer’s {3} and its possible causation directly from herpes HSV-1 (commonly known as cold sores), HHV-6 (Roseola), {4} and HHV-7. {5}
“Many scientists believe that HSV1 is a major contributory factor for Alzheimer’s disease and
that it enters the brains of elderly people as their immune system declines with age. It then establishes a latent (dormant) infection, from which it is reactivated by events such as stress, a reduced immune system and brain inflammation induced by infection by other microbes. Reactivation leads to direct viral damage in infected cells and to viral-induced inflammation. We suggest that repeated activation causes cumulative damage, leading eventually to Alzheimer’s disease in people with the APOE4 gene. Presumably, in APOE4 carriers, Alzheimer’s disease develops in the brain because of greater HSV1-induced formation of toxic products, or less repair of damage.” {6}
Unknown to most, there is also the unfortunate Herpes infection that happens to infants. They are born and exposed to the Herpes simplex virus either through the birth canal or infected from a simple kiss from a relative or loved one. This is known as Neonatal Herpes. {7} Globally there are over 14,000 (and growing), new cases each year. All of this information is a game changer and all the more reasons we ask for help. Many diseases are vaccine preventable including Chicken pox, Herpes simplex should be the next logical step forward. The past 30 years of vaccine trials {8} have failed or have at least failed to elicit results that are better than taking antivirals, this is a very sad state of affairs. We are simply asking for more help from the NIH and the FDA towards therapeutic and preventable vaccines.
One vaccine in particular called Theravax, (now called RVX-101 and RVX-201), was in the news in 2016 {9} and got some bad press. However, this doesn’t change the fact that it helped some people {10} get much better and it showed great promise—much better than previous vaccine trials.
Hopefully, one day soon, the company working on the vaccine (Rational Vaccines), will be running new trials under the jurisdiction of the FDA. There is also a petition that has begun and is asking the FDA Director, Janet Woodcock, M.D. (Center for Drug Evaluation & Research), for help as well. {11}
I am asking for help—from you, to push for more funding towards herpes research, and to please contact the FDA and ask them to fast track the study of the vaccine so that it can possibly move faster into FDA trials. This would also benefit many people who are suffering and give them hope so that they do not have to wait the customary 10 to 15 year time period, and suffer any further.
Please send this request to
Dr. Peter Marks M.D. PhD
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research U.S. Food and Drug Administration
10903 New Hampshire Avenue
WO71-7232
Silver Spring, MD 20993
Peter.Marks@fda.hhs.gov 1-240-402-8116
Sincerely yours,
