Herpes simplex virus (HSV), commonly known as herpes, is an infection that may result in painful blisters or ulcers. The disease is primarily spread through skin-to-skin contact. There are two types of the herpes simplex virus, type 1 and type 2. According to researchers, around 3.7 billion people under age 50 are diagnosed with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection, and about 491 million aged 15 to 49 globally with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection. Symptoms There are a few things that one should note about the symptoms of the herpes simplex virus. Most people with herpes do not experience any symptoms or only mild symptoms. Others might not even be aware that they have the infection and may pass it along to others unknowingly. The symptoms of the condition may include painful, recurring blisters or ulcers. Furthermore, new infections may result in body aches, a fever, and swollen lymph nodes. An individual with the disease might experience varied symptoms during the first episode of infection than when it recurs. If symptoms occur, they might begin with itching, tingling, or burning sensations near where the sores appear. The common symptoms of oral herpes include blisters (cold sores) or open sores (ulcers) around the mouth or lips. One may also notice signs, including blisters, bumps, or open sores around the genitals or anus. These developments are typically painful. Furthermore, the blisters may break open, ooze, and then crust over. One may have repeated outbreaks of the herpes simplex virus over time, but these are usually shorter and less severe than the first outbreak. Causes We have established that the herpes simplex virus spreads from one person to the next through close contact. Therefore, an individual might contract the virus by touching a herpes sore. However, people usually develop complications from an infected individual who does not have sores.

Seasons change, and so do fashion trends. 2022 is no exception to this established rule. Each season gives birth to a new style that transforms into a trend and further sets the year’s mood. From minimalistic accessories and bold monochrome outfits to colossal platform boots and oversized totes, one can find something to suit their comfort level. One can see the blend of traditional and modern fashion this season. Let’s look at the latest trends: Comfortable dresses Dresses have been a woman’s go-to option for any occasion – casual or formal. Trends might change, but your style remains personal. That said, depending on your comfort level and personal style, you can opt for short or long maxi dresses with bold prints and patterns. Akris Punto has become a popular brand among women. Check out their women’s dress collection; it has something for everyone. You can try out their light cotton dresses in different patterns and styles, which are perfect for a casual day out with friends and a formal office meeting. Besides that, browse through their collection of T-shirts, jackets, pants, blouses, skirts, coats, and dresses. The tailor-made fit, colors, and fabric perfectly blend to give you a comfortable experience. Athleisure or loungewear The Athleisure clothing style combines the sturdiness of athletic gear with the comfort of casual clothes. The resultant outfits are thus suitable for not only high-intensity workouts but also casual lunch dates. This new fashion trend has been taking the world market by storm since 2019, and the year 2022 has not been able to escape its charm. Athleisure differs from regular athletic wear because the collection is not limited to merely tank tops and yoga pants. The clothing style includes shorts, sweatpants, sneakers, leggings, gym tanks, jackets, and tights. The shades are warm and pleasant to the eyes.

No one can know what a painful affair a sudden onset of migraine pang is other than the person who goes through it. While the migraine triggers differ from person to person, a few culprits are there, which seem to attack everyone indiscriminately. When one can identify their triggers, they are a step closer to effectively managing migraine and avoiding future attacks. Here are six surprising migraine triggers which you may not have been previously aware of: Excessive stress Stress is the most common reason that tends to trigger migraine pangs. According to some studies, stress is a catalyst for 70 percent of migraine attacks in patients. Besides, such studies have revealed a close relationship between daily migraine activity and stress levels. Furthermore, there seems to be a continuous cycle in which the day-to-day stress levels are further loaded with the worry of upcoming migraine attacks. How to manage: One can begin by preparing an exhaustive list of things that seem to bug daily but are pretty mundane and can be dealt with quickly without any undue tension or stress. Once the list is prepared, work on those triggers to reduce their effects on your stress levels. Besides that, try relaxation therapy, yoga, meditation, exercise, biofeedback, and massage to calm your mind and maintain a consistent sleep schedule. These remedies will not completely resolve stress-related issues. However, they will modify the bodily response to stress, so that migraine pangs are not triggered. Lack of a regular sleep schedule The relationship between sleep and migraine is pretty intimate. While everyone needs a good night’s sleep for the renewal and repair of their body and mind, a regular sleep schedule is necessary for migraine patients. Any changes in the sleep pattern can trigger an attack. Yet, an interesting fact about migraine pangs is that most get activated between 4 am and 9 am when one is supposed to sleep but can’t because their miserable brain won’t let them.

Shoppers are shifting from regular cars to leasing and buying SUVs for roomy passenger cabins, additional cargo space, and higher ride heights. Most new-age SUVs have abandoned their utilitarian shapes, metamorphosing into new-age vehicles with forms that match their functions. While some have voluntarily accepted their boxiness, many have opted for elegant lines and sculpted physiques, so there is an SUV for everyone. This guide will discuss some popular SUVs to watch out for. 2022 Honda CR-V It is one of the top SUVs on the market today and is a class leader in many respects, especially in fuel economy and passenger and cargo space. Honda CR-V also assures a comfortable ride and energetic acceleration with good gas mileage. Its interior feels upscale, and both rows appear comfortable and spacious. The CR-V’s cargo hold is one of the largest in the compact SUV range. Furthermore, its exemplary amalgam of value and quality makes it the best SUV for the money. However, the only downside is its short list of standard features in the base trim. Also, its infotainment controls are not the best. 2022 Hyundai Tucson The next best compact SUV to love is the Hyundai Tucson, thanks to its upscale and spacious interior, handling and ride, several driver assistance features, and intuitive infotainment system. The beautiful-looking car impresses riders with its upmarket cabin materials, roomy five-seater interior, and giant cargo space. It feels comfortable and agile to drive daily and is engineered with an economical, zippy four-cylinder engine. In addition, its 100,000-mile or 10-year powertrain warranty makes it a preferred alternative. Overall, it is a vehicle that is a true blend of class, value, and quality. It is an excellent compact pick for families, courtesy of its family-friendly features and a beautiful mix of passenger and cargo safety attributes.

Accessories tend to not only enhance your attire but also make you appear vibrant. Be it a casual chic look or an utter formal attire, adding some flash and bling just infuses life into your overall appearance. However, your accessories can perform their assigned role correctly only if perfectly styled. Here are some easy techniques and tips you can apply to up your fashion game and bring the best out of your outfit: Do not pile up on accessories at a time Most people commit the mistake of donning all the available accessories at once with an outfit. It must be noted that as far as accessories are concerned, less is always more. The purpose of using accessories is to highlight your outfit. However, if you adorn your outfit with several accessories like a watch, scarf, jewelry, sunglasses, hat, etc., all at once, none of them will stand out, making your outfit look cluttered and even awful. Highlight neutral clothes with bold accessories While neutral-colored clothes can look dull and understated, they are also the most perfect ones to be used as a field for experiments. If your wardrobe is filled with neutral colors like olive, navy, beige, white, or black, now is the time to boost them by pairing them up with some bold-colored accessories. Here are a few methods to do that: Pair a navy or black dress with a thin hot pink or red belt. Highlight your dull olive or khaki clothes using a flashy yellow or orange scarf. Add some hue to your colorless white blouse by pairing it with big drop earrings or a multicolored statement necklace. Don’t be too matchy While it could be tempting to pair up the blue polka dots of your dress with some matching blue shoes, a blue necklace, and blue earrings, it would make the outfit too predictable, boring, and even childish.

Many pet owners prefer to prepare homemade meals for their furry friends. However, it is important to remember that some foods that are safe for humans can be toxic to pets. This article highlights some foods that should be avoided when feeding pets to avoid long-term illnesses. Before making any changes to the pet’s meal regime, consult a veterinarian. Additionally, keep a watchful eye for any side effects or allergic reactions the pet may have. Avocado This healthy superfood for humans is toxic for house pets. It contains a compound called persin, which can cause an allergic reaction in dogs. It can induce vomiting or even diarrhea. Apart from this, if ingested by mistake, the seed can get stuck in the stomach and intestines or the food pipe, worsening the condition of the pets. This particular type of food can be extremely harmful to birds, rabbits, donkeys, horses, sheep, and goats. In birds and rabbits, this food may cause cardiovascular problems, while horses and donkeys may experience swelling in the head and neck, which can lead to severe consequences. Chocolates It is a well-known fact that chocolate is extremely harmful to dogs and other animals. The culprit behind this sweet treat’s toxicity is theobromine, a compound found in both dark and milk chocolate. The most dangerous types of chocolate are dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate, which contain high amounts of this compound. Ingesting chocolate can result in vomiting, diarrhea, and other issues such as heart problems, seizures, tremors, and even death in some cases. Grapes It is important to keep grapes away from pets as they can cause kidney failure in dogs. Even small amounts of raisins and grapes, whether seedless, dried, or peeled, can lead to frequent vomiting, weakness, sluggishness, and inactivity throughout the day. These are the symptoms that dogs exhibit after eating these fruits and the side effects caused by them.

About to head out for an exciting beach vacation? The joy of lying in the sand or heading for a swim in the cool water is unmatched! However, in the days of planning and anticipation, many people often forget to take care of some of the basics, which could dampen the fun within no time. Here’s a compiled list of ten ways to avoid ruining a fun beach vacay to ensure a leisure-filled getaway from the humdrum of daily life. Stay hydrated On warm sunny days, heading to the beach sounds like an absolute delight. If one plans to head to the sea/ocean for a swim, play beach volleyball, or even just lounge in the sand, there’s always a risk of getting sweaty because of the humidity. Sweating is the body’s way of cooling off. However, this may lead to dehydration, making one feel tired. It could also increase one’s risk of a heat stroke. Sipping on water or fluids and staying hydrated is important for a great day out at the beach. While adequate water consumption depends on one’s age, activity levels, and the local weather conditions, people must focus on drinking at least 2-3 liters of water daily. Use skin protection When stepping into the sun, one must take all necessary precautions to avoid sunburns and reduce the risk of skin cancer. Follow these guidelines set by the American Association of Dermatologists when choosing a sunscreen: Pick a sun-blocking sunscreen with at least SPF 30 Use a broad-spectrum sunblock that protects the skin from UVA and UVB rays Pick a water-resistant sunscreen Apply about an ounce of sunscreen from head to toe and massage it thoroughly before stepping out into the sun. Remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours to get adequate protection from the sun. Additionally, to enhance skin safety, bring a beach umbrella and wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and a lightweight long-sleeve shirt.

Making kids adopt healthy eating habits can be a challenge. You have to ensure the food is not only nutritious but also tasty enough not to be left aside on the plate. But then, most parents run out of ideas over time and eventually become frustrated. So, how do you get your kid to choose the right foods and stay healthy? Here are a few tested strategies to get kids to eat better: Give them the freedom to choose Nobody likes to be compelled to do something, especially high-spirited toddlers and older children constantly trying to assert their autonomy. And the kitchen is not an exception to this principle. Choosing between celery with peanut butter and apple slices may not hold much significance for you; you may think both are healthy and pick either for your child on any given day. However, leaving it to your little one to decide will give them a sense of autonomy, which they seek so much. They may even agree to try new healthy dishes if they feel it is their choice. Let them prepare their plates Allowing children to prepare their own plates is another way of letting them feel their autonomy. It will, in turn, make them enthusiastic about trying new dishes. This may not be easy initially. Your little one may diverge from the established food guidelines of creating a balanced plate with veggies, fruits, proteins, carbs, etc. However, with appropriate guidance, they may get accustomed to the rules and be more willing to include healthy options on their plates, only to exercise their freedom to choose. Introduce new food options According to experts, children learn and get accustomed to the what, how, and when of food habits during the initial five years of their life. So, it is essential to introduce them to as much variety as possible when their taste buds and food habits are still developing.

Mosquitos can be pretty annoying, but more than that, they can also be harmful as they are the carriers of disease-causing germs. The insect is attracted to various scents like skin odor, scented soaps, and more. Carbon dioxide emitted by human beings, along with other typical body fragrances, can be a great pull for mosquitos. So, which are the scents that repel them? Here are eight of them that can keep mosquitos at bay: 8 natural mosquito repellents Lemon eucalyptus oil or OLE  A study conducted in 2014 proved that 32% of OLE can provide effective protection (up to 95%) from mosquitos for up to three hours. The plant-based natural oil has been in use ever since the 1940s as a mosquito repellent. This natural oil is approved by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) too. It is possible to make this repellent at home. All you need is a mixture in the ratio of 1:10 of lemon eucalyptus oil to sunflower oil. Precaution: Take care not to use the pure version or OLE essential oils. Also, it is better not to use the concoction on a three-year-old or kids aged less than this. Citronella  Citronella is probably one of the most effective natural oils to keep mosquitos at bay. The oil has a citrusy smell and is made from lemongrass plants. Most commercial-level mosquito repellents and sprays usually contain citronella as one of the ingredients. The best to apply this option is to make a mixture and not use the essential oil directly on the skin. If you do not have access to a lemongrass plant, you can use the citronella geranium, a geranium variety of flowering plants that has a similar scent to citronella oil. Garlic This is another scent that can irritate mosquitos. There are two ways to use garlic as a mosquito repellent.

The CDC suggests that about 38% of adults in the country have high cholesterol levels. This puts them at risk of heart diseases and serious complications. So, it is important to regulate ones bad cholesterol levels by getting an adequate amount of heart-healthy fats and fiber. Adding sources like fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, whole grains, and legumes can help one get the necessary nutrients. So, here are seven snack ideas to lower one’s cholesterol levels: Oatmeal The versatility of oats is unmatched, so one can add them to any recipe of choice. Additionally, oatmeal is the go-to snack when it comes to lowering cholesterol. It is rich in soluble fibers that bind to cholesterol and flush them out before they can reach the bloodstream. Besides fiber, one serving of oatmeal contains high levels of protein and heart-friendly antioxidants. Fresh or dried fruits and honey are recommended additions to oatmeal as they can help achieve better results. Fruit bowl Fruit bowls are another way of adding low-cholesterol snacks into one’s daily diet. Fruits are incredibly rich in fiber and can make people feel full for extended periods. Additionally, they are a rich source of essential minerals and vitamins. Some of the most effective foods include almonds and fruits like berries and apples. However, managing portion size is crucial as certain fruits can be high in carbohydrates. Here is what one can use for a healthy and well-balanced fruit bowl: 8 strawberries 1 medium-sized apple A handful of grapes 2 tablespoons of flaked almonds or other nuts Yogurt parfait Low-cholesterol snacks do not have to be bland or boring. In fact, yogurt parfaits are the perfect example of delicious snacks people can have. One can add loads of fruit to the recipe. Yogurt fruit parfaits are an upgraded version of fruit salads.

Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects the plasma cells in the bone marrow. Here, cancerous cells begin accumulating in the bone marrow and outnumber the healthy cells. This leads to huge amounts of unwanted proteins rather than helpful antibodies. About 34,000 adults in the country are estimated to be affected by this condition in 2022. However, the disease can be managed through the following treatment options, foods, and lifestyle changes: Treatment options Multiple myeloma does not have a permanent cure, but the disease and its symptoms can be managed with the right treatment. Doctors may recommend immunotherapy to treat this blood-related condition.  Immunotherapy This is a treatment method that empowers the patient’s immune system to fight cancerous cells. It is a biological therapy where certain substances derived from living beings are used for the treatment. Here are a few options: CAR T-cell therapy: This is a form of immunotherapy prescribed for multiple myeloma patients. This works on the T-cells (a white blood cell type), stimulating them to fight cancerous growth. The therapy involves drawing blood from the patient and adding chimeric antigen receptors (or CARs) to the blood, helping the T-cells target certain cancerous cell antigens. The CAR T-cells are then infused into the blood of the patient. Doctors can recommend BCMA-targeted immunotherapy for patients to enter remission. The B-cell maturation antigen or BCMA helps regulate the growth and survival of B cells, and it is heavily present in myeloma cells. Targeting BCMA to kill cancer cells can slow the progression of the disease. BCMA-targeted treatment is a form of CAR T-cell therapy. Monoclonal antibodies: These are synthetic or man-made antibodies that attack the proteins on the myeloma cell surface. The antibodies attach to the CD38 protein on the myeloma cells, killing them and strengthening the immune system to attack the cancerous cells.

Gadgets make up a huge part of Black Friday deals during the shopping weekend. Laptops are among the most popular categories, as many brands offer huge discounts on these expensive products. Shoppers are advised to always look out for any sales announcements closer to the sale season, and while there is no update yet on Black Friday 2023 deals, here are last year’s deals to get an idea of what to expect this year. Asus The brand is primarily known for its hardware for gaming and eSports. Hence, laptops are a popular product during the sale season because shoppers, especially gamers, wait all year for exclusive discounts. Some of the popular deals from last year included the following: 1. The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 was on sale at Best Buy for $1,399. The original price of the laptop was $1,899, and as it is known to be a beast of a laptop for gaming purposes, it was a big discount for shoppers interested in gaming. It comes with a 14-inch display screen and a refresh rate of 120 Hz, which allows for smooth streaming. The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS CPU has 16GB of DDR5 RAM. It also has an AMD Radeon RX 6800S GPU for gaming purposes. 2. The Asus Chromebook Flip C536 is a more affordable option, also sold on Best Buy for $369 when the original price was $569. Even though this comes under premium Chrome OS laptops, it is still more affordable than other available options. The 15.6-inch touch display helps with clean and vivid visuals, and it has a 128GB SSD, which is rarely seen in other Chromebooks on the market. Lenovo Some of the popular deals from this brand from last year included the following: 3. With the coupon code “IDEABFNOW,” shoppers could get the Lenovo Slim 7 14, which was on sale on the official website for $927 when the original price was $1,259.