Diary dates:
Open gatherings
"At my first meeting I was told 'Of course you can have a normal sex life' by a man who'd had herpes simplex for five years. I didn't believe him. Now I know he was telling the truth." says Marian
Do you have herpes simplex? Come along to a gathering of members of the Herpes Viruses Association, meet others with the virus, and get answers to your questions. These meetings are open to all.
Autumn dates, 2004:
London:
NEW!! Brixton: Wednesday, 13th October - in the cafe of the Ritzy cinema, 8pm - look for the SPHERE sign on the table. We'll leave at 9pm if no one else shows up.
Central: We meet on Saturday, 1st October, at 3 pm - this is convenient for people who are coming into London from a bit further away. We can discuss 'it' in public without anyone being aware we are talking about genital herpes. Saying 's' 'e' 'x' won't set people earwigging. The venue is the Atrium of the President Hotel, Guildford Street, off Russell Square. Turn left out of Russell Square tube, first left down Herbrand Rd, the hotel is 60 yds ahead. Inside, turn right, the atrium is through the double-doors.
This venue is especially good if you don't like pubs as you can get coffee/tea as well as beer/wine, etc. Some of us go on to eat somewhere about 6.30. Marian will put a Toblerone-shaped sign with "SPHERE" on the table. Future: Saturday (undecided) 3 pm
We also meet there on weekday evenings: Thursday 23rd September. Meet Marian at 7.30pm at the table with the "SPHERE" sign on it. She'll leave at 8.30pm if no one else shows up. Future: to be advised
Around the country
- for everyone
Skin Information Days take place around the country with information on all sorts of skin conditions including acne, eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo and other others. The next one is in Bradford - at Bradford University - on Saturday, 9th October from 10am to 3pm. Marian will man our stand all day and give a talk on 'Cold sores, shingles and all the herpes viruses'.
Milton Keynes: on Wednesday, 22nd September, 8.00 pm at Wetherspoons, Midsomer Blvd, Central MK - next Chiquito's Mexican restaurant. This is an informal meeting, to others in Witherspoons we'll look like an ordinary group of pals. Look for Liz who will have a Toblerone chocolate bar on the table Ð chat with others about treatment tips, ideas on talking to partners, or just 'life', etc.
- for members
These social (and sometimes 'support') events occur in people's homes and in pubs, cafes, etc. around the country. Currently, as well as Milton Keynes, above, other groups meet in Manchester, Nottingham, Swindon, Bristol, Nottingham, Exeter, Tyne & Wear area, Leeds and Sheffield - and of course different parts of London.
Workshops - for members
We run workshops to help you develop confidence in 'Talking to a new partner'. These are for our members. Feedback from people who attend these is always very positive. Come along to learn the facts, overcome the stigma, share experiences, practice your lines... Join now (click on 'Join' button on left to see our subscription form).
Vaccine trials
Ten venues around the country are conducting a trial for a vaccine to protect young women against catching herpes simplex virus. Volunteers have to be 16 and 17 years old and must not have had a cold sore or a genital sore. Note: this vaccine does not work on men - and provides the young women with the same level of protection against genital herpes simplex that having had a cold sore would have given them. It is known that having had one type of herpes simplex virus gives people 'partial protection' against catching the other type.
You’ll want to know about this study ...
This safety clinical study is to look for any side effects after being given a vaccine that could prevent herpes simplex infection if given early. If you have a daughter aged 16 -17 years, she would be eligible to take part as long as she has never had any signs or symptoms of the disease.
This is a real opportunity to help develop a new means of preventing infection with herpes simplex virus and reduce its spread. The study is ethically approved and is conducted by trained medical staff. It would involve a total of 5 visits to the clinic over a 12 month period.
If you are interested or need more information, please call confidentially on
02380-825152 - Southampton, Dr R Patel
020 8746-5603 - London, Dr S Barton
02476-615645 - Coventry, Dr R Lal-Sarin
02476-688340 - Coventry, Dr R Bodalia
02476-675016 - Coventry, Dr M Garala
0114-2700928 - Sheffield, Dr G Kinghorn
01204-799947 - Bolton, Dr B Silvert
01253-344219 - Blackpool, Dr J Calvert
01253-392403 - Blackpool, Dr D Haworth
01253-595222 - Blackpool, Dr S Parr-Burman
01274-365232 - Bradford, Dr J Nelson"
Send an SAE to the HVA (41 North Rd, London N7 9DP) or email info@hva.org.uk if you’d like a copy of this advert which looks like its been “copied from a newspaper”, so that no one asks you how you saw it...
