UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Thursday, August 26, 1993
William Alix / KANSAN
Chris Coy, Columbus, Ohio, senior, braved yesterday's heat and played frisbee in front of Fraser Hall.
Watkins testing herpes drugs
Student volunteers infected with virus can aid center trial By Liz Klinger
By Liz Klinger
Kansan staff writer
About 30 million people between the ages of 15 and 74 carry the virus that typically causes genital herpes, according to the American Social Health Association.
Watkins needs the students to participate in a clinical trial that will test the safety and efficacy of a new antihyperthemic drug called valacyclovir.
The health center is one of 30 public health clinics and university health centers in the United States participating in the trial.
Watkins Memorial Health Center is looking for just 30 students with recurrent outbreaks of the virus.
"We started this study using a new experimental drug for initial onset herpes," said Charles Yockey, chief of staff at Watkins.
On Sept. 9, 1992, Watkins began a trial for patients that enrolled within 72 hours of their first outbreak. Patients were given nine unmarked pills each day for 10 days that either contained a dosage of valacyclovir or acyclovir.
Yockey said that acyclovir, which has been on the market for eight years, has to be taken many times a day to be effective. Yockey said the study may show that valacyclovir can be taken less often.
Participants in the second part of the trial, which began last week, will be given medication to be taken at the start of their next outbreak. They will
"We started this study using a new experimental drug for initial onset herpes."
Charles Yockey Chief of staff at Watkins
be given unmarked doses of valacyclovir, valacyclovir and sugar pills, or just sugar pills. A participant will have a one in four chance of receiving sugar pills.
Patients will receive examinations, culture tests and two blood tests to chart results.
Yockey said an initial genital herpes outbreak can last from seven to 14 days. Although a mild outbreak may be difficult to detect, a severe outbreak will include red blister-like bumps that fill with water and appear around the genitalia. The lesions will then become crusty and eventually disappear, with or without medication.
After the initial outbreak, the outbreaks will appear about every three months. The outbreaks will become less frequent and shorter in length. With the exception of victims under a lot of stress, Yockey said, most sufferers will stop experiencing breakouts in five years.
About 90 percent of the herpes victims that Watkins' physicians see are women.
How you can participate
Qualifications to be a recurrent genital herpes clinical trial participant:
- **Must be at least 18 years old**
- **Must have recurring episodes of genital herpes in the 12 months prior to entering the study.**
- ■ Must undergo an examination
■ If accepted for the study, the participant must sign a consent form.
- Must have a history of herpes simplex infections at the genitalia or closely surrounding areas.
What study participants will face:
The study will also determine whether the participant has HSV-1 or HSV-2
Participants who complete the trial will receive a stipend of $100.
Participants will receive all medication, examinations and tests at no charge.
Anyone who believes they have recurrent genital herpes and is interested in participating in the trial should visit a clinical unit for treatment. Information is confidential.
Source: Burroughs Wellcome Co. KANSAN
"It really screws up their lives for up to a week," Yockey said.
Yockey said the pain of an initial genital herpes outbreak is excruciating.
"It feels like a razor blade is stuck in your skin," Yockey said.
He said that there were 250 herpes-related visits in the last year, making it the third highest sexually transmitted disease seen at Watkins.
Chlamydia and human papillomavirus are ranked first and second.
Mock Student Senate meeting focuses on being prepared
By Donella Hearne
Kansas staff writer
"Personal attacks are uncalled for," John Shoemaker. Student Body President, warned the student senators.
Kansan staff writer
"It is infinitely more persuasive to say in a word what others may butcher in a sentence," Shoemaker said. "Efficiency does not mean
quick and sloppy. We can accomplish much but only if we are prepared."
"Every time we meet together we get to feel out each other's personalities more." Perry said. Debating a mock bill to fund a KU Amatur Fly-
Fishing Club exposed the real fishermen in the club. There was some snickering during the discussion on what kind of bait should be used.
Travis Harrod, who heads the Student Executive Committee, addressed the Senate with humor and optimism for the coming year.
After discussing the community value of the club, the senators voted on financing.
The Anateur Fly-Fishing Club would receive $329 for postage and advertising costs.
The big debate last night at the first Student Senate meeting of the semester focused on whether a speech by Kernit the Frog would be worth $3,000.
It was when Jim Henson's little green Muppet was referred to as a "stuffed animal," that the debate really got serious.
The process used to pass the mock bill is the same that will be used to determine the fate of all the bills presented to the Senate this year.
Ann Perry, Topeka senior and Liberal Arts and Sciences senator, said preparation activities, such as the mock meeting, helped senators develop a good working relationship.
Student Senate meetings are held at 6:30 pm every other Wednesday night in the Big Eight Room of the Kansas Union. Regular meetings will begin Sept. 8 and are open to the public.
The mock Senate meeting gave new senators a chance to experience the legislative procedures before they begin debating on actual issues next week. It also gave Shoemaker a chance to emphasize his goal of cutting down meeting times without stalling progress.
"I feel a lot of energy from you guys," Harrod said. "There's a lot of love in this room."
"We do have a dedication this year to making meetings more efficient." Shoemaker said.
meetings more efficient, Shoemaker said. In his first presidential report to the senators last night, Shoemaker stressed the importance of being prepared.
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