A national study of teenage girls has determined that one in four has a sexually transmitted disease. The study monitored four different STDs -- HPV, chlamydia, herpes simples type 2, and trichomoniasis. Almost 50% of African-American girls in the study and 20% of Caucasian girls were infected with at least one of the STDs. 15% had more than one STD. The most common conditions were HPV and chlamydia.

Education, prevention, and even vaccination are so important for young girls who may become sexually active. I'm not a parent to a girl, but I do have a young boy. He's only 10, but I don't think it's too soon to discuss these issues. Right now, I keep it age-appropriate and talk a lot about respecting others, how to treat girls with respect, and the importance of privacy. For tips on how to talk to teens about sex, click here.

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Do you get cold sores? I do, so I know how much of a pain in the you-know-what they can be. And if it's not bad to enough to be cold sore-prone, there's more bad news for sufferers -- we're more likely to develop Alzheimer's later in life. The reason? The infection seems to radically increase the production of amyloid, the toxic protein that clogs the brain cells in Alzheimer's sufferers.

Armed with these new findings, researchers will try to look at how cold sore drugs may lessen or eradicate this connection. But in the meantime, all we cold sore folks can do is wait. And those who don't get cold sores should take precautionary measures to make sure they don't get the virus.

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I have no idea when I last got a tetanus shot. But I just learned that I need a vaccine called Tdap, a three-in-one vaccination for tetanus, diptheria, and pertussis, every 10 years. Even if I was immunized as a kid against these diseases, I still need the shot. So do all other adults.

I never knew adults needed shots. Until now.

Apparently, about 50,000 to 70,000 adults in the United States die each year of diseases that are preventable by vaccine. It seems it's time we keep track of what we need, and when we need it. So here are some grown-up guidelines for those vaccinations we should not let pass us by.

Hepatitis B

If you've had a sexually-transmitted disease and/or are not in a monogamous relationship, you need this shot. If you have more than one sexual partner in a six-month period, you need this shot. It's given in three doses over several months and protects against liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus. The virus is spread by sex with an infected partner or exposure to an infected person's blood.

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Genital herpes is very common in the U.S., but for some reason, it's analogous to the childhood "cooties" for many young and older adults still. Why is this?

In a recent poll, adults ranked genital herpes as the second-largest sexually transmitted disease in terms of the stigma is carries. HIV was first. Herpes beat out gonorrhea, mental illness, obesity and even cancer. Herpes?

It's odd that a viral infection that causes little more than cold sores and possible warts carries this much social stigma, but it does according to this poll. If this infection is considered this "taboo," it seems out of place in slot number two if you ask me.

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We already know that cinnamon can have a positive effect on your blood sugar levels. Now, research is showing that cinnamon is also an amazing anti-viral agent.

Studies claim anti-viral benefits for this special cinnamon extract against Avian Flu H9, the Sendai virus, HIV and Herpes Simplex 1, Newcastle disease (in chickens) and the flu.

Not only will this extract fight the viruses, but it will also immunize against them.

The researcher, Professor Michael Ovadia, even suggests using his discovery to sanitize the air at airports and in hospitals.

Personally, I think this is very exiting for those of us who try to use natural remedies whenever possible. Not only will it give us another weapon in our arsenal to fight the big bad bugs, but hopefully its value will be noticed by others who may not have previously chosen a natural remedy. I love that Zicam, SinuCleanse and Hyland's Teething Tablets are all natural remedies that can be found in drug stores throughout the nation now.

Will cinnamon extract follow their lead?

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Social clubs for people with herpes -- I have to admit, that's something I would have never considered. But once I started reading that article, I realized it really was a very compassionate idea for people who struggle with this very common sexually transmitted disease.

About 25% of women and 20% of men have genital herpes. Besides the obvious health issues, the disease can make dating difficult and awkward. When to tell a potential partner, how to tell a potential partner, and then dealing with the fallout afterward are all things herpes sufferers have to deal with. In response, several online dating groups have been popping up across the nation. Some offer social outings, others offer emotional support, and they all provide a pool of potential soul mates who not only know that you suffer from the disease, but also have it themselves (so there is no concern of spreading.)

Interesting concept, and also timely considering the recent news that one in four American women have been infected with the HPV virus, which -- besides its well known connection to cervical cancer -- can also cause genital warts. What do you think?

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