I think for people who were not convinced of the risk, this provides further evidence.

These new findings suggest the possibility that if a woman starts hormone therapy sooner rather than later, perhaps we will see some of the protective effects on the heart that natural estrogen provides - or at least it won't increase the risk of cardiovascular-related harm.

We will examine the condition of their arteries before, during and after therapy, and compare it to women on no therapy to see if the hormones cause or prevent changes leading to heart disease.

We really need to understand more about why some of the studies in this area still seem to disagree.

You would sort out people at higher risk and lower risk, and then maybe don't have to examine those at low risk as much. You will have a natural (method) of sorting out people for prevention, rather than for treatment.

Everyone who has been identified as a close contact has been treated. Those people who are at risk are household contacts, like roommates or people who come in close contact with the person through kissing or sharing of food or drink.