A Simple Overview To Genital Herpes And How To Talk To Your Children About It

Genital herpes is one of the most commonly occurring Sexually Transmitted Diseases in the world and it is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus.

There are two variations of the virus: type 1 also referred to as HSV-1 and type 2 commonly known as HSV-2. Type 1 which is the reason behind the cold sores you might see people sporting on their lips and type 2 which is most commonly responsible for genital herpes.

Genital herpes has no preference when it comes to gender, age or social status. It affects men and women, teenagers and adults, single and married people.

A person can only get infected during sexual contact with someone who is already infected. The most common way to transmit the HSV virus is thru sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse can be vaginal, anal or oral sex. Most people have none to very minimal signs or symptoms from type 1 or type 2 infections. When signs do occur, they tend to appear as small blisters in the pubic and anal region of the person infected. These blisters break leaving sores that may take several weeks to heal. In most cases, the first outbreak is the most severe with signs and symptoms that include flu-like symptoms, fever and swollen glands. Outbreaks tend to happen less often and less severe over time.

When a person has an outbreak, which means that the blisters are present, they are more likely to transmit the disease. That doesn't mean that someone who is infected with genital herpes and doesn't have blisters is safe. They're not. Safe sex practices do need to be followed regardless of the presence of blisters.

The only accurate way to be diagnosed with genital herpes is by getting a blood test though most diagnosis are visual when sores are present. When you are diagnosed with genital herpes you may view that as the end of your sexual life. It's not. Many people live with this condition and enjoy active intimate lives. There are multiple sites dedicated to introduce singles with herpes for dating.

Some surprising facts about genital herpes that many people aren't aware of include:

* Approximately 1 million people are infected with genital herpes each year. * In the United States it's estimated that 1 in 5 people are infected with genital herpes. * Type-2 infections are more common in women than in men. * Up to 90% of people who are infected with genital herpes aren't aware of it.

In order to manage this condition you do need to be diagnosed by a doctor. That's the first step towards treatment. Although there isn't an available cure for genital herpes it can be managed by oral medication known as suppressive therapy.

If you are a parent, you shouldn't wait to start talking to your children about genital herpes and do not expect their school to educate them about STDs. It is best to start educating your children when they are in their pre-teen or early teen years.

If your partner or child confides in you that he or she may have genital herpes or you suspect that you may be infected, plan a visit to your physician as soon as possible.

How Can You Tell if Someone Has Genital Herpes?

Do you take a good look at the person? Do you ask and look straight in their eyes? Do you inquire about their sex lives? Well, my answer is no, maybe and maybe.

It may be a good idea to ask someone if they’re aware of having genital herpes. The more sexual partners a person has had in their lives, the more likely they’re to be infected by herpes. But these methods are quite insufficient. Did you know that the majority of people who have genital or oral herpes are not aware of it? So how do you explain that? Simple, many oral or genital herpes infected people just don’t have any herpes symptoms, others have some symptoms which are mild enough to confuse them with a rash or a mosquito bite or anything that may cause, redness, swelling, itching, burning and blisters, and some may not even know what herpes symptoms are.

The fact that somebody doesn’t have or recognize herpes symptoms doesn’t mean they don’t have it. About 25% of the US population is infected with genital herpes, with women being more affected than men. Studies have shown that the vast majority (80%-90%) of people who have genital herpes have not been diagnosed with the condition.

According to a recent paper published by Carnegie Mellon University in January 2006, most sexually active teenage girls know almost nothing about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), except AIDS, until it is too late. Another 2006 study led by Dr. Herbert Kaufman, Boyd Professor of Ophthalmology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, found herpes virus-1 in 98 percent of healthy participants. None of them displayed any symptoms; however they shed the herpes virus in their saliva and tears at least once during the course of the 30-day study. Even though this study didn’t target genital herpes directly, it demonstrates that most people can be totally unaware of carrying the virus and being infected by herpes.

Shed or shedding means that the virus is present on the skin and ready to be transmitted. Herpes is transmitted through skin contact 98% of the time. Studies have shown that shedding may occur in almost 40% of HSV-2 (usually associated with genital herpes) infected people. Asymptomatic viral shedding may last 1 to 5 days, meaning that a person can be contagious without presenting any symptoms at the time. The average duration of each period of viral shedding has been assessed through laboratory studies but is just an estimate.

So how can you tell for a fact if someone has genital herpes? The only way to know is to look at blood, PCR or swab test results. Swab and PCR tests are very accurate when they detect herpes. However, if a test was performed late or delivered to the lab late, it may return a false negative result. Western blot test, a blood test, is the most accurate test available but may return a false negative if the person tested was first infected within the past 3 months. So it is not easy to know if a person has genital herpes or not.

One last consideration, herpes Simplex 1 or HSV-1 usually causes oral herpes and cold sores and herpes simplex-2, genital herpes. But herpes virus-1 genital herpes is becoming more and more prevalent nowadays. It is mostly transmitted during oral sex from a person who’s having an oral herpes infection with or without symptoms. So if getting genital herpes is a concern to you, you should consider oral herpes as well as genital herpes when asking a partner.

As you can see, it is very difficult to assess if a partner has genital herpes. There are no proven products to prevent genital herpes transmission at the moment. Some are currently undergoing testing for FDA approval and will hopefully be marketed soon. In the meanwhile, the best option is using a condom.

Can Genital Herpes be Avoided?

Many kinds of diseases, especially sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like genital herpes, can be avoided if a person is conscientious enough in practicing health habits. For genital herpes, the adage “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure” is appropriate. In fact, there is no vaccine against genital herpes.

Abstinence is definitely the most effective way of avoiding genital herpes and any other STDs. Having no sexual contact with anyone assures you that you will never be exposed to genital herpes.

However, abstinence can never be the choice of many people. And so, the next best thing is fidelity. It means that you must maintain a strictly monogamous relationship with a partner who has no genital herpes. This must be a two-way street. That is, you don’t have multiple sex partners, and your partner doesn’t maintain other sex partners. Having several sexual adventures may turn out to be nightmares in the end.

Unfortunately, finding one true love could be a trial and error process for some people. And so, to avoid genital herpes, the third best thing is being responsible. That is, you must practice safe sex.

Before starting a sexual relationship with a new partner, talk about STDs. It is probably not the most scintillating and romantic topic you could think of, but it is a vital one. Find out if your potential sex partner may have been exposed to the HSV virus. Having blisters and sores in the genital area and in the lips and mouth are hazardous signs. But you must also remember the fact that a person infected with HSV or any STD may never show any symptom. Thus, find out about your potential partner’s lifestyle, health history and sex history. If you are the 100th partner, think twice before consulting to a more intimate relationship. Prowess acquired due to experience may not always be a good thing.

Safe sex also means the use of condoms. Condoms, even if used properly, do not entirely prevent the transmission of genital herpes. But they do reduce the risk of acquiring STDs. Sometimes, the sores of genital herpes spread to the anus, the buttocks, and the thighs. These areas could not be covered by condoms. If your sex partner has genital herpes and the sores are limited to a small area, then either male or female condoms can be used. But let us reiterate that condoms do not offer 100% protection.

If pregnant, do everything in your power to avoid HSV infection, so that you do not endanger the health and life of your newborn.

If you are already infected with genital herpes, then have mercy and give others the chance to avoid your disease: avoid any sexual contact.

Genital Herpes- Understand The Treatment

Genital Herpes- Understand The Treatment

Genital herpes is treated with oral anti-viral medications. There are many medications available for herpes. They all reduce the intensity of the attack. No medicine cures herpes. The choice of medication depends upon factors such as- the first episode, subsequent episodes, suppressive therapy, compromise of immune system etc. Your doctor may adopt episodic or suppressive therapy. In episodic therapy, your doctor will give you medicine whenever you have an episode of genital herpes. In suppressive therapy, anti-viral medication is continued to suppress any outbreak of herpes. Let us discuss about them.

Episodes - the first episode may be the most difficult one. The medication choice a, strength and duration will therefore depend upon the intensity. In subsequent episodes, the strength may be reduced depending upon the intensity of the outbreak.

Suppressive therapy-

Some people get frequent outbreaks of herpes. To stop this, you may be prescribed suppressive therapy. In suppressive therapy you would take medication daily for a long period and your doctor will monitor you about any change needed in therapy.

Herpes during pregnancy- pregnancy makes women more vulnerable to herpes outbreaks. Most of the women who are carriers of herpes virus may get an outbreak during pregnancy. There is also danger to the yet to be born child if the mother delivers the child through her vagina that has active outbreak. This calls for regular consultation with doctors about the medication and method of delivery.

Immune system- some people have compromised immune systems. That happens in AIDS, regular intake of steroids, and other diseases such as blood cancer etc. Your doctor will judge your immunity and prescribe the medication accordingly.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

DoctorGoodSkin.com is a popular skin care guide where you can find a lot of information, articles and tips about STDs, skin diseases and conditions, skin treatments and procedures, skin care, skin care products, etc. You will also find information about hair and nails. You can try out some of the skin and health quizzes, to test your knowledge about various skin, hair and nail conditions. Other popular topics on the site include eczema, psoriasis, dermabrasion, hair loss, liposuction, cosmetic, sun damage, chemical peeling, etc. To learn more about Genital Herpes visit doctorgoodskin.com

Symptoms of Genital Herpes- Know More To Save Yourself

Many people who contract genital herpes may not show any symptoms. Some may show mild symptoms that are taken as something else, while others may get severe problems. Genital herpes occurs in episodes. When you contract the virus, the virus travels to the nerve centers near the spinal cord. It travels back from there to the genital area and breaks out from time to time.

First Episode-

The first episode begins within a fortnight of contact. Some people get severe symptoms of herpes in this episode while others may get very mild symptoms of herpes during the first episode. The main symptom is appearance of lesions. You may see blisters filled with fluid or ulcers. The blisters rupture in to ulcers in few days and crust and heal within a month. The common areas are: on the vulva, penis, near anus, thighs, and inside vagina. Commonly women get more severe symptoms then men. If women get blisters in the vagina, cervix or urethra they may take it as something else.

The symptoms of urethra may be treated as urinary tract infection. The symptoms of the vagina or cervix may be treated as yeast infection, if they are also accompanied by a discharge. If a woman repeatedly gets such symptoms, she should get herself checked for herpes. Blisters in the urethra of men may also be misdiagnosed by the patient. One should keep watch over any such symptoms after having unprotected sex.

Painful urination and headache may also occur during the first episode. Some patients also show flu-like symptoms during the first episode. Those who get mild symptoms may take them as insect bites, rashes, ringworm, etc. As these symptoms resolve soon, people are left unaware of the fact that they have herpes.

Recurring Episodes-

Most often the recurring episodes are far milder than the first episode. While some may have up to eight episodes in a year, others may have only one or two episodes. The recurrence depends upon the triggers of herpes. Certain factors trigger herpes. If you are careless about them you may get more recurrences.

In the next episodes, the symptoms of genital herpes may appear like: ingrown hair, insect bites, pimples, spots, etc. If blisters form, they crust over in few days and resolve. Most of the following episodes resolve much quickly than the first episode. Symptoms mimicking hemorrhoids may also appear on the anus.

If you get repeated fissures or any other symptoms near or on the genitals, you should get screened for genital herpes. On average, a person having genital herpes from HSV2 may have three to four episodes of recurrence every year. Many times, despite the virus being active near the genitals, one may show no symptoms. But during this phase the person sheds the virus. That is called asymptomatic shedding.

Prodrome phase-

Prodrome is the early symptom that indicates that a disease attack is imminent. Many people feel some pain, tingling or itching before active onset of genital herpes. Within a day or two, lesions appear on the affected area. Once you recognize the prodrome, you should begin your medicines to reduce the intensity and duration of the attack.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

DoctorGoodSkin.com is a popular skin care guide where you can find a lot of information, articles and tips about STDs, skin diseases and conditions, skin treatments and procedures, skin care, skin care products, etc. You will also find information about hair and nails.

You can try out some of the skin and health quizzes, to test your knowledge about various skin, hair and nail conditions. Other popular topics on the site include eczema, psoriasis, dermabrasion, hair loss, liposuction, cosmetic, sun damage, chemical peeling, etc. To learn more about Genital Herpes visit doctorgoodskin.com

Genital Herpes- The Types Of Common Tests

The experienced eyes of the doctor commonly diagnose genital herpes. Most of the doctors recognize the disease with clinical examination. To confirm the presence different tests are done. Many times the test reports indicate absence of herpes.

They need to be repeated after some days. All the testing facility may not be available everywhere. You need to discuss with your doctor about the reliability of the test and identification of HSV1 or HSV2. The test reports may be misleading if sample is withdrawn from old crusted sores. The common tests that are done to find out the presence of herpes are as below.

Viral Culture-

The common test to confirm the presence of herpes is culture test. In culture test, a small sample of fluid or cells is taken from the suspected sore with a swab. This sample is sent for testing. Many times, the results may be negative but you may be having genital herpes. This test is therefore repeated after some time. The test reports of rapid viral test can take 2 to 3 days while that of standard culture may take up to two weeks.

Herpes virus antigen detection test- In this test, cells that are taken from the sore are viewed under a microscope,. The presence of herpes antigens confirms the presence of herpes infection. The results o9f this tests are reported in a day.

PCR- this test is done on cells or sores. In this test the DNA of herpes virus is detected. This test can identify between the two types of Viruses- HSV1 and HSV2. PCR results are reported within three days.

Blood test-

In blood test, blood is drawn either by a needle or with a pinprick. This blood is tested for the presence of herpes virus. Some tests can identify between HSV1 and HSV2. A blood test can only tell you about the presence of virus in your body. It cannot tell you if you have an active breakout.

Commonly blood is tested for the presence of anti bodies of herpes virus. Your doctor will inform you about the reliability of the blood test he/she has performed, because many varieties of blood test options are available. Antibody test results are reported within two days.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

DoctorGoodSkin.com is a popular skin care guide where you can find a lot of information, articles and tips about STDs, skin diseases and conditions, skin treatments and procedures, skin care, skin care products, etc. You will also find information about hair and nails.

You can try out some of the skin and health quizzes, to test your knowledge about various skin, hair and nail conditions. Other popular topics on the site include eczema, psoriasis, dermabrasion, hair loss, liposuction, cosmetic, sun damage, chemical peeling, etc. To learn more about Genital Herpes visit doctorgoodskin.com

Genital Herpes- Some Facts Everybody Must Know

1. Genital herpes and oral sex-

If your partner has cold sores (carrier of virus type1), he/she can pass HSV1 to you by performing oral sex on you. You will contract Genital herpes.

2. Genital herpes is not life destroying-

Genital herpes is not life destroying. A large population is living with genital herpes without any serious problem. Control your triggers and outbreaks of herpes. A person suffering from genital herpes is more susceptible to get HIV. Maintain a healthy life style and you can live life normally.

3. Genital herpes cannot be transmitted through toilet seat-

The herpes virus cannot live long on dead surfaces such as toilet seats, towels, etc. It is rare to contact herpes from these objects.

4. Silent transmission-

An affected person, who does not have any signs of active sores, can also pass on the virus. That is called asymptomatic shedding of virus. So if your partner is suffering from genital herpes, you may also get it even if your partner shows no active outbreaks.

5. You may get the indication of herpes outbreak-

Before any herpes outbreak there is a period called prodrome. During this period you may get sensations such as- tingling, itching or some pain. That indicates that the genital herpes will break out in a day or two. Genital herpes can also spread easily during this prodrome period.

6. Prevention-

The best safeguard for genital herpes is to have a single partner who is free of herpes. If not, use of latex condoms and minimizing partners may reduce the risk.

7. Pregnancy & genital herpes-

A woman who is having active sores in or near vagina or having her first outbreak of genital herpes can pass on the disease to her newborn. In such cases herpes is controlled with anti-viral medications and cesarean delivery is performed to protect the new born from contacting herpes.

8. Reducing the spread of virus-

Anti viral therapy reduces the shedding of herpes virus considerably.

9. Cure-

There is no cure for genital herpes. The virus remains in the body for life. You should get treated whenever you get active sores (ulcers) to reduce the intensity and period of the outbreak.

10. Recurring episodes-

Some people get active genital herpes only once, while others may have several recurrences through their lifetime.

11. Affected Areas-

In men, the affected areas of genital herpes include- urethra, penis, scrotum, anus and buttocks. In women, the herpes appears on external genitals, vagina, cervix, buttocks and anus.

12. Transmission-

Genital herpes commonly gets transferred through skin cuts or mucous membranes. Oral cavity, vagina, anus and glans penis are all covered with mucous membrane.

13. Testing- Herpes is tested with viral culture during active outbreaks. During dormancy (no visible signs), a blood test is performed. These tests are not very accurate and may need to be repeated.

14. Many people do not know that they have Genital herpes-

Many people who have genital herpes may not show any symptoms or the symptoms may be so insignificant that they ignore them.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

DoctorGoodSkin.com is a popular skin care guide where you can find a lot of information, articles and tips about STDs, skin diseases and conditions, skin treatments and procedures, skin care, skin care products, etc. You will also find information about hair and nails. You can try out some of the skin and health quizzes, to test your knowledge about various skin, hair and nail conditions. Other popular topics on the site include eczema, psoriasis, dermabrasion, hair loss, liposuction, cosmetic, sun damage, chemical peeling, etc.

Genital Herpes- Understand The Behavior Of The Virus

Virus called Herpes Simplex Virus or HSV causes genital herpes. HSV is of two types- HSV1 and HSV2.

HSV1 is mainly responsible for causing Oral herpes also called as Cold sore. HSV2 is mainly responsible for causing Genital herpes.

HSV1 can also affect the genital area and cause genital herpes. Therefore if anybody has active cold sores and performs oral sex on anybody, the other person may get Genital herpes.

Though a healthy individual can also contract HSV2 in mouth, it rarely causes cold sores. To conclude HSV1 can cause both Genital herpes and Cold sores, whereas HSV2 can cause only genital herpes.

How the virus gets transmitted?

Genital herpes is transmitted by sexual contact. Anybody who has genital herpes can pass on the virus to his/her partner through a cut in the skin or mucous membrane. So every sexual encounter with an infected person can be cause of herpes.

Herpes episodes-

Herpes does not remain active all the time. It triggers in episodes. This is what happens- Once the virus enters the body, it multiplies rapidly. Most of the people suffer from the first episode of herpes, which shows as sores. After some days the virus travels back to the resting place near the spinal cord and remains dormant there. In most of the people the virus may get triggered again and it then travels back to the genitals and breaks-out as sores. Think of an aircraft, which remains in its hanger and flies out when instructed and then goes back to the hanger. Herpes virus behaves similarly. As there is no permanent cure of herpes, the virus remains inside the body for life.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

DoctorGoodSkin.com is a popular skin care guide where you can find a lot of information, articles and tips about STDs, skin diseases and conditions, skin treatments and procedures, skin care, skin care products, etc. You will also find information about hair and nails. You can try out some of the skin and health quizzes, to test your knowledge about various skin, hair and nail conditions. Other popular topics on the site include eczema, psoriasis, dermabrasion, hair loss, liposuction, cosmetic, sun damage, chemical peeling, etc. To learn more about Genital Herpes visit doctorgoodskin.com

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease (STD). A sexually transmitted disease is a disease that you get by having sex with someone who already has the disease. Genital herpes is usually caused by the herpes simplex virus type 2 (known as HSV-2). The disease is usually transmitted by sexual intercourse, with the virus passing from the infected partner via the skin, vagina, penis, or anus. Once you are infected, the virus stays in your body for life. You can give herpes to another person if you have sex when your herpes virus is active. HSV remains in certain nerve cells of the body forever, and can produce symptoms off and on in some infected people.

Genital Herpes is spread through direct contact. So, a genital herpes infection will stay in the area it originated unless transferred elsewhere via direct contact or skin-to-skin transference. Herpes won't just show up on its own somewhere else on the body. Because herpes is spread through direct contact, it is important to avoid contact with infected areas. If a herpes infection is not localized, further complications may occur. Herpes is equally common in males and females.

HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, but it more commonly causes infections of the mouth and lips, so-called "fever blisters." HSV-1 infection of the genitals can be caused by oral-genital or genital-genital contact with a person who has HSV-1 infection. Genital HSV-1 outbreaks recur less regularly than genital HSV-2 outbreaks.

Most of the people who are infected with HSV-2 have no symptoms of disease or they do not recognize their symptoms. Only about one third of people who first become infected with HSV-2 have symptoms. These symptoms often include fever, headache, genital pain, genital discharge, and blisters. Even if you have no symptoms, genital herpes can be diagnosed by testing your blood for an antibody to HSV-2. When signs do occur, they typically appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. The blisters break, leaving tender ulcers (sores) that may take two to four weeks to heal the first time they occur.

Typically, another outbreak can appear weeks or months after the first, but it almost always is less severe and shorter than the first episode. Although the infection can stay in the body indefinitely, the number of outbreaks tends to go down over a period of years. Once the virus infects you, it moves from the skin or membranes around the genitals to the central nervous system, where it remains for life. The virus can “wake up” or reactivate to cause a recurrence of the disease. When reactivation occurs, the virus travels down the nerves to the skin. It may cause blisters, genital itching, tenderness, burning, tingling, or redness, but it usually just makes copies of itself with no symptoms.