Genital Herpes Information
(Think you may have
contracted genital herpes?)
The following genital herpes information has been compiled from a
variety of resources in order to give the reader an overview of the
genital herpes virus.
What is genital herpes?
What are the symptoms of genital herpes?
How is genital herpes spread?
How common is genital herpes?
Is genital herpes serious?
What can an you expect after you are infected with genital herpes?
Is there a cure for genital herpes?
What are the names the medications used to treat genital herpes?
What can patients do to lessen the pain associated with the genital
herpes ulcers?
How can individuals protect themselves from the genital herpes virus?
Individuals should also adhere to the following to prevent the spread of
the virus:
How often will I get recurrent outbreaks of the genital herpes virus?
What is genital herpes?
Herpes is Greek is herpein meaning "to creep".
The Latin name is appropriate describing the way herpetic lesions
"creep" and erupt in blisters in a serpent-like pattern. The term herpes
pertains to several distinct disorders, herpes simplex, herpes zoster,
Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus.
For more comprehensive information concerning the herpes virus|
(click here for details).
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How
is genital herpes spread?
HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be found and transmitted from
the ulcers associated with the herpes virus. However, the herpes ulcers
do not have to be present for you to become infected with the herpes
virus. The herpes virus is contagious when their are no apparent lesions
present.
An individual almost always acquires an HSV-2
infection during sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2
infection. HSV-1 causes most infections of the mouth and lips, however,
an individual can acquire HSV-1 in the genital area secondary to
oral-genital sexual contact.
Stop
genital herpes outbreaks. Shorten both the duration and
frequency of your genital herpes outbreaks, as well as, decrease the
pain associated with genital herpes ulcers.
Order Valtrex online now (click here for details).
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How
common is genital herpes?
In Europe, an estimated 21 percent of persons 18
years and older are infected with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).
The prevalence has increased by 30 percent in the past 15 years. Many
patients with HSV-2 are asymptomatic, and an estimated 80 percent of
cases are never diagnosed.
Stop
genital herpes outbreaks. Shorten both the duration and
frequency of your genital herpes outbreaks, as well as, decrease the
pain associated with genital herpes ulcers.
Order Valtrex online now
(click here for details).
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Is
genital herpes serious?
HSV-2 may produces only mild symptoms or an
individual may be asymptomatic. However, HSV-2 can also cause extremely
painful recurrent genital lesions. The HSV-2 infection can also cause
complications in individuals who are immune compromised.
The HSV-2 virus can also cause fatal infections in
infants if the mother is shedding virus at the time of delivery. Woman
who have active genital lesions at the time of delivery, will have to
undergo a cesarean section in order to prevent their newborn from being
infected with the virus.
In addition, the knowledge that an individual as
acquired genital herpes often causes severe psychological distress.
Stop
genital herpes outbreaks. Shorten both the duration and
frequency of your genital herpes outbreaks, as well as, decrease the
pain associated with genital herpes ulcers.
OOrder Valtrex online now (click here for details/u>)).
back to the top of the genital herpes topics/u>
What can you expect after you are infected with genital herpes?
Most individual infected with genital herpes are
asymptomatic, they are not aware that they have acquired the virus.
However, after a dormancy period the initial presentation of the virus
can be very painful. The first episode will usually occur within two
weeks after the initial contact with the virus.
Women can experience a very severe and painful
primary infection. Herpes blisters first appear on the labia majora
(outer lips), labia minora (inner lips), and entrance to the vagina.
Blisters often appear on the clitoris, at the urinary opening, around
the anal opening, and on the buttocks and thighs. In addition, women may
get herpes blisters on the lips, breasts, fingers, and eyes. The vagina
and cervix are almost always involved which causes a watery discharge.
Other symptoms that occur in women are: painful or difficult urination
(83%), swelling of the urinary tube (85%), meningitis (36%), and throat
infection (13%). Most women develop painful, swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy)
in the groin and pelvis. Approximately one in ten women get a vaginal
yeast infection as a complication of the primary herpes infection.
Men usually experience the herpes blisters on the
penis but can also appear on the scrotum, thighs, and buttocks. Fewer
than half of the men with primary herpes experience the constitutional
symptoms. Some 30% to 40% of men have a discharge from the urinary tube.
Some men develop painful swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) in the
groin and pelvis. Although less frequently than women, men too may
experience painful or difficult urination (44%), swelling of the urinary
tube (27%), meningitis (13%), and throat infection (7%).
Following the primary outbreak you can expect
to have some three to five recurrent episodes during the first year.
Although the secondary episodes are generally not as pronounced as the
primary outbreak they can still be very painful.
Fortunately there are medications i.e. Valtrex that can decrease the
recurrent episodes.
Stop
genital herpes outbreaks. Shorten both the duration and
frequency of your genital herpes outbreaks, as well as, decrease the
pain associated with genital herpes ulcers.
Order Valtrex online now
(click here for details).
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What are the symptoms of genital herpes?
Unfortunately, most individuals who are infected
with genital herpes are not aware that they have the virus. Many times
there are no initial symptoms or individuals do not recognize the
symptoms as herpes. Most individuals infected with the virus will
experience some of the following symptoms within two weeks:
- Feeling of malaise or the feeling of being
excessively tired
- Itching and/or burning in the genital or
anal region
- Discharge from the vagina
- Feeling of pressure in the abdomen region
- Swelling of the lymph nodes in the groin
- Pain in the genital area, buttocks and legs
Following the prodrome period individuals will
begin to notice the herpetic lesions forming in the region where the
virus has entered the body i.e. mouth, penis, vagina or the anus. Small
red bumps appear first that subsequently develop into blisters and then
open crusting sores.
During the period when the herpetic lesions are
evident individuals will also report the following symptoms:
- Painful or difficult urination
- Vaginal discharge
- Swollen glands in the groin area
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
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Is
there a cure for genital herpes?
Currently, there is no cure for the herpes virus.
However, antiviral medications such as Valtrex can significantly reduce
the number of outbreaks, as well as, the duration and severity of
symptoms once an outbreak occurs.
Stop
genital herpes outbreaks. Shorten both the duration and
frequency of your genital herpes outbreaks, as well as, decrease the
pain associated with genital herpes ulcers.
Order Valtrex online now (click here for details).
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What are the names the medications used to treat genital herpes?
Valtrex is the drug of choice for herpes
infection and can taken by mouth (orally). Although Valtrex is
the recommended medication for treating herpes infections, other
medications are also prescribed including the following:
Patients with frequent outbreaks (greater than two
to three per year) will benefit from the long term use of Valtrex which
is called "suppressive therapy." Patients on suppressive therapy have
longer periods between herpes outbreaks. Alternatively, patients
may use short term suppressive therapy to lessen the chance of
developing an active infection during occasions when they know their
stress levels will be high. Hence, their immune system suppressed and
they are more susceptible to a genital herpes outbreak.
Stop
genital herpes outbreaks. Shorten both the duration and
frequency of your genital herpes outbreaks, as well as, decrease the
pain associated with genital herpes ulcers.
Order Valtrex online now
(click here for details).
back to the top of the genital herpes topics
What can patients do to lessen the pain associated with the genital
herpes ulcers?
There are several things that a patient may do
to lessen the pain of genital lesions including the following:
- Wear loose fitting clothing and cotton
underwear.
- Using a blow dryer on the "cool" setting to
dry the infected area.
- Placing an ice pack on the affected area for
10 minutes, followed by 5 minutes off and then repeating this
procedure.
- Removing clothing or wearing loose pajamas
while at home.
- Soaking in a tub of warm water.
- TTopical ointments may be beneficial if they
contain: glycyrrhizinic acid, components of licorice glycyrrhiza
glabra, vitamin E, tea oil, Melaleuca spp, baking soda compresses
Stop
genital herpes outbreaks. Shorten both the duration and
frequency of your genital herpes outbreaks, as well as, decrease the
pain associated with genital herpes ulcers.
Order Valtrex online now (click here for details).
back to the top of the genital herpes topics
How
can individuals protect themselves from the virus?
Since genital herpes is a sexually transmitted
disease individuals can protect themselves by abstaining from sexual
contact. The consistent and proper use of latex condoms can also provide
some protection against infection. Condoms do not provide 100%
protection, unfortunately, the condom may not adequately cover the
entire region where the herpetic lesions reside allowing viral shedding.
If a partner has genital herpes there should be an abstinence from sex
until the lesions are no longer present.
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Individuals should also adhere to the following to prevent the spread of
the virus:
- Practice abstinence
- Limit the number of sexual partners you have
in your lifetime.
- Make sure that you and your sexual partner
use condoms every time you have sex.
- Wash your hands with soap and water
following contact with the sores (already infected with the virus).
- Keep the infected area clean and dry to
prevent other infections from developing (already infected with the
virus).
- Avoid scratching and/or touching the sores
(already infected with the virus).
- Refrain from sexual contact from the first
sign of a recurrent episode until the lesions are completely healed
(already infected with the virus).
Prevent
genital herpes outbreaks. Shorten both the duration and
frequency of your genital herpes outbreaks, as well as, decrease the
pain associated with genital herpes ulcers.
Order Valtrex online now
(click here for details).
back to the top of the genital herpes topics
How
often will I recurrent outbreaks of the herpes virus?
Recurrent episodes vary amongst different
individuals. However, most individuals have between four to six episodes
per year. Recurrent infection are generally less severe than the initial
outbreak.
Following an outbreak the virus then travels to
the nerve cells where the virus remains dormant. Currently, it is
unknown why the virus becomes active again. However, the recurrent
infections tend to be milder than the primary infections and are often
related to stress, fevers, sun exposure, menstrual periods etc.
Individuals should know that the virus may be
active without the presence of the typical lesions. During these times,
small amounts of the virus may be shed at or near places of the first
infection, in fluids from the penis, vagina, mouth or from lesions that
not that noticeable.
AAntiviral medications such as Valtrex can
significantly reduce the number of outbreaks and the duration and
severity of symptoms once an outbreak occurs. Shedding of the virus
during these periods may not be noticeable if there is no pain or
increased sensitivity in the region. However, you may be at increased
risk to spread the virus to your partner at this time.
Stop
genital herpes outbreaks. Shorten both the duration and
frequency of your genital herpes outbreaks, as well as, decrease the
pain associated with genital herpes ulcers.
Order Valtrex online now (click here for details).
back to the top of the genital herpes topics
