Genital herpes is caused by infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of HSV, HSV-1 and HSV-2, both of which belong to a wider group called Herpesviridae. Another well-known virus in this group is varicella zoster virus, which causes chicken-pox and shingles.
In general:
* HSV-1 is acquired orally, causing cold sores.
* HSV-2 is acquired during sexual contact and affects the genital area.
Although genital herpes used to almost always be caused by HSV-2 infection, HSV-1 is accounting for an increasing number of cases of genital herpes in developed countries.1
Only around 10-25 percent of people infected with HSV-2 are aware they have genital herpes.2 This is because genital herpes will often produce mild symptoms or no symptoms at all (asymptomatic infection). As a result, many cases of genital herpes go undiagnosed and frequently people unknowingly pass the virus on to their sexual partners.
Genital herpes symptoms and signs
If symptoms do occur, they will usually appear 2 to 7 days after exposure and last 2 to 4 weeks. Both men and women may have one or more symptoms, including:
* Itching or tingling sensations in the genital or anal area;
* small fluid-filled blisters that burst leaving small painful sores (see STD pictures);
* pain when passing urine over the open sores (especially in women);
* headaches;
* backache;
* flu-like symptoms, including swollen glands or fever.
Subsequent outbreaks are usually milder and last for a shorter period of time, usually 3 to 5 days. The sores are fewer, smaller, less painful and heal more quickly, and there are no flu-like symptoms. Subsequent outbreaks, or primary outbreaks in people who have had the virus for some time but have previously been asymptomatic, usually occur during periods of stress or illness when the immune system is functioning less efficiently than normal.
How is genital herpes passed on?
Genital herpes is passed on through skin contact with a person infected with the virus, most frequently during sex. The virus affects the areas where it enters the body. This can occur during:
* vaginal sex
* anal sex
* oral sex (HSV-1 or HSV-2)
* kissing (HSV-1 only)
Herpes is most infectious during the period when itchy sores start to appear on the skin during an outbreak. But even if an outbreak causes no visible symptoms or breaks in the skin, there is still a risk of the virus being passed on to another person through skin contact.
Where to go for help
If you have any symptoms or you are worried you may have been infected with an STD, you should discuss your worries with a doctor. They may be able to run tests or offer you treatment themselves, or else will refer you to someone who can.
Some countries have specific sexual health clinics that can help you directly. Check you local telephone directory to see if you have a clinic near you.
back to top
Testing for genital herpes
A herpes test will usually involve the following examinations, which are carried out by a doctor or nurse.
* A clinical examination will be done of a patient’s genital area.
* A sample will be taken, using a cotton wool or spongy swab, from any visible sores.
* Women may be given an internal pelvic examination (similar to a smear test).
* A sample of urine may be taken.
If the patient’s symptoms have already disappeared, or if there were no symptoms to begin with, a blood test can be taken to look for the virus. As in HIV testing, the herpes test works by searching for antibodies that the immune system produces to fight the virus. This means that the test is not effective until 3 months after exposure, as the body can take up to 3 months to produce an immune response.
It is possible to have more than one sexually transmitted infection at the same time, so it is advisable to have a full check-up.
Samples taken during an examination are sent to a laboratory for testing, and the result is usually available within 2 weeks, although this varies between countries.
back to top
Treatment for genital herpes
There is no cure for the herpes simplex virus and treatment is not essential, as an outbreak of genital herpes will usually clear up by itself. A doctor may however prescribe a course of antiviral tablets to reduce the severity of an outbreak. The antiviral tablets work by preventing the herpes simplex virus from multiplying.
Once the initial outbreak of herpes is over, the virus hides away in the nerve fibres adjacent to the infection site, where it remains dormant, causing no symptoms. It is possible for the dormant virus to be 'reactivated' in some people, in which case it travels back down the nerve to the skin surface.
Recurrences of genital herpes vary from person to person in frequency. Some will never experience an outbreak again, whilst others may have milder recurrences more than 6 times a year. Because these recurrent infections are milder, they often do not require treatment.
When receiving treatment for genital herpes, the doctor or health advisor will discuss the genital herpes infection and answer any questions. They will also want to know about any partners the patient has had sexual contact with within a recent period, as they will also be at risk of having genital herpes and should be tested.
Help during an outbreak
If you are suffering from an outbreak of genital herpes, there are several things you can do that may help make it easier to cope with:
* Take pain-killers (aspirin/paracetamol) for any pain.
* Gently bathe the sore areas with a salt solution (half a teaspoon of salt to half a pint of warm water) twice a day: it is soothing and helps the sores to dry out.
* Wear loose clothing so that the air can get to the sore areas.
* Place an ice-pack wrapped in a clean cloth or towel on the affected area.
* If passing urine is painful, try urinating in a bath of water, or pour water over yourself while urinating.
* Drink plenty of fluids, such as mineral water and soft drinks, to help neutralise the urine (it is important not to hold back from passing urine as this can cause further problems).
* Avoid sunbathing and using sunbeds.
* Get plenty of rest.
Taking care of yourself and your partner
During an outbreak of genital herpes, the sores are highly infectious and the virus can be passed on to others by direct contact. To prevent this from happening, you should avoid:
* Kissing when you or your partner have cold sores around the mouth;
* having oral sex when you or your partner have oral or genital sores;
* having any genital or anal contact, even with a condom or dental dam, when you or your partner has genital sores;
* using saliva to wet contact lenses if you have sores around your mouth.
Remember - wash your hands with soap before and after touching the sores.
Although the likelihood of transmitting genital herpes to your partner between outbreaks is much reduced, there is still some risk. Having genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life. Ask your doctor or clinical health advisor for advice.
Remember, a condom will only protect against herpes infection if it covers all the sores. Herpes can also be transmitted by non-penetrative sex.
Complications
HIV and genital herpes
Those with suppressed immune systems are likely to have more frequent and severe recurring episodes of genital herpes. They may also have more asymptomatic outbreaks (where the virus travels up the nerve to the surface of the skin but causes no blisters) during which time the virus can be passed on.
A genital herpes infection increases the risk of becoming infected with HIV by up to three times in both men and women.3 This is due to the breaks in the skin caused by HSV, that facilitate entry of HIV.
Pregnancy and genital herpes
Having herpes does not affect a woman's ability to become pregnant. However, if herpes is transmitted in the first 3 months of pregnancy there is a small risk of a miscarriage. A first episode of herpes during pregnancy carries a greater risk of transmission to the baby. Becoming infected towards the end of pregnancy may cause the baby to be born early.
Though transmission of herpes from a mother to her newborn is rare, if it does occur, it can pose a serious risk to the baby. If left untreated, the infection can cause damage to a newborn's internal organs, skin, and central nervous system and may even prove fatal. Prompt testing and treatment with acyclovir of any baby thought to be at risk is therefore essential.
However, most women who have an outbreak (or even several outbreaks) of genital herpes during pregnancy have a normal delivery and a healthy baby.
In general:
* HSV-1 is acquired orally, causing cold sores.
* HSV-2 is acquired during sexual contact and affects the genital area.
Although genital herpes used to almost always be caused by HSV-2 infection, HSV-1 is accounting for an increasing number of cases of genital herpes in developed countries.1
Only around 10-25 percent of people infected with HSV-2 are aware they have genital herpes.2 This is because genital herpes will often produce mild symptoms or no symptoms at all (asymptomatic infection). As a result, many cases of genital herpes go undiagnosed and frequently people unknowingly pass the virus on to their sexual partners.
Genital herpes symptoms and signs
If symptoms do occur, they will usually appear 2 to 7 days after exposure and last 2 to 4 weeks. Both men and women may have one or more symptoms, including:
* Itching or tingling sensations in the genital or anal area;
* small fluid-filled blisters that burst leaving small painful sores (see STD pictures);
* pain when passing urine over the open sores (especially in women);
* headaches;
* backache;
* flu-like symptoms, including swollen glands or fever.
Subsequent outbreaks are usually milder and last for a shorter period of time, usually 3 to 5 days. The sores are fewer, smaller, less painful and heal more quickly, and there are no flu-like symptoms. Subsequent outbreaks, or primary outbreaks in people who have had the virus for some time but have previously been asymptomatic, usually occur during periods of stress or illness when the immune system is functioning less efficiently than normal.
How is genital herpes passed on?
Genital herpes is passed on through skin contact with a person infected with the virus, most frequently during sex. The virus affects the areas where it enters the body. This can occur during:
* vaginal sex
* anal sex
* oral sex (HSV-1 or HSV-2)
* kissing (HSV-1 only)
Herpes is most infectious during the period when itchy sores start to appear on the skin during an outbreak. But even if an outbreak causes no visible symptoms or breaks in the skin, there is still a risk of the virus being passed on to another person through skin contact.
Where to go for help
If you have any symptoms or you are worried you may have been infected with an STD, you should discuss your worries with a doctor. They may be able to run tests or offer you treatment themselves, or else will refer you to someone who can.
Some countries have specific sexual health clinics that can help you directly. Check you local telephone directory to see if you have a clinic near you.
back to top
Testing for genital herpes
A herpes test will usually involve the following examinations, which are carried out by a doctor or nurse.
* A clinical examination will be done of a patient’s genital area.
* A sample will be taken, using a cotton wool or spongy swab, from any visible sores.
* Women may be given an internal pelvic examination (similar to a smear test).
* A sample of urine may be taken.
It is possible to have more than one sexually transmitted infection at the same time, so it is advisable to have a full check-up.
Samples taken during an examination are sent to a laboratory for testing, and the result is usually available within 2 weeks, although this varies between countries.
back to top
Treatment for genital herpes
There is no cure for the herpes simplex virus and treatment is not essential, as an outbreak of genital herpes will usually clear up by itself. A doctor may however prescribe a course of antiviral tablets to reduce the severity of an outbreak. The antiviral tablets work by preventing the herpes simplex virus from multiplying.
Once the initial outbreak of herpes is over, the virus hides away in the nerve fibres adjacent to the infection site, where it remains dormant, causing no symptoms. It is possible for the dormant virus to be 'reactivated' in some people, in which case it travels back down the nerve to the skin surface.
Recurrences of genital herpes vary from person to person in frequency. Some will never experience an outbreak again, whilst others may have milder recurrences more than 6 times a year. Because these recurrent infections are milder, they often do not require treatment.
When receiving treatment for genital herpes, the doctor or health advisor will discuss the genital herpes infection and answer any questions. They will also want to know about any partners the patient has had sexual contact with within a recent period, as they will also be at risk of having genital herpes and should be tested.
Help during an outbreak
If you are suffering from an outbreak of genital herpes, there are several things you can do that may help make it easier to cope with:
* Take pain-killers (aspirin/paracetamol) for any pain.
* Gently bathe the sore areas with a salt solution (half a teaspoon of salt to half a pint of warm water) twice a day: it is soothing and helps the sores to dry out.
* Wear loose clothing so that the air can get to the sore areas.
* Place an ice-pack wrapped in a clean cloth or towel on the affected area.
* If passing urine is painful, try urinating in a bath of water, or pour water over yourself while urinating.
* Drink plenty of fluids, such as mineral water and soft drinks, to help neutralise the urine (it is important not to hold back from passing urine as this can cause further problems).
* Avoid sunbathing and using sunbeds.
* Get plenty of rest.
Taking care of yourself and your partner
During an outbreak of genital herpes, the sores are highly infectious and the virus can be passed on to others by direct contact. To prevent this from happening, you should avoid:
* Kissing when you or your partner have cold sores around the mouth;
* having oral sex when you or your partner have oral or genital sores;
* having any genital or anal contact, even with a condom or dental dam, when you or your partner has genital sores;
* using saliva to wet contact lenses if you have sores around your mouth.
Remember - wash your hands with soap before and after touching the sores.
Although the likelihood of transmitting genital herpes to your partner between outbreaks is much reduced, there is still some risk. Having genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life. Ask your doctor or clinical health advisor for advice.
Remember, a condom will only protect against herpes infection if it covers all the sores. Herpes can also be transmitted by non-penetrative sex.
Complications
HIV and genital herpes
Those with suppressed immune systems are likely to have more frequent and severe recurring episodes of genital herpes. They may also have more asymptomatic outbreaks (where the virus travels up the nerve to the surface of the skin but causes no blisters) during which time the virus can be passed on.
A genital herpes infection increases the risk of becoming infected with HIV by up to three times in both men and women.3 This is due to the breaks in the skin caused by HSV, that facilitate entry of HIV.
Pregnancy and genital herpes
Having herpes does not affect a woman's ability to become pregnant. However, if herpes is transmitted in the first 3 months of pregnancy there is a small risk of a miscarriage. A first episode of herpes during pregnancy carries a greater risk of transmission to the baby. Becoming infected towards the end of pregnancy may cause the baby to be born early.
Though transmission of herpes from a mother to her newborn is rare, if it does occur, it can pose a serious risk to the baby. If left untreated, the infection can cause damage to a newborn's internal organs, skin, and central nervous system and may even prove fatal. Prompt testing and treatment with acyclovir of any baby thought to be at risk is therefore essential.
However, most women who have an outbreak (or even several outbreaks) of genital herpes during pregnancy have a normal delivery and a healthy baby.
Am Success Puga from USA. I can’t believe this. A great testimony that i must share to all HERPES patient in the world i never believed that their could be any complete cure for HERPES or any cure for HERPES,i saw people’s testimony on blog sites of how DR Ekpiku prepare herbal cure and brought them back to life again. i had to try it too and you can,t believe that in just few weeks i started using it all my pains stop gradually and i had to leave without the HERPES DRUGS the doctor gave to me. Right now i can tell you that few months now i have not had any pain,delay in treatment leads to death. Here is his email:ekpikuspellhomeofgrace@hotmail.com or ekpikuspellhomeofgrace@gmail.com his WHATSAPP number is +2348073673757
ReplyDeleteDOCTOR Ekpiku CAN AS WELL CURE THE FOLLOWING DISEASE:-
1. HIV/AIDS
2. HERPES
3. CANCER
4. ALS
5. Hepatitis B
6. Parkinson
Am Lisa by name, i was diagnosed with Herpes for 3years ago i lived in pain with the knowledge that i wasn't going to ever be well again i contacted so many herbal doctors on this issue and wasted a large sum of money but my condition never got better i was determined to get my life back so one day i saw mr Brown post on how Dr Aba saved him from the VIRUS with herbal medicine i contacted Dr Aba on his email address dr.abaherbalhome@gmail.com we spoke on the issue i told him all that i went through and he told me not to worry that everything will be fine again so he prepared the medicine and send it to me through courier service and told me how to use it,after 14days of usage I went to see the doctor for test ,then the result was negative,am the happiest woman on earth now. this testimony is real.thanks to Dr Aba God bless you. you can also reach him on his whatsApp number +2348107155060
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeletelearned I had herpes type 2 about four years ago, when I was in college and had a moronic one night affair. I think some girls say this but I swear I never did that sort of thing. I just made an error that one time and, straightaway, it looked like I was going to have to live with the consequences for the rest of my life. The awful part was feeling I would never date someone else again. After all, who wants to be intimate with a lady who has blisters around her you-know-what? But after somebody told me about this herbal dr. who use natures herbs to kill herpes virus. i gave it a try . behold everything has changed. Not only was I able to eliminate all traces of the herpes virus from my body in less than fifteen days, but I was also able to start dating again. I even met my kindred soul and I’m so blessed to write that just last week, in front of many people in a restaurant, he got down on one knee and proposed to me! meeting the doctor offered me the chance to be happy again, and to experience true love.
you can reach him on dr.kpomosa@outlook.com.
ogbekhilu herbal medicine is a good remedy for herpes simplex virus cure. My name is Marry Debby ,am here to give my testimony about Dr ogbekhilu who helped me in my life, i want to inform the public how i was cured from (HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS) by DR ogbekhilu , i visited different hospital but they gave me list of drugs like Familiar , Zovirax, and Valtrex which is very expensive to treat the symptoms and never cured me. I was browsing through the Internet searching for remedy on HERPES and i saw comment of people talking about how DR ogbekhilu cured them, when i contacted him he gave me hope and send a Herbal medicine to me that i took and it seriously worked for me, am a free person now without any problem, my HERPES result came out negative, I pray to God to never let me and my family forget you in our life,i am now cured permanently, you can also get your self cured my friends if you really need this doctor help,
ReplyDeleteHe also have a herbal cure for the Following DISEASES,this is Real
chronic problems.Herpes, Cancer, Als,Hepatitis, Diabetes, HPV,Infections,ulcer ETC
you can reach him now email:drogbekhiluherbalhome@gmail. com
Or whats app +2348102460821
FINALLY FREE FROM HERPES VIRUS.
ReplyDeletewhat a miracle i never believe there is cure because my doctor tested me herpes positive and she told me there is no cure, i’m very happy today that i’m having a free life without this herpes virus, i can remember some months ago when i was crying all through the night and day that i can’t get cured from this herpes, i found this herbal man called Dr sunny on internet when i was doing research on cure for shingle i contacted him to found out if i can get help from this herpes virus, i was so surprise when he told me that he have the herbs cure to it and he sent me the herbal in less down 5 days i was so happy when i get someone giving me hope that he can cured me i took the herbal for just 2 weeks, when i went for test after taking the herbal i found out that i am cured i was so happy and surprise, i want to use this opportunity to inform you that there is cured to herpes virus you can also contact him for his help as soon as possible so that you can get rid of this herpes once and for all you can reach him through this email: drsunnyna@gmail.com or whatsApp him on +2348077875210 You can also contact him on any disease and virus in this he all have the herbal cure to it.
1 HIV/AIDS
2 HERPES
3 CANCER
4 ALS
5 HEPATITIS
6 DIABETES
7 LOVE SPELL
8 INFECTIONS
9 HIGN BLOOD PRESSURE,.....
THANKS TO DR SUNNY FOE THE GOOD WORK IN LIFE YOU ARE TRULY A BLESS.....
TESTIMONY OF HOW I GOT CURED FROM (HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS) BY THE GREAT HEALER DOCTOR OLUTA
ReplyDeleteHello everyone I am here to testify of the great work Dr Oluta did in my life with the help of his herbal traditional medicine. I have been suffering from Herpes since 2017 and ever since then I have been looking for solutions on how to cure it. I have being to different hospitals but I discovered none of them was working out for me that I was just wasting money. So I decided to live everything to God, then I was taking my medications to sustain my life and reduce the pains. So on this particular Sunday morning after coming back from service I sat down and begin to ask myself questions, then my phone rang behold it was my sister calling which I answered the call and she started telling me that a friend of hers who has been suffering from same herpes has just been cured by Dr Oluta the herbal medicine man. Then I was over whelmed, even though I was a little bit confused so she encourage me to also give Dr Oluta a trial and see for myself then I told her to help me get his contact and forward them to me, So immediately she got the contact of Dr Oluta and send them to me, immediately I contacted Dr Oluta and he told me everything I needed to do to enable me get the herbs for my medications and immediately i did that which he instructed me to do without wasting anytime. And here I am today sound and healthy without any symptoms of herpes or any sickness in my body system. And he also told me that there is no sickness on this planet earth that doesn’t have a cure that with the help of herbs he can cure any sickness or disease you can ever think off. So if you are suffering from HERPES or any other sickness or disease and you need a cure you can also contact Dr Oluta with this Email Address at (dr.olutaspellcaster@gmail.com) or add him on whatsapp +2349065326267 so you can also receive your healing and share your testimony
ReplyDeleteI am here to testify how great man called Dr Oseremen helped me out with herbs and roots which he prepared for me in use of curing my herpes . I takes his product (cure) for (14) days before I am to known I was totally cure out of it, and i promised him that i will testify my healing to the whole world about how he cured me which I am very happy I am doing now , Dr Oseremen also cure all kinds of diseases , HEPATITIS, A,B,C , CANCER, DIABETICS , FRIBLOD,ALL KINDS OF SPELL CAST ,and so much more , please you can get him contacted on his whatsapp or call on +2349056394313or email Dr.oseremenvadi@gmail. com
He can also cure following virus
(1).Herpes
(2).Cancer
(3).Hepatitis
(4).Hiv/aids
(5).Pcos
(6).Fibroid
Thank you for you good work
Regarding genital Warts or herpes treatment. If you need a permanent cure and removal of it, be it Anal warts, Penis Warts, Vagina Warts, Oral Herpes or Genital Herpes. This site is the only site that i can recommend to anyone that can get rid of any kind of Warts or Herpes. I have ordered their medicine and it worked for me. I have also recommended it to a friend and she also testified positively about their medicine after using it. So i now concluded that it works perfectly, email him doctorvadi@yahoo.com or whatsApp +2348074133083
ReplyDeleteIf it works for you, then you can as well recommend it to others. good luck.