Genital Herpes - What Is It?
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the herpes viruses type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2). Many people who are infected may not even be aware, as they often have no symptoms or only minimal signs of infection. The condition is contracted through sexual contact. It is possible to contract the virus from someone who does not have a visible sore or who does not even know that they are infected.
What are The Signs or Symptoms?
Signs of the active virus usually include the appearance blisters on or around the genital or anal areas. When these blisters they leave painful sores that may take several weeks to heal. An outbreak can also be accompanied by flu-like symptoms and a fever. Users also typically experience psychological distress. Subsequent outbreaks can appear weeks or months after the first. The severity of outbreaks tends to decrease over time. If you suspect you may be infected, you should visit your doctor without delay.
Is There Any Cure?
The infection stays within the body indefinitely and there is no known cure. The condition can be treated with anti-viral drugs to ease pain and discomfort and reduce both the length and frequency of attacks.
Preventative Measures
Infection can still occur even if a person is not showing any symptoms. The use of latex condoms during sexual activity is recommended. Infected persons should abstain from sexual contact during an outbreak to avoid spreading the disease.
Medication and Treatment
Visit your physician to obtain a proper diagnosis. Your physician can arrange a blood test if required and prescribe anti-viral medication.
Avoiding Recurrence
No one is sure why some people have recurrences of herpes. One trigger seems to be stress-both emotional and physical. Outbreaks may recur when a person is under pressure or their immune system is lowered. To help prevent outbreaks, keep your body strong-get plenty of rest, eat a balanced diet, and learn to cope with stress.
Tips For Reducing Discomfort
1. Keep the lesions clean and dry. 2. Use a hair dryer on the low setting to dry sores that are very sensitive or hard to reach. 3. Wear loose-fitting cotton underwear. 4. Take aspirin or ibuprofen to relieve the pain.
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