Genital Herpes

Herpes is quite common so no need to spend sleepless night over it. Nearly as much as 50 million Americans have genital herpesdefine, which means 1 out of every 5 people suffer from herpes. Though treatment options are available for genital herpes virus but there is no cure.

What is Genital Herpesdefine?

Genital herpes is a contagious sexually transmitted disease (STDdefine) caused by the herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) - usually causes cold sores, but can also infect the genital region and type 2 (HSV-2) - main cause of genital herpes, but it can also cause cold sores on the face.

How common are genital herpes?

Women are more prone to Genital HSV-2 infection say one out of four women than in men which is almost one out of five. This may be due to male-to-female transmissions being more likely than female-to-male transmission.

How do one get genital herpes?

Any person who is sexually active can get genital herpes. You can get genital herpes if you have vaginal sex or oral sex with the infected person who has cold sores. The chances of getting infection are still high even if your partner doesn’t have an open sore, or any signs or symptoms of genital herpes. Herpes can spread through skin to skin contact.

What are the symptoms of Genital Herpes?

Most of the infected people are not aware of the herpes infection; which is characterized by typical outbreak of small, painful sores. Most often just before an outbreak, people may have itching or tingling sensation at the site of infection. The symptoms can vary depending on individuals but after sometimes people get to know what sensations signal, that the active sores are about to appear

The first outbreak of genital herpes is usually the worst and lasts up to two weeks until healing is complete. Some of the symptoms during the first outbreak are fever, headache, discharge from the vagina or penis, difficult in urination, muscle ache. More women than men report severe herpes symptoms, especially during the first outbreak. Recurrent outbreaks are usually shorter than the first outbreak, typically 7 to 10 days from onset to healing.

Tips to soothe pain:

* Wear loose fitted clothes and cotton underwear’s.

* Keep cool cloths at the sore place.

* Keep area clean and dry

* Take aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

How can Genital Herpes be prevented?

Genital herpes can be spread by sex (oral, anal or vaginal) and as it is spread through skin to skin contact so even using condom couldn’t help in preventing transmission but can only help reduce the risk of spreading herpes if they cover all the infected skin. Herpes can be transmitted even in the absence of infection when sores are not visible. People with genital herpes should abstain from sex during an active outbreak.

The best method is to abstain from sexual contact, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected.

How Can Genital Herpes Be Treated?

As such there is no cure for genital herpes, but it can be treated through medications such as anti-viral medications or suppressive therapy. Anti-viral medication can be used to shorten the duration of outbreaks and reduce their frequency. For individuals with frequent outbreaks, or uninfected partners, daily suppressive therapy may be recommended.