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Positive Singles can find eight types of human
herpes symptoms of the
herpes virus. It is the herpes simplex viruses types I and II- known as HSV- 1 and HSV- 2- that are responsible for genital herpes. HSV- 2 is more frequently transmitted by sexual contact and is one of the most prevalent STDs worldwide; for example, research suggests that one in five Americans is really a carrier of HSV- 2.
Generally:
HSV- 1 infects the mouth, lips or nose, causing cold sores.
HSV- 2 infects your genital and anal area.
Despite the fact that genital and anal infections used to almost always be caused by HSV- 2 infection, HSV- 1 is becoming more common in these parts of the body due to greater numbers of people having oral sex.
An estimated 80% of
Positive Singles people infected with HSV- 2 are not informed they have the virus. This is because genital herpes will often produce mild symptoms or no symptoms at all(asymptomatic infection) . The virus will still be hiding at the base of the nerve cells in the skin however. Many cases of genital herpes go undiagnosed and many people pass the virus on to their sexual partners without knowing of their infection.
Herpes Symptoms
If signs 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 within the genital or anal area.
Tiny fluid- filled blisters that burst leaving small painful sores
Painful sensation when passing urine over the open sores(especially in women) .
Headaches.
Backache.
Flu- like symptoms, such as swollen glands or fever.
Next outbreaks are usually milder and last for a shorter period of time, usually 3 to 5 days. The sores are fewer, lesser, less painful and heal more quickly, and there are no flu- like symptoms. Subsequent outbreaks, or primary outbreaks in people who have has 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
Positive Singles 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 solely)
Herpes is most infectious through 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 select help
When you have any symptoms or you are worried you may have been infected with an STD, you ought to 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.
A tests for genital herpes
To find out if someone has genital herpes, a doctor or nurse will usually carry out the following examinations and tests:
A clinical test 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 diagnosis, the 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.
Treatment for genital herpes
There is no cure for the herpes simplex virus and treatment is not necessary, as an outbreak of genital herpes will usually clear up by itself. A doctor may however prescribe a course of antiviral tablets that reduce the severity of an outbreak. The antiviral tablets work by preventing the herpes simplex virus from multiplying. These tablets are only effective when taken within 72 hours of the onset of symptoms, and will cease to have any effect once the patient stops taking them.
Herpes Dating free website.
When the initial outbreak of herpes is over, the virus hides away in the nerve fibers 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 your nerve to the skin surface.
Recurrences of genital herpes vary from person to person in frequency. Some will never experience an outbreak yet 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.
After receiving treatment for genital herpes, the doctor or health advisor will talk about 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.
Support 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) two times 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 neutralize the urine(it is important not to hold back from passing urine as this may cause further problems) . Avoid sunbathing and utilizing tanning beds. Get plenty of rest.
Caring for yourself and your spouse
In the course of 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 if you or your partner have cold sores around the mouth.
Experiencing 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, if you or your partner has genital sores.
Applying saliva to wet contact lenses if you have sores around your mouth.
Consider- wash your hands with soap before and after touching the sores.
While 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.
Bear in mind, a condom will only protect against herpes infection if it covers all the sores. Herpes can also be transmitted by non- penetrative sex.
HIV and genital herpes
Individuals 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 are often passed on.
Pregnancy and genital herpes
Having herpes does not affect a woman's ability to become pregnant, though if herpes is first 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.
Even if transmission of herpes from a mother to her newborn is rare, if it will occur, it can pose a serious risks 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 crucial.
Nearly all women who have an outbreak(or even several outbreaks) of genital herpes during pregnancy have a regular delivery and a healthy little one.
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