Genital Herpes

An Overview Of Genital Herpes

Genital Herpes (herpes genitalis) is common, so if you have it, you should realize that you are not alone in this ballgame. This is a very contagious infection that generally spreads by having sex with someone that has already been infected with the virus. This infection is usually caused by the HSV-2 (herpes simplex virus - 2). Although, the herpes simplex virus - 1 is generally the one that is responsible for those cold sores you get on your mouth, but it can also cause one to have genital herpes. Medicines, various herb treatments and remedies are used on herpes in order to relieve the sores and help you heal faster. It can also be used in order to prevent future outbreaks from occurring. What you are going to find here is an overview of genital herpes. We are going to get rid of all that medical terminology that is hard to understand so that anyone will be able to read it and know what we are talking about.

Asymptomatic Genital Herpes

These type of herpes can be found in eighty two percent of the men that are already dealing with this problem. It has been estimated that around three percent of the people that are dealing with this form are shedding it at any given time. Shedding is responsible for the transmission of this disease. Did you know that it have a negative effect on fertility in males?


The First Genital Herpes Breakout

Chances are, you are wondering about the first breakout. After one has been exposed to herpes (this means having sex with someone that has the condition, whether they had an outbreak during the time or not), the first outbreak could come anywhere from two to fourteen days. Most individuals do not even notice their first infection, because it is not severe. During the first breakout, the whole body may be affected. It will cause you to feel as if you have the flu. Blisters will start to appear around the anus, genitals or where the virus first entered the body. Within a couple of days, the blisters will break. This is going to cause you to have oozing sores that are painful. Generally, the sores are going to heal after three weeks have passed without any treatment. They are not going to leave any scars behind. If you are a woman dealing with this and you have developed sours, then it is going to take longer for you to heal.

After the First Outbreak

After you have went through the first outbreak, anyone without herpes education will think it is over. However, the herpes simplex virus is going to stay in the nerve cells in the area where you first saw the sores. Of course, there is not going to be any symptoms. This is why it is known as the silent disease. The virus is going to show symptoms from time to time. It is going to cause recurrent outbreaks of sores and blisters.

Sores that come about from the recurrent outbreaks have a tendency to heal faster and may not cause as much pain as the primary outbreak caused. Individuals have reported that certain factors such as new sex partners, stress and menstruation could trigger those outbreaks.

Half of the individuals that have this virus will feel an outbreak occurring a couple of hours to two days before it actually happens. However, half of the individuals will have the outbreak with no warning signs. Some warning signs that the outbreak is about to occur include numbness, itching, burning, tenderness or pain where the blisters are going to show up. This is what is known as prodrome.

Individuals who have the symptoms will have around five outbreaks a year during the first two years. Most will have fewer outbreaks. Some have lots of outbreaks every year, while others may only have two or none at all.

Which is worse, HSV-1 or HSV2? HSV-2 is worse, because when you are infected with this, it will cause you to have outbreaks more often. The pain will also be more severe.


Symptoms of Genital Herpes

Some of the symptoms of this condition include a cluster of fluid filled blisters that bust and cause sores that crust over. This entire process can take a couple of days. Some individuals may even get small bumps or a rash on their skin. This can look like pimples. The symptoms will vary from person to person. Some of the more common symptoms include pain when urinating and some women have a smelly fluid coming from the vagina. There is no set pattern for these outbreaks.

Areas of the BodyThe symptoms of genital herpes can affect any part of the body. Below, we are going to give you a list of the places it can affect:

1.Scrotum
2. Penis
3. Vulva
4. Vagina
5. Anus
6. Uretha
7. Buttocks
8. Thighs

Some individuals that have herpes may mistake them with other things, including the following:
1. Jock itch
2. A yeast infection
3. Insect bites
4. An ingrown Hair


Is Genital Herpes common?

Genital herpes effects around forty five million Americans. T hat is one out of every four people. This makes it one of the most known sexually transmitted diseases. Since the early 1970s, the number of Americans that get this condition has increased to thirty percent. It is mostly teenagers and young adults getting it.

It is more commonly found in women than it is in men. Some other symptoms include:

1. Swollen Glands
2. Sores on the genitals that scab over
3. Headache
4. Fever
5. Muscle aches

Ways to reduce the risk of this disease:

1. Use a condom when you have sex. This may protect you from getting the virus, as long as it is covering the infected area.
2. Come out and ask your partner is he or she has a STD
3. Ask your partner about their sexual history. Someone who has a big sex history and has had multiple partners is more likely to be infected with this virus.
4. Limit the amount of people you have sex with.

Remember, you may think you know your partner and then you go to a doctor and discover that you have an STD from them. A number of tests can be run in order to determine you have this virus. If you believe you have an STD, go to your doctor. Don't be embarrassed, because your doctor has many patients dealing with the same problem. You are not alone.