How do I know if I have genital herpes?

Despite the fact that millions of Americans are living with genital herpes, the disease can be surprisingly difficult to detect in some cases. However, many people with genital herpes have at least some detectable signs.

The most obvious sign of genital herpes is the appearance of red bumps in and/or around the genital area, often starting around two weeks after the initial exposure to herpes. The bumps may spread to the anus and/or surrounding skin, and in some cases also develop within the vagina and/or urinary tract. These bumps turn into blisters, which in turn become sores. Often these sores become encrusted and very itchy; after a period of time, however, they will clear up. An outbreak can involve a large number of sores, but can just as easily involve just a single one.

Because genital herpes is incurable, these outbreaks will recur over time. Certain medications are available to increase the length of time in-between herpes outbreaks.

Other symptoms of genital herpes may or may not accompany an outbreak. These include a reddening and/or sudden extreme dryness of the genital area; a burning, itching, and/or painful sensation in the genital area; vaginal discharge; difficulty urinating; headache; fever; and/or swollen glands.

The most difficult aspect of genital herpes, and a large contributor to its spread, is that the herpes virus can remain inactive in many individuals and never cause them to show any signs or symptoms of the condition. However, they are still able to spread genital herpes to others. Many times the symptoms of genital herpes are confused with other conditions, such as yeast infections, urinary tract infections, and even ingrown hairs.

While it’s important to know and be able to recognize the symptoms of genital herpes, you should always seek an official diagnosis from a medical professional if you are at all concerned that you may have contracted the disease. Only they will be able to say for certain whether your symptoms are the result of herpes. If you do have genital herpes, they can provide you with medication and important information necessary to handle the condition.

About Writer: Melanie Addington is writer and ex herpes victims who write and to condense every single detail of this treatment in an easy-to-follow report which I named the “Ultimate Herpes Protocol – Secretsto Naturally Treat Herpes”. The Ultimate Herpes Protocol is a step-by step blueprint to fight off herpes type I & II as well as shingles without unleashing chemical warfare on your body.

Let this protocol vanish your herpes and restore your health as it has for more than 7,500 folks just like you.

How Can You Tell Someone Has Genital Herpes?

 How can you tell someone has genital herpes? Do you take a good look at the person? Do you ask and look straight in their eyes? Do you inquire about their sex lives? Well, my answer is no, maybe and maybe.

It may be a good idea to ask someone if they are aware of having genital herpes. The more sexual partners a person has had in their lives, the more likely they are to be infected by herpes. But these methods are quite insufficient. Did you know that the majority of people who have genital or oral herpes are not aware of it? So how do you explain that? Simple, many oral or genital herpes infected people just dont have any herpes symptoms, others have some symptoms which are mild enough to confuse them with a rash or a mosquito bite or anything that may cause, redness, swelling, itching, burning and blisters, and some may not even know what herpes symptoms are.

The fact that somebody doesnt have or recognize herpes symptoms doesnt mean they dont have it. About 25% of the US population is infected with genital herpes, with women being more affected than men. Studies have shown that the vast majority (80%-90%) of people who have genital herpes have not been diagnosed with the condition.

According to a recent paper published by Carnegie Mellon University in January 2006, most sexually active teenage girls know almost nothing about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), except AIDS, until it is too late. Another 2006 study led by Dr. Herbert Kaufman, Boyd Professor of Ophthalmology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, found herpes virus-1 in 98 percent of healthy participants. None of them displayed any symptoms; however they shed the herpes virus in their saliva and tears at least once during the course of the 30-day study. Even though this study didnt target genital herpes directly, it demonstrates that most people can be totally unaware of carrying the virus and being infected by herpes.

Shed or shedding means that the virus is present on the skin and ready to be transmitted. Herpes is transmitted through skin contact 98% of the time. Studies have shown that shedding may occur in almost 40% of HSV-2 (usually associated with genital herpes) infected people. Asymptomatic viral shedding may last 1 to 5 days, meaning that a person can be contagious without presenting any symptoms at the time. The average duration of each period of viral shedding has been assessed through laboratory studies but is just an estimate.

So how can you tell for a fact if someone has genital herpes? The only way to know is to look at blood, PCR or swab test results. Swab and PCR tests are very accurate when they detect herpes. However, if a test was performed late or delivered to the lab late, it may return a false negative result. Western blot test, a blood test, is the most accurate test available but may return a false negative if the person tested was first infected within the past 3 months. So it is not easy to know if a person has genital herpes or not.

One last consideration, herpes Simplex 1 or HSV-1 usually causes oral herpes and cold sores and herpes simplex-2, genital herpes. But herpes virus-1 genital herpes is becoming more and more prevalent nowadays. It is mostly transmitted during oral sex from a person whos having an oral herpes infection with or without symptoms. So if getting genital herpes is a concern to you, you should consider oral herpes as well as genital herpes when asking a partner.

As you can see, it is very difficult to assess if a partner has genital herpes. There are no proven products to prevent genital herpes transmission at the moment. Some are currently undergoing testing for FDA approval and will hopefully be marketed soon. In the meanwhile, the best option is using a condom.

About Writer: Melanie Addington is writer and ex herpes victims who write and to condense every single detail of this treatment in an easy-to-follow report which I named the “Ultimate Herpes Protocol – Secretsto Naturally Treat Herpes”. The Ultimate Herpes Protocol is a step-by step blueprint to fight off herpes type I & II as well as shingles without unleashing chemical warfare on your body.

Let this protocol vanish your herpes and restore your health as it has for more than 7,500 folks just like you.

Genital Herpes Treatment

Genital Herpes- what is it?

Genital Herpes is caused by virus type 2 of Herpes Simplex. Virus type 1 produces cold sores of herpes. Genital herpes spreads by sexual contact. Any kind of sexual contact will infect you with genital herpes if your partner is a carrier. Oral sex is equally contagious. Herpes never gets eliminated from the body. The virus will remain for life in your body. Please find out more about the treatment of Genital herpes. Treatment is done only when genital herpes flares up. Till then the virus will remain dormant in the body. You may get one or many flare-ups in your lifetime. After you treat genital herpes flare up, the skin heals again and the virus goes back in the dormant state. As I said earlier, it never gets out of the body.

Genital Herpes- flare up

After getting the virus because of sexual contact you may not show the diseases for many days. After that also the initial flare up is many times so mild that the patient commonly ignores it. The second flare up that may occur anytime after the first flare up may be severe. The time gap between the two flare-ups may be months or years. The typical signs will be ulcerating sores on the genitals, fever, muscle ache etc. women may develop ulcerating sores inside genitalia and cervix. If they don’t show any sores outside, this flare up may be treated for some other diseases unless a proper blood examination is performed. Many times the first and the subsequent flare-ups are equally severe. It is also seen that some people only get one incidence in their life and herpes does not return after that. Genital herpes flare-ups cannot be predicted. When the flare-up is severe, it discomforts a lot. The sores that ulcerate on the genitals and near the anal area can be quite painful.

Whenever anyone gets a flare-up of Genital herpes he/she should keep away from any sexual contact till the skin heals totally. You area very active carrier when you have a flare up of genital herpes. If your partner has any flare-up, protect yourself by abstaining from any sexual contact with him/her.

Genital Herpes- treatment

Whenever you get a flare up of genital herpes, your doctor will prescribe anti viral medicines. This will shorten the period of the flare up and also reduce the intensity of the symptoms. After the treatment, herpes virus goes back in the body and remains dormant till the next flare up.

About Writer: Melanie Addington is writer and ex herpes victims who write and to condense every single detail of this treatment in an easy-to-follow report which I named the “Ultimate Herpes Protocol – Secretsto Naturally Treat Herpes”. The Ultimate Herpes Protocol is a step-by step blueprint to fight off herpes type I & II as well as shingles without unleashing chemical warfare on your body.

Best news: It works even if you’ve already blown hundreds or even thousands of dollars on conventional herpes medication without significant relief...even if you’ve been suffering from herpes for years...and even if your virus is currently in hiding and your doctor claims nothing can reach it.

Let this protocol vanish your herpes and restore your health as it has for more than 7,500 folks just like you.

Genital Herpes- Are You Going To Get Infected?

Genital Herpes- what is it?

Genital Herpes is the herpes infection of genitals. It affects both men and women. It is caused by the HSV type2. The only way to spread this disease is sexual contact. Anybody who has genital herpes may pass it on to the partner without any knowledge. Let us see how?

Genital Herpes- silent transmission

Let us take an example. Suppose your partner contacted genital herpes from someone during a sexual encounter. The virus entered your partner’s body. The virus will show anytime within 20 days of getting contacted. The symptoms may be sores and blisters, fever, joint ache etc. Here comes the problem. Many times these symptoms are so insignificant that no body realizes about them. The symptoms will resolve after some days. Now your partner is a silent carrier of Genital herpes. He/she may be unaware that they are carriers. During this time, if you have sexual contact with them, you will catch the virus.

Genital Herpes- Treatment

Whenever herpes symptoms get noticed, the doctors treat them with anti viral medicines. The problem of rashes and blisters gets resolved. But the virus does not get out of the body. It remains inside. It can cause active herpes sores again in future. Some people may not get any recurrence, while some may get many.

Genital Herpes- Prevention

Condoms are one way to prevent herpes. If any body part that is not covered by condom and is carrying active virus comes in contact with you, you will sill get it. To know if anybody is a silent carrier of herpes, blood test can be carried out by the doctor for herpes antibodies.

About Writer: Melanie Addington is writer and ex herpes victims who write and to condense every single detail of this treatment in an easy-to-follow report which I named the “Ultimate Herpes Protocol – Secretsto Naturally Treat Herpes”. The Ultimate Herpes Protocol is a step-by step blueprint to fight off herpes type I & II as well as shingles without unleashing chemical warfare on your body.

Best news: It works even if you’ve already blown hundreds or even thousands of dollars on conventional herpes medication without significant relief...even if you’ve been suffering from herpes for years...and even if your virus is currently in hiding and your doctor claims nothing can reach it.

Let this protocol vanish your herpes and restore your health as it has for more than 7,500 folks just like you.

Genital Herpes – How Prevalent Is It And What Should You Do?

Genital herpes is a topic not readily discussed in the course of normal conversation however, if you’re aged 25 and over, and are sexually active with multiple partners then it would be wise to be tested for genital herpes.

A recent study in Australia ( May 2006 ) revealed at least one in eight people people in that country have genital herpes. If that sounds alarming then it should be. A first nation-wide study also found herpes was most prevalent in people aged 35 to 44 and city folk were more likely to be carrying the virus than their “country cousins.”

So what to do? Being a little less promiscuous could be the answer but this would only be a superficial fix. The problem lies in the fact that at least 80 per cent of people who have genital herpes don’t know they have it. And it’s fair to say those who contract the virus do so innocently. Affected people who pass it on and are unaware they have it, don’t experience the symptons. The obvious answer once again is to get tested especially if you’ve had multiple partners.

Why are people reluctant to be tested? Is there are kind of aura of shame with knowing you have genital herpes? Medical experts will tell ou don’t be embarrassed; the sooner you have the condition treated the better. Makes sense. So why don’t people get tested or why do they delay the process? Maybe more educational programs should be put in place but from where I sit, I think the proper authorities have performed a good job in making the community aware of their responsibilities in this area.

The news is not so good for women. Twice as many women are likely to contract genital herpes than men simply because of their physiological make up. This doesn’t suggest men have less responsibility in getting tested than women. It’s a two-way street.

The study found the prevalence of herpes varies from country to country with genital herpes more prevalent in some while oral herpes was confirmed at a higher rate in others.

Get over any short time embarrassment you may experience initially and do the sensible thing; not just if you have multiple partners: if it doesn’t feel right, consult your doctor. Sound advice for mine.

About Writer: Melanie Addington is writer and ex herpes victims who write and to condense every single detail of this treatment in an easy-to-follow report which I named the “Ultimate Herpes Protocol – Secretsto Naturally Treat Herpes”. The Ultimate Herpes Protocol is a step-by step blueprint to fight off herpes type I & II as well as shingles without unleashing chemical warfare on your body.

Let this protocol vanish your herpes and restore your health as it has for more than 7,500 folks just like you.

Attacking the Deadly Herpes Virus with Acyclovir

Herpes image credit : wikipediaorg

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are thousands of Americans who are infected with one of the most active virus known to man — the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). Scientists have been studying how the virus works because it is among the most difficult to control. The virus has spread to different countries around the world. It causes a variety of illnesses, including mucocutaneous infections. or herpes simplex virus (HSV), is one of the most common agents infecting humans of all ages.

There are two types of Herpes virus, namely: Type 1 Herpes which is carried by over 80 per cent of the population and is the culprit behind recurrent cold sores; and Type 2 Herpes which affects five to 20 per cent of the population. This type is often associated with genital herpes.

Studies show that genital herpes simplex virus infects more than 1 of 5 adolescents and adults. It is more common in blacks than in whites, and more likely to infect women than men. Most people with genital herpes don’t know they have it, and are unaware that they are spreading it to others. Many have no symptoms or mistake their symptoms for something else such as jock itch, insect bites, hemorrhoids, yeast infections, razor burn, or allergies to laundry detergent.

Infection in the genital region initially produces a painful, red, ulcerating crop of lesions that can spread over a wide area and may involve the perinuem and anus. Genital infection can also be associated with temporary numbness in the affected area, swelling glands in the groin, difficulty passing urine, and fever. Occasionally, primary infections such as these can also trigger viral meningitis.

Some years ago, genital herpes was diagnosed solely by visual inspection and laboratory culture of an active sore. Today, herpes may be diagnosed with a blood test, even when no symptoms are apparent or after sores have healed. Antiviral drugs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in reducing the infection.

There is no cure for any herpes viruses. Once a person caught a herpes virus it stays in the body for life although it is latent most of the time. However, a medication that can treat the outbreaks and symptoms of herpes as well as reduce future outbreaks is available.

Acyclovir is a drug used for the treatment of several conditions including herpes infections. Acyclovir medication is available over the counter and commonly known under the brand name Zovirax. Acyclovir medication Zovirax is usually used for the treatment of facial cold sores.

Acyclovir ointment is used topically to treat initial genital herpes where it has been shown to decrease pain, reduce healing time, and limit the spread of the infection. Acyclovir is also available as a prescription tablet used to treat genital herpes infections and to treat patients with recurrent severe genital herpes. The dosage will be determined by the doctor. It is very common to prescribe a 5-day course of 3 tablets a day taken with 4 hour intervals, but this may vary. It is very important not to miss any doses because the patient needs to keep the level of Acyclovir up in their body. This episodic treatment will reduce the severity, frequency and duration of the outbreak as well as reduce future outbreaks and reduce the risk of spreading. Acyclovir can also be used to treat chicken pox and acts to reduce the healing time, limit the number of lesions, and reduce fever if used within the first 24 hours after the onset of the disease.

However, before starting to take this medicine, it is vital for a person with herpes to consult a doctor. Most anti-viral medications should not be used without medical advice or doctor’s prescription.

About Writer: Melanie Addington is writer and ex herpes victims who write and to condense every single detail of this treatment in an easy-to-follow report which I named the “Ultimate Herpes Protocol – Secretsto Naturally Treat Herpes”. The Ultimate Herpes Protocol is a step-by step blueprint to fight off herpes type I & II as well as shingles without unleashing chemical warfare on your body.

Best news: It works even if you’ve already blown hundreds or even thousands of dollars on conventional herpes medication without significant relief...even if you’ve been suffering from herpes for years...and even if your virus is currently in hiding and your doctor claims nothing can reach it.

Let this protocol vanish your herpes and restore your health as it has for more than 7,500 folks just like you.