Herpes

Herpes is a type of infection, which is typically cause by herpes simplex virus. Herpes can be in the form of oral herpes or genital herpes. However, it can also be formed in other parts of the body such as nose and genital area.

Oral herpes normally causes cores around the mouth area or the face while genital herpes can affect the anal, buttocks or the genital area. Genital herpes is a form of sexually transmitted disease and can be transmitted to another individual through oral to genital or oral-to-oral transmission.

Technically, genital herpes do not harm the immune system; however, this is dangerous most especially to those persons who have weak immune system. Herpes can pose danger to the development of a more permanent life threatening disease such as HIV or AIDS.

The symptoms of herpes may vary as there as some people who don’t even exhibit symptoms however, absence of symptoms do not necessarily mean that the person do not have the virus. There are some cases in which the patient exhibit signs and symptoms the minute that herpes simplex virus entered their body.

The most common symptom of herpes is sores, which may develop into blisters, which are too itchy and may become too painful. The outbreaks of herpes can happen several times in a year and though there are no sores, the virus is still present can still be transmitted to your partner.

At present, there are many anti viral medicines, which can be used in treating herpes, but herpes medications can only lessen the herpes symptoms and it cannot stop the spreading of the disease from one partner to another.

Herpes Simple Facts

• Fifty to eighty percent of adults in United States have exhibited symptoms of oral herpes, which is popularly called fever blisters or cold sore.
• One in every four adults in U.S may have genital herpes. However, not all patients know that they are infected with the virus because most of the signs are generally mild or they might mistake it to another illness.
• Oral and genital herpes is really an uncomfortable condition but they are not life threatening conditions for those who have healthy immune system.
• Though it is not life threatening condition, genital herpes can be hazardous in developing sexually transmitted diseases.
• If you have genital herpes, your risk of developing HIV or AIDS is doubled.
• It is easily spread from unprotected genital to genital or oral to genital contact during the active stage or even days before the outbreak.
• Oftentimes, patients have wrong perception that they cannot transmit herpes when they do not exhibit symptoms, however, herpes patients can still spread the virus even though their symptoms are absent.
• The safest way to avoid transmission of genital herpes is to avoid any sexual contact particularly during the active stage.
• Use of condoms and dental gam during sexual contact is also recommended to avoid transmission of the virus to your partner.
• Anti-viral medications should be regularly taken most especially during the active outbreak.
• Oral medications are used to treat the virus but it is not a guarantee that you will not transmit the herpes simplex virus to your partner.
• However, diagnosis of herpes do not mean that it is the end of your dating days, you can still enjoy dating provided that you are honest to your partner about you having a herpes.

You can discuss with your partner how to reduce the risk of transmitting the herpes virus.

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Understanding Herpes Recommended Resources:

University of Maryland Medical Center

Brown University