Genital Herpes is a misunderstood illness, and I hope to dispel some myths with the publication of this article. Perhaps the first thing to note is that the majority of people are infected with one strain of herpes – HSV 1, also known as the common cold sore! Of course it has less of a stigma attached, so let’s look at the facts about genital herpes:

What symptoms does genital herpes carry?

The trouble with herpes is that in many people, the symptoms are so mild that they may pass unnoticed. This is good on one level as it won’t affect your life, but on the other hand, you’re at risk of passing the HSV 2 virus onto another unawares, who may suffer far more discomfort than you.

If symptoms do appear, They tend to appear periodically in ‘episodes’ (or ‘outbreaks’). As for when, again it varies from person to person. It may be days after contracting the virus, it could be months to years. When it first strikes, the sufferer typically feels flu-like symptoms – fever, headaches and pains in the back and leg. The good news is that these symptoms usually are only present in the first outbreak of HSV 2.

From then on, most genital herpes episodes produce small blisters which then break to form painful shallow sores. After 1-2 weeks, these scab over and then heal. Often the first outbreak is significantly more uncomfortable than future episodes.

If you’re thinking this sounds like a cold sore, but for the genitals, you’re right. Although HSV 1 (cold sores) is not the same as HSV 2, the symptoms are similar enough for you to think of genital herpes as a cold sore that forms around the genitals, anus, buttocks and thighs. And like cold sores, the virus stays in the body once the genital herpes symptoms have vanished, and can cause recurrent outbreaks at any time.

Are recurrent outbreaks linked to any behaviour?

Yes and no. Triggers for outbreaks of genital herpes can be linked to sex, menstruation, general illness or stress, but often you’ll see no explanation and an episode appears without a trigger.

It’s important to note that recurrent attacks are caused by the dormant virus in the body and not by re-infection. In most causes the repeat episodes become less frequent over time, and some sufferers can look forward to a time when the attacks stop altogether.
How is HSV 2 spread?

The HSV 2 virus is spread through skin to skin contact, which means sexual contact is largely the cause. Remember that as many people show few to no symptoms, it’s possible to pass on the virus to someone even if the sufferer shows no symptoms.

How do I prevent transmission?

There’s no sure-fire way to prevent transmission, because it can be passed with no obvious sores, but there are ways of minimising the risk. The first is to avoid having any kind of sexual contact with someone immediately before or during an outbreak of genital herpes. Condoms will stop transmission across the area covered, but of course they only cover the penis, so if sores are elsewhere transmission can still occur.

There are a number of dating sites set up to match singles with genital herpes – of course, people cannot be reinfected, so sufferers having sexual contact with each other are not at risk from the disease!

I think I have it – what’s does the test for herpes involve?

The herpes test involves taking a sample from the area of the body infected during an outbreak. The HSV 2 virus will usually grow in a swab taken from a open blister. It can then be determined which type – HSV 1 or 2 – you have. HSV 1 is rarer in a genital infection.

The other herpes test is taken via a blood sample. The advantage of this is that you don’t need to be having an outbreak to take the test, but it has downsides too. It can’t tell you which part of the body is infected (lips or genitals), it can’t tell you whether you are likely to display symptoms or not and if can’t reveal if general symptoms you’ve had are down to the HSV virus. Consult your doctor to discuss which herpes test is for you.

Is there a risk of transmission through childbirth?

Pregnant women with genital herpes may pass the virus onto their baby during delivery causing serious illness. This thankfully isn’t common, but the medical staff should be told if you carry the virus so that risk of complications can be minimised.

Is there a cure for genital herpes?

Sadly there is no cure for HSV 2, and once the virus is in the body it is there for life. There are ways of managing the symptoms though, thankfully. Iodine paint will dry out the blisters and help prevent secondary infection, while salt baths are good at relieving discomfort.

Anti-viral medication can also be prescribed, and this will help reduce the severity of an outbreak If taken early enough (within 3 days of the symptoms appearing is best). For the unlucky few who suffer from regular outbreaks, some antiviral drugs including aciclovir, famciclovir and valaciclovir can be taken continuously. This will stop most outbreaks from occurring allowing minimal disruption.

Genital herpes has a very bad reputation, but as STDs go, it’s actually comparatively harmless and certainly is no bar to living a full, happy and sexually fulfilled life. If in doubt, get a herpes test – you have very little to worry about even if you are infected!

By: Tim Leach

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Tim Leach is the Marketing Manager of USA Lab Testing, providers of local Herpes tests.

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There are a number of cold sore remedies available today. You will be able to find a wide array of brands in pharmacies everywhere. Researchers have been unable to find a cold sore treatment despite exhaustive research; but the good news is, there are several different means to help lessen the length or frequency of the cold sore outbreaks. If you wish to get natural cold sore remedies, you are sure to find several that are excellent.

Can Cold Sores be Prevented?

There is as yet no known ways to prevent cold sores but there are certain measures that can be taken to reduce the regularity of the outbreaks and also the severity of the symptoms. The most probable causes of the blisters are thought to be stress, fever, cold and menstruation. Since many people seem to have difficulties with these occurences while running a fever it is common to hear cold sores also known as fever blisters. If you are on the lookout for fever blister treatment, what you will have to be looking for cold sore medications; it will be the same thing.

Keep in mind that it is safer not to kiss anybody who is suffering from a cold sore. Refrain from using towels or razors too. It is advisable not to share cups with someone who has open sores. These preventive measures will be effective for you to prevent type one herpes virus responsible for the sores. Cold sores can easily transferred from one person to another, so prevention is the key.

Cold Store Treatment

Curing cold sores will generally include several different products that are as varied as a paste of baking soda and water to water mixed with grapefruit extract. There are many cold sore medications in pharmacies every where, including more natural remedies you will discover in your own kitchen.

The most effective way to make the cold sores go away is to dry them out. Camphor is useful for drying cold sores in less time than most other cold sore treatments. If there is accompanying pain, you may want to have a go at putting an ice cube over the sore for about 3 to 8 minutes every hour. This seems to obstruct the progression of the sore and ease the pain as well as the swelling and redness that accompany it. Zinc is also widely acknowledged to shorten the healing time. Green tea seeped for several minutes with ginger that is in powdered form also helps shorten the period that the sore will last.

How To Deal With Cold Sores While Waiting For A Cure

While you hope and pray for a permanent treatment for cold sores, you will probably continue to get these painful blisters. Anytime you sense the well-known tingle that precedes an eruption, don’t waste time; immediately start some treatment works best for you. For best results you should start the treatment earlier than the time the cold sore erupts. Over the counter cures for cold sores are typically medicated creams that soothes the burning sensation that accompanies a cold sore. Natural cures for cold sores will work well too. Always remember that staving off cold sores is the best treatment; avoid those things that you know to be triggers that are sure to lead to cold sores.

By: Dylan Bavol

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

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Incredible, but true – Cold sores and fever blisters have been a world-wide epidemic since before Christ. The World Health Organization estimates that nearly 90% of earth’s population is infected with the cold sore virus today.
     
Outbreaks of cold sores or fever blisters are caused by the replication process of the herpes simplex virus. Both strains – type 1 and the type 2 – cause identical sores. Many viruses disappear over time but the cold sore virus will be with you for life.

The cold sore virus is for life but the good news … it is most often latent. It hibernates in the nerve cells near the area of first infection. The amazing truth is, 34% of those infected with herpes will never have a single outbreak. The other 66% of us will average 2.1 fever blister events per year.

cold sores and fever blisters are highly contagious. Not only must you be careful not to infect someone else, but you should be extra cautious not to re-infect another spot on your own body. Wherever the virus can get through the skin, it will form a new cold sore colony there.

Often you will see people with multiple sores around the mouth. These cold sores are spread from lack of properly treating the original sore. Also, every caution must be used to avoid getting the cold sore virus in the eyes. This usually causes vision loss with non-reversible damage to the cornea.

Proper care of cold sores and fever blisters is easy and will greatly reduce the risk to yourself and others. Most importantly, keep your bare fingers from directly contacting the sore, especially after it has blossomed into the open sore.

Treat your cold sore or fever blister frequently with alcohol soaked cotton swabs, tissues, or paper towels. This will protect your fingers from contamination and will kill a lot of virus. You can also use hydrogen peroxide – which adds healing oxygen. Either one may sting.

The very best solution is to prevent cold sores and fever blisters before they break out. Then you do not have to deal with all the symptoms and worries of spreading it. Actually, prevention is very possible – or at least reducing the frequency.

If you get cold sores, the most important first step in preventing them is taking a daily regimen of a good multi-vitamin. This will help you deal with stress more effectively. Also, it will really boost your immune system to prevent the virus from creating the cold sore.

One extremely popular treatment for cold sores is the amino acid lysine – using about 3000 milligrams spread out during the day. Between cold sores, as a preventative, many people take one capsule (500 milligrams) per day.

As you have seen, the root cause of cold sores and fever blisters is the herpes simplex virus – either type 1 or type 2. They are extremely contagious, uncomfortable and embarrassing. Care must be taken not to spread to others or other parts of your own body.

Besides continuously disinfecting the sore with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, you should be taking a daily dose of vitamin supplements. The vitamins and minerals will reduce your stress, help build up your immune system, and hopefully prevent future cold sores and fever blisters.

By: Denny Bodoh..

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

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