While some STDs, such as syphilis and gonorrhea, have been brought to all time lows, strains of HIV resistant to currently used combination therapies are increasingly being identified, and there is a silent and growing epidemic of other STDs that pose equally difficult treatment and prevention challenges. These include Genital Herpes (HSV-2), Chlamydia and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
If you have genital herpes, it is not necessarily your fault. Many people get it from their sexual partners. But if you have been having sex with multiple partners without checking their sexual history and STD status, then you have been asking for trouble. Either way, this page offers all the information you need, and our suggested natural herpes treatment over the counter available to buy on the Internet.
STD Stats at a Glance – The Scary Reality in the United States (and similar for other countries too)
* 25% of the population has an STD, most are incurable as in they will always remain in the body once you get them
* 50% of STDs occur in people between 15-24 years of age
* 80% of young people infected with an STD do not know they are infected! (and pose a serious risk to others)
* 46% chance of contracting an STD for women during first sexual contact! (don’t be shy to ask proof of no STD)
* 50% of sexually active females between 18-22 years of are infected with HPV
* 70% of genital herpes cases transmitted when no symptoms present (and it keeps spreading across people and places)
* 50% of the time, condoms are ineffective in protecting people from genital herpes (if your partner has it, back-off from sex)
Genital Herpes is usually the result of HSV-2 infection with about 10% of cases being caused HSV-1. Primary infection is often asymptomatic but many painful lesions can develop on the glans or shaft of the penis in men and on the vulva, vagina, cervix and perianal region of women. In both sexes, the urethra can be involved. In women, the infection may be accompanied by vaginal discharge.
Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The disease can be bothersome. Genital herpes is more common among 39% of women, about 19% of men also suffer from infection. Only 14% of white people carry the virus, compared to 49% of the black people. Researchers estimate that 1 out of every 5 Americans have been infected with the virus that causes genital herpes!
Genital herpes is an infection that causes sores or lesions in the genital areas of the body. The sores or lesions are similar to fever blisters that a person might have around the mouth.
Genital herpes is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, which in most cases, is through sexual activity including oral, anal, vaginal intercourse and outercourse.
Genital herpes may be transmitted even if someone does not have visible sores or blisters.
Genital Herpes is an extremely common STD with 1 in 4 women and 1 in 5 men currently infected with the STD in the USA.
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). HSV1 more commonly occurs around the mouth but can also occur on the genitals. Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex 2 virus. It is transmitted through exposed raw areas of skin.
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Genital herpes is highly contagious, and one partner may transmit it to another even when no visible sores or lesions are present. It is more easily transferred from men to women than vice versa; it may also be transferred to babies of infected mothers during childbirth, possibly causing blindness, retardation, or even death. Genital herpes is caused by either of two types of the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Once you get the virus, you can’t remove it from your body… you can only subside it. Genital herpes is a contagious viral infection transmitted through sexual contact. It is the most common cause of genital ulcers.
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Genital herpes is a lifelong condition that can recur at various times with or without symptoms. In fact, one study showed up to 70 percent of people may get genital herpes from a partner with genital herpes who reported no signs or symptoms during recent sexual contact.
Genital herpes is a “very contagious infection” caused by a virus known as Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). Its usually passed on by vaginal or anal sex, and now increasingly with oral sex when one of partner has cold sores in the mouth.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, genital herpes affects at least 50 million Americans aged 12 and over or one in five adolescents and adults.
Genital herpes is more common in females, African-Americans, and persons who use cocaine/drugs. Most (90% in one study) of these people have positive blood tests for HSV with no history of symptoms or outbreaks. So there are a large number of dormant carriers, and if you hook up with any of them, you will get it.
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Genital herpes is spread by both protected and unprotected sex – with someone who is infected with the herpes virus, whether the person has sores or not. Herpes can be spread from the mouth to the genitals when one partner has cold sores and engages in oral-genital sex. Herpes can also be spread from one place on your body to another, such as from your genitals to your fingers, then to your eyes or to other parts of your body.
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Genital Herpes Symptoms:
Most individuals have no or only minimal signs or symptoms from HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection. Symptoms can include painful sores in the genital area, itching, painful urination, vaginal discharge and tender lumps in the groin.
**Symptoms are usually milder in recurring attacks. Symptoms include a fever lasting for a few days, swollen glands and normally a mild rash which appears after the fever goes. Occasionally children will have a swollen liver. Symptoms of genital herpes vary greatly from person to person.
- Recurrences may be more frequent for people with weakened immune systems.
- Recurrent outbreaks may become less frequent and less severe over time.
- Recurrences of genital herpes can be upsetting and sometimes painful.
- Moreover, the emotional stress over transmitting the disease to others and disrupting sexual relations during outbreaks, as well as informing your sexual partner of your infection status, can take a toll on personal relationships.
HSV-2 infection is more common in three of the youngest age groups which include people aged 12 to 39 years. HSV-2 remains in affected nerve cells throughout life and can be activated to produce symptoms intermittently in some infected individuals.
**This is the hard part: There is no permanent cure for genital herpes – though you can use medication to subside it and make it dormant to the extent possible.
***HSV-2 infection of the mouth is often caused by someone performing oral sex on someone with genital herpes. HSV-2 is commonly spread through any type of sexual contact.
HSV-2 can also be spread from a woman to her fetus if she becomes pregnant while infected with this virus. Infection in the newborn may cause brain damage or death. In most cases, the baby becomes infected while passing through the birth canal. Infection of the infant causes severe illness and has a high mortality rate. Transmission of herpes during birth is rare, and occurs usually in cases where the woman is experiencing primary herpes at the time of the delivery, i.e. Infection and clinical manifestations of genital herpes can occur with both types, HSV 2 still being more frequently the cause.
The reason for this is not yet clear, currently it is thought that it may be due to the differences in the propensity of each virus to reactivate in either the trigeminal or sacral ganglia.
–>Condoms provide some, but not complete protection, against transmission of the herpes virus, because genital skin contact invariably happens. Still condoms must be used for any type of sex with every partner. For vaginal sex, use a latex male condom or a female polyurethane condom. Condoms can reduce the rate of HSV transmission. But remember, if there is an outbreak on the scrotum or vulva (which is so common) condoms and dams just cannot stop the infection from being passed on!!
If you or your partner has herpes, abstain from sexual activities when sores are present. Condoms also help reduce the risk of getting other STDs. Condoms and dams reduce the risk of catching herpes but it is important to remember that they only protect the area of the skin they cover.
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Congenital Herpes: Babies can get the disease during delivery as they pass through the birth canal. If a baby does get herpes, the disease can be fatal. Babies can be infected with herpes at birth because they can pick up the virus from the birth canal or vulva. This risk does not apply to a Caesarean section. Babies usually keep this protection for up to three months after they are born.
(Image Source: NYTimes Health)
Symptoms of neonatal herpes appear within the first month of life and can be very serious. The most serious type of neonatal herpes infection in the newborn, “Disseminated herpes”, causes the death of over half the infants that contract it. Symptoms develop usually within 2 to 20 days after contact, but could continue up to 2 weeks. The first infection may be so mild it goes unnoticed, whilst in some cases, the first attack causes visible sores.
Genital Herpes Treatment:
HSV-1 more often causes blisters of the mouth area while HSV-2 more often causes genital sores or lesions in the area around the anus. The outbreak of herpes is closely related to the functioning of the immune system. HSV-1 is much less likely to cause repeat outbreaks of genital herpes than HSV-2. Almost all people who have recurrent genital herpes are infected with HSV-2. HSV-1 is responsible for only 5-10% of genital herpes cases, while HSV-2 causes the majority of genital herpes cases. HSV-2 can be transmitted through oral or genital secretions.
HSV-2 usually causes sores on the genitals (vagina, penis, anus) and the skin around those areas.
The majority of oral herpes cases are caused by HSV I and the majority of genital herpes cases are caused by HSV II; however, since so many people are now having in oral sex, type-I is often appearing in the genitals. HSV-1 is much less likely to cause repeat outbreaks of genital herpes than HSV-2.
Almost all people who have recurrent genital herpes are infected with HSV-2.
Sores heal more quickly—within 3–7 days in most cases. Also, recurrent infections are usually less painful. Sores should be kept clean and dry, and antiviral ointment may be applied to reduce pain.
Loose-fitting cotton underwear decreases moisture in the infected areas, allowing the sores to dry and heal. Sores also may appear on other parts of the body where broken skin has come into contact with HSV. Over a period of days, the sores become encrusted and then heal without scarring.
Medication, education and self-help treatment help to reduce symptoms and limit the number of herpes episodes (outbreaks). Medicines used only for 2 or 3 days must be used at higher doses than when taken every day to be effective. Antiviral medicine can reduce the time it takes for the sores to heal by 2 days.
Medicines to help your body fight the virus can help lessen symptoms and decrease outbreaks.
Following is a good option for Genital Herpes Treatment:
If you think you have genital herpes, it is important to see your doctor to confirm what is causing your symptoms and discuss treatment options.
Treatment can ease the symptoms of genital herpes – or if you take ‘suppressive’ treatment every day, it can even help reduce the number of recurrence in you have by 80-90 percent.
Disclaimer: Information on this site is intended solely for educational purposes and meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice for your specific medical condition. Consult your physician regarding your specific medical condition.
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