Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2). Genital herpes infection is common in the United States, as is everywhere in the world. At least 45 million people aged 12 and over have had a genital HSV infection. HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, but it most commonly causes infections of the mouth and lips, better known as "cold sores" or "cold sores." Most people infected with HSV-2 are unaware of the infection. own infection. However, if the signs and symptoms occur during the first outbreak, they can be very marked. Generally, a person can only contract HSV-2 during sexual contact with someone who already has the HSV-2 genital virus. This article will help you recognize herpes.
Steps
Step 1. Know if you are at risk
The following factors can help you determine this:
- You may be at risk if you have had oral-genital or genital-genital contact with a person who has HSV-1.
- If you have had sexual contact with someone who has HSV-2 genital infection.
- HSV-2 genital infection is more common in women than in men.
Step 2. Most people have minimal signs or symptoms of HSV-1 or HSV-2
When they occur, look for the following:
- One or more blisters around the genitals or rectum.
- Flu-like symptoms.
- Fever.
- Enlarged lymph glands.
- Ulcers in or around the mouth and lips.
- Soft ulcers in the genital area that take 2-4 weeks to heal.
Step 3. Take the tests
Doctors can diagnose genital herpes by:
- Visual inspection if the outbreak is typical.
- Taking a sample from the ulcer and analyzing it in the laboratory.
- By taking a blood sample, even if the results are not always conclusive.
Advice
- Be aware that daily suppressive therapy for symptomatic herpes can reduce transmission to one's partner.
- Genital herpes very often causes psychological distress in people who know they are infected, regardless of the severity of the symptoms. Talk to your doctor if you are infected and have a hard time dealing with this problem.
- Correct and consistent use of latex condoms can reduce the risk of genital herpes.
- People who have been diagnosed with a first episode of genital herpes can expect to have several outbreaks within a year.
- Know that there is no treatment to cure herpes, but antiviral drugs can reduce and / or prevent outbreaks during the drug administration period.
- Always inform your sexual partners if you are infected.
- People with herpes should refrain from sexual activities with healthy partners when wounds or other symptoms of herpes are present.
- The surest way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases, including genital herpes, is to maintain a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and not found to be infected, or to refrain from sexual contact.
Warnings
- Most people with HSV-2 either never have sores, or have very mild symptoms that go unrecognized.
- If an infected person has no symptoms, they can still infect their sexual partner.
- It is important that women avoid contracting herpes during pregnancy. A new infection during the last period of pregnancy carries a greater risk of transmission to the baby. Genital HSV can lead to life-threatening infections in children.
- Herpes can make HIV-positive people more infectious, and it can make people more susceptible to HIV infections.
