About Herpes
Genital herpes is
a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the herpes simplex virus
(HSV). There are two strains that can cause either genital or facial
infections; HSV-1 generally affects the face (fever blisters and cold
sores), HSV-2 typically affects the genital area.
The following is a
list of the families included in the Human Herpes Virus:
- Herpes Simplex 1 -- fever
blisters /cold sores
- Herpes Simplex 2 -- genital
blisters
- Varicella-Zoster -- chicken
pox and shingles
- Epstein Barr -- mono and CFS-chronic
fatigue syndrome
- Cytomegalovirus -- illness
in newborns
- HHV-6 -- roseola
- HHV-7 -- rash
- HHV-8 -- kaposi's sarcoma
One out of four
Americans age 12 or older, (45 million people) are infected with HSV-2.
HSV-2 infections are more common in women than in men by 1-in-4 with the
percentage for men being 1-in-5. HSV-2 is transmitted either through
direct sexual or skin-to-skin contact, and it is possible to transmit
the virus when sores or other symptoms are not evident.
Common symptoms
include:
- Genital itching, burning,
tingling or irritation
- Pain in the legs, buttocks
or genital area
- Fever, swollen lymph nodes,
headache, muscle ache, fatigue and other flu-like symptoms
- Decreased appetite
- Painful or difficult
urination
- Vaginal discharge
- Abdominal pressure
In the first year
of infection, outbreaks of painful genital blisters and sores can occur
up to four or five times. The first episode usually occurs within two
weeks of initial infection, and resulting sores typically heal within
two to four weeks. Overall, the risk of transmitting the virus is
highest within an individual's first year of infection, immediately
before and after visible "outbreaks" and by those who have
frequent outbreaks.
Periodic outbreaks
known as "recurrences" can be triggered by illness, stress,
fatigue, skin irritation, menstruation and other stress factors.
"Recurrences" are generally milder than the initial outbreak
and last about one week. The number and pattern of recurrences are
unique to each person and can also change over time.
Medications are
available to treat outbreaks and potentially reduce recurrences.
However, there is "NO CURE" for herpes at this time and once
an individual has been infected, they will remain infected for life.
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