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What is Herpes? Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). A sexually transmitted disease is a disease that you get by having sex with someone who already has the disease. Genital herpes is a viral infection caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). Once you are infected with herpes, the virus stays in your body for life. You can give herpes to another person if you have sex when your herpes virus is active. Herpes simplex virus remains in certain nerve cells of the body forever, and can produce symptoms off and on in some infected people. Herpes is spread through direct contact. So, a genital herpes infection will stay in the area it originated unless transferred elsewhere via direct contact or skin-to-skin transference. Genital herpes won't just show up on its own somewhere else on the body. Because genital herpes is spread through direct contact, it is important to avoid contact with infected areas. If a genital herpes infection is not localized, further complications may occur. For instance, a herpes infection in the eyes can lead to severe complications, including blindness. Herpes is equally common in males and females. Guaranteed effective all natural Genital Herpes Treatment Types of Herpes? There are two types of Herpes Simplex Virus. Both types can cause genital herpes and oral herpes. HSV type 1 usually infects the lips. When the lips are infected sores called fever blisters or cold sores are present. However, HSV type 1 can infect the genital area and produce sores there. Research has shown that between 50 to 80% of all Americans carry the antibodies to HSV-1. Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 is the usual cause of genital herpes. However, it also can infect the mouth during oral sex. A person who has genital herpes can pass or transmit the virus to an uninfected person during sex. Both HSV 1 and 2 can produce sores (also called lesions) in and around the vaginal area, on the penis, around the anal opening, and on the buttocks or thighs. Sometimes, sores also appear on other parts of the body where the virus has entered through broken skin. HSV remains in certain nerve cells of the body for life, and can produce symptoms off and on in some infected people. Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 and type 2 look identical under the microscope, and either type can infect the mouth or genitals. However, HSV-1 occurs above the waist, and HSV-2 below. How does someone get Herpes? Most people get herpes by having sex or direct skin to skin contact with someone who is has cold sores or blisters present. When the sores are present, it means that herpes simplex virus is active. Sometimes a person can have a herpes outbreak and have no visible sores at all. People usually get herpes by having sexual contact with others who don’t know they are infected or who are having outbreaks of herpes without any sores. A person with genital herpes also can infect a sexual partner during oral sex. The virus is usually not spread by touching objects such as a toilet seat or hot tub. Herpes is not spread through the air. It is spread by direct contact to the site of infection. If you have a cold sore and you kiss someone, you will transfer the virus to their mouth. If you have a cold sore and you have anal or vaginal intercourse, you will give your partner genital herpes. What are the symptoms of Herpes? Most people who have herpes don’t know it because they never have any symptoms, or they do not recognize any symptoms they might have. When symptoms are present, they can be different in each person. Usually when a person becomes infected with herpes for the first time, the symptoms will appear within two to 10 days. The first episode of symptoms of herpes usually last two to three weeks. Symptoms of a genital herpes outbreak include: itching or burning feeling in the genital or anal area, pain in the legs, buttocks, or genital area. discharge of fluid from the vagina, feeling of pressure in the abdomen, fever, headache, muscle aches, painful or difficult urination, vaginal discharge, and swollen glands in the groin area. No symptoms of Herpes? Herpes can be spread between outbreaks when there are no signs or symptoms present. This is called "Asymptomatic Transmission." Research shows that herpes simplex infections are often spread by people who don't know they are infected. This occurs because people may have symptoms so mild that they don't notice them at all or else don't recognize them as herpes. Will I ever have Herpes outbreaks again? If you are infected by herpes simplex virus 1 and/or herpes simplex virus 2, you will probably have symptoms or outbreaks again. The herpes virus never dies. It merely falls asleep (dormant) like "Sleeping Beauty", Waiting to wake up under the right stimulation. When the virus is no longer active, it travels to the nerves at the end of the spine and stays there for a while. In some people, the virus can become active several times a year. This is called a recurrence. When the virus becomes active again, it travels along the nerves to the skin and makes more viruses near the site of the very first infection. The site of the virus is where where new sores usually will appear. Herpes outbreaks are not predictable. If
you experience an outbreak of herpes, avoid touching the sores. If you get the get the virus
on your hands and may transmit it to other parts of your body. Oral
herpes is easily transmitted through skin-to-skin contact so if you are experiencing
an outbreak, avoid kissing others and sharing utensils. A doctor will diagnose herpes either by visual inspection and a blood test. Can Herpes be Treated? Currently there is no cure for herpes. However, your doctor might prescribe medicine to treat the symptoms. Can genital herpes cause any other medical problems? Usually, genital herpes does not cause major problems in healthy adults. If a woman has her first episode of genital herpes while she is pregnant, she can pass the virus to her unborn child and may deliver a premature baby. A baby born with herpes can develop problems that may affect the brain, the skin, or the eyes. How can I protect myself or my sexual partner? You can help protect your partner from getting herpes by using a condom during and between outbreaks (especially since you may not know if you are having an outbreak). ***An estimated 35,000,000 to 40,000,000 people in the United States, from ages 15 to 75, may have been infected with herpes. Up to 500,000 new cases of herpes are reported each year.
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