Genital Herpes is a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD), which is caused by the herpes virus. There are two types of herpes simplex viruses -- type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2), where HSV 2 is most common. Usually people suffering from genital herpes do not have very prominent symptoms. Ones which usually appear are blisters around the genitals.
Usually, as the blisters break, they leave the area sore and take around two to four weeks to heal. First outbreak is most severe and the outbreaks following the first one will be less intense in their action. HSV 2 infection is more commonly found in women than men. HSV 2 is very mild in its symptoms and thus many people are not even aware of the disease, mistaking the blisters for mosquito bits or other skin conditions.
Usually, Genital herpes is recurring with many outbreaks in a year. Genital herpes results in painful and recurrent genital sores and might even turn severe amongst people with suppressed immune systems. Herpes can also result in the spread of HIV virus as it makes people more susceptible to it.
Types of Genital Herpes
As mentioned above, genital herpes is of two types -- 1 and 2. HSV 1 and HSV 2 are usually found and released from the already existing sores. Generally, people contract the disease through sexual contact with a person who is already suffering from this disease. HSV 1 virus can cause the genital herpes, but is more commonly seen to cause infections around the mouth and lips. It is usually spread through oral sex and results in cold sores.
Genital Herpes Symptoms
The symptoms of genital herpes are painful, fluid-filled blisters, tingling, itching, burning or soreness in the affected area, enlarged and painful lymph glands, pain on passing urine, a flu-like illness, while women may have an abnormal vaginal discharge.
These symptoms are usually heightened at the first outbreak of the disease. However, they tend to disappear on their own after ten to twenty days. After the first attack, the virus simply becomes temporarily dormant, hiding in the nerve fibers, without showing any symptoms.
Genital Herpes Treatment
Usually, medical practitioners inspect the infected area and detect the disease by inspection. At times, samples from the blisters are also taken and inspected in the laboratory in order to confirm the diagnosis. Blood tests also help in diagnosing the disease, by checking for the antibodies against HSV 1 and HSV 2 viruses.
Though, herpes and its symptoms vanish on their own accord, antiviral medications can be taken to reduce the symptoms and the discomfort caused by them. Intake of pain killers, a bath in cold water, loose fitting clothes, ice packs and drinking lots of water may give additional help in relieving the symptoms of the attack.
Though no treatment has been found to cure herpes, but antiviral medications can help shorten the period of the attack. Daily suppressive therapy can also be used in order to reduce the symptoms and also prevent any further transmission. Though the surest way to avoid transmission of the disease, still remains to avoid any sexual contact.
General instructions for the Genital Herpes
Amongst babies, genital HSV might prove fatal and thus, pregnant women are advised to take all precautionary measures to prevent themselves form acquiring genital herpes. In case the pregnant woman already has genial herpes, doctors perform a cesarean in order to prevent the child form contracting the disease during the normal delivery. Sometimes, women are also given antiviral treatments in the final month of their pregnancy to avoid any herpes incidences.
In order to prevent the herpes from affecting you, use of latex condoms is advised. Also, one should be sure that the sexual partner does not suffer from herpes or any other sexually transmitted disease. This can be ascertained by undergoing a test for HSV 2, which can indicate if the person is infected or not.
