Female Genital Herpes - Is There Relief From This Excruciating Pain?

"How bad is female genital herpes that I have to abstain myself from having sex, doctor and for how long?" was the question asked by a female patient. She was about 38 and in good health - one look at her and she did not like a person who was suffering from female genital herpes. Even her husband quarreled with the doctor and accused him of wrong diagnosis. He could not accept the fact that his wife was infected with the herpes virus.

This lady was not an isolated case or an exception, rather just the opposite. In fact there are thousands and thousands of women who are actually not aware of carrying the female genital herpes even after they have contracted the virus - the Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2).

What is female genital herpes? It is the HSV-2 that affects and infects the genital area of a female. Once infected, it resides in the nervous system for life. If certain necessary precautions are not taken, this infection is known to mutate into the deadly HIV virus.

There are any numbers of reasons for contracting the HSV-2.

a. Multiple sex partners who are already infected.

b. Oral sex with men who are already infected.

c. Practice unsafe sex.

Whatever the reason may be, once you have contracted the infectious female genital herpes, be aware of the following symptoms, some are not immediate and may show up days later, could be as late as 7 to 8 days.

1. Sores in the infected area.

2. Burning sensation while passing urine.

3. Itchiness inside as well as outside the vagina.

4. Swelling and tenderness of lymph nodes in the affected area.

5. Flu-like symptoms - fever, headache, muscle ache/body ache.

It is very imperative that at the first sign of any of the above symptoms, you immediately rush to see a doctor. Once diagnosed with female genital herpes, follow through with any advice and prescription received from the doctor. The goal here is to not only control the spread and the severity of female genital herpes but also to prevent quick recurrence of the outbreaks. Here are some additional steps one can take to aid in the recovery.

a. Abstain from sex during the infectious period.

b. Use condoms all the time from here on..

c. Drink as much fluid as you can - it will relieve some of the pain while urinating.

d. Take lukewarm showers - avoid cold water or very hot water.

e. Keep the genital area dry and clean.

f. Inner garments (especially underwear) should be replaced often.