Have Genital Herpes?

If you have genital herpes, you know what a harrowing and emotional experience it can be. And it's not just the painful and uncomfortable outbreaks, there's also the emotional toll that this virus takes. There is a lot of misinformation, myth and rumour surrounding the disease (like most STDs) and this can lead sufferers to feel embarrassed and anxious, stressed and lonely, or in many cases depressed and down.

Genital Herpes is not the terrible monster it is made out to be. It's a niggling little virus, that with the right treatment and lifestyle changes can be easily and effectively controlled. It does not mean your sex life is over, it does not mean you'll never have another relationship, and it does not mean you'll be considered dirty, promiscuous or 'slutty'.

If you have genital herpes, you need to take the necessary steps to control it, and then have the right mindset to get on with your life. With the right treatment outbreaks can be stopped and transmission risk can be lowered, and with a few easy lifestyle changes you can control the frequency and severity of the virus.

The first step is treatment. A lucky few who have genital herpes may be able to control herpes with lifestyle and diet alone, but there is still the risk of transmission. There's many different types of treatment to consider, and different people will have different luck with different treatments. There are prescribed antiviral medicines that are very effective, but are costly and can cause side effects. There are homeopathic and herbal remedies that are very effective, but it takes much research and trial and error to find the right one that works for you, and unfortunately there are some companies selling 'snake oil', or products that simply don't do what they say they will.

Both types of treatment have their risks and different levels of effectiveness; you just need to find the one that works for you.

Lifestyle is a big factor too. Stress is a major instigator of genital herpes outbreaks, and many who have genital herpes are completely unaware of this. Reduce stress and you'll be amazed at the improvement on your herpes outbreak frequency and severity, and also the positive effect on the rest of your life. Diet is another big one; don't eat fatty or sugary foods, and this means fast food and junk food. Avoid excessive alcohol, get plenty of exercise, and keep yourself clean. An extra bath or shower per day will go a long way to preventing herpes outbreaks.

If you have genital herpes, remember, it's not the end of the world, and with the right mindset, the right lifestyle and the right treatment, you can give genital herpes the flick and lead a happy, normal and fulfilling life.

Genital Herpes Transmission: 5 Ways to Keep Your Partner Safe

If you are someone who suffers from genital herpes and you are in a sexual relationship, it is important for you to be aware of the realities of genital herpes transmission. There are a number of factors which have an effect upon the chances of whether you may transmit herpes to your sexual partner and a number of precautions which you can take to ensure that your partner is safe. Here are five of the best ways that you can keep your partner safe from genital herpes transmission.

1. Use of condoms

The use of condoms dramatically decreases the risk of transmission of any sexual disease and while their use cannot guarantee 100% protection from herpes transmission, it does reduce the chances of transmission by at least 30% and up to 50%.

2. Inform your partner

Keeping the truth about your genital herpes from your partner is not advisable. Scientific studies show that people who disclose the fact that they have herpes to a potential or current sexual partner are less likely to pass on the virus. While revealing the existence of genital herpes may have a negative effect upon the sexual relationship in the short-term, it is more likely that your sexual partner will thank you in the long run for your honesty and your commitment to avoiding genital herpes transmission.

3. Treatment

If you are aware that you have acquired genital herpes, you will want to prevent the symptoms of its presence by every means possible. This is because the risk of genital herpes transmission is significantly higher when there are external signs of the disease. Sexual contact should be avoided entirely during an episode of genital herpes. You may find that suppressive therapy and the use of medication is a realistic therapeutic option which should be discussed with your partner and medical practitioner

4. Recognizing the symptoms of a genital herpes outbreak

If you are able to recognize the early warning signs of an outbreak, then you are far better placed to avoid transmission. Unfortunately, there is still a risk of spreading the virus even when there are no evident signs of herpes sores or blisters as skin which does not present symptoms can still shed the virus and transmit it to a sexual partner.

5. Proper diagnosis

One of the most important factors in preventing transmitting herpes is knowledge. It is estimated that up to 80% of people carrying the herpes virus are not aware of it. Because of this, they do not take the necessary precautions to avoiding passing it on to their partner. It can be a long time before any symptoms of transmission show up, so it is recommended to test for the presence of herpes in order to avoid passing it on unwittingly.

These are just some of the ways in which it is possible to reduce the possibility of genital herpes transmission to a new or long-standing sexual partner. It is possible to live a fulfilled sexual life even as a carrier of genital herpes once you are of the virus and have knowledge of the ways in which you can protect your partner.

Herpes Cure

Herpes is a viral infection caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. There are two strains of this virus- HSV-1 and HSV-2 and they cause two variants of the disease, oral and genital herpes.

While there is no cure for herpes, the illness itself can be shortened by anti-viral drugs like acyclovir. The outbreak of this disease is marked by blisters that appear on the body or on and in the mouth in case of oral herpes, and genital areas in case of genital herpes. The blisters can be very painful and the constant itching can be prevented by these drugs.

Oral herpes is highly prevalent in small children. To help relieve the discomfort of cold sores, people should give their children cold liquids. Avoid juices with high acidic content such as orange juice or lemonade because the acidic content will cause a greater burning sensation rather than help to relieve irritability.

Also, when someone is in great pain from herpes, applying ice cubes on the sores can provide relief. It is difficult to stop children from rubbing or scratching the sores when they feel itchy. One way to prevent this is to keep them busy. This is possible by indulging them with games and puzzles to keep their hands and mind busy and so away from the sores.

There are two types of treatment available for genital herpes, episodic treatment and suppressive treatment. Episodic treatment is for the infected person to take when there is an outbreak of an episode of the disease. The episodic treatment consists of the use of anti-viral drugs such as FAMVIR to relieve the pain and discomfort.

The HSV-2 virus, after an attack, usually lies dormant in the nearby nerve cells for a certain period and then gets reactivated, after which another attack occurs. Suppressive therapy is a continuous daily therapy that an infected person undergoes to prevent further attacks of the disease. The suppressive treatment helps minimize the frequency and severity of the attack.

Genital Infections Can Cause Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infection is a serious urinary problem that affects thousands and millions of people every single day. In fact, it is the second most common bacterial infection that can affect the human's body. Women are most likely to acquire UTI simply because of the anatomy of the female organ which is an open system. It is caused by the bacteria E.Coli. There are a lot of reasons why one can have this kind of bacterial infection. The most common cause is having a poor hygiene especially during urination and bowel movement. Dehydration and sexual intercourse are also great factors causing the onset of the disease. People with genital infections such as Chlamydia and Genital Herpes are also prone to developing UTI.

There are some people who are more prone to getting urinary tract infection as compare to the others. When there is any abnormality in the urinary system that can obstruct the flow of the urine, one can easily get acquire cystitis. Another common cause of this infection is tubes or urethral catheters. This mostly happens to the elderly especially when they hospitalized and they cannot get out of bed to urinate, thus they are subjected to use catheters. People who have genital infections are mostly at risk since the bacteria can easily spread throughout their system including the urinary tract.

Generally, germs or bacteria get into your urinary system through passing the urethra. A urethra is the tube carrying the urine from the bladder and transports it outside of the body. The bacteria causing urinary tract infection lives in the large intestine and they are usually found in the stool. When these germs reach your urethra, it travels up to the bladder, thus causing bacterial infection. Women are easily infected because they have shorter bladders than men, thus it is easier for the bacteria to travel up to the woman's bladder. Having sex can also trigger the onset of infection since there is movement within the genital area.

It is actually easy to treat UTI, however, if a person has some genital infections it can take some time to treat the disease. To prevent having cystitis when there is an existing genital infection, it is important to follow simple hygiene measure. One common technique is wiping from front to back after urinating to prevent spreading the bacteria to the urethra. However, it is sometimes not enough since bacteria can easily spread. Because of this, it is advised to seek medical help to receive the prescribed medication. This is good for those with serious cases. But for some mild cases, simple home remedy can treat and prevent UTI. This includes drinking plenty of water and liquids, avoiding sugar and emptying the bladder before and after having sex. Drinking cranberry juice is also good since it has vitamin C that fights bacteria. As per hygiene is concerned, when taking a bath, it is better to have a shower rather than a bubble bath. Staying for a long time in a bath tub can only aggravate the onset of urinary tract infection most especially if you have a genital infection.

Initial Herpes Outbreak - What Symptoms Does the First Herpes Outbreak Have?

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease that is a lot more common than you probably realise. It affects around one in six people, and this number is quite possibly even higher, as around half of the people infected with herpes actually show no symptoms at all of the herpes simplex virus, the virus that causes herpes.

The initial herpes outbreak occurs within two to twenty days of exposure to the virus. Exposure occurs through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex with an infected partner. The first outbreak is usually the worst and longest lasting of the outbreaks you will experience as time goes on, and can last as long as two or three weeks.

The most common symptoms of the initial herpes outbreak are the appearance of red, sensitive, tingling or irritated skin on and around the genital area. This sensitive area of skin will develop small round sores or blisters. These blisters are often uncomfortable or painful, and also may itch a great deal. They will eventually swell, burst and scab over, and usually heal without leaving any scarring. You will likely experience these sores during all your herpes outbreaks.

Other symptoms of the initial herpes outbreak may or may not appear during subsequent outbreaks. These symptoms include swollen lymph glands, or a just general swelling of the groin area, and flu-like symptoms such as headache, muscle or joint aches, fatigue, fever and nausea.

After the initial herpes outbreak, flare ups tend to be less severe, and will reduce in severity as time goes on. With strong anti-viral treatment, whether prescription, natural or homeopathic, outbreaks can be controlled, made to be less severe and last a shorter amount of time, and significantly reduced. If you've just experienced an initial herpes outbreak, be sure to see a doctor for a diagnosis and to begin treatment as soon as possible.

The Recurrent Symptoms Found in Women With Genital Herpes

So what exactly is genital herpes? If this is the question that has been brushing your mind lately, then here is the perfect article to read from. This kind of disease is one of the several sexually transmitted diseases out there. It is a disease that can be considered as a lifelong one, and which causes some very painful blister outbreaks in a victim's genital area. The herpes virus, called Herpes simplex, is able to infect both men and women, although the pattern of infection, however, is quite different.

The transmission of the herpes simplex virus involves some personal contact that is quite close and this includes any exchange of saliva, cervical fluid, semen or even the vesicle fluid from some active lesion. Generally, this herpes virus does not have the capability to infect any dead and keratinized cells that are found in a person's epidermis. The infection starts in the contact of the virus with some abraded skin or mucosal cells in order for it to start its replication as well as infection.

Women, unfortunately, are about 4 times the more likely to be targeted by the herpes simplex type 2 compared to men. Women who are very susceptible to the disease are the most likely to contract the genital herpes from any man who is infected by the disease. This event has quite a higher likelihood than that of the event where a susceptible man is infected by any woman. This fact implies that if a man and woman who is both clear of the disease each have sexual intercourse with a person who is infected with the disease, the chances that the uninfected woman will contract the infection is very much higher than that of the chances of the uninfected man.

So why exactly are women more susceptible to the female herpes? One major factor is that the genital area of women consists of a greater surface area of cells usually moist with the other body fluids. Also, the hormone changes on women during their menstrual cycle can greatly affect their immune system, thus making any female herpes infection possible.

Herpes symptoms in women include some genital outbreaks. The first of this outbreak is generally more excruciating and can last longer than those recurrent genital outbreaks found in infected men and women. These herpes lesions found in infected women can appear anywhere in the victim's genital area including the thighs and buttocks. The very first lesions that will appear are quite infectious around the 3 weeks of its appearance since these blisters contain some great number of viral particles that are all infectious. Aside from a rash that can be found in the female victim's genital area, there can be also some swollen lymph nodes found in the victim's groin. And in addition too is a burning feel when urinating. The several complications that will happen during the first genital herpes outbreak usually list a major difficulty in urinating and this is felt by up to 10-15% of infected women. Furthermore, up to 1-4% of women victims have felt meningitis, which is an inflammation of the particular fluid that surrounds the brain.

With such given facts, it is undeniable that herpes, especially that which targets females, is a very unforgiving enemy. Once a person is able to observe a discharge or any irregularities of the body, it is best that he/she take immediate action in order to avoid getting the worst. When any incidences that involve a sexually transmitted disease, especially herpes, are thrown in the table, it is best that one should go see a medical professional as soon as possible in order to know the proper actions to undergo. Any private clinic is able to ensure the patient's assistance and most especially the confidentiality which can be quite important in the process.

Female Herpes-this type of STD shouldn't be taken for granted. Find out more about this disease and learn ways to appropriately deal with it.

Herpes Symptoms - An Ayurvedic View

In herpes there is an involvement of three doshas (vata, pitta , kapha) and four tissues (blood, lymph, skin and muscle). It is caused by imbalance of three doshas which in turn vitiate four tissues. The ratio of involvement of doshas can be decided by carefully examining the symptoms exhibited during a herpes outbreak. For those who are not familiar with ayurveda and concepts of doshas it may become difficult to diagnose herpes on these principles. These symptoms are exhibited in genital herpes (HSV 2) and oral herpes (HSV 1).

Symptoms of herpes when vata dosha is dominant:

Systemic Symptoms: Systemic symptoms which are exhibited due to aggravated vata are Giddiness, burning sensation in eyes, excess thirst, pain which is pricking in nature, abdominal colic, malaise, difficulty in breathing, fever, indigestion and pain in joints. A feeling of ants creeping all over body is a prominent feature when vata dosha is dominant.

Localized symptoms: The affected area becomes edematous with grey or pink shade discoloration. Tingling sensation accompanied with throbbing pain is experienced. Cracks or small eruption with thin watery exudate is common in vata dominant herpes.

Symptoms of herpes when pitta dosha is dominant:

Systemic Symptoms: Fever, thirst, vomiting, increased sweating, headache, sleeplessness, blurred vision and longing for cold objects are usually exhibited systemic symptoms in pitta dominated herpes. Urine and stools will be of dark yellow color.

Localized symptoms: The affected area is filled with painful eruptions which are red or copper in color. Burning sensation is also present in affected area. The outbreaks are acute.

Symptoms of herpes when kapha dosha is dominant:

Systemic Symptoms: Chills, a feeling of heaviness in body, drowsiness, a feeling of stickiness in mouth, excess salivation, reduced appetite and weakness are common systemic symptoms in kapha dominated herpes. The patient looks very pale.

Localized symptoms: The affected area becomes edematous, stiff, numb and heavy with less pain. The eruptions stay for a long time with sticky fluid inside. The exudate is white and may consist of lumps or thread like structures. The eruptions take a very long time to heal.

When all doshas are dominant, all the above mentioned symptoms of three doshas are exhibited. The herpes symptoms and outbreaks can be lessened by leading a healthy life style and increasing body immunity.

Herbal Treatment For Genital Herpes - Works Like a Charm

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease that currently still has no known cure. However, its symptoms can be controlled and as long outbreaks are avoided, a person with herpes can lead a normal and healthy life. There are many individuals with herpes who live just like any person on the planet. They are people just like you and me, with happy families, friends and relationships, despite having herpes. What's more striking is the fact that many of these individuals have been able to control their symptoms without the use of strong prescription medications. Medicines are generally effective in controlling symptoms and outbreaks of genital herpes. The problem is, they can have serious side effects that can produce more health problems in the infected person. Some of the side effects associated with these drugs include diarrhea, nausea, weakness, headaches, and many others.

Fortunately there is an alternative way to treat genital herpes and that is through herbal and homeopathic treatments. Some of the most effective herbal treatment for the disease are homeopathic medicines, which can be bought from a naturopath, made in your own home or bought commercially which are proven to be very effective in treating viral conditions.

Herbal treatments for genital herpes cover a wide range of natural remedies. Herbal or homeopathic remedies come in different forms including foods, plants, herbs and essential oils. There are people who believe that these herbal treatments for genital herpes are not as effective in treating genital herpes as strong medicines are. This may or may not have been true a few years ago, but these days thanks to advancement of research into these areas, more public acceptance of their worth, and regulation of the industry to remove the charlatans selling ineffective junk. Nowadays, Herbal treatments are just as potent or even more effective in treating genital herpes than prescribed anti-viral medicines. And the best thing about herbal treatment for genital herpes is that they don't pose any dangerous side effects the way prescription medicines do.

So if you are suffering from an HSV2 infection, try a herbal treatment for genital herpes, you may be surprised at the benefits and effectiveness.

Herpes Prodrome Symptoms and Recurrent Outbreaks

If you have recurrent genital herpes outbreaks, then you are probably familiar with the symptoms that you get right before a visible outbreak. The symptoms may vary but many describe them as shooting pains through the legs, tingling sensations in the genitals, localized swollen glands and backaches. Collectively these symptoms are referred to as "prodrome" and is a sign of reactivation of the herpes virus. Prodrome is usually an indication that sores or skin lesions are coming, however this is not always the case.

Unfortunately, doctors have yet to determine the exact cause to recurrent herpes outbreaks - however there are a few triggers that are known. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet light has been known to trigger outbreaks in herpes type 1, so while it is unlikely that your genitals will be exposed to UV light (sunburn), it's important to keep this in mind when you're tanning or sunbathing. Friction and heavy rubbing to the genital area can also activate the herpes virus. Believe it or not, the food you eat can also bring the virus out of hiding. Sugars, chocolate and caffeine should be avoided as much as possible.

The best way to control your herpes outbreaks is to track your prodrome symptoms. Keep a journal of the things that you experience before each outbreak until you notice a pattern. Once you have established a reliable prodrome pattern, start taking your herpes medication at the onset. This will help you avoid a full outbreak with skin lesions.

Medical reports indicate that virtually all who suffer from herpes type 2 will experience a reactivation of the virus. This reactivation is more popularly referred to as "outbreaks". The average person will experience an average of four outbreaks per year, with that number gradually decreasing over time.

It's always best to seek the counsel of a trained medical expert. You should not self-diagnose.

Herpes Cure Information

Using antiviral drugs as a 'herpes cure' have provided people diagnosed with genital herpes the chance to free themselves from the manifestations of herpes for an extended period of time. At the same time, this helps minimize the level and extent of the symptoms in instances of flare-ups. Using drug therapy as a solution does not necessarily treat the condition but is intended to make living with the condition more convenient.

Acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir are the three major drugs used for treating herpes. They are available as a pill taken orally. For severe herpes cases, intravenous acyclovir is utilized.

When initially diagnosed with genital herpes, doctors will generally suggest a brief course, ranging from 7 to 10 days, of antiviral medicines to reduce symptoms or aggravating the condition. If the blisters do not heal within the specified time, the doctor will require the extension of antiviral medicines.

Once the initial treatment has been given, there might be a need to cooperate with your doctor in order to find the best method for taking antiviral drugs. There are a couple of alternatives for taking these medications.

The first option is intermittent treatment. With this method, the doctor will suggest use of antiviral drug for availability in case there is another flare up. This kind of herpes cure requires you to take pills for 2 to 5 days whenever you feel that a flare up will take place or there are noticeable sores.

With suppressive treatment, the doctor will recommend anti-viral drugs if you have frequent outbreaks. If you are experiencing six occurrences within a year, suppressive therapy can decrease the occurrence to 70% to 80%. This method of treatment can reduce the onset to zero outbreaks for the year.

There is no requirement for the number of annual occurrences that doctors set in deciding when is it appropriate to undergo suppressive therapy. The most vital consideration to bear in mind is the number of outbreaks as well as their intensity to hamper with your daily functions.

In addition, daily suppressive treatment helps in the reduction of the likelihood of virus transmission to a sex partner. This solution lowers the possibility of viral shedding, a process wherein the virus reproduces itself on the surface of your skin.

Recently, a study involving people taking daily doses of valacyclovir showed that this herpes cure can serve as a shield to sex partners from getting infected, although condom use is still necessary. Fifty percent of the sexual partners taking dosage of valacyclovir on a daily basis experienced virus infection and the remaining fifty percent was free from infection. 75% of sexual partners showed symptoms of genital herpes, regardless of virus infection.

The side effects of this herpes remedy is relatively mild and experts in the health field regard it as safe in the long term. Among the three drugs used for herpes treatment, acyclovir is the oldest and its safety has been noted in people administering suppressive therapy for several years.

People intending to use these herpes cures should consult their doctors for at least once in a year to see if they should go on with the treatment. At first, you may feel discomfort taking the pills everyday, the drug is not effective, or there has been fewer occurrences as time wears on. Your doctor can help in determining the specific treatment that suits your needs.

Everything You Need To Know About Herpes: Symptoms, Treatments, and Prevention

In general, herpes is not considered a very serious affection and can be treated quite easily. An important characteristic of the herpes simplex virus is the fact that once infected, a person remains infected for the rest of life.

After the primary infection, the virus stays dormant until it gets activated with or without a specific trigger, but normally during periods of weakened immune system the herpes simplex virus is most likely to re-activate.

Outbreaks are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Of the eight different known types of the virus, the most common are HSV-1 and HSV-2, which presents in the form of red bumps with fluid-filled blisters, small but painful, localized around the face or genital area.

The virus is transmitted through direct contact with an outbreak or even skin to skin contact since the virus has periods when it can be transmitted even without a present outbreak.

Herpes Labialis (cold sores)

It is caused by the infection with HSV-1 type virus. There is the possibility that at the time of the infection, no outbreak will occur. If there is an outbreak at the time of the infection, it is likely that this first cold sore outbreak will be more severe than any recurring ones. It starts off with a small, bumpy, red area, where the fluid-filled blisters form around the lips and mouth and up to the nostrils. Symptoms are an itching and burning sensation. Cold sore outbreaks are painful and unpleasant. The blisters eventually dry up in a few days, leaving behind a crust which will fall off within a week, leaving behind no traces.

Some common cold sore outbreak triggers are:

- infections

- high fever

- exposure to sunlight

- menstrual periods

- pregnancy

- stress

- fatigue

Genital Herpes

In general, a person becomes infected by having unprotected sexual contact with a person infected with HSV-2 (genital herpes).

Symptoms appear in about two weeks from the transmission and have a duration of 2-4 weeks. Still, many people infected with HSV-2 can never have an outbreak or have very mild ones which can be confused with insect bites or skin irritation. In general, people with genital herpes have an average of 4-5 outbreaks per year.

With time, the recurrence of herpes outbreaks (both cold sores and genital) decreases.

Treatment of herpes consists of local application of antiviral cream (Acyclovir, Zovirax) and of antiseptics in more extensive outbreaks to prevent further spreading or infection of the virus. In case of more severe outbreaks, the antiviral treatment for herpes can be taken orally, with the dosage and period strictly recommended by the doctor. It is important to remember that the treatment for herpes can shorten the length of an outbreak and relieve its symptoms, but it will not prevent future herpes outbreaks.

What Do We Do When We Have A Herpes Outbreak?

- apply antiviral cream a few times a day on and around the infected area

- cold compresses reduce inflammation (decrease swelling and redness)

- ibuprofen and paracetamol relieve the pain and discomfort

- avoid acidic foods and drinks (citrus, tomatoes)

How Do We Avoid And Prevent Herpes Outbreaks?

Avoid prolonged exposure of the lips in direct sunlight (using a hat or applying chapstick or cream with an UV filter);

Avoiding intimate contact (i.e. kissing) with people who have a genital or labial herpes outbreak;

Avoid sharing towels, cookware, or other objects with a person who has a herpes outbreak.

Treatment for Herpes

Are you looking for a more effective treatment for herpes? If so, you should read this article. You will find out about the best herpes treatment options and get help on choosing which one is best for your case. So let's get started right away without wasting any more time.

As you are probably already aware, there is no cure for herpes. Once the virus is inside your body, it's very difficult to get rid of it. However, there are treatments. And these treatments can help you to pretty much eliminate all symptoms of herpes, which is probably what matters most. Because if you don't have any symptoms, it's just like not having the virus.

One of the first and foremost things you should know about is that when you have an herpes outbreak, that you should keep the affected area dry and clean. This way, you make it easier for your body to heal quickly.

Also, it is best to avoid creams and lotions.

There is also an amino acid that is called lysine. This amino acid can help to control a herpes outbreak and reduce the symptoms. However, you always want to combine that with a diet that takes in a minimum amount of arginine. So far there are studies that indicate that lysine can help to reduce the frequency and severity of herpes outbreaks. Some diet recommendations that have high amounts of lysine and low amounts of arginine are fish, chicken, lamb, beef, beans, mung bean sprouts and many fruits and vegetables. Foods to avoid are peanuts, chocolate, white flour, gelatin, coconut, oats and peas.

There are also many topical herpes treatments that you can apply directly on the skin. In fact, you will find plenty of infomercials and advertisements promising all kinds of miracle effects. However, use your common sense.

Also, try to avoid strong medication. This medication often might temporarily make things better, but not only can it have all kinds of risks and side-effects, it's effectiveness often wears out quickly once the virus has adapted to the medication.

Many people never consider the role their mind and psyche play in their herpes symptoms. But all kinds of studies show that there is a very strong link between stress, emotions and the likelihood, frequency and severity of herpes outbreaks.

That is one of the reasons why hypnosis can be a powerful natural herpes treatment that you can use to reduce the chances of another outbreak.

How to Get Rid of Genital Herpes Symptoms and Live a Normal Life

Let me tell you right off the bat that you cannot get rid of genital herpes. It is caused by a sexually transmitted virus that once contracted, stays in the body for life. Usually, the disease lies dormant but lifestyle factors such as stress or improper diet can cause an outbreak leading to the emergence of blisters which has become the trademark of the disease. Prior to the outbreak, a person with genital herpes may experience flu-like symptoms and an itching and burning sensation in the groin area.

Even if you cannot get rid of herpes, being diagnosed with the disease does not mean the end of the world. Many people with herpes are still able to live normal lives. Their secret? A healthy, stress-free lifestyle centered around a healthy diet and plenty of exercise.

Like most diseases caused by a virus, genital herpes is a disease that is affected by a person's lifestyle. As mentioned earlier, outbreaks can be triggered by stress and other lifestyle factors. So the trick, therefore, is to avoid having outbreaks by ensuring that you live a stress-free lifestyle as much as possible. There are a lot of ways to avoid stress. You can go on frequent vacations, meditate, eat a balanced diet and workout regularly. All of these things can significantly take away the stress in your life.

Don't let herpes ruin your quality of life. Even if you cannot get rid of genital herpes there are things that you can do to be able to avoid outbreaks and live a healthy normal life despite having the disease.

Genital Herpes - Are You Aware of the Possible Health Complications of Herpes?

Some people may never show symptoms of genital herpes, but for others they can be severe enough to trigger health complications.

While it is true that some people may never such shows symptoms of genital herpes, for others they can become severe enough that complications will develop including blisters or sores spreading to other parts of the body. HSV thrives in mucus and may affect any part of the body where mucus is found.

When sores or blisters appear on the hands or fingers is referred to as "herpetic whitlow". The trouble here is that when infection occurs on the hands it tends to be spread around to other parts of the body through contact. To help contain this protection should be worn on the hands or fingers.

Our eyes, especially that of babies, are also vulnerable to the herpes virus. When eyes become infected it is called "ocular herpes" or "herpes keratitis". If ignored, herpes keratitis could lead to blindness. If you are aware that you have herpes and you feel any irritation in your eyes it is wise to consult a doctor immediately. Our eyes are an extremely sensitive organ and you do not want to ignore this warning sign. In extreme cases blindness may occur.

It is not uncommon in women who have outbreaks of genital herpes to have our co-occurring vaginal yeast infections. It is important to know that one does not cause the other, it just seems that they often occur at the same time.If you have genital herpes, it does not necessarily mean you will get vaginal yeast infections; reverse is true also.

In some cases, the herpes virus can get into and infect the cerebrospinal fluid and the tissue that surrounds the brain. If this happens there is a possibility of encephalitis and/or meningitis. Meningitis can be extremely dangerous and even life-threatening. Danger signs to watch out for are: seizures, changes in vision, sensitivity to light, being woozy or drowsy a lot. Encephalitis and meningitis can lead to coma.

If a persons' immune system is compromised then their internal organs are susceptible to some damage. For example complications may occur in the liver, joints, lungs. People with cancer, diabetes, HIV, someone undergoing chemotherapy.

There is relief and treatment available for genital herpes. It pays to be open and educated about the condition. More information is available.

Herpes Transmission

Transmission of the herpes simplex virus is via direct contact with the skin lesions of an affected individual or having sexual intercourse with someone who is infected. The virus is transmitted straight from the site of infection to the site of contact. Oral herpes, for example, can be passed on through kissing. Genital herpes can be contacted through vaginal and anal intercourse. Oral sex also results to herpes transmission.

The herpes simplex virus is easily spread when there is direct contact with the open sores or blisters (active herpes) but it may also propagate without any visible skin lesions (asymptomatic viral shedding). When a person infected with the virus starts experiencing prodromal symptoms such as itching or tingling, the virus is already present on the skin and it can already spread via contact with the affected part. Even without any apparent symptoms, herpes transmission may occur. People who are unaware that they have the virus may propagate the virus as viral shedding still occurs even without noticeable symptoms.

Herpes transmission includes self-infection when a person touches the affected area and spread the infection to other parts of the body he lays his hand on such as the eyes, fingers, chest, and so on.

A newborn baby may acquire the herpes simplex virus from his infected mother. It is important for a pregnant woman to make sure she does not have the virus. A doctor may request for a test to check for the presence of the virus as the woman goes into labor. A normal vaginal delivery is deemed safe when no virus particles are present in the birth canal and when there are no symptoms of the virus outbreak; otherwise a caesarian section is indicated to protect the baby from coming into contact with the virus in the vaginal area. Herpes transmission to babies and small children also occur when they are kissed by someone with cold sores as their juvenile immune system may not be able to fight off the virus.

Incredibly unusual ways of herpes transmission occur through contact with toilet seats, bath tubs or towels as the virus survives for a very short time away from the human host.

Genital Herpes - Pregnancy Facts

If you are an expectant mother, it's a given that you want your child to be as healthy as possible and the birth to go as smoothly as possible for both baby and mother. Despite what you may have heard, if you have genital herpes, pregnancy and birth can still be a wonderful and safe experience, provided the mother is aware of the implications of the disease and takes all the necessary precautions.

Can Herpes Harm My Baby?

In very rare situations, a mother with genital herpes can cause neonatal herpes in a newborn child. Neonatal herpes is very, very uncommon, and there is a very low chance that a mother with genital herpes during pregnancy will infect their child. However, the small chance still exists, and the disease can be life-threatening to your child. By taking the right precautions, you can negate the risk and give birth to a happy and healthy baby.

How Can I Avoid the Risks Associated with Genital Herpes During Pregnancy?

Again, the risk is incredibly small, even if you have had herpes for quite a long time. Taking a few of the steps below will help reduce the risk even more, and give you peace of mind for your child.

1. Make sure your doctor or midwife is aware you have herpes, and know of your medical history with the disease. This includes medication, average frequency of outbreaks, and severity of outbreaks. This will allow your doctor or midwife to take the right precautions during birth to minimise the risk of spreading the virus to the child.

2. Ask your doctor to avoid breaking bag of waters around the baby, to use an external heart monitor instead of a foetal scalp monitor, and not to use forceps or vacuum assistance during delivery. All of these procedures slightly increase the risk of infection to the child. Your doctor will be aware of these issues if they know you have herpes, but you can reassure yourself by discussing these issues beforehand.

3. Discuss with your doctor a plan for if you are having an outbreak at the time of delivery. You may be recommended to have a cesarean section birth, or your doctor may proceed with a vaginal birth. There is no strong evidence to support either as a safer method for the baby, so it will depend on your doctor and the risk to you as a mother.

4. Watch the baby very carefully in the few weeks after birth. Symptoms of neonatal herpes include blisters, fever, tiredness, irritability and lack of appetite. These symptoms can also be a variety of other issues, but take your child to a pediatrician at once just to be safe.

5. Last of all, remember that genital herpes pregnancy is still very safe for your child, and the odds are in your favour for having a healthy, happy baby. By being informed and having your midwife or doctor informed, you've already reduced the chances significantly. Neonatal herpes occurs in less than 0.1% of births each year.

Even if you have genital herpes, pregnancy can still be the wonderful, life-changing experience it should be. Be informed and proactive, and you'll have a healthy and happy baby.

The Genital Herpes Virus - What Is Genital Herpes and How to Know If You Have It

Genital herpes is very common in the United States and across the world. Research shows that up to 20% of all sexually active people in America have it. That's one out of every six. That's a lot. The scary part is many of them don't even know they have it.

The herpes infection is caused by a virus. There are two types. The first type, herpes simplex - 1, causes what is commonly referred to as a "cold sore" or a "bump bump" in the mouth or on the lips. There is over-the-counter medication that is available to treat this.

The second type is called herpes simplex -2. This is the genital herpes virus. It is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Anyone who tests positive for this infection can spread it to others through sexual activity. When a person comes in contact with another person that has it, they can get it too. Even when the infected person does not have any symptoms they can pass it along. Using a condom does not always protect people from catching it. Not having sex (called abstinence) is the only way to completely avoid the risk of contracting it. So how do you know if you have it? The only way to know is by taking an STD test.

It's crazy how genital herpes lives inside the body. What happens is the virus gets into the system through the skin. Then, it travels inside the body and into the nerves where it lives forever. It may never become active and just live inside a person for their entire life. However, it may decide it wants to become active at any time. This activity is characterized by what doctors call an "outbreak". An outbreak is when blisters and/or open sores appear in and around the genital and/or anal region. Most of the time, these blisters will eventually create a scab and heal over the course of a few weeks. But, outbreaks can occur over and over again as long as you live.

These are not the only symptoms though. Other symptoms can include: sores inside the tube that urine passes through (called the urethra), pain during urination (especially in women), swollen glands, and fever. Some people even complain of headaches and back aches. An STD test is the only way to tell if these symptoms are from genital herpes or something else.

Once a person is infected, symptoms can show up within a few days or it may take a couple weeks. But sometimes people can have it for years and never show symptoms at all until suddenly one day they notice open sores on their genitals. The symptoms can be mild where a person barely notices them. They may also be very painful and severe. Either way, it is important to get tested by a lab and treated by a doctor. There are prescription medications that can be taken to keep outbreaks and other symptoms to a minimum.

It is important to keep outbreaks to a minimum and not touch the sores when they occur. The fluid from a sore can be transferred to another part of the body through touching. For example, if somebody touches a sore and then touches their eye, they could transfer the infection to their eye.

Genital herpes can be especially harmful to females. If left untreated, this infection can cause miscarriages or early delivery to pregnant women. It is recommended that pregnant women have a cesarean birth instead of a vaginal one. This reduces the risk of giving the herpes virus to the baby.

There are several ways to reduce the risk of contracting herpes. The first, best, and only way to avoid contact with the virus is by not having sex or engaging in sexual activity. This is called abstinence. Anyone who is not abstinent is at risk.

Being in a monogamous relationship (meaning with only one person) that has a negative STD test definitely reduces your risk, but you never know when or if your partner may cheat. Using latex condoms during all sexual activity is another way to reduce the risk. However, condoms may not prevent you from catching it. Areas of the genitals and the anus that are not covered by the condom may still carry the infection and cause it to be passed on. So how do you know if you or your partner has it? Once again, an STD test is the only way to tell if you have the genital herpes virus.

Oral Herpes

Herpes, both oral and genital, is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. While oral Herpes is caused by HSV-1, genital Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the HSV-2 virus.

The common symptoms for both oral and genital herpes include the appearance of sores on the body. These sores appear on different parts of the body. In case of genital herpes, they appear on the genital area. In oral herpes, they appear on or in the mouth.

Most people infected with oral herpes are not even aware of the fact that they have the disease. This is because people usually don't associate these blisters or soars with herpes. These soars usually last for a few weeks and then gradually dry out.

Oral herpes is an infectious disease that can spread by touching, kissing, or sexual contact. It is prominent amongst children because they pass on the disease to the non-infected children also.

Herpes can also be passed from adults to children through a simple good night kiss. Oral herpes is usually not frightening and can be controlled by treatment and preventive measures, but for a person with an impaired nervous system, it can prove to be fatal.

People can take some precautions to prevent further spread of herpes. Frequent and washing and avoiding touching infected areas are two good ideas. Also, remember that you need to take precautions with infants because their nervous systems may not be able to cope with the pressure of the disease. Adults with babies should avoid cuddling or touching them till the symptoms subside.

Oral herpes can be painful if people don't take the necessary preventive measures. One measure is to take anti-viral tablets. Generally, herpes recurrence will not happen if you take medication. The other thing is people should try to remain stress free because higher stress levels prolong the disease.

Foods to Help Herpes - Alleviate Genital Herpes Symptoms Through Diet and Lifestyle Choices

Do you know that you can beat herpes with food? If you are searching for foods to help herpes then you are on the right place. Eating the right foods can help you avoid getting herpes outbreaks which is actually worst part of having herpes. There are foods that feed the virus and help it spread throughout the body, the there are foods that can help stop the virus from multiplying. Through diet, you can help keep manage the infection and make living with herpes more tolerable.

To much acid. One of the things that you should know is that there are basically two types of food, acidic and alkaline food. Acidic foods are those that help the virus to thrive. This is because eating too much acidic foods can weaken the immune system leaving the body vulnerable to diseases and infections. Some of the best and most common examples of acidic foods and drinks include alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, coffee, red meat, certain seafood and process carbs. If you are prone to herpes outbreaks, you should limit your intake of these foods and beverages.

To counter the effects of acidic foods, you should eat more foods that are considered as alkaline. These kind of foods help prevent diseases and infections from occurring because they help strengthen the immune system of a person. Alkaline foods is not only good examples of foods to help herpes, they can also promote general health and wellness and can help prevent diseases. Some of the foods that are considered as alkaline foods are limes, lemons, cantaloupe, asparagus and most natural fruit juices. You should strive to include as many alkaline foods in your daily diet as you can.

Foods to help herpes abound and are easily sourced. You just have to make the right choices when it comes to diet.

Symptoms and Cures For Herpes - Tips to Get Rid of Herpes For Life

Genital Herpes is a STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) which can be spread to a person through various ways including saliva. The most dangerous thing about herpes virus is that it can spread to a person even if the virus is in an inactive state., which is why cures for herpes are much sought after. Hygiene is a very important factor to stay away from herpes but sexually transmitting herpes cannot be prevented in most cases if the partner already has the disease. The first thing that you should know is about the symptoms of herpes so that you can make sure that your disease is herpes.

The initial symptoms of herpes are usually visible in a couple of days after the first contact and the usual symptoms include painful sores, swollen glands and symptoms of fever. The sad truth about genital herpes is that it can stay with a person till the end of their life except that it will be in a dormant stage most of the time. You can have a control over herpes during its active stage by implementing some home remedies. However, before discussing about cures for herpes, please understand some facts first:

Condoms Cannot Provide Protection From Herpes - While it is true that condoms can reduce the chances of spreading herpes to a large extent, do not rely on condom for complete protection against herpes.

Avoid Using Bathtubs - Herpes virus can be active for a long time and if you have the disease, it is important to take showers not tub bath.

Herpes Can Spread Through Oral Contact - Herpes virus can be active in saliva and any oral contact can also spread the virus.

When it comes to home remedies for herpes, the first thing that you should consider is your nutrition. Like most of the diseases, a healthy diet is very important to maintain a healthy immune system, thus fight against herpes. Some of the other natural remedies of herpes include

Baking Soda - Baking soda can help you to reduce the itching from herpes. Use a cotton ball to apply soda on the affected area.

Milk - Milk may not smell nice but milk can help you to reduce swelling and pain if applied on the affected area.

Drinking peppermint tea also can help you to fight with fever. However, natural remedies will not work with strong pain and itching. In serious cases, you should stick to medical treatment and there are some medicines which can kill every virus that is in contact with the affected area. However, these medicines cannot get rid of the virus completely which is a reason why herpes is not completely curable. Acyclovir is one of the most common cures for herpes and it can kill viruses in direct contact with the medicine.

Click on the links below to find safe, natural cures for herpes.

Types of Herpes

The two types of herpes virus are Herpes Simplex Type 1 (HSV 1) and Herpes Simplex Type 2 (HSV 2). These look exactly the same under the microscope, sharing 50% of their DNA. Both can stay dormant in the nervous system for life or may produce on and off symptoms in infected people. Both can be spread the same way (direct contact orally and genitally). Both types of herpes virus may not produce any noticeable symptom at all. The main difference of the two types is their preferred part of the body while establishing dormancy. Either type can infect mucosal surfaces in the oral and genital areas although generally, HSV-1 occurs in the mouth area and HSV-2 below the waist.

HSV-1 usually affects the lips and inside of the mouth. HSV-1 typically establishes latency in the trigeminal ganglion near the ears, thus symptoms occur in the facial region. Cold sores or fever blisters develop in the affected areas and it can spread to other parts of the body (e.g. herpetic whitlow affecting the fingers and herpes gladiatorum affecting the chest). HSV-1 is generally mild when it affects the lips, face and genitals but can be serious when affecting the eyes and the brain. Research estimates that 50-80% of Americans have this virus. Many people are not unaware that the two types of herpes virus can be transmitted anywhere and this lack of awareness contributes to the increasing number of HSV-1 genital herpes.

HSV-2 generally causes genital herpes. The virus rests in the sacral ganglion at the base of the spine and when activated, symptoms occur in the genital area. The lesions may be found in and around the vaginal area (e.g. vulva, cervix), on the penis, on the buttocks, around the opening of the anus and on the thighs. HSV-2 can be so mild it doesn?t produce any obvious symptoms. It rarely causes complications and spread to other parts of the body is very uncommon.

Herpes: More Common Than You Think

One of eight North Americans (30 million) has genital herpes, even though only one in five knows that he or she has it. Herpes is classified into type I that affects primarily the mouth ("canker sores"), and type II that affects primarily the genitals, although both types can go both places. According to a study in the American Journal of Epidemiology almost one percent of North Americans acquire new cases of recurrent genital herpes each year. That's 1,640,000 new cases of recurrent genital herpes, in 730,000 men and 910,000 women.

To get herpes, you need the virus and broken skin. Since rubbing breaks skin, sexual contact with infected partners is a frequent cause of herpes. Typically, a person develops grouped painful or itchy blisters that look like poison ivy and disappear after one to six weeks. For some, genital herpes never recur, but almost all people who have a painful first episode will have recurrent blisters in exactly the same place.

A person who has herpes can be contagious, even when there are no visible blisters. The only way to diagnose herpes is to have a culture done on a wet blister. There are no dependable blood tests to tell if you have herpes because more than 92 percent of all Americans have had herpes and therefore have positive blood tests.

Herpes is the most common cause of swelling and pain around the rectum or vagina; anyone with these symptoms should get a culture for herpes, even if they are not sexually active.

Almost all North Americans have had herpes, but only seven percent get blisters recurrently. If you have had only one bout of herpes, you do not need treatment. If you have fewer than four recurrent genital herpes attacks per year, your doctor will probably prescribe 21 500mg tablets of Famvir or Valicyclovir that you keep on hand all the time and take them at the first tingling or itching that precede an outbreak. If you have more than 4 attacks a year, your doctor will probably prescribe valicyclovir or Famivir. By the third year on that regimen, as many as 82 percent have no outbreaks at all. Taking acyclovir every day can help to prevent a person from being contagious. Valicyclovir and Famvir are both approved by the FDA for long-term use.

People with recurrent herpes can be contagious any time, but they are less likely to be contagious when they do not have blisters. Virtually everyone in North America has had herpes, but only seven percent get it recurrently. If a person with recurrent herpes is on Valtrex every day, he or she will not shed as much and not be as contagious. Personally, I would not ruin a relationship because of herpes because you are not likely to find anyone who has not had herpes.

Vaginal Herpes is a Herpes Simplex Virus

Vaginal herpes is a herpes simplex virus, usually type 2, occurring in the vagina. Herpes simplex viruses live in the dorsal nerve root ganglion and maybe shed from the skin or mucous membranes without the symptoms of an infection being present. This type of herpes can be contracted by genital to genital contact or especially in the case of the herpes simplex type 1 virus, vaginal herpes can be contracted with oral to genital contact from a person with fever blisters around the mouth.

The primary, or first time outbreak of herpes, can be a devastating illness. In addition to multiple small blisters in and around the vagina that turn into ulcers, the lymph nodes in the groin are swollen and tender. Also a woman who has a primary vaginal herpes infection will run a low grade fever. Typically, she has the feeling of coming down with a flu-like illness until the blisters begin to develop identifying the true reason for the fever. Burning with urination is also a common symptom of primary vaginal herpes.

Unlike the primary outbreak, which is a systemic illness, the secondary or recurrent outbreaks are self limited and short lived. In secondary vaginal herpes outbreaks there are few blisters turning into ulcers and no systemic symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes or fever. While the primary outbreak of herpes usually lasts for up to a week, secondary outbreaks are only three or four days.

In addition to viral shedding during any outbreak from herpes, patients can shed virus when no symptoms are occurring. Since the virus remains in the dorsal nerve roots it can come out long the nerve ends at any time. For this reason many women with known herpes infections will take an antiviral medication to suppress viral shedding. This will reduce the number of outbreaks of vaginal herpes and help protect sexual partners from catching the virus.

Genital Warts (HPV) In Women Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Genital Warts are also known as also called condyloma acuminate or venereal warts. It is one of the most common sexually transmitted disease and is caused by a virus called human papillomavirus. This condition can affect men and women both and at any age. These warts are flesh colored growths that occur in the genital region and the anal region of women. Warts in women are very contagious and one can get it by a sexual contact with someone who already has it.

The human papillomavirus or the HPV is the cause of genital warts in women. There are many types of HPVs and around 40 of these types can cause this condition. The most common types are the HPV -6 and HPV-11 which are responsible for about 90 percent of the genital warts caused.

The symptoms of genital warts in women are as follows:

1. People who suffer from this condition have bumps, flesh colored growths which are painless. They might cause itching and some discharge.

2. These warts may be of different sizes ranging from 1 mm to 1 cm when they join together.

3. Warts can be found in more than one area.

4. A history of STDs may be present.

These warts can affect the penis, scrotum, urethra and the rectal area in men. The lesions may be flat or elevated or hidden by hair. They can be raised growths, rough and cauliflower like appearance or soft. Genital warts in women can occur on the moist areas like the vagina opening. They can occur without any symptoms or women can experience bleeding after having sex. Other symptoms may be vaginal discharge and itching.

One needs to see the doctor for warts that are bleeding and obstruct urination. The diagnosis is done according to the appearance and history of the warts. Acetic acid solution may be applied to the areas so the infected area becomes white in color. Another technique is colposcopy which is magnification of the affected area with a scope. Pap smear test is done to detect HPV presence and the abnormal cells in the cervix. Biopsy is performed if the warts re appear after getting treated.

The treatment of genital warts (HPV) can be done as follows:

1. Laser Treatment: This laser treatment is done using local anesthesia for genital warts that keep reoccurring. This is an expensive treatment and involves high healing time and scarring.

2. Cryotherapy: This freezes the warts using liquid nitrogen. This is one of the best treatments for genital warts and has a high response rate.

3. Electrodesiccation: In this process, an electric current is used to destroy the genital warts in women.

4. Medications: Medications like podophyllum resin, podofilox, trichloroacetic acid, 5-Fluorouracil and Imiquimod can be applied locally. Some applications may cause burning.

5. Surgery: Surgery may be done to cut away the warts using local anesthesia.

Many treatments are available but none of these are considered 100 percent effective in removing the warts since it is not possible to remove the infection caused by HPV totally. The warts in women may subside and go away on their own within few months.

Quickly Find Out If You Have Genital Herpes or Not

DID YOU KNOW THAT 1 in 4 adults have genital herpes and among them 80-90% of people who have this STD don't know they have it?

The reason they do not know they are infected is because their partner who gave them the disease did not know themselves or did not inform them. Also most individuals who have HSV-2 herpes do not know because they have no or only minimal signs or symptoms from the infection; their first outbreak of blisters may contain only one blister which they can mistake for insect bites or another skin condition. It is possible that a person becomes aware of the "first episode" years after the infection is acquired.

Due to the these facts every 30 seconds, another person gets genital herpes. If the number of people infected continues to grow at the present rate, it is predicted that in time nearly half the US adult population will have genital herpes.

This is why, I wanted to answer today, this very common question: What are the symptoms of genital herpes?

I first assume that you already know what this common STD is, for those of you who do not I will write an article on that specific topic soon.

The first outbreak usually occurs within two weeks after the virus is transmitted; and we call outbreak one or several blisters or sores in the genital area. Before the herpes sore is visible, the skin or the mucous membrane becomes extremely sensitive to the touch and there will be an almost unbearable itch exactly where the sore will appear. After a few days the actual blister appears pushing out from under the skin and looking like it is filled with fluid.

The herpes sores are different from other infections. Unlike yeast infection the itch is not felt throughout the entire vagina and labia are; while vaginal impetigo does NOT hurt. Ingrown hairs which can actually look like herpes outbreaks but feel much more like a skin blemish and are most often easily burst.

So, besides these blisters, other genital herpes symptoms may include a second crop of sores, and flu-like symptoms, including fever and swollen glands.

If you do not have these symptoms but you have found out that you had sex with a person who had genital herpes, best thing to do is to visit your doctor and take a blood test to be sure.

Female Genital Herpes - For Pain Relief, Prevent Your Herpes Symptoms Instead of Treating the Virus

The thought having female genital herpes is enough to scare any women. This can be especially true when you consider the fact that this condition can be extremely dangerous for a female's body. There have been cases where women that suffer from this sexually transmitted disease have actually contracted cancer or were prevented from being able to have children.

The scary reality is that this horrendous condition doesn't just outbreak around the normal genital area. No, unfortunately, there are many other regions on a woman that can become infected such as the cervix, the vulva, inside and around the vaginal area and even within the urethra. These outbreaks can be extremely severe in nature.

Other outbreak locations that are usually not as severe in nature include around the thighs and buttocks region. Please don't underestimate what I mean when I say less severe as these outbreaks are painful and very annoying to deal with.

Normally, female genital herpes are more severe when compared to male genital herpes thanks in large part to the genetic differences between a male and a female. This can be easily explained when you consider the fact that women possess a larger genital surface area consisting of moist cells covered with bodily fluids. These cells are usually referred to as mucosal cells.

Women are also forced to deal with the routine hormonal changes that typically occur during the onset of their monthly periods. This dramatically affects their immune system in a negative manner making it much easier for an outbreak of the female genital herpes virus to occur.

If you suffer from herpes and find yourself wondering what can be done for a cure, you will need to understand and accept the fact that there currently is no permanent cure for the herpes virus and that it will always be within your body structure.

Fortunately, there are several ways to keep the female genital herpes virus under control and in a dormant state for an extended period of time. What this actually becomes is a fight to prevent the virus symptoms from taking place instead of trying to treat or eradicate the virus symptoms.

Treatment for sexually transmitted disease symptoms such as female genital herpes will only temporarily relieve your pain but understanding how to prevent the symptoms from taking place to begin with will ensure you never experience the discomfort from your herpes condition.

Herpes Virus - Facts About the Herpes Virus

There are several different viruses that intermingle in order to create the herpes virus. There are type different forms - Simplex 1 and Simplex 2. You will generally find Simplex 1 herpes on the face around the lips while Simplex 2 is generally confined to the genital areas. It is possible for them to be spread all over the body if you touch the infected areas and then other parts of the body.

Many people don't realize that shingles is a type of herpes virus. Every person actually has this in their body around the spinal region. It is the virus responsible for chicken pox. However after the person has chicken pox the virus remains in the body in a dormant status. For some people though it is active and causes a thick and painful rash to occur in areas of the body. The sores often form scabs. An episode of shingles can last days, weeks, or months. The person is also prone to them recurring.

Herpes is a very serious issue and a virus that is very easily spread. More than fifty million people in the United States have the virus. This means one in five adults has a form of Simplex 1 or Simplex 2 virus. The main reason why it is spreading like wildfire is people don't realize they have it. The symptoms of herpes are often dismissed as a yeast infection or a bladder infection. It may be years down the road before the person realizes they have herpes.

There is no known cure for herpes but there are a couple of good quality medications on the market to select from. Acyclovir, Famciclovir, and Valacyclovir are the most common ones. Some individuals turn to herbal medicine because they don't want to cover the cost of prescription drugs to treat herpes. There are various plants said to heal the symptoms of herpes including lemon balm, rosemary, sage, and thyme.

With so many people affected by herpes you can be sure the medical profession will continue to look for a cure. Until then using prescription medications to treat herpes is a good option. Preventing it all together is another by always having protected sex and not kissing someone with herpes found on their mouth during an outbreak.

Genital Herpes - The Most Common Sexually Transmitted Disease

Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. One in five adults have this form of herpes. For most people, they never experience symptoms from having herpes. Genital herpes can cause an outbreak of blisters around the genital area. The blisters can break, which can cause sores to appear. Those sores can take up to four weeks to heal. In some cases, infected people may experience a low-grade fever and other flu-like symptoms.

This type of herpes is usually transmitted from person to person by sexual contact when sores are present. Although this is the most common form of transmission, sores do not have to be visible to spread herpes. People have been known to spread the disease to their sex partners when no sores were visible to the eye.

Having herpes can make a person more susceptible to diseases that attack the immune system. There is a greater possibility of contracting diseases such as HIV if you have genital herpes. If you are pregnant, there is a possibility of spreading the disease to your child during delivery if you have sores present. Your doctor will most likely opt for a cesarean section if you have genital herpes.

At this time, there is not a cure for genital herpes. There are drugs available that can help to shorten outbreaks. There are also drugs available that can help to lower the risk of transmitting the disease to others.

Outbreaks caused by genital herpes can occur at any time. Stress, infections, and medications can cause an outbreak or lead to a longer-lasting outbreak. Having a suppressed immune system can also lead to an outbreak.

Having a monogamous relationship with a person who does not have herpes can prevent the transmission of the disease. Although the use of condoms can reduce the risk of spreading herpes, it is not a guarantee that the disease will not be transmitted. Having protected sex with a person with herpes can still lead to transmission of the disease. The only known way to definitively prevent the transmission of herpes is to abstain from sex.