Viral/Herpes

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Herpes Infection

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Symptoms, Testing & Treatment for Herpes

Herpes is a common STI, caused by the "herpes simplex virus" type 2 (HSV-2) & type 1 (HSV-1). Symptoms will start showing up 4 days after exposure and last up to 4 weeks. Once you’re affected the following outbreaks tend to be milder. With or without symptoms, genital herpes is being spread through unprotected sexual contact.

Oral Herpes Symptoms (HSV-1) (1)

Cold Sores on or around mouth
Fever blisters on or around mouth

Genital Herpes Symptoms (HSV-2)

This infection is characterized by;

Painful, blistering sores on the genitals
Burning, itching and painful discharge from either the penis or vagina
Painful urination has also been noted.
Flu-like symptoms have also occurred with genital herpes.

Herpes can also be Symptomless.

In Women lesions will show up on the Vagina including;

clitoris
and other parts of the vulva,
anus
and buttocks.

In Men, same lesions but on the;

Penis head,
shaft and
other genital regions
including thigh and buttocks.

Related Testing

• Home STD Testing

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Note! In order to get proper treatment, testing is required!

Treatments

There is no cure for genital herpes, but antiviral drugs are available to help manage the symptoms.

The most popular medications are:

acyclovir (Zovirax)
famciclovir (Famvir),
valacyclovir (Valtrex).

If flair-ups still occur, these pills can lessen the symptoms and their duration too.

Transmission

According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control) the people infected with HSV-2 Genital herpes in the United States is around 16 percent of 14 to 49 year old's. Apparently 80 percent of people infected don’t know they are and with 3 quarters of a million new cases a year this is turning into an uphill battle.

Worldwide cases of Oral Herpes HSV- 1 infection is more than 3.7 billion people under the age of 50, or 67% of the world’s population according to the WHO (World Health Organization).

This STD can be transferred with direct contact with the skin surface that is infected. This includes both Intercourse and Oral Sex. Transfer from genital to genital, genital to mouth and mouth (HSV-1/Oral Herpes) to genital. Not a good idea to have sex when someone has a Herpes outbreak including Genital and Oral. Practicing safe sex should be respected at all times.

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Conclusion

To avoid being infected practice safe sex which includes using condoms and not engaging in sex with an infected person. If you have any of these symptoms you should be tested ASAP (as soon as possible) and sexual partners be contacted. You can avoid complications if your infection has been detected & treated.

Resources

CDC - https://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes.htm
WHO - http://www.who.int/news-room/detail/28-10-2015-globally-an-estimated-two-thirds-of-the-population-under-50-are-infected-with-herpes-simplex-virus-type-1
Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genital_herpes

Reference

1. STD Facts - Genital Herpes (cdc.gov)

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