Genital herpes: eliminate sex

Genital Herpes - a viral infection, a sexually transmitted affects the skin and mucous membranes of the genitals.

Causes and risk factors

Genital herpes can be caused by the herpes simplex virus first and second type. The most common causative agent of genital herpes herpes virus becomes the second type - it can be transmitted through saliva, and genitals. Herpes simplex virus usually affects the mouth and lips, but during oral sex can cause contamination of the genitals. In any case, genital herpes disease occurs as a result of sexual contact.

Infection is most likely when the disease is in the active skin - wherein the skin and mucous membranes are clearly visible small blisters and wound healing. However, some people who are carriers of the herpes simplex virus can infect others when the disease does not have any obvious symptoms; often the person does not know he is infected.

Genital herpes is more common in men than in women. According to some genital herpes infected every fourth woman and every eighth man.

Symptoms

Some people infected with herpes never develop symptoms of the disease; some are very small - they can take over the traces of insect bites, or other symptoms of the skin disease.

However, many people within two weeks after infection occurs the first episode of genital herpes, and is often accompanied by very strong symptoms. Common symptoms of genital herpes are usually:

• Weak appetite
• Fever
• Lethargy, malaise
• Muscle pain in the lower back, hips and legs

On the genitals during the active phase of the disease there are small painful blisters inside of which is clear or pale yellow liquid.

As a rule, they appear:

• In women: on the inside of the labia, on the walls of the vagina cervix, around the anus, sometimes - on the thighs and buttocks.
• In men: on the penis, scrotum, the anus, on the thighs and buttocks.
• Before the appearance of blisters person may feel a tingling, burning, itching, or pain in those areas of the skin where the blisters will appear in the future.
• When the blisters burst, in their place are very painful ulcers. After a while they are covered by a crust, and 7-14 days pass without leaving a scar.

Other symptoms

• Enlarged and painful lymph nodes in the groin during the revitalization of genital herpes.
• Pain when urinating.
• Unusual vaginal discharge in women.

The next bout of genital herpes may occur in a few weeks, months, or years after the first. In most cases it will not be so heavy and long-lasting as the first. Once infected, the herpes virus is to nerve cells and stays in the body for life. The latent period can last for a very long time.

Triggers activation of genital herpes may include:

• Severe fatigue
• Irritation genitalia (e.g., the use of certain cosmetics)
• Physical and / or emotional stress
• Trauma

Diagnostics

You can diagnose genital herpes by visual inspection, but may be needed to confirm the laboratory tests. The presence of the herpes simplex virus Herpes simplex - in fact, not so simple   You can set the analysis of vaginal discharge; in the blood of infected people have antibodies to the herpes virus. With blood tests can detect genital herpes, even if the disease is not active.

Treatment

Genital herpes, like any other, can not be cured completely, but there are tools that help to alleviate the symptoms and the rapid healing of ulcers that appear on the blisters burst location. What is the treatment of genital herpes acyclovir used Acyclovir - as it is safe? , Famciclovir and valacyclovir. Repeated attacks need to start using them as soon as the very first symptoms: tingling, burning and itching.

People who have herpes outbreaks occur frequently, can use these tools on a daily basis for extended periods of time. This will help prevent the next outbreak, or reduce their duration. The measure also reduces the risk of contracting genital herpes to other people.

Pregnant women can be encouraged to use drugs for the treatment of herpes Treatment of herpes - a serious problem   in the last month of pregnancy to avoid the outbreak at the approach of the time of delivery. If at the moment of birth the genital herpes is in the active phase, it is recommended to do a cesarean section to reduce the risk of infection of the child.

Possible side effects of drugs for the treatment of herpes:

• Fatigue, weakness;
• Headache;
• Nausea and vomiting;
• Skin rash;
• Muscle cramps;
• Tremor.

Additional measures in the treatment of genital herpes:

• Do not wear underwear, tights or pants made of nylon and other synthetic materials, while herpes is in the active phase. Also avoid linen clothes, very tight to the body and causing friction that can slow recovery.
• Wash with soft means, which does not dry and does not irritate the skin.
• Take warm baths to relieve the unpleasant symptoms of genital herpes.
• If symptoms persist for a long time herpes, see your doctor: possibly damaged skin began to develop a bacterial infection and need antibiotics.
• You should also consult a doctor if an outbreak of genital herpes is accompanied by fever, severe headaches and vomiting, or if symptoms of herpes spread to vast areas of the body.

Forecast

After infection, herpes virus stays in your body for life (or at least, there is currently no way to completely get rid of it). For some people, it never makes itself felt, while others happen quite frequent and painful herpes outbreaks.

In most cases, outbreaks of genital herpes begin with no obvious trigger. However, many people notice that the activation of the virus is influenced by the following factors:

• Extreme fatigue;
• Various diseases (colds and flu to serious illnesses such as pneumonia or heart attack);
• The weakening of the immune system due to AIDS or medication - such as steroids or chemotherapy drugs;
• Menstruation;
• Physical or emotional stress How to beat stress? Create an oasis ;
• Injuries to the genitalia, including associated with sexual activity.

People with healthy immune systems can cause genital some inconvenience, but it is rarely a threat to health or life.

Complications

A pregnant woman who has genital herpes is in the active phase during childbirth may transmit the infection to her baby.

The risk of infection is especially great child, if a woman is infected with herpes during pregnancy. The likelihood of severe infection is much lower if the mother at delivery was repeated outbreak of genital herpes.

Women infected with herpes during pregnancy are at increased risk of preterm birth. The children may develop infection of the brain (meningitis, encephalitis), chronic skin infections. The possible consequences of infection of the child are lagging behind in development, and even death.

Women infected with genital herpes, but that only a few times there were outbreaks rarely transmit the infection to their children.

In genital herpes there are other complications. It can spread to other parts of the body, including the brain, eyes, esophagus, liver, spinal cord and lungs. Such complications often develop in people with weakened immune systems.

In addition, sexual intercourse during the active phase of genital herpes increases the risk of HIV infection if your partner is infected with HIV.

Prevention

Better protection from infection with genital herpes - a waiver of any sexual contact, including oral sex. Long-lasting, mutually monogamous relationship with a partner is not infected with herpes, also significantly reduces the likelihood that you will ever encounter with the disease. In other cases, it is necessary to use condoms (and including - women), although they do not provide complete protection from genital herpes.

Any person infected with genital herpes, should report it to your partner, even if you are not currently in the active phase.