The genital herpes section has been updated on DoctorGoodskin.com
click- http://www.doctorgoodskin.com/ds/genitalherpes/
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Can I get genital herpes without having sexual intercourse?
Yes.
Genital herpes spreads by contact of any type, which exposes you to infected fluid or an active sore or skin that sheds herpes virus. Herpes virus can enter our body through even microscopic cuts in the skin. The virus also enters our body through the mucous membrane. Therefore-
If your mucous membrane comes in contact with infected fluid/infected sore/skin you will get genital herpes. For example if some body having cold sores performs oral sex on you, you will get genital herpes. Similarly when the mucous membrane of your genitals , mouth or anus comes in contact with virus the virus enters our body.
If virus gets in the body through cuts in the skin we will contract herpes.Let us say you touch infected person's genitals with your hand. The virus may enter your body through microscopic abrasions/cuts in your hands.
Genital herpes spreads by contact of any type, which exposes you to infected fluid or an active sore or skin that sheds herpes virus. Herpes virus can enter our body through even microscopic cuts in the skin. The virus also enters our body through the mucous membrane. Therefore-
If your mucous membrane comes in contact with infected fluid/infected sore/skin you will get genital herpes. For example if some body having cold sores performs oral sex on you, you will get genital herpes. Similarly when the mucous membrane of your genitals , mouth or anus comes in contact with virus the virus enters our body.
If virus gets in the body through cuts in the skin we will contract herpes.Let us say you touch infected person's genitals with your hand. The virus may enter your body through microscopic abrasions/cuts in your hands.
Genital Herpes and Oral Sex
Genital herpes is one of the most contagious STDs. Any type of sexual relation with an affected person can infect the partner with genital herpes. Can oral sex spread genital herpes? Let us find out.
Genital Herpes- How does the infection spread?
Both types of herpes viruses- HSV1 and HSV2 cause genital herpes. If a person with cold sore performs oral sex on another, he/she will transmit the virus and the other person will get genital herpes.
HSV1 virus can cause both cold sores and genital herpes. So anybody with cold sore is an active carrier of the virus. If such a person performs oral sex when he/she does not have any active cold sore, they can still transmit the virus. That is called asymptomatic shedding. By kissing a person with cold sores you may get cold sores and not genital herpes.
Genital Herpes- How does the infection spread?
Both types of herpes viruses- HSV1 and HSV2 cause genital herpes. If a person with cold sore performs oral sex on another, he/she will transmit the virus and the other person will get genital herpes.
HSV1 virus can cause both cold sores and genital herpes. So anybody with cold sore is an active carrier of the virus. If such a person performs oral sex when he/she does not have any active cold sore, they can still transmit the virus. That is called asymptomatic shedding. By kissing a person with cold sores you may get cold sores and not genital herpes.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Genital Herpes and Sex
Unless you and your partner are totally free of herpes and until you change your partner, you need have no worry about herpes. Inversely if both the partners are infected with same kind of virus they need take no precaution during sex. You need to take care about sex and herpes if-
Only one partner has herpes
You are not sure about your partner's status (whether they have herpes or not)
You change your partner frequently
You or your partner gets involved with more than one person.
In such circumstances you need to take care. Let us discuss.
The first question that arises in our mind when we are diagnosed with herpes is this- Is my sex life over?
The answer is an emphatic no. The only difference is that you need to avoid sex during active outbreaks. Take care of the following if you or your partner have herpes and are involved sexually.
1. Avoid any sexual contact if one of the partners is having active outbreaks.
2. Avoid any sexual contact if one of the partners is in the prodrome phase.
3. Use latex condom every time irrespective of outbreak.
4. No oral sex if one of you has cold sore.
5. Beware of asymptomatic shedding of virus (when the skin sheds virus without showing any outbreak). Please discuss this with your doctor. Recent studies have shown that suppressive therapy can substantially reduce asymptomatic shedding.
6. Avoid excess sexual friction if that is a trigger for either of you. Use a water based lubricant. Oil based lubricant can react with latex condom and break it down.
7. Spermicidal such as Nonoxynol-9 can cause irritation in your genitals and may make it easier for the virus to enter your body. Avoid using spermicidal gels formulated with Nonoxynol-9.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Misdiagnosis of Herpes
Genital Herpes is many times not diagnosed. The patient thinks that they have yeast infection or Jock Itch or something similar. Women face this problem especially if the Herpes develops inside Vagina.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Herpes and pregnancy
Women have a problem with Herpes during pregnancy.
For example if a woman is already infected with herpes what would happen if she gets pregnant?
How to protect the new born child? Will the child get born with herpes-or what? What if a pregnant woman gets infected with herpes during pregnancy? How will that affect her child? many such questions come up in relation to genital herpes and pregnancy.
Unless you are aware of all the safety measures you may get a child infected with herpes and that may be very bad for the child. Let us discuss this more.
For example if a woman is already infected with herpes what would happen if she gets pregnant?
How to protect the new born child? Will the child get born with herpes-or what? What if a pregnant woman gets infected with herpes during pregnancy? How will that affect her child? many such questions come up in relation to genital herpes and pregnancy.
Unless you are aware of all the safety measures you may get a child infected with herpes and that may be very bad for the child. Let us discuss this more.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Genital Herpes and Honeymoon- suppressive therapy
If you have herpes and are worried about outbreak during your honeymoon, ask your doctor to consider putting you on suppressive therapy.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Genital Herpes: How To Reduce The Risk
Genital Herpes: How To Reduce The Risk
Genital herpes is a non-curable disease and it is desirable what we try to reduce the risk of contacting it. To minimize your exposure to HSV follow the following-
1. Avoid any sex if your partner is having an active outbreak. Using condom may not protect transmission from exposed areas. Herpes virus is most active during active outbreak and any contact is best avoided during this period. Inform your partner if you are having an active outbreak. This includes the period called prodrome phase when the person realizes that active outbreak will be setting in soon. During this period tingling and or burning sensations occurs on the genital skin.
2. Most cases of Genital herpes are transmitted by people who are affected by it, but do not realize that. Get yourself and your partner tested to find out the presence of herpes antibodies. The good news is that if you and your partner have same kind of herpes you may not need to take precautions.
3. Use latex condoms during every sexual encounter. Use latex condoms even when no signs of an outbreak are present. Some people shed virus even if they show no outbreak. This is called asymptomatic shedding. Protection is never 100% with condoms because exposed areas may shed virus.
4. You and your partner may wish to consult your doctor about suppressive antiviral therapy. This therapy reduces the chances of transmission and increases the gap between active outbreaks.
Genital herpes is a non-curable disease and it is desirable what we try to reduce the risk of contacting it. To minimize your exposure to HSV follow the following-
1. Avoid any sex if your partner is having an active outbreak. Using condom may not protect transmission from exposed areas. Herpes virus is most active during active outbreak and any contact is best avoided during this period. Inform your partner if you are having an active outbreak. This includes the period called prodrome phase when the person realizes that active outbreak will be setting in soon. During this period tingling and or burning sensations occurs on the genital skin.
2. Most cases of Genital herpes are transmitted by people who are affected by it, but do not realize that. Get yourself and your partner tested to find out the presence of herpes antibodies. The good news is that if you and your partner have same kind of herpes you may not need to take precautions.
3. Use latex condoms during every sexual encounter. Use latex condoms even when no signs of an outbreak are present. Some people shed virus even if they show no outbreak. This is called asymptomatic shedding. Protection is never 100% with condoms because exposed areas may shed virus.
4. You and your partner may wish to consult your doctor about suppressive antiviral therapy. This therapy reduces the chances of transmission and increases the gap between active outbreaks.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Triggers Of Genital Herpes
The outbreak of active herpes can be controlled by anti-viral medications. It is easier to manage the outbreaks if you identify factors that trigger active herpes.
What triggers the virus to cause active herpes again? It is believed that everyone has his/her own triggers. Over time, most of the herpes patients find out what triggers their herpes.
The common triggers that you will be looking for are:
stress (both physical and emotional), illness, steroids, sun exposure, poor diet, friction in the genital area because of obesity, tight clothing, etc.
What triggers the virus to cause active herpes again? It is believed that everyone has his/her own triggers. Over time, most of the herpes patients find out what triggers their herpes.
The common triggers that you will be looking for are:
stress (both physical and emotional), illness, steroids, sun exposure, poor diet, friction in the genital area because of obesity, tight clothing, etc.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Genital Herpes- Facts
Genital Herpes- Facts
1. Genital herpes and oral sex-
If your partner has cold sores (carrier of virus type1), he/she can pass HSV1 to you by performing oral sex on you. You will contract Genital herpes.
2. Genital herpes is not life destroying-
Genital herpes is not life destroying. A large population is living with genital herpes without any serious problem. Control your triggers and outbreaks of herpes. A person suffering from genital herpes is more susceptible to get HIV. Maintain a healthy life style and you can live life normally.
3. Genital herpes cannot be transmitted through toilet seat-
The herpes virus cannot live long on dead surfaces such as toilet seats, towels, etc. It is rare to contact herpes from these objects.
4. Silent transmission-
An affected person, who does not have any signs of active sores, can also pass on the virus. That is called asymptomatic shedding of virus. If your partner is infected with genital herpes, you may also get it even if your partner shows no active outbreaks.
5. You may get the indication of herpes outbreak-
Before any herpes outbreak there is a period called prodrome. During this period you may get sensations such as- tingling, itching or some pain. That indicates that the genital herpes will break out in a day or two. Genital herpes can also spread easily during this prodrome period.
6. Prevention of genital herpes -
The best safeguard for genital herpes is to have a single partner who is free of herpes. If not, use of latex condoms and minimizing partners may reduce the risk.
7. Pregnancy & genital herpes-
A woman who is having active sores in or near vagina or having her first outbreak of genital herpes can pass on the disease to her newborn. In such cases herpes is controlled with anti-viral medications and cesarean delivery is performed to protect the new born from contacting herpes.
8. Reducing the spread of herpes virus-
Anti viral therapy reduces the shedding of herpes virus considerably.
9. Cure of genital herpes -
There is no cure for genital herpes. The virus remains in the body for life. You should get treated whenever you get active sores (ulcers) to reduce the intensity and period of the outbreak.
10. Recurring episodes of genital herpes -
Some people get active genital herpes only once, while others may have several recurrences through their lifetime.
11. Affected places due to genital herpes -
In men, the affected areas due to genital herpes include- urethra, penis, scrotum, anus and buttocks. In women, the herpes appears on external genitals, vagina, cervix, buttocks and anus.
12. Transmission of genital herpes -
Genital herpes commonly gets transferred through skin cuts or mucous membranes. Oral cavity, vagina, anus and glans penis are all covered with mucous membrane.
13. Testing of genital herpes -
Herpes is tested with viral culture during active outbreaks. During dormancy (no visible signs), a blood test is performed. These tests are not very accurate and may need to be repeated.
14. Many people do not know that they have Genital herpes-
Many people who have genital herpes may not show any symptoms or the symptoms may be so insignificant that they ignore them.
Source- Genital Herpes
1. Genital herpes and oral sex-
If your partner has cold sores (carrier of virus type1), he/she can pass HSV1 to you by performing oral sex on you. You will contract Genital herpes.
2. Genital herpes is not life destroying-
Genital herpes is not life destroying. A large population is living with genital herpes without any serious problem. Control your triggers and outbreaks of herpes. A person suffering from genital herpes is more susceptible to get HIV. Maintain a healthy life style and you can live life normally.
3. Genital herpes cannot be transmitted through toilet seat-
The herpes virus cannot live long on dead surfaces such as toilet seats, towels, etc. It is rare to contact herpes from these objects.
4. Silent transmission-
An affected person, who does not have any signs of active sores, can also pass on the virus. That is called asymptomatic shedding of virus. If your partner is infected with genital herpes, you may also get it even if your partner shows no active outbreaks.
5. You may get the indication of herpes outbreak-
Before any herpes outbreak there is a period called prodrome. During this period you may get sensations such as- tingling, itching or some pain. That indicates that the genital herpes will break out in a day or two. Genital herpes can also spread easily during this prodrome period.
6. Prevention of genital herpes -
The best safeguard for genital herpes is to have a single partner who is free of herpes. If not, use of latex condoms and minimizing partners may reduce the risk.
7. Pregnancy & genital herpes-
A woman who is having active sores in or near vagina or having her first outbreak of genital herpes can pass on the disease to her newborn. In such cases herpes is controlled with anti-viral medications and cesarean delivery is performed to protect the new born from contacting herpes.
8. Reducing the spread of herpes virus-
Anti viral therapy reduces the shedding of herpes virus considerably.
9. Cure of genital herpes -
There is no cure for genital herpes. The virus remains in the body for life. You should get treated whenever you get active sores (ulcers) to reduce the intensity and period of the outbreak.
10. Recurring episodes of genital herpes -
Some people get active genital herpes only once, while others may have several recurrences through their lifetime.
11. Affected places due to genital herpes -
In men, the affected areas due to genital herpes include- urethra, penis, scrotum, anus and buttocks. In women, the herpes appears on external genitals, vagina, cervix, buttocks and anus.
12. Transmission of genital herpes -
Genital herpes commonly gets transferred through skin cuts or mucous membranes. Oral cavity, vagina, anus and glans penis are all covered with mucous membrane.
13. Testing of genital herpes -
Herpes is tested with viral culture during active outbreaks. During dormancy (no visible signs), a blood test is performed. These tests are not very accurate and may need to be repeated.
14. Many people do not know that they have Genital herpes-
Many people who have genital herpes may not show any symptoms or the symptoms may be so insignificant that they ignore them.
Source- Genital Herpes
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