Genital Herpes

Definition

Genital Herpes are painful, tender and highly infectious. The first infection is the worst with swollen glands and a temperature. These are very common in young people. Groups of little blisters appear on the genital area, thighs and buttocks. The blisters crust over and clear in seven to ten days.

Caused of Genital Herpes

Genital Herpes is caused by a different strain of the same virus, caught by having sex with someone who has herpes. After recovery from genital warts one time the virus becomes inactive but it may cause repeated attacks too.

Symptoms of Genital Herpes

Symptoms of herpes are called outbreaks. The first outbreak appears within 2 weeks after you become infected and can last for several weeks. These symptoms might include tingling or sores near the area where the virus has entered the body, such as on the genital or rectal area, on buttocks or thighs, or occasionally on other parts of the body where the virus has entered through broken skin. They also can occur inside the vagina and on the cervix in women, or in the urinary passage of women and men. Small red bumps appear first, develop into small blisters, and then become itchy, painful sores that might develop a crust and will heal without leaving a scar.

Sometimes, there is a crack or raw area or some redness without pain, itching, or tingling.

Other symptoms that may accompany the first (and less often future) outbreak of genital herpes are fever, headache, muscle aches, painful or difficult urination, vaginal discharge, and swollen glands in the groin area.

Often, though, people don't recognize their first or subsequent outbreaks. People who have mild or no symptoms at all may not think they are infected with herpes. They can still transmit the virus to others, however.

Treatment of Genital Herpes

When coping with genital herpes, the virus hidden in the nerves cannot be killed. So, anti-viral creams and lotions are used for treating and curing genital herpes. The anti-viral creams and lotions should be applied immediately, as it may help shorten an attack. Take warm salt water baths - it will make you fell more comfortable during an attack. Your doctor may prescribe some pain-killers like Aspirin and Paracetamol. All attacks of genital herpes are painful and highly infectious.

Genital herpes is in the news and people have been frightened by speculations in the press. Mostly people have a single mild attack but in some persons repeated herpes attack occur and this is a very serious problem for them and they must see for a doctor. Frequent attacks of genital herpes play havoc with your sex life, but new researches of vaccines and anti-viral drugs is going on and many scientists have been successful also in developing many drugs and vaccines to combat this infectious disease.

Worry and depression, poor general health, lack of sleep and an unhealthy diet may reduce your resistance to infection. So, you should try to be happy as much as possible and eat healthy and nutritious diet. An attack of genital herpes in pregnancy is very serious one and infected mother can even pass on the infection to her baby, so she may need to be delivered by a Caesarean section.