Herpes Posts

Most Frequently Asked Genital Herpes Questions

Frequently Asked Herpes Q & A

How likely am I to have genital herpes?

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) about 45 million adults in the United States carry the HSV-2 (herpes simplex virus) antibodies. About one in four females carry the virus and one in eight males. The human body naturally weakens the virus. As a result most people who carry the virus do not show symptoms of the virus. The virus often remains dormant, seem the human body often weakens the virus. The herpes virus hides in the central nervous system. The virus could often remain undetected.

Will I ever be able to enjoy sex again?

Telling a partner about your situation allows a couple to have safe sex. If safe sex occurs the chance of passing the virus to a partner greatly decreases. If the virus is dormant that means herpes is much less likely to spread to a partner. It is important to know when you are experiencing any symptoms of herpes. Herpes virus rarely causes serious health conditions. Lubricated condoms can make sex more enjoyable. Flavored condoms could be used for oral sex. A person with herpes could discuss having unprotected sex with his or her doctor.

What are the symptoms of genital herpes?

The symptoms of genital herpes vary from person to person. Herpes outbreaks often occur two days to three weeks after coming in direct skin-to-skin contact with the virus. The symptoms of herpes are often the most intense within the first year a person catches the virus. Herpes could cause symptoms that are similar to the flu. When a person first catches the virus swollen glands, headaches, a fever, and fatigue may occur. The virus could also cause a burning, itching or tingling feeling that may occur. When herpes surfaces the skins cold sores or blisters that contain a fluid may occur. The cold sores usually occur on the same area. The outbreaks may shift to other parts of the genitals. There are cases where a person does not show any signs or symptoms of the virus. The human body weakens the virus.

How can I manage genital herpes?

If frequent herpes outbreaks occur medication can typically be prescribed. Medication such as Valtrex reduces the chance of getting herpes outbreaks and passing the virus to a partner by 50% or more. The most effective way to manage herpes is to eat healthy, exercise, not smoking, and live a healthy lifestyle. Maintaining a strong immune system is the most effective way to reduce outbreaks.

Sometimes outbreaks will occur even if a person is healthy and if medication is taken. If outbreaks occur a warm bath may ease the discomfort from herpes sores. Wearing loose clothing could be more comfortable if the symptoms of herpes are active.

If my partner has genital herpes could I catch the virus orally?

Herpes is spread by coming in direct skin-to-skin contact with the virus through a mucous membrane. The most common mucous membranes that herpes is spread by is the lips, mouth, anus, penis, and the vagina. A person could catch oral herpes is oral sex is performed on a partner with genital herpes. If a partner performing oral sex does not have oral herpes that person may come in direct oral skin-to-skin contact with the virus. In this situation a partner’s lips or mouth may be exposed to a strain of herpes he or she doesn’t have. Oral herpes and genital herpes are two different infections.

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