Genital Herpes - What is Genital Herpes and How To Avoid Spreading It

Although HSV-1 can cause genital herpes but it is usually associated with the mouth and may manifest itself as "fever blisters".

HSV-2 infection is more common when speaking about genital herpes.

Many people have genital herpes and don't have any symptoms at all.
A simple lab test taken by your doctor can tell you if you have genital herpes and many doctors will start treatment immediately if you show sign of genital herpes.

However, the most common symptoms of genital herpes are: fluid filled sacs (blisters) that can break causing open sores in the genital areas, anus or even the buttocks and inner thighs.

There may also be milder symptoms such as, red bumps in the genital and surrounding areas, pain or swelling in the belly area or flu-like symptoms.

For most people their first outbreak is their worst but some may not even realize that it is genital herpes and this may be one of the reasons why genital herpes is often transmitted so easily.

Additional genital herpes symptoms may be pain or itching in the genital and surrounding areas, vaginal discharge, small bumps in the vaginal canal (which can only be detected by a doctor), muscle aches, headache, fever and swollen lymph nodes.

Symptoms usually, but always occur about four to seven days after contact with someone who has the virus. Some times symptoms can take up to 21 days or even longer.
The virus may be spread through, oral, vaginal or anal relations and skin to skin contact. This includes kissing an infected person - yes, even kissing.

Some people experience one outbreak and never experience another one. However, you should that this person may still spread herpes. Just because there are no outbreak symptoms caution and protection should always be taken.

If you feel that you may have had contact with an infected person or show any signs of genital herpes visit your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor may test you immediately and then retest a few weeks later just to be sure.

Genital herpes is not curable ( at least for now) but out breaks and its symptoms may be controlled and lessened.

A visit to your doctor or local health clinic is imperative - and the sooner the better.

The obvious answer is not to be sexually active as abstinence is the only prevention.

If you are currently sexually active you can
1. Talk to your doctor openly about causes and prevention.

2. Use a condom during intercourse (this includes oral sex). Although a condom may not prevent herpes since the virus may be around the area not covered by a condom, it can help in some cases.

3. Never have intercourse or any type of sexual relations with someone who has an outbreak or if you have an outbreak!

4. If you are unsure where to turn talk to your parents - I know that this may be tough, but you may be surprised with how much they know and how much they understand about your feelings.

5. Always remember that herpes can be spread even when there are no symptoms.

6. Listen to the advice of professionals (doctors and through the herpes hotline phone numbers listed on this page) don't just ask friends. They may give you the wrong information.
If you call any of the herpes hotlines you can talk anonymously. They are there to help you and to listen to your questions.

7. Take advantage of websites such as the resources listed on this page. You'll get no-nonsense, straight to the point information.

8. The more you know about genital herpes, the less likely that you will contract it or spread it. Learn as much as you can.

When you have an outbreak try using only a natural soap without perfumes or antibacterial properties as these can aggravate your symptoms.

You can also avoid direct sunlight to the affected area and try to keep the area cooler by wearing 100% cotton panties or boxer shorts.

Some also find that aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen may help.

NO. There is no cure.
However, there are products which can help reduce the symptoms and number of outbreaks.

Genital Herpes is not the end of the world and not the end to your sex life. You will need to know what precautions to take and to let your partner know if you have genital herpes (even if you are not having an outbreak).

Yes, this may be embarrassing - but it's less embarrassing than spreading herpes.

Genital Herpes is actually a virus. Many think of it as a disease but it is a virus. A person to person contact virus.

Herpes is spread by an infected person coming into contact with a non-infected person.
You must remember that this is a sexually transmitted disease so the contact is through any type of sexual contact. Not just shaking hands or breathing on someone.

When you think of the different types of sexual contact don't just think about intercourse but also, oral, anal, and even mouth to mouth contact.

After your contact with an infected person it will take about 2 to 20 days before you will start to notice any symptoms.
Some of the symptoms are (but are not limited to) a rash, sores, blisters, fever, pain, burning during urination or even sometimes a tingling feeling. You may also feel a swelling in your lymph glands such as a tenderness in your under arm area or in your lower belly area below your hip bones.

If you do develop sores they will often take 1- 2 weeks to heal. Although the sores have healed the virus remains in your body and could be spread to others. Recurrence of the sores may occur when your immune system is low such as when you have a fever, are out in the hot sun and get a sunburn ( your body's immune system focuses on healing your skin and is taken away from keeping the virus at bay), when you are eating a low quality, low nutrient diet and when you are under stress. One warning sign of a soon-to-be breakout is tingling.

The 2 most common types of herpes viruses are type 1 (HSV 1) and type 2 (HSV 2). Although herpes can be very complicated at least the types have simple names so that you can remember them easily.

The HSV 1 is often and usually associated with oral herpes and an example would be a cold sore. It is possible to have a cold sore once in your life and never have another one again although the virus remains in your body. Other people find that they get cold sores often.

Type (HSV 1) is often not thought about and people often go to the store pick up a cold sore over the counter product and then ignore it.
Then you have type 2, which is genital herpes and is sexually transmitted. This is the types that many people are often ashamed about and will often take precautions to make sure that they do not spread it to their partner.

However, most people don't even realize that oral sex while infected with type 1 herpes such as with someone having a cold sore, can infect a person in the genital area. Unfortunately because society and advertisers want to take the stigma away from Type 1herpes this fact about spreading has been kept pretty quiet and has unnecessarily escalated the spread.

Herpes can be easily diagnosed by a quick visit to your doctor or clinic. All that is needed is a swab taken from your mouth ( kind of like you see on shows like CSI - they put a cotton swab in your mouth, swab around for a few seconds and that's it - no pain, no discomfort) Your doctor will then send the swab to a lab and in a few days to 2 weeks, you will receive the results.

As of now there is no cure for herpes and it's normally treated with oral medication. This will help to shorten the time of your outbreaks and will also help to make the symptoms less severe and uncomfortable.
There are also topical type products that can help to relive or lessen some of the symptoms.
If burning urination is one of the symptoms you may find that urinating in the shower and then rinsing the area thoroughly, and then drying with disposable paper towels may help. Always be sure to wash your hand well - to be safe wash twice & again use a toss away paper towel or toilet paper to dry your hands.

To avoid further spreading of the virus always avoid sexual relations during an outbreak and always have your partner wear a condom to decrease the chances of contracting the virus ( even if you don't have an outbreak the virus can be spread so a condom is always recommended). Please be honest with your partner and always be upfront with them.

Herpes can be spread from a mother to her child when she is pregnant and gives birth, so if your doctor does not know that you have herpes - tell them. You don't want it spread to your baby.

Sure herpes is very scary, but with proper precautions and medical attention you can still a socially active life.

If you feel as though you or your partner may have genital herpes please consult with your doctor immediately. Although there is no cure for herpes, there are treatments which may less the outbreaks.
You doctor can explain to you in detail about the herpes virus and what your options are and how best to take precautions in order not to spread the virus along with being able to answer any questions that you may have.

You can also contact your local state Health Department for herpes information. Your state Department of Health may also be able to help you if, you have no health insurance.

Don't be afraid or ashamed to ask questions. With herpes affecting 1 out of every 5 adolescents, your doctor and Health Department has seen and heard it all before - so ask away.

The products that are mentioned on this page are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
All statements and information on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.