Genital herpes

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) very contagious disease of men and women, but is believed to be more common in women. It is transmitted when the skin is in close contact with infected skin, which occurs during sex. It is a disease that tends to cause extreme emotional stress, but having it does not mean you stop having sex and emotional. You only have to be more cautious (a) when having sex.

Genital herpes is associated with injury and causing blisters on the genitals, lips and anus. These lesions or blisters appear in the area where the virus entered your body. Genital herpes can be transmitted through contact with these lesions, but also can be spread even when there are injuries.

There are two types of herpes virus:
Herpes type 1 (HSV-1): usually causes lesions and blisters in the mouth and lips (sometimes called fire) and is known as oral herpes. While genital herpes can cause, in most cases not.
Herpes type 2 (HSV-2): The genital herpes virus and the person who gets developed lesions and blisters in the genital area, rectum, or near, but always below the waistline. This virus is responsible for 90% of cases of genital herpes.

How do you get herpes?
During sex, herpes virus can enter your body through a cut on your skin while having vaginal intercourse, anal or oral. The virus can enter through the membranes of the vagina, penis, urinary tract, anus or cervix (or cervix).

Once the virus enters your body, what it does is attack the cells that are healthy. The immune system is activated and develops lesions, blisters and inflammation (swelling) as a defense against the herpes virus.

Genital herpes not only affects the genitals. If, for example, your partner (a) sex is a fire or injury to the mouth and are practicing oral sex, the virus can be transmitted to your genitals, and vice versa.

Infection is also common for the mere fact of playing a blister and then move your hand or scratch somewhere else in the body, such as your eyes (hence caution should be exercised).

Many people wonder if the cold can get in public toilets or other public places (hot tubs, swimming pools). The answer is no. The herpes virus outside the human body dies after a few hours, so the probability is very low or no anyone from getting in a public place. Or at least, so far no evidence of this. However, if it can be transmitted by sharing toothbrushes, or through kissing in affected areas.

Remember that the virus can spread even if no blisters present.

Once the virus enters the body can cause symptoms. However, in some cases, genital herpes has no symptoms, or these are very minor, which many people are not aware of who have this STD. Usually you only have an outbreak (the first is usually the most acute and painful) and no longer have any other the rest of your life, or return to having several years later. The virus will remain latent in the body until some factor such as stress, low defenses, if they contract HIV or menstruation in women, may trigger another outbreak.
Genital herpes symptoms, when present, are:
Pain, burning and / or itching in the area between 2 and 10 days after being exposed to the virus through sex.
Blisters, sores or pimples / red bumps in the genital area or near the genital area (buttocks, inner thigh). In women appear on the vulva, vagina, anus, buttocks, or the cervix (neck of the uterus). In men: the penis, scrotum, buttocks, anus, thighs or inside the urethra.
When the first outbreak occurs you may feel symptoms like the flu: headache, fever, body aches, swollen glands in the groin.

How do you prevent the spread of genital herpes?
In an ideal world, the best way to prevent transmission of genital herpes and other STDs, is of course, to abstain from sex (unless it is in a monogamous relationship with a partner who is not infected and that is with only .)

Otherwise, the best way to prevent the spread of herpes is used correctly and consistently the condom. This, however, is not guaranteed to prevent 100% as can be areas with sores that are not covered by the condom (and remember that there may be contagious even when no injuries). Definitely recommended to abstain from sex during an outbreak to avoid direct contact with open lesions.

Another way to prevent the spread of genital herpes is to avoid having too many sexual partners.

Also, there is a blood test that can make you and your partner to know they are infected by the herpes virus and if so, to take necessary precautions. Later I speak of a suppressive therapy if any of you are infected you can ask the doctor.

If you have genital herpes and have not had symptoms, you still want to inform your partner of your condition. They can take the necessary measures: safe sex with condoms.

Is there a treatment for genital herpes?
Genital herpes has no cure. It is a virus that will always be in your body but not manifest outward symptoms. However, there are antiviral drugs that help prevent the appearance and also help reduce the duration of outbreaks. In the U.S., these drugs are acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir) and valacyclovir (Valtrex). Your doctor may prescribe you to reduce the number and intensity of outbreaks, to help injuries heal faster and minimize the chance of transmission to others.

Maybe your doctor will direct you to take medication during the outbreak or to recommend taking a lower dose, but no symptoms, because you appear several outbreaks a year or to reduce the risk of infecting your partner. This is called suppressive therapy.

Pregnant women and persons infected with HIV, must take extra precautions in relation to genital herpes. Talk to your doctor if you suspect you have this STD. The start treatment as soon as possible to avoid infecting others and you can take steps to ensure that, where possible, bring a healthy sex life.

Just do not forget that prevention is the key to avoiding becoming infected with genital herpes.