Genital Herpes

GENITAL HERPES

Genital herpes. The herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2) is the cause of genital herpes, a common infection that results in sores or blisters on your genitals. While there is no cure for genital herpes, there are ways to prevent its spread and treat outbreaks.

GENITAL HERPES

Safe sex practices are essential to preventing genital herpes, which primarily spreads through vaginal, oral, and anal sex, but you can also contract it from someone who has oral herpes. Once the virus enters your body, it remains there for the rest of your life. Taking medication can alleviate your symptoms and reduce your risk of spreading the infection.

Symptoms

Depending on whether this is your first outbreak or a recurring one, the symptoms can change. In most cases, recurrent symptoms are less severe than those of the initial outbreak. Later outbreaks also cause symptoms to fade more quickly. In their lifetime, some people might only experience one or two outbreaks. Others might experience up to four or five outbreaks annually.

Causes

sexually transmitted infection, or STIs, are also known as sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs. Genital herpes is caused by the two different forms of the herpes simplex virus, HSV-1 and HSV-2, with HSV-2 being the most frequent variety.

Treatment

Although there is no cure for it, there are ways to manage the symptoms it causes and treat active outbreaks. You should refrain from sexual activity until your genital herpes sores have healed completely. You can also reduce the severity of your symptoms in future outbreaks, lower the frequency of recurrent outbreaks, and help your genital herpes sores heal more quickly. The benefits of treating a single outbreak don’t affect the frequency or severity of future outbreaks, but your doctor may recommend chronic suppressive therapy, which involves taking medication daily, to help you have less severe and fewer outbreaks in the future.

Your genitalia should be covered with an ice pack. Apply the ice pack over your underpants or wrap it in a washcloth.
Make sure your genitalia are dry. Avoid wearing clothing that is too tight and opt for cotton or other non-synthetic underwear. It takes longer for moist sores to heal.
Take a warm bath and soak.
To reduce discomfort, take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications.
Put on loose-fitting apparel.
To numb the region, apply 1% or 2% lidocaine topically.

Prevention

Use condoms or dental dams during oral intercourse; limit the number of sexual partners you have; get tested for STIs and finish any necessary treatment; inform your partners that you have genital herpes so they can get tested; and wash your hands frequently if you are experiencing an outbreak or are near someone who has symptoms.

Summary

Around the world, hundreds of millions of people—some of whom may not even be aware of it—live with genital herpes. However, it’s common to feel embarrassed or ashamed after receiving a diagnosis, particularly if you have to talk about the virus with your spouse or healthcare professional. However, don’t allow your feelings to prevent you from obtaining medical attention or having open discussions.