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Herpes - Facts, Symptoms, and Treatments

Genital herpes is a type of sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex viruses (HSV) type 1 and type 2. It is mostly caused by HSV type 2.

Symptoms from HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection appear minimal or none at all in most people. When they do occur, they usually appear in the form of one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum that tend to break which leave boils or tender sores that lasts four weeks to heal. Outbreaks reappear weeks or months later.

At least 45 million people from the age of 12 and older, or one out of five adolescents and adults, have been diagnosed with HSV infection. This number increased 30 percent between the late 1970s and the early 1990s.

Eight kinds of human herpes viruses have been recorded although but only two (herpes simplex types 1 and 2) cause genital herpes. The belief that herpes simplex virus type 1 cause only cold sores and herpes simplex virus type 2 cause only genital sores can still be contested. These viruses can cause herpes sores on either the lips or genitals.

Depending on the person, the symptoms of genital herpes may vary from being severe, painful sores or mild symptoms. Having sexual contact with an infected person may bring about symptoms within two weeks and can last from two to three weeks. The individual may experience itchiness or burning feeling in the genital or anal area, fever, swelling of the glands, pain in the legs as well as in the buttocks or genital area, vaginal discharge and pressure in the area below the stomach

Sores or lesions appear on the penis, on the vagina, or even on the mouth in just a few days. They also manifest on a woman’s cervix, the opening to the uterus or womb, or in the urinary passage in men, as small red bumps that may turn into swelling or hurting open sores. As days progress, the sores become coated and then heal without leaving any trace of scars.

Despite being lucky to have no symptoms, people can still be infected by herpes! Mild sores are often misdiagnosed as an insect bite or some other other skin irritation. Genital herpes can be even more dangerous if a person has HIV.

No treatment has been found to cure genital herpes; the virus stays in your body. Acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir can shorten outbreaks, lessen severeness, or eliminate its occurrence. Practicing safe sex, when used together with Valacyclovir (brand name Valtrex ®), is also effective in lessening passage of infection to someone else. It is advisable to see a doctor to find out the best treatment plan.