What you need to know about Genital Herpes!

Have you ever been embarrassed by painful blisters or sores around your genitals? Or have you ever heard someone close to you talk about something like this? Although this condition is a sensitive topic, it is not a good idea to not talk about it. Because, this is a condition that affects many people, but can be hidden. Today we are going to talk about genital herpes.

What is Genital Herpes? Simply put...

Genital herpes is a very common sexually transmitted infection (STI) . Some people also call it a sexually transmitted disease (STD). When it occurs, it can cause painful blisters, small water-filled blisters, or sores on and around your genitals.

These blisters or sores are usually seen in places like these:

• In women, the external genital area, including the labia (`Vulva`)
• Vagina
• Cervix
• Male names, penis (`Penis`)
• Testicles
• The anus (`Anus`) and the inside of the rectum (`Rectum`)
• Buttocks
• Groin or inner thigh area

This is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) . There are two main types of this virus: HSV-1 and HSV-2 . Although both types can cause genital herpes, HSV-2 is the type that causes genital herpes most often .

Genital herpes is mainly spread through vaginal, oral, and anal sex. However, you can also get genital herpes from someone who already has oral herpes , a condition that causes blisters on the lips and mouth. This means that if you have oral sex with someone who has oral herpes, the virus can get into your genitals and cause genital herpes.

The important thing is that there is no cure for genital herpes. Once the virus enters your body, it stays in your body for life. However, there are medications that can help control symptoms and reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others . Using condoms, taking your medication exactly as prescribed, and avoiding sex while you have genital herpes blisters/sores can help prevent your partner from getting it.

How common is genital herpes?

It's more common than you might think. For example, it's estimated that about 50 million people in the United States have genital herpes. Globally, about 491 million people between the ages of 15 and 49 are infected with the HSV-2 virus (the main cause of genital herpes). So, it's important to understand that this isn't just something you're dealing with.

What are the symptoms of genital herpes?

Symptoms can vary from person to person. Also, symptoms vary depending on whether this is your first outbreak or a recurrent outbreak . Usually, when you have a relapse, the symptoms are less severe than the first time, and they don't last as long. Some people only have one or two outbreaks in their lifetime. Others may have four or five outbreaks a year.

How do you first get genital herpes?

If symptoms do appear, they are usually the most severe the first time . Symptoms can appear within two to twenty days of infection. These symptoms can last for about four weeks.

You may experience things like:

• Flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, and body aches .
• Genital itching, burning or irritation .
• Painful genital blisters or sores appear and burst.
• Headache .
• Pain during urination (Dysuria) .
• Swollen lymph nodes .
• Unusual vaginal discharge or discharge from your urethra .

What about recurrent outbreaks?

It can recur at any time after the first episode (even years later). It is not possible to control its recurrence, nor can it predict how often it will occur. However, the symptoms are usually mild, the outbreak is not severe, and it resolves quickly .

What do genital herpes blisters/lesions look like?

Genital herpes usually starts as small, blister-like bumps . They often appear in clusters. There may be an itchy or tingling sensation in the area for 24-48 hours before a sore appears. These blisters then turn into ulcers, which eventually burst and ooze fluid. As the sore heals, a scab forms. When the sore heals completely, the scab falls off, and the rash is gone.

Why does genital herpes occur?

As we mentioned earlier, genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI/STD). It is caused by two types of the herpes simplex virus (HSV), HSV-1 and HSV-2 . HSV-2 is the most common cause of genital herpes.

How is genital herpes transmitted?

The herpes virus that causes genital herpes can be spread through saliva, semen, and vaginal secretions. The important thing is that genital herpes can be spread even by someone who has no visible symptoms . You can have the infection and not know it, but you can still spread it to someone else.

Genital herpes can be transmitted in the following ways:

• Sexual intercourse - including anal, vaginal-penis, vaginal-vaginal.
• Oral sex (receiving or giving) with an infected person.
• Skin-to-skin contact of the genital areas.
• Touching open wounds, even while breastfeeding.
• During childbirth (if you have an active infection at the time).

Genital herpes is not spread by objects like toilet seats . It is also very unlikely that genital herpes can be spread by surfaces like towels and clothing. However, genital herpes can be spread through shared sex toys . To be safe, wash sex toys thoroughly before and after use, and do not share them with other people. If you do, cover them with a condom.

How contagious is genital herpes?

Genital herpes is very contagious . It is most contagious when you have an open sore . However, you can still pass the herpes virus to someone else even if you don't have any open sores or symptoms of an outbreak. This is called asymptomatic shedding .

Can someone with cold sores get genital herpes?

Yes . Both types of the virus, HSV-1 and HSV-2, can infect your mouth and genitals. If you receive oral sex from someone who has cold sores caused by HSV-1, you can get herpes sores in your genitals.

Can I get genital herpes more than once?

There is no cure for HSV-1 and HSV-2, the viruses that cause genital herpes. Because the virus lives dormant (or inactive) in your body, you can have a recurrence or flare-up of genital herpes. It's not clear why some people have more outbreaks and others have fewer. But doctors know that certain things can cause the virus to reactivate. These include:

• Stress
• Other illnesses
• Menstruation
• Sun exposure
• Surgery

How did I get herpes if not my partner?

Some people never have symptoms . They don't know they have the virus that causes genital herpes. They can spread it to others without even realizing it. You can have the herpes virus for years without showing any symptoms , so it's hard to know exactly when or from whom you got it.

Can I stay single even if my partner has genital herpes?

Yes, you can . If your partner has genital herpes and they take precautions to avoid passing it on to you (for example, using condoms and taking medication) , you may not be able to get it.

Who is at higher risk of developing genital herpes?

Anyone who is sexually active and not careful about avoiding sexually transmitted diseases can get genital herpes. Your risk may increase if you:

• If you don't use condoms or dental dams every time you have sex .
• If you have sex with a lot of people , the more new sexual partners you have, the higher your risk of getting genital herpes. Many people with genital herpes don't know it.
• If you have had other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the past .
• If you are a woman : Women's vaginal tissues are more delicate and can be easily injured, making it more likely for infection to enter.
• Black women are particularly at risk (this is according to international data).

What are the possible complications of genital herpes?

Genital herpes can cause complications such as:

• Increased risk of HIV infection : People with open sores from genital herpes are twice as likely to get HIV. This is another reason why it is important to use condoms.
• Infecting your baby : Genital herpes can be passed from mother to newborn baby during childbirth. Tell your doctor if you have genital herpes. They can then give you medicine to prevent a flare-up around the time of delivery (usually around 36 weeks). If you have an active outbreak of genital herpes during labor, you may not be able to have a vaginal delivery and may need to have a cesarean section (C-section) .
• Internal inflammatory disease : Genital herpes can cause swelling or inflammation of the organs involved in sexual function, such as your urethra, cervix, uterus, or anus.
• Infection of the eyes or fingers : You can spread this virus to other parts of the body, for example, to a finger (herpetic whitlow) or to the eye.

If you have a weakened immune system (immunocompromised) , you may experience more severe symptoms. Very rarely, genital herpes can cause an infection of the brain (encephalitis) or an infection of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).

How does genital herpes affect pregnancy?

Genital herpes does not affect fertility or the ability to get pregnant. If you are pregnant and have genital herpes, you should start taking antiviral medication daily starting around 36 weeks of pregnancy to prevent flare-ups during labor. If you have an active infection at the time of delivery, the herpes virus can be passed to your baby. To reduce this risk, your doctor may perform a cesarean section (C-section).

Is it safe to breastfeed if I have genital herpes?

Yes, you can breastfeed if you don't have an open sore on your breast or nipple . If you have an active outbreak while breastfeeding, the infection can spread to your nipples through contact. Washing your hands well can help prevent this spread. Do not breastfeed from a breast with herpes sores. You can pump until the sores heal. Do not give your baby breast milk if the pumping equipment comes into contact with an open sore.

How do you know if you have genital herpes?

In addition to a physical exam, your doctor will take a fluid sample from an open sore to test for the herpes virus. If your blisters have healed or you don't have any, a blood test can check for antibodies to HSV-1 and HSV-2. These antibodies are a sign that you have the virus in your body.

A blood test does not show an active infection (especially when there are no open sores). But it can tell your doctor if you have been exposed to the herpes virus in the past. If this is your first infection, your blood test may not be ``positive`` for herpes because your body has not had enough time to make antibodies.

Your doctor will often recommend that you also have a blood test for other sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia) .

How is genital herpes controlled or treated?

There is no cure for genital herpes. However, there are ways to treat active genital herpes outbreaks and manage their symptoms. Sexual intercourse should be avoided until genital herpes sores have completely healed .

Antiviral medication for genital herpes

Your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications such as valacyclovir (Valtrex®) or acyclovir (Zovirax®) to help control symptoms of genital herpes. These medications:

• Reduces the severity of future symptoms.
• Reduces the frequency of recurrent genital herpes outbreaks.
• Reduces the risk of spreading genital herpes to others.
• Helps genital herpes sores heal faster.

These benefits depend on how long you take the medication. Treating just one outbreak will not affect the severity or frequency of future outbreaks. However, your doctor may prescribe daily medication (chronic suppressive therapy) to help future outbreaks be less severe and occur less frequently.

At-home care for genital herpes

If you have few symptoms or if the outbreaks occur infrequently, you may not need treatment or may think you don't need treatment.

When you have an outbreak, these steps can help relieve your symptoms:

• Place an ice pack on your genital area. Wrap the ice pack in a cloth or place it over your underwear.
• Keep your genital area dry . Wear cotton or other non-synthetic underwear, and avoid tight clothing. Wet wounds take longer to heal.
• Soak in a warm bath .
• Take painkillers (NSAIDs - nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to reduce pain.
• Wear loose clothing .
• Apply a 1% or 2% lidocaine ointment to numb the area.

Important : Always wash your hands thoroughly after touching a genital herpes sore. Do not touch the sores, as this will only increase the risk of spreading the infection to other parts of the body.

How long does it take to heal from genital herpes?

It depends on whether this is your first outbreak or a recurrence. Your first outbreak may last longer than recurrences . You can expect symptoms to last up to four weeks for a first outbreak. In subsequent outbreaks, your symptoms may last about two weeks.

But remember, genital herpes never goes away completely . You may lose the visible sores or blisters, but the HSV virus that causes genital herpes will always be in your body.

Can the body eliminate the herpes virus?

No. Once you get the HSV virus that causes genital herpes, it's there for the rest of your life.

What should I do if I have herpes?

Many people feel embarrassed and ashamed when they find out they have herpes, because they know that the virus is always there and can be passed on to others. But you are not alone . Herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases worldwide. If you have herpes, you should do these things:

• Learn as much as you can about this . The information will help you manage your disease and take better care of yourself.
• Join a support group in your area or online. You can learn from others who have the disease and share ideas about how to cope.
• Talk to your doctor or a counselor about your condition. They may be able to give you other ideas about how to cope or how to tell your partner about genital herpes.
• Talk openly and honestly with your partner about your diagnosis. Although sharing this information may be difficult, it is a way to build trust in your relationship.

Even if you have herpes, you can still do these things:

• You can have sex using a condom (and/or ask your partner to use one). Some couples who have sex only with each other may decide not to use a condom even if one partner has herpes. Every situation is different, so you should ask your doctor if this is the right choice for you in your relationship.
• You can have children . People with herpes can still have healthy children. If you have herpes and are planning to have children, talk to your doctor about your condition.
• You can live a happy life . A diagnosis of genital herpes can make you feel worthless and can affect your self-esteem. Don't let the virus fool you into thinking you're worthless. This virus is common, and the right partner will accept you no matter what.

How long does genital herpes last?

Your first outbreak can last up to four weeks . Recurrences usually last between one and two weeks .

How can I prevent genital herpes?

If you are sexually active, you can take these steps to protect yourself and others from the herpes virus and other sexually transmitted diseases:

• Be monogamous or limit the number of partners you have .
• Get tested for STDs and complete any necessary treatment.
• If you have genital herpes, tell your sexual partners so they can get tested too.
• Use condoms or dental dams during oral sex.
• If you have symptoms or are around someone with symptoms , wash your hands frequently .

If your sexual partner has genital herpes, these steps can reduce your risk of contracting the virus:

• Don't have sex while your partner has active sores . (Condoms may not cover all sores, so you can still get the virus.)
• Make sure your partner is taking antiviral medication .
• Wait to have sex until the scabs fall off .

When should I see my doctor?

You should see your doctor if you experience any of the following:

• Itching or discomfort in the genital area.
• Genital or anal blisters .
• Pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia) .
• Pain during urination (dysuria) .
• Unusual or foul-smelling penile or vaginal discharge .
• Redness, pain, or swelling of the vagina or penis.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

You can ask your doctor questions like these:

• What is the best treatment for me?
• What are the side effects of antiviral drugs?
• How can the risk of future outbreaks be reduced?
• What is the best way to prevent contracting another sexually transmitted disease?
• How can I protect my partner from getting genital herpes?
• Should I be concerned about symptoms of complications?

Finally, what to remember (Take-Home Message)

Millions of people around the world live with genital herpes (some may not even know it!). However, it's normal to feel embarrassed or ashamed about a diagnosis, especially when you have to talk about it with your doctor or your sexual partners. But don't let your emotions control you , stop you from having an honest conversation, or stop you from seeking medical attention.

Antiviral medication can help relieve your symptoms, reduce outbreaks, and protect your sexual partners from infection . Having genital herpes doesn't have to affect your relationships or sexual health. But you should tell your partners that you have it. Using condoms, taking antiviral medication, and avoiding sex during an active outbreak are the best ways to reduce the risk of passing genital herpes to your partners . Don't be afraid, talk about it openly, and get the help you need.

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