| Genital herpes symptoms |
| Written by Arthur Tiger | |
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About 50 million people in the US are infected by this demonic virus with an average of one million per year. This deadly disease seems to be widely spread among the people below the poverty line, among those who are addicted to legally banned and infuriating drugs like cocaine and among the people who have unprotected sex with more number of sexual partners. This infectious disease can only be controlled and there is no cure as such. Genital herpes is a highly dreadful and infectious disease which is mainly caused by two types of virus such as the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). It is transmitted when a normal person comes in sexual contact with the affected person. The infection is mainly spread by the HSV-2 virus while the HSV-1 virus causes fever blisters in the inside of the mouth and its surrounding portions of the infected person. The genital herpes disease caused due to HSV-1 is transmitted from an infected person to a normal person when both come in physical contact through mouth to mouth kissing or via oral sex. The sore formed on the genital area appears to be same. This highly contagious disease is spread by carriers which do not exhibit any of the genital herpes symptoms all by themselves. The person suffering from this disease exhibits the common genital herpes symptom appearing in the form of blisters or small ulcers encircling the genital area in men as well as women within a week’s time. In men, the sores are formed surrounding the penis and in women, the infection may be visible surrounding the portion of vagina. There are chances of boils forming on the testes and around the anus. The blisters formed are of the size between 1 millimeter and 3 millimeters. Slowly, these blisters turn into ulcers and group together into crops. At the beginning stage of genital herpes symptom, the ulcers are more painful and this stage extends for a longer time. High body temperature, muscle pain, vaginal discharge, swollen lymph glands in the groin region and headache are the genital herpes symptoms. If the disease relapses, the following infections do not give much pain. Before developing blisters, the patient suffers from an irritating sensation around the area. The inflammation of the nerves leads to the infected area on the skin. Even when the skin looks normal, the patient is contagious with signs of an outbreak. Genital herpes symptoms have to be properly dealt by doctors. Though this is not an emergency situation, the disease can be well tackled in the initial stages of the infection. It is important that the patient visits the doctor during the second eruption. Those people who are affected by AIDS or HIV are prone to serious illness if not properly treated. Of particular importance is the visit to the doctor when a pregnant woman has genital herpes symptoms. There is every possibility of transferring the symptom to the baby which is in the womb. Genital herpes symptoms which are not clearly visible to the eyes can be treated at the hospital’s emergency section where initial medication will be started. This infection is associated with high body temperature, breathing problems and fatigue. If the patient’s immune system is in poor condition, the herpes virus speedily spreads to the brain, abdomen and the lungs. Preventive steps can be taken by the patient to reduce the irritation due to genital herpes symptoms. He/she should be away from hot fire place or bright sunlight. Alkaline soaps or deodorants irritate the skin around the genitals causing the blisters. Sweat formed during the hot months has to be cleaned with soft soap and clean water. Pure sandal wood paste can be smeared in these areas to soothe the surface of the skin and reduce irritation. Fine cotton fabrics should be used avoiding tight under wears especially during night times. In case of unbearable irritation, pain killers like ibuprofen or aspirin can be rarely used. These medications do not remove the root cause of the infection. The swab at the sore is sent to the laboratory for checking the positive signs of the virus. Antiviral and antibacterial treatments are the most effective that are advised by the doctors. Depending upon the severity of the infection, the doctor increases the dosage which ranges from 7 to 10 days. External application of creams does not serve the purpose of cure in the case of initial outbreaks of herpes. Valacyclovir, famciclovir and Acyclovir are the various antiviral medications used to cure genital herpes symptoms. Suppressive therapy controls the recurrences to the maximum. Generally, the sexual partner is frank about the irritation at the genitals and that is the starting point to discuss with the doctor. The doctor will be able to tell whether the pain is due to genital herpes symptoms or not. |
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