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Genital Herpes is a viral infection, which is
spread through sexual contact. It affects one in five adults in
the United States. Genital Herpes is best known for the sores
and blisters it causes. These blisters or sores are found around
the genital area or the mouth. The area where the sores appear
is usually the original site where the virus entered your body.
Once the virus enters your body, it infects
healthy cells. The sores and blisters that occur are a result
of your body's immune system fighting the virus.
The virus enters your body through a break in
your skin. It also enters through moist membranes found in your
body, these include the vagina, urinary opening, cervix, anus
and the penis. In addition, herpes can affect the tongue, mouth,
eyes, lips, fingers and other body parts. During oral sex, herpes
can be passed from a cold sore around the mouth to the partner's
genital or vice versa. It is possible for people to infect themselves
by touching a sore and then later rubbing your eye or scratching
another part of your body.
Symptoms vary from person to person, and many
people have no symptoms at all. Some people have sores and others
just have pain the the area that was exposed to the virus. After
you are exposed to the virus, symptoms many not occur for 2- 10
days. You many experience swollen glands, fever, chills, muscle
aches, fatigue and nausea. You may get sores, which may appear
on the genitals, buttocks or other areas. These sores generally
are grouped in clusters. When urinating, these areas may sting
or burn.
These symptoms may last as long as three weeks. During this time the lesions
may break open and "weep". Eventually the sores will become
crusted over and will heal without leaving scars.
The virus may recur at any time. When this occurs you may feel burning,
itching or tingling where the virus first entered your body. Other symptoms
that occur include low back pain, or pain in the buttocks, thighs or
knees. These symptoms are call prodrome. Within a few hours the sours/blisters
will appear. With recurrent infections there is generally no fever or
swelling in the genital area. Sores heal more quickly within 3-7 days.
If and when you have symptoms of herpes, call your doctor for an appointment.
In order to confirm the diagnosis of herpes, a culture must be done
from a sore/blister.
There is no cure for herpes so treatment is centered on treating the symptoms.
Medications are prescribed to shorten the length of an outbreak and
this same medication can be used to suppress future outbreaks.
- Keep the lesions dry and clean
- Wear loose fitting cotton underclothes, avoid pantyhose, and avoid nylon and other
synthetics as they retain in heat and moisture, which may slow the healing
process.
- You may use analgesics to relieve the pain or call the office for
other suggestions.
If you are
pregnant and have herpes, notify your physician. There are increased risks
to the baby, especially if it is the mother's first outbreak. Newborns
become infected while they are being born through the mother's infected
birth canal. If you have an outbreak at the time of your delivery, your
physician may recommend a cesarean birth. This reduces the chance that
the baby will come in contact with the virus.
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