What is Oral & Genital Herpes?
There are two types of herpes infections, oral herpes and genital herpes; both are contagious. The most insidious fact about herpes is that it can be an “invisible virus;” it is possible for a person to have and to spread either type of herpes virus and not even know that he or she has herpes.
The virus that infects a person with oral herpes is named “herpes simplex type 1.” The virus that infects a person with genital herpes is named “herpes simplex type 2.” Both types of herpes are spread by direct contact with an infected area or by contact with a body fluid from that area.
There is no known cure for either type of herpes; it is permanent, but not always active. A person with oral herpes or genital herpes may have one or several outbreaks in his or her life.
Oral Herpes and It's Symptoms
Oral herpes symptoms include blisters or cold sores on the lips and in the mouth that can develop into painful ulcers. If the gums are infected they will become red and puffy. Oral herpes may also cause a fever, aching muscles and swollen glands in the neck. An initial outbreak may last from two to three weeks.
Oral herpes is very common among children. Children share each other's straws and eating utensils and generally have a lot of physical contact with one another playing sports and just generally roughhousing. Children are also subject to being kissed by visiting close friends and relatives who are completely unaware that they have oral herpes.
Genital Herpes and its Symptoms
Genital herpes symptoms include blisters and pain in the genital areas. Blisters may appear on the penis, scrotum, vagina, in the cervix or on the thighs and buttocks. Initial symptoms include an itch or pain in an infected area, fever, headache, swollen glands in the groin, a painful or burning sensation during urination and possibly a thick, clear fluid discharge from the penis or vagina. The blisters may become painful sores. An initial episode of genital herpes may last from one to three weeks.
Preventing Herpes
It is possible to prevent a herpes infection by avoiding direct contact with blisters, sores or ulcers that appear on someone's mouth or genitals. Keeping in mind that herpes can be an “invisible virus,” it is a good idea to avoid physical or intimate contact with anyone you suspect may carry either virus.
Teach your children that putting something in their mouth that has been in someone else's mouth is never a good idea. They should also be warned that when someone has a cut or sore they should be very careful to avoid touching it because of the “germs” that they might catch.
Adults and teenagers who are sexually active should never have unprotected sex with someone who they even suspect may be infected by genital herpes. The use of a condom will provide some measure of protection but not complete protection. The only complete protection is abstinence.
A pregnant women who has ever had an outbreak of genital herpes should inform her obstetrician well before her due date, so the obstetrician can, if necessary, discuss and plan for a non-vaginal delivery.
Treating Herpes
It is worth mentioning again that all a doctor or a medication can do is treat symptoms of an outbreak of herpes with an antiviral medicine -- there is no cure.
If your child has cold sores that do not disappear within ten days, or has a history of frequent cold sores, take him or her to a doctor.
Daisy Bone writes on Herpes Virus.
For more information: oral-genital-herpes-pictures.com
Dating with Herpes
By Coco Swan
1 in 5 men and 1 in 4 women are living with herpes. Approximately 50 million Americans have been infected with genital herpes? Do not despair. You are not alone. Herpes treatment, herpes research and many herpes dating services link here are out there to assist you to have a happy and healthy love life.
80-90% of people infected with genital herpes don’t even realize they have it, either they have no symptoms or they have failed to recognize the herpes symptoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of Americans infected with genital herpes has increased by 30% since the late 1970’s.
Genital Herpes Treatments.
At the moment, there is no cure for herpes. Oral prescription antiviral medications including Acyclovir (Zovirax), Famciclovir (Famvir) and Valacyclovir (Valtrex) can all reduce the frequency of attacks and help the sores heal sooner.
Recently the Food and Drug Administration approved Valtrex for the use in preventing genital herpes spread. The infected person takes the drug continuously once daily to significantly reduce the risk of transmission, although herpes spread can still occur. A visit to your sexual health clinic or local medical practitioner can inform you more fully on this positive news.
Herpes Research.
According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), who supports research on genital herpes and HSV, studies are currently underway to develop better treatments for the millions of people who suffer from genital herpes. While some scientists are carrying out clinical trials to determine the best way to use existing medicines, others are studying the biology of HSV. NIAID scientists have identified certain genes and enzymes (proteins) that the virus needs to survive. They are hopeful that drugs aimed at disrupting these viral targets might lead to the design of more effective treatments.
Meanwhile, other researchers are devising methods to control the viruses spread. Two important means of preventing HSV infection are vaccines and topical microbicides.
Several different vaccines are in various stages of development. These include vaccines made from proteins on the HSV cell surface, peptides or chains of amino acids, and the DNA of the virus itself. NIAID and GlaxoSmithKline are supporting a large clinical trial in women of an experimental vaccine that may help prevent transmission of genital herpes. The trial is being conducted at more than 35 sites nationwide. For more information, type Herpevac Trial for Women into your browser or go to herpesvaccine.nih.go
Topical microbicides, preparations containing microbe-killing compounds, are also in various stages of development and testing. These include gels, creams, or lotions that a woman could insert into the vagina prior to intercourse to prevent infection.
This information on herpes research was provided by the NIAID and dated October 2005.
Dating with Herpes. . All potential partners must be informed of your genital herpes diagnosis prior to any sexual intimacy. Even the use of a condom does not prevent the spread of disease because a condom may cover not all sores. It is possible for the virus to become active and be transmitted to a sexual partner even when the skin appears completely normal.
How to protect your partner:
1: no sex while you have an outbreak or if you think you are about to have an outbreak. Wait until sores are completely healed before resuming sexual activity.
2: always use a latex condom.
3: use Valtrex daily to minimize the risk of spread.
Revealing your News...It is very important to have honest and open communication with potential sexual partners. Having to tell someone you have genital herpes can be an extremely embarrassing and worrying situation. You need to be able to talk to each other, as they too could be carrying a STD as well.
1: Be knowledgeable... You should be positive about your disease. Your life will go on and you are hoping for support and acceptance. Tell them how common it is, the herpes treatments and the precautions.
2: Select the right time. You should let the relationship develop a little so that you will be able to be comfortable about being honest. Look for an opportunity for the conversation to come up. This chat should definitely happen before you become physically intimate or too hot and heavy.
3: Select a private relaxed place for the talk to take place.
4: Some people need time to digest this sort of news. Give the other person a bit of space if they need it. They might want to do their own research or see their medical practitioner. They may also be among the other 50 million Americans who are already infected.
Herpes Dating Services.
Some singles with herpes find it easier to date exclusively other singles living with herpes. Certainly, the potential for embarrassment and possible rejection and guilt can be avoided in this scenario. If this sounds more like you, there are many herpes online dating sites, herpes personals and even STD singles sites and services that you can join.
Dating with herpes and living with herpes is not the end of the world. . There is a lot happening in herpes research, herpes treatment and herpes prevention. You are among 50 million other Americans who also have the herpes infection Get yourself clued-up and healthy and get out there and find a partner.
Good Luck.
Coco Swan.
Copyright 2007 Author Coco Swan
Coco recommends reading this helpful site which assists with Herpes Dating. For everyone else, If you want a more sensible way to find a new partner than scouring through endless dating sites, you would be best to use special or reviewed dating sites that have been given the once over. Coco writes for and recommends the site 'DatingXLence' for a good outcome. You can see many reviewed online dating services here and it's a free service. If you're a girl looking to improve your chances of getting the guy of your dreams, you can also get instant access to a helpful guide right here at how to get that guy.
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