Symptoms Can Be Serious Mild Or Nonexistent
Most people who have HSV have either no symptoms or very mild symptoms. Some people won’t have their first herpes outbreak for months or years after transmission.
For others, symptoms can appear as early as six days after infection, and can include pain and blisters in the genital area, pain with urination, as well as fever, chills, headache, and lymph node swelling. An outbreak or episode is when blisters or sores appear. The sores can take two to four weeks to fully heal.
How Do You Get Tested For Genital Herpes
Many doctors will begin treatment based only on the appearance of the sores if the sores seem typical of herpes. Doctors may also take a swab of the sore and send the swab to the laboratory to see if the virus is present. A number of types of tests may be ordered to establish the diagnosis, including:
- a culture of the virus
- polymerase chain reaction to demonstrate the genetic material of the virus and
- tests using antibodies to the genital herpes virus to demonstrate the presence of the virus in clinical specimens.
These types of tests generally require at least a few days for results to be obtained. In some cases, blood tests to confirm the presence of an immune response to the herpes virus may be ordered.
Got Ulcers Get Tested
A person with genital ulcers should see his or her doctor. Its important to confirm whether or not it is herpes. Genital herpes outbreaks are treated with antiviral medications. These medications can help to reduce the number of days of discomfort and have few side effects. They are most effective when taken early in an outbreak. Some people take these drugs daily to prevent outbreaks.
Once someone has had a test that confirms either type of genital herpes, future partners can have a blood test which tells them if they already have been exposed to the same strain of virus. If the person tests negative, the partner with the infection would be advised to take antiviral therapy daily, in order to help prevent infecting his or her partner. Although daily antiviral therapy decreases the chances of spreading the virus, there is no guarantee, so its best to have a frank conversation with a new sexual partner.
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What Happens At A Sexual Health Clinic
The doctor or nurse at the sexual health clinic will:
- ask about your symptoms and your sexual partners
- use a small cotton bud to take some fluid from 1 of your blisters or sores for testing
The test cannot:
- be done if you do not have visible blisters or sores
- tell you how long you have had herpes or who you got it from
Symptoms might not appear for weeks or even years after you’re infected with the herpes virus.
Condoms And Antiviral Meds Can Reduce Transmission Risk
Herpes is transmitted through contact with skin and oral or genital mucosa, and lesions do not have to be visible for the virus to be transmitted. Using a condom can decrease the risk of spreading or acquiring genital herpesbut it’s not 100% effective, said Dr. Swartz, because the virus can be on parts of the genital area that are still exposed.
For people who know they have an infection, taking daily antiviral medication can also cut the odds of spreading HSV to partners. Common antiviral medications include Sitavig and Zovirax , Valtrex , and Famvir . In fact, because of ulcers and nerve damage that can be caused by HSV infection, antiviral therapy is recommended for anyone experiencing a first episode of genital herpes, according to the CDC.
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How Are These Conditions Diagnosed
Pimples are easily managed with changes in your personal hygiene or by using over-the-counter treatments.
If the bumps dont respond to treatment or if you notice painful, fluid-filled blisters after having sex see your doctor right away. Your doctor may be able to make a diagnosis just by looking at the bumps.
Your doctor can confirm a diagnosis with one of several tests.
Herpes Has Few Serious Risks
In developing countries, genital herpes can double a person’s risk of contracting HIV if he or she is exposed to it, said Dr. Handsfield, although that’s not the case in the U.S., especially not for heterosexual men and women. “Herpes helps drive the AIDS epidemic internationally,” said Dr. Handsfield.
Although it’s rare, herpes can be transmitted from mothers to babies as they travel through the birth canal during delivery. Even less frequently, infants can pick up a herpes infection from skin-to-skin or mouth-to-skin contact with another person. These are serious concerns, because newborns can develop dangerous or even fatal complications when infected with the herpes virus.
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If You Have Genital Herpes Does Your Whole Body Hurt
Submitted:Category:
Hello & welcome to Just Answer,
Could you please tell me how long have you been having this problem?
Can you also tell me your age and sex?
Do you have any other medical problems?
What have you done for this problem so far?
Thanks.I shall be waiting for your reply.
Thanks for the additional inputs.
Yes, herpes genitalis can cause fever and bodyaches, as you are having, although these are not always evident in every case.
Please dont be so mad at your doctor.Surely your doctor must be trying level best to help you and would have given you antiviral drugs and pain killers for it, besides having counseled you for safe sex and possible complications.
I am sure that your doctor must have also counseled you for keeping a watchful eye for other STDs as well, as they keep manifesting at different times and not necessarily all at one time.
I am placing a link from the Mayos Clinic on the subject out here.It will provide you further details and authentic information.
Best wishes.
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If you think the advice was handy or reassured you further, or reconfirmed on whatever you knew or thought of by having sought a doctors opinion on it, please click on the *ACCEPT* button . If you have any further question please ask as the communication will remain open!!!POSITIVE FEEDBACK is always welcome.
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This is for information purposes only and cannot be a substitute for visit to a doctor.
What To Do After Testing Positive For Genital Herpes
If a person tests positive for genital herpes, its recommended that they speak with a doctor. Although theres no cure for herpes, it can be treated through antiviral medication. Antiviral medication can help reduce the severity of recurring outbreaks .
Frequent, severe recurring outbreaks might be a sign of a compromised immune system. If outbreaks are occurring often, a doctor might investigate whether theres an underlying issue affecting the immune system.
Having sex is OK if theres a genital herpes diagnosis, but its best to avoid sex if theres a herpes outbreak. To reduce the chances of transmitting HSV to a partner, use barrier methods such as condoms and dental dams during all sexual activity.
Genital herpes does not always require treatment. However, genital warts can be painful. Antiviral treatments can reduce the symptoms and severity of outbreaks.
In rare cases, herpes can cause complications. Generally, though, it does not get worse over time.
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Complications Of Genital Herpes
Complications may include:
- Urethritis , which results in ulceration. There may be no tell-tale blisters so that the presentation is identical to gonorrhoea or chlamydia urethritis.
- Proctitis , which can occur without external lesions. Symptoms include fever, rectal pain, watery discharge, and autonomic nerve dysfunction that may result in difficulty passing urine.
- Neurogenic pain -leg and thigh pain, which often leads up to a recurrence.
- Meningitis is rare.
- Widespread infection is seen in debilitated or immune-suppressed patients.
Primary Genital Herpes Infection
Primary or first genital HSV infections may be mild and unnoticed, but should lesions develop, the severity is generally greater than in recurrences.
Some people also have flu-like symptoms with fever, headache and muscular aches and pains. Symptoms tend to be more severe in women than in men.
Following the initial infection, immunity develops but does not fully protect against further episodes . Where immunity is deficient, for example, in those living with HIV/AIDS, both initial and recurrent infections tend to occur more frequently and to be more pronounced.
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How Do I Know If I Have Genital Herpes
Most people with genital herpes have no symptoms or have very mild symptoms. Mild symptoms may go unnoticed or be mistaken for other skin conditions like a pimple or ingrown hair. Because of this, most people do not know they have a herpes infection.
Herpes sores usually appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals, rectum or mouth. This is known as having an outbreak. The blisters break and leave painful sores that may take a week or more to heal. Flu-like symptoms also may occur during the first outbreak.
People who experience an initial outbreak of herpes can have repeated outbreaks, especially if they have HSV-2. However, repeat outbreaks are usually shorter and less severe than the first outbreak. Although genital herpes is a lifelong infection, the number of outbreaks may decrease over time.
Ask a healthcare provider to examine you if:
- You notice any symptoms or
- Your partner has an STD or symptoms of an STD.
STD symptoms can include an unusual sore, a smelly genital discharge, burning when peeing, or bleeding between periods .
Genital Herpes Treatment In Pregnancy
You may be offered antiviral treatment:
- to treat outbreaks in pregnancy
- from 36 weeks to reduce the chance of an outbreak during birth
- from diagnosis until the birth if you first get herpes after 28 weeks of pregnancy
Many women with genital herpes have a vaginal delivery. You may be offered a caesarean, depending on your circumstances.
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How Do You Treat Herpes
Theres no cure for herpes, but prescription medications can ease symptoms, end outbreaks sooner, and lower the chances of passing the virus to other people.
You can also help ease the pain caused by herpes outbreaks by taking a warm bath, wearing loose clothing and putting an ice pack on the sores.
What About Chlamydia The Most Common Std
Chlamydia is caused by bacteria, whereas herpes is caused by a virus. This is why chlamydia is easily treated and cured with antibiotics. However, many people have chlamydia and dont know it because they don’t have any symptoms. That’s why people who are at higher risk of chlamydia, including sexually active young women and men who have sex with other men, are advised to get a test for chlamydia every year.
If you don’t treat chlamydia, it can increase the chances of both men and women getting or giving HIV and AIDS, according to Medline Plus. Untreated chlamydia can also cause serious pelvic inflammatory disease in women, which can lead to infertility, and in men it can spread to the testicles and the tube that carries sperm, causing inflammation.
Screening for chlamydia is usually done by taking a urine sample or a swab from your genitals. Results of these tests are usually found quickly. Different testing methods are used for infections of the rectum and throat, and these take more time.
While the only way to completely avoid getting chlamydia or herpes is to not have sex, you can reduce your chances of getting both by being in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who is not infected with an STD and by using latex condoms every time you have sex.
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Transmission Of Genital Herpes
Direct skin-to-skin contact spreads HSV infection most easily. Thus, sexual contact, including oro-genital contact, is the most common way to transmit genital HSV infection. The virus can be shed in saliva and genital secretions from individuals, even if they have no symptoms, especially in the days and weeks following a clinical episode. The amount shed during active lesions is 100 to 1000 times greater. Minor injury helps spread the virus, especially into the skin. Vertical transmission or auto inoculation may also occur. Because HSV dies quickly with drying at room temperature, spread from objects like bath towels is unusual.
Prevention Of Genital Herpes
The best protection against STIs is to always use barrier protection such as condoms, female condoms and dams . Because herpes is spread by skin-to-skin contact, condoms will reduce the risk of transmission, but it will not protect sexual partners completely as condoms do not cover the entire genitals.
Using lubricant with a condom during sex will also reduce the risk of trauma to the genital skin. This has been shown to reduce HSV transmission, especially in the first six months of a sexual relationship. Silicone-based lubricants are recommended.
Remember that herpes transmission can occur when symptoms are present , but may also occur even if there are no genital symptoms through asymptomatic viral shedding.
For people who have frequent episodes of genital herpes, antiviral medication, taken daily, helps to reduce transmission of herpes to a sexual partner.
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What Is Herpes Simplex
Herpes simplex is one of the most frequent infections of mankind throughout the world. There are two main types of herpes simplex virus type 1, which is mainly associated with facial infections and type 2, which is mainly genital, although there is considerable overlap.
Both type 1 and type 2 herpes simplex viruses reside in a latent state in the nerves that supply sensation to the skin. With each episode of herpes simplex, the virus grows down the nerves and out into the skin or mucous membranes where it multiplies, causing the clinical lesion. After each episode, it “dies back” up the nerve fibre and enters the resting state again.
How Can I Prevent Genital Herpes
If you are sexually active, you can do the following things to lower your chances of getting genital herpes:
- Being in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who does not have herpes.
- Using condoms the right way every time you have sex.
Be aware that not all herpes sores occur in areas that a condom can cover. Also, the skin can release the virus from areas that do not have a visible herpes sore. For these reasons, condoms may not fully protect you from getting herpes.
If your sex partner has/have genital herpes, you can lower your risk of getting it if:
- Your partner takes an anti-herpes medicine every day. This is something your partner should discuss with his or her healthcare provider.
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What Are Genital Herpes Infections Like
The first herpes infection is usually the worst one. Genital herpes infections come back over and over again. The first time, you may have one sore or many sores. The sores are painful. Some may be hidden inside the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from your bladder. The sores make urination painful. Some people also have a fever, a sore throat, deep tiredness and body aches. These problems might last three weeks.
After the first infection, HSV sores can come back any time. They often come back when you are sick with something else and when your immune system isn’t strong enough. Genital herpes might come back 4 to 6 times a year at first. After a few years, the herpes sores hurt less. They come back less often.
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