Wednesday, March 27, 2024

How To Get Rid Of Genital Herpes At Home

Avoiding Passing Genital Herpes To A Partner

An All Natural OTC Topical Product for Genital Herpes Outbreak Symptoms

If you have herpes, you can follow some simple measures to avoid passing the virus on to your partner, and to continue to have a healthy and happy sex life. These include:

  • telling your partner if you have herpes
  • learning to recognise the warning signs that an episode is starting
  • not have sex during an episode of herpes
  • avoiding direct contact with your sores or blisters and another person
  • avoiding kissing and oral sex when you or your partner has cold sores around the mouth

If you have frequent episodes of herpes then it is worth talking to your GP or sexual health clinic about longer term treatment which may also reduce the chance of you passing on the virus to your partner.

Why Genital Herpes Comes Back

Genital herpes is caused by a virus called herpes simplex. Once you have the virus, it stays in your body.

It will not spread in your body to cause blisters elsewhere. It stays in a nearby nerve and causes blisters in the same area.

If you can, avoid things that trigger your symptoms.

Triggers can include:

Things that increase your risk of getting genital herpes include:

  • Having more than one sex partner.
  • Having a high-risk partner or partners .
  • Having unprotected sexual contact .
  • Starting sexual activity at a young age. The younger people are when they start having sex, the greater their risk is of getting genital herpes.
  • Having a weakened immune system.
  • Being a woman. Women are more likely than men to become infected when exposed to genital herpes. And their symptoms tend to be more severe and longer-lasting. Women also are at a greater risk of having complications from a genital herpes infection.

Having herpes, especially if you have open sores, also increases your risk for becoming infected with HIV if you are exposed to HIV.

Any child with genital herpes needs to be evaluated by a doctor to see if it is the result of sexual abuse. For more information, see the topic Child Abuse and Neglect.

Aloe Vera Is Totally Natural And Can Relieve Cold Sore Discomfort

The slick sap of the aloe vera plant has often been touted for its benefits in helping the skin heal from minor cuts, sunburns, and other troubles. But did you know that aloe vera is a cold sore treatment? Dabbing a bit of aloe vera on your cold sore a few times a day may ease your discomfort and help speed healing. You could keep it chilled in the refrigerator for an additional soothing sensation. One of the benefits of this cold sore treatment is that you do not have to worry if a little bit gets into your mouth.

You May Like: How Quickly Can You Test For Herpes

How To Get Rid Of Herpes On The Lip Fast

Herpes on the lip causes cold sores, can be painful and lasts for several days. There are two kinds of HSV: type I and type II. Herpes on the lip is usually caused by type I.

Herpes simplex is a virulent oral virus. Kissing or other intimate contact with wounds, or even touching with politely normal skin that sheds the virus, spreads the infection from person to person. Contaminated saliva is also a vehicle for spreading the virus. The most virulent time is when someone has active sores that look like blisters.

Read Also: What Is The Test For Herpes

What Causes Cold Sores

Get Rid of Herpes

The virus that causes cold sores is known as the herpes simplex virus . There are two types of HSV, type I and type II. Cold sores are usually caused by type I.

Herpes simplex is a contagious oral virus. The virus is spread from person to person by kissing or another close contact with sores or even from contact with apparently normal skin that is shedding the virus. Infected saliva is also a means of spreading the virus. The most contagious period is when a person has active blister-like sores. Once the blisters have dried and crusted over , the risk of contagion is significantly lessened. However, a person infected with HSV can pass it on to another person even when a cold sore is not present. This is because the virus is sometimes shed in saliva even when sores are not present. Despite popular myth, it is almost impossible to catch herpes from contaminated surfaces, towels, or washcloths.

After the first infection, the virus enters the nerve cells and travels up the nerve until it comes to a place called a ganglion, which is a collection of nerve cells. There, it resides quietly in a stage that is called dormant or latent. In more active stages, the virus starts multiplying again and travels down the nerve to the skin, causing blisters on the lips known as cold sores. The exact way this happens is not clear, but it is known that some conditions seem to be associated with recurrences, including

Also Check: Will Antibiotics Help Herpes Outbreak

How Long After Herpes Outbreak Is It Still Contagious

For oral herpes, cold sores are usually contagious for up to 15 days and are generally no longer contagious once all symptoms have cleared, which includes the blister itself and any scabbing.

Someone carrying genital herpes should wait until 7 days after the sore heals to begin engaging in sexual activity, as the herpes virus can spread from sores not covered by a condom.

When To See A Doctor

Most of the time, cold sores go away on their own within a couple of weeks. If your cold sore lingers beyond 2 weeks, it might be time to check with your healthcare professional.

If you feel like youre constantly dealing with cold sores several times a year or more thats another good reason to check with your doctor. You may benefit from a prescription-strength antiviral medication.

Other reasons to see your doctor:

  • sores near your eyes
  • sores that have spread to other parts of your body

If you have eczema, which is also called atopic dermatitis, you may have some cracked or bleeding areas on your skin. If HSV-1 spreads into those openings, it can cause complications, according to the National Eczema Association.

You May Like: How To Dry Out Herpes

Recommended Reading: Can I Give Myself Genital Herpes

What Can I Do If I Have Herpes Simplex 2

Many people who find out they have herpes feel depressed knowing they’ll always have the virus and can give it to others. But you arent alone. Herpes is one of the most common STIs, both in the U.S. and worldwide. If you have herpes, you should:

  • Learn all you can about it. Information will help you to manage your disease and feel better about yourself.
  • Talk about your illness with your doctor.

If you have herpes, you can still:

  • Have sex if you use a condom or dental dam , and you tell your partner about your illness. Some couples, who have sexual relations only with each other, may choose not to use condoms even though one partner has herpes. Because each situation is different, you should ask your doctor if this is the right choice for you in your relationship.
  • Have children. People with herpes can still give birth to healthy babies. If you have herpes and plan to have children, discuss your illness with your healthcare provider.

If you have herpes, you should also get checked for HIV and other STIs .

How Is Genital Herpes Treated

Herpes (oral & genital) – causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology

There is no cure for the herpes simplex virus. The blisters usually heal and go by themselves, so you may not always need treatment. There is antiviral medicines for herpes, which can: shorten outbreaks, relieve discomfort and stop symptoms from getting worse.

The antiviral treatment is most effective when you take it within the first five days of symptoms appearing. Avoid touching the blisters as this can also increase the risk of spreading the infection. If your herpes treatment requires you to apply cream to a sore, just gently pat the cream on, being careful not to rub around the surrounding area.

You can ease your symptoms by:

  • keeping the affected area clean using plain or salt water to prevent blisters or ulcers from becoming infected
  • applying petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, to any blisters or ulcers to reduce the pain when passing urine
  • asking a healthcare provider to recommend painkilling creams
  • avoiding tight clothing because it may irritate the blisters and ulcers.

Dont have sex until you or your partner have finished your treatment, and the blisters or ulcers have gone. If its your first outbreak, its sometimes advised that you check back with a healthcare provider before having sex again, to ensure that your symptoms have gone.

Don’t Miss: How To Rid Of Herpes

Best For Quick Results: Stdcheck

STDcheck offers tests for both HSV-1 and HSV-2. A person can order an HSV-2 test for $45, or they can order a test for both HSV-1 and HSV-2 for $79. There is also an option to order a test package that tests for 10 different STIs.

This option is best for people who need their results quickly.

Collection method

Facts And Statistics About Herpes

  • According to the World Health Organization, an estimated two-thirds of the global population under 50 years old are infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 .
  • Estimates for HSV-1 prevalence in the U.S. among people aged 049 years are 178 million women and 142 million men .
  • In total, about 75 percent or more of the American adult population has the HSV-1 virus that usually causes oral herpes , and about 20 percent to 30 percent have HSV-2 that usually causes genital herpes.
  • Men and women are affected by HSV-1 about equally. Roughly 6 million women in the U.S. become infected with HSV-1 each year, along with 5 million men.
  • Slightly more women than men are affected by genital herpes, whether from HSV-1 or HSV-2. Middle-aged women are most likely to acquire genital herpes.
  • Transmission of HSV most often occurs without symptoms, so its estimated that 85 percent of people with genital herpes dont know it. Many dont have any symptoms at all after the initial infection, and only about 15 percent ever receive a HSV-2 infection diagnosis in their lifetimes.
  • Most primary oral/facial HSV infections are caused by HSV-1 however, facial infection by HSV-2 is increasingly becoming common.
  • Less children are becoming infected with HSV-1 than in the past in high-income countries, mostly due to better hygiene and living conditions.
  • After someone comes into contact with an active herpes outbreak on another person, the incubation period takes about one week.

Read Also: How To Test If You Have Genital Herpes

What Happens If You Dont Cure Genital Herpes

Genital herpes isnt fatal, but it will lower your mood and general health. This puts you at risk of developing other conditions and even death. The worst side effect of leaving your genital herpes untreated is passing it on to others. Even if youre married and pick the illness up from a one-time fling, you can still pass it on to your spouse and children if youre not careful.

Impact Of A Genital Herpes Diagnosis

Pin on Herpes Cure

As a practitioner, you may encounter a variety of responses from individuals who receive a genital herpes diagnosis, ranging from indifference to devastation. Some may display strong emotions and anxiety due to how they perceive the infection and the stigma associated with it.

Common psychological, social and sexual distress reactions may include:

  • shame, guilt, anger
  • anxiety over impact on fertility/childbearing
  • depression, low self-esteem and resulting isolation
  • fear of being judged, stigmatized, rejected by partners
  • confusion, denial
  • inability to disclose genital herpes status resulting in concealment

These emotional sequelae may deter individuals from seeking further care, disclosing their status to sexual partners, or even engaging fully in their everyday lives. For example, low self-esteem may decrease the feeling of desirability and adversely affects romantic and sexual relationships. Some feel they are no longer appealing or worthy of a loving relationship as a result of having the infection.Footnote 1Footnote 11Footnote 12

The goal of supportive counselling is to help individuals:

You May Like: Can I Get Tested For Herpes At Urgent Care

Read Also: Can Genital Herpes Cause Other Health Problems

Genital Herpes Is Spread By Skin

The virus can be spread when someone with HSV has an episode or an outbreak characterised by having a sore, blister, ulcer or skin split . It can also be spread between episodes, when there is no sore, blister, ulcer or skin split present called asymptomatic viral shedding.

During viral shedding the virus is on the skin surface and can be spread through genital skin-to-skin contact, or from the mouth or face to genital skin during contact.

What Are The Signs Of Herpes In Pregnant Women

If you are pregnant and have genital herpes, there may be a risk of your baby being infected with the virus during delivery. This condition is called neonatal herpes and can be serious or fatal.

Neonatal herpes can result in damage to the central nervous system and can cause mental retardation. Only about 0.1% of babies born in the United States are infected with neonatal herpes even though about 25% to 30% of pregnant women have genital herpes.

Generally, if you are infected with herpes, your doctor will deliver your baby by cesarean section to avoid any risk to your newborn infant.

Women who have herpes before becoming pregnant are at very low risk of transmitting the herpes virus to their babies. If a woman is infected with the herpes virus after becoming pregnant, her baby faces a higher risk of contracting neonatal herpes. Women who are newly infected havent had time to develop the antibodies against the virus and cannot pass them on to the baby for protection.

Talk with your OB/GYN and let them know if you have genital herpes. At the time of your delivery, ask your doctor to examine you early in labor to make sure you dont have any sores or signs of infection like pain, tingling, or itching.

Recommended Reading: How To Treat Herpes At Home

Read Also: What To Do When Herpes Flares Up

Know What Triggers An Outbreak

Cold sores are an outbreak of the herpes simplex virus and learning what most often triggers your outbreak can help reduce how long they last and how severe they are. Common triggers include emotional stress, exhaustion, a weakened immune system , infections, hormonal changes, and exposure to ultra-violet radiation .

How Can People Test For Herpes

What Are Genital Warts ? | Woman’s Health | STI | Momspresso

A person can ask for a herpes test at any sexual health clinic or at their doctors surgery. A healthcare professional will either swab a blister or draw a blood sample.

At-home herpes tests often require a blood sample through a finger prick.

Once a person receives their test results, they should contact a doctor to discuss treatment options, if necessary.

FAST FACTS

  • Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection that causes infected sores or blisters.

  • Its caused by the herpes simplex virus which can be passed on through close genital contact.

  • You can reduce your chances of getting genital herpes by using condoms or dental dams during sex.

  • If you think you have symptoms of genital herpes you should see a healthcare worker, they can take a swab from a blister and test to confirm if its caused by the herpes simplex virus.

  • Treatment can help with herpes outbreaks, but the virus cannot be cured and will remain in the body. This means that blisters normally come back once in a while.

You May Like: How To Not Contract Herpes

Can My Kids Use This Too

Many peer-reviewed clinical studies have shown light therapy to be safe and efficacious. However, if you have any concerns about using it with children, we recommend consulting with a healthcare professional. Please also note, all treatments with children should be done under adult supervision.

Started using this device during the middle of an outbreak I had while taking Acyclovir. Since using this treatment, Ive been able to get off meds.

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 .

Recommended Reading: Can You Kiss Someone With Herpes

Home Remedies For Herpes

In this article:

Herpes broadly refers to a collection of more than 100 different viruses, but this article will focus on herpes simplex virus types . This strain is further divided into HSV type 1 and HSV type 2, both of which are highly contagious and routinely infect humans but in different parts of the body.

Read on to learn about some useful tips and remedies that can help ease the symptomatic discomfort caused by herpes and reduce its recurrence.

Popular Articles
Related news