Friday, March 22, 2024

How To Relieve Genital Herpes

Are Antiviral Medications Safe

An All Natural OTC Topical Product for Genital Herpes Outbreak Symptoms

Antiviral medications are considered to be very safe. They are nearly always well tolerated because the active ingredients only have an effect in cells that have been infected by the virus.

People who have kidney failure may need to take a lower dose because the medication is removed from the body through the kidneys.

How Does Genital Herpes Affect Pregnancy

Herpes simplex virus doesnt affect fertility or your ability to conceive. Pregnant women diagnosed with HSV-2 should start a daily antiviral at 36 weeks of pregnancy as prescribed, to prevent outbreaks during delivery. If you have an active infection at the time of childbirth, you can pass the herpes virus to your baby. Neonatal herpes puts a baby at risk for blindness, brain damage, skin infections and death. Your healthcare provider will perform a cesarean section to lower this risk.

What Can I Do To Stop Discomfort And Speed Up Healing Self

People with genital herpes have reported to us that these ideas have helped them to treat their genital herpes. They have not been through a medical trial:

  • If required, take a painkiller, e.g. co-codamol, ibuprofen, paracetamol or soluble aspirin they reduce pain and inflammation.
  • Wash your hands before touching blisters or sores, e.g. when applying medication, as this can introduce bacteria and delay healing.
  • Apply a local anaesthetic ointment, e.g. lidocaine 5% ointment. It can be used on genital or facial sores. Some people prefer a stronger anaesthetic such as Xylocaine 10% spray. Dab on as required to relieve pain, especially before urinating see below. There is a low risk of a negative reaction from these topical anaesthetics. If you find that soreness increases, stop using them.
  • Keep the sores moist, you can apply Vaseline .
  • Keep the area clean: washing gently once a day is sufficient. Many people have found a warm salt water solution very soothing. Gently bathe the area using cotton wool.
  • Avoid scented soap and deodorants. It is best not to use wipes, gel or soap in this area, but if you do, use an unscented brand.
  • Avoid over-washing as this can increase irritation and delay healing.
  • Dab dry carefully with a tissue after washing or use a hair dryer set at cold.
  • To reduce itching, keep the area as cool as is practical: apply a well wrapped ice pack for up to 90 minutes. DO NOT put ice directly on the skin.
  • Read Also: How To Calm Herpes Outbreak

    Suppressive Therapy For Recurrent Hsv

    Suppressive therapy reduces frequency of genital herpes recurrences by 70%80% among patients who have frequent recurrences . Persons receiving such therapy often report having experienced no symptomatic outbreaks. Suppressive therapy also is effective for patients with less frequent recurrences. Long-term safety and efficacy have been documented among patients receiving daily acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir . Quality of life is improved for many patients with frequent recurrences who receive suppressive therapy rather than episodic treatment . Providers should discuss with patients on an annual basis whether they want to continue suppressive therapy because frequency of genital HSV-2 recurrence diminishes over time for many persons. However, neither treatment discontinuation nor laboratory monitoring is necessary because adverse events and development of HSV antiviral resistance related to long-term antiviral use are uncommon.

    Valacyclovir 500 mg orally 2 times/day for 3 daysOR

    Valacyclovir 1 gm orally once daily for 5 days

    *Acyclovir 400 mg orally 3 times/day is also effective, but are not recommended because of frequency of dosing.

    How Can I Best Learn To Cope With Herpes Simplex

    Home Remedies for Genital Herpes

    Some people feel distressed or embarrassed about their herpes simplex infection. Its important to understand that the herpes virus is common. For most people, herpes doesnt significantly interfere with daily life.

    To cope with negative feelings, you may consider:

    • Connecting with others through support groups or online forums.
    • Sharing your feelings with a trusted friend or loved one.
    • Speaking with a therapist.

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    Frequently Asked Questionsexpand All

    People with HSV-2 infection have an increased risk of getting human immunodeficiency virus if they have sex with an HIV-infected partner. Taking suppressive therapy does not decrease this risk.

  • How can the herpes virus affect pregnancy?

    If a woman is pregnant and infected with HSV, it can be passed to the fetus during birth while passing through the womans infected birth canal. This is most likely to occur if a woman first becomes infected with HSV during pregnancy and in a woman who has her first outbreak late in pregnancy. But it also can occur during a recurrent outbreak in a woman who was infected before pregnancy, although the risk is much lower.

    If you have sores or warning signs of an outbreak at the time of delivery, you may need to have a cesarean delivery to reduce chance of infection. The decision depends on many factors, including where the sores are on your body and whether the fetus would come into contact with them during delivery.

  • Can I still breastfeed my baby if I have the herpes virus?

    Yes, in most cases. The herpes virus cannot be passed to a baby through breast milk. However, the baby could get infected by touching a sore on your body. Make sure any sores that the baby could come into contact with are covered when you hold your baby or while breastfeeding. Wash your hands with soap and water before and after feeding your baby. If you have sores on your breast, you should not breastfeed your baby from that breast.

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    What Effects Does Herpes Have During Pregnancy

    Itâs really important to speak to a healthcare worker if you have herpes during pregnancy, especially if it’s your first outbreak. If you have herpes there’s a risk that your baby can develop âneonatal herpesâ. This can be very dangerous or even fatal for your baby. Your healthcare provider will be able to prescribe antiviral treatment to keep your baby safe and help you have a healthy pregnancy.

    Speak to a healthcare worker for more information or if you have any concerns.

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    How Can I Reduce My Risk Of Getting Genital Herpes

    If you are sexually active, you can do the following things to lower your chances of getting genital herpes:

    • Be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who is not infected with an STD
    • Using latex condoms the right way every time you have sex.

    Be aware that not all herpes sores occur in areas that are covered by a latex condom. Also, herpes virus can be released from areas of the skin that do not have a visible herpes sore. For these reasons, condoms may not fully protect you from getting herpes.

    If you are in a relationship with a person known to have genital herpes, you can lower your risk of getting genital herpes if:

    • Your partner takes an anti-herpes medication every day. This is something your partner should discuss with his or her doctor.

    What Percentage Of The Population Has Herpes

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

    What percentage of the population has herpes? More than 3.7 billion people under the age of 50 about 67 percent of the global population are infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 , according to a new report from the World Health Organization.

    • HSV-2 infection is more common in women than in men (almost 1 out of 9.
    • HSV-2 infection is also more common in blacks than in whites
    • Genital herpes is common in the United States. More than one out of every six people aged 14 to 49 years have genital herpes.

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    What Is Neonatal Herpes

    Neonatal herpes can be a very serious infection. Babies generally contract the virus from their birthing parent during childbirth even if the parent doesnt have active lesions. They may also get HSV-1 if an adult with an active cold sore kisses them. Breastfeeding babies can also get HSV-1 from the breast if there are lesions present. But babies cant get herpes from breast milk, so its safe to pump and feed.

    Herpes simplex can be more dangerous for young babies because they dont have a fully developed immune system. But most babies with neonatal herpes can recover fully with treatment.

    The dangers of neonatal herpes are much higher if the infection spreads to the babys organs. If youre pregnant and have herpes, speak with your healthcare provider about how to lower the risk of passing the infection to your baby.

    Can I Get Tested For Genital Herpes

    Yes, if you think you have symptoms of genital herpes or have been at risk of infection, you should speak to a healthcare worker.

    There are different tests available. If you have symptoms, the most common test is to take a swab from a blister. The fluid can be tested for the herpes simplex virus.Some places may also offer blood tests to check for antibodies to the virus, but these are often not routinely available, so ask a healthcare worker if youre unsure.

    If you have genital herpes you should be tested for other STIs.

    Its also advised that you tell your recent sexual partner/s so they can also get tested and treated. Many people who have genital herpes do not notice anything wrong, and by telling them you can help to stop the virus being passed on.

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    Genital Herpes During Pregnancy

    Prevention of neonatal herpes depends both on preventing acquisition of genital herpes during late pregnancy and avoiding exposure of the neonate to herpetic lesions and viral shedding during delivery. Mothers of newborns who acquire neonatal herpes often lack histories of clinically evident genital herpes . The risk for transmission to the neonate from an infected mother is high among women who acquire genital herpes near the time of delivery and low among women with prenatal histories of recurrent herpes or who acquire genital herpes during the first half of pregnancy . Women who acquire HSV in the second half of pregnancy should be managed in consultation with maternal-fetal medicine and infectious disease specialists.

    All pregnant women should be asked whether they have a history of genital herpes or genital symptoms concerning for HSV infection. At the onset of labor, all women should be questioned thoroughly about symptoms of genital herpes, including prodromal symptoms , and all women should be examined thoroughly for herpetic lesions. Women without symptoms or signs of genital herpes or its prodrome can deliver vaginally. Although cesarean delivery does not eliminate the risk for HSV transmission to the neonate , women with recurrent genital herpetic lesions at the onset of labor should have a cesarean delivery to reduce the risk for neonatal HSV infection.

    Acyclovir 400 mg orally 3 times/dayORValacyclovir 500 mg orally 2 times/day

    Natural Remedies For Herpes

    FemiClear for Genital Herpes Symptoms

    Anti-viral drugs are given for herpes, but antibiotics are usually not helpful for treating this infection. The anti-viral drugs prevent the spread and there are anti-viral ointments that can be given by the doctor. People should also try to maintain good hygiene to prevent and treat this infection. There is no specific treatment for herpes but the signs can be reduced through medication and home remedies. People should also avoid certain recurrence triggers such as stress and too much sun exposure. The symptoms of herpes like pain and irritation on the sores can be treated with some effective natural remedies, such as:

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    Symptoms Of Genital Herpes

    Many people who have genital herpes may not be aware they have the infection, because they may not have any symptoms.

    The first episode of herpes can cause considerable pain and distress. Symptoms of the first episode may include:

    • flu-like symptoms such as feeling unwell, headaches and pains in the back and legs, with or without enlarged glands in the groin
    • small blisters around the genitals these break open to form shallow, painful ulcers, which scab over and heal after one to two weeks
    • small cracks in the skin with or without an itch or tingling
    • redness or a distinct rash
    • some people also have considerable pain and swelling in the genital area, and hence may have additional pain and difficulty passing urine.

    Is There A Cure For Herpes Simplex

    There is no cure for herpes simplex. Once you have the virus, its a lifelong infection.

    What is the outlook for people with herpes simplex?

    For many people, the first herpes outbreak is the most severe. Many outbreaks are less frequent and milder after the first year of infection. Some people may have only one outbreak and never have another again.

    Herpes infection doesnt usually pose a serious health risk. The risk of a health complication due to herpes is higher in infants and if you have HIV/AIDS, cancer or an organ transplant.

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    How Does Genital Herpes Affect Pregnant Women

    While genital herpes rarely causes serious health problems in healthy men and women, HSV-2 can be dangerous for pregnant women and the neonate, particularly during the last trimester of pregnancy. The virus may cause premature labor and babies can contract the virus in the womb or when passing through the birth canal.

    Genital Herpes Is Spread By Skin

    Herpes: Mono, HSV, Chickenpox, Shingles, EBV, CMV, Cold Sore, VZV Varicella

    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.

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    Symptoms Of Genital Herpes In Females

    Getting a menstrual period can cause an outbreak of genital herpes.

    Also, a person may mistake the symptoms of genital herpes for those of a yeast infection or bladder infection.

    Genital herpes can spread in the following ways:

    • receiving oral sex from a partner with a cold sore
    • touching a herpes sore, then touching the genitals
    • a baby can contract genital herpes during birth if the mother has the virus

    People can sexually transmit the virus even if they have no visible symptoms.

    It is not possible to contract genital herpes from toilet seats, bedding, swimming pools, or touching other objects. The virus can only spread from human-to-human contact.

    How Do You Avoid Getting Or Passing On Genital Herpes

    If either you or your partner has a herpes outbreak , its best to wait until the symptoms have cleared up before having sex.

    Using a new male or female condom or dental dam every time you have vaginal, or oral sex will reduce the risk of herpes being passed on.

    Herpes can also be transmitted by sharing sex toys. To reduce your risk, either avoid sharing your sex toys or make sure that they are washed and covered with a new condom between each use.

    Use a new dental dam or latex gloves for rimming and fingering or use latex gloves for fisting, especially if you get herpes on your hands.

    Talking about your sexual health with your partners, and letting each other know about any infections that you have, can help you make decisions about safer sex together. Reducing your number of sexual partners can help you reduce your risk of getting sexually transmitted infections, like genital herpes. If you are having sex with multiple partners, its even more important to use condoms and to have regular STI checks.

    Condoms are the best form of protection against STIs and pregnancy. Other contraceptives including the contraceptive pill will not prevent herpes, and neither will PrEP.

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    How Do You Prevent Genital Herpes

    People with genital herpes outbreaks are highly contagious. Anyone with active disease should avoid any sexual contact when sores are present. Even the use of a condom does not prevent the spread of disease because not all sores are covered by the condom.

    Although the chance of spreading disease is greatest when sores are present, people who have had genital herpes may always be contagious to some degree, even if they have received medical treatment. The virus can become active and be transmitted to a sexual partner even when the skin appears completely normal. For this reason, safe sex practices should be used between disease outbreaks to lessen the chance of spreading the disease to a sexual partner. There is no vaccine available to prevent genital herpes infection.

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    Is It Possible To Cure Herpes

    How Herpes Is Treated

    Unfortunately, herpes has no cure as the virus invades your immune system once you are infected with the virus, you have it for life. This is the same for whether you have oral or genital herpes.

    An infection doesnt mean symptoms are guaranteed most oral or genital infections dont cause any symptoms. Its very common for people to have come into contact with the virus at some point in their lives and carry the virus without ever having any symptoms. The virus lays dormant in your body after your initial infection and can reactivate several times a year or even months or years later. The time in which the virus reactivates varies from person to person. People do not spontaneously cure themselves of herpes.

    Not everyone who has been infected with herpes goes on to show symptoms, or have outbreaks. The severity of outbreaks also varies from person to person and is hard to predict.

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    What Are The Symptoms Of Genital Herpes

    Most individuals infected with HSV are asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms that go unnoticed or are mistaken for another skin condition. 9 When symptoms do occur, herpes lesions typically appear as one or more vesicles, or small blisters, on or around the genitals, rectum or mouth. The average incubation period for an initial herpes infection is 4 days after exposure. 10 The vesicles break and leave painful ulcers that may take two to four weeks to heal after the initial herpes infection. 5,10 Experiencing these symptoms is referred to as having a first herpes outbreak or episode.

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