Genital Herpes Welcome to the Affordable Drugs genital herpes information page. Dealing with genital herpes simplex infection can be stressful and sensitive issue. Educating yourself about genital herpes is the best place to start. You can learn about genital herpes symptoms, the genital herpes virus, genital herpes treatments, etc, right here. You can also find the best prices available on genital herpes medications. The information contained on this page is not intended to replace the professional advice of your physician.
What is genital herpes? Genital herpes is one of the most commonly transmitted STD's in the United States. Approximately forty-five million Americans over the age of twelve have been infected with genital herpes, and over forty thousand people are newly infected every day. Genital herpes is acquired from person-to-person contact during oral, anal, or vaginal sex. It is primarily caused by one of two viruses, HSV-1 and HSV-2.
Most people who are infected with genital herpes have little to no symptoms stemming from their herpes simplex virus infections. When a person does have symptoms, they commonly come across as a single or numerous blisters on and around the mouth, rectal, or genital area. As time passes, these blisters break open and leave behind raw sores or ulcers that can take anywhere from a week to a full month to heal. Subsequent outbreaks can, and do occur, but typically are lesser in intensity and typically last a shorter period than any previous outbreak. The genital herpes virus and subsequent infection can stay in the body indefinitely, but the frequency of outbreaks tends to decrease over a course of years.
The HSV-1 Virus is the less common of the two herpes viruses and research has shown HSV-1 to be the main cause of oral herpes lesions, more commonly recognized as cold sores or fever blisters. HSV-1 is acquired primarily from oral sex with a sexual partner who has a mouth sore at the time of sexual contact. In a lesser number of cases HSV-1 can be contracted from anal sex or vaginal sex. Being the less common of the two viruses, the HSV-1 herpes virus is less likely to result in repeat herpes outbreaks.
The HSV-2 Virus is the more common of the two herpes viruses, and research has shown HSV-2 to be the main cause of genital herpes. Studies show that between eighty and ninety percent of those who are infected by the HSV-2 genital herpes simplex virus report absolutely no finding of symptoms. Almost all people who have recurrent genital herpes are infected with the HSV-2 genital herpes virus.
Both strains of the herpes simplex virus behave in much the same fashion as any other virus that enters the body. Upon infection it thrives inside the system by first invading, then taking up residence in healthy cells. After taking up residence, it disrupts normal cell function and behavior. Ultimately, the virus uses the body's invaded cells to reproduce itself, and essentially copy and grow the itself in a process know to scientists as Viral Replication.
As with many viruses, there is no specific treatment that can lead to a cure, but a strengthened immune system can build up resistance to the virus and force it into relative dormancy. For this reason, diagnosis and subsequent treatment of the genital herpes virus are very important steps for the infected individual to take. Reading and understanding more about the virus will help an infected person feel more informed and render them more empowered when seeking treatment options. Genital Herpes Transmission Genital herpes transmission occurs through direct contact between the virus and skin. This can occur during genital to genital contact and during oral to genital contact. Genital herpes can spread during unprotected sex of any kind (including anal and oral). It's worth noting that genital herpes can spread during oral sex if one partner has an infected cold sore on their mouth.
It's important to note that the genital herpes virus can be spread while no outbreak is visible. Prodromal symptoms, such as itchiness or tingling sensations, can occur before the appearance of any visual sores or lesions. Even without any visual sores, these prodromal symptoms indicate that the virus is active and transmissible. Sores can also occur inside the vagina, where they can not be seen. However, these sores are still capable of spreading the infection, especially during unprotected sex.
An infected person can also transfer the virus to different parts of their own body. If one should have an outbreak on one part of their body, and if they happen to touch or rub at that part of their body, they can easily spread the virus by touching other parts of their body. Towels can also facilitate this transfer of the virus from one part of the body to another.
Between active outbreaks, the genital herpes virus is still transferable. However, people who know they are infected and are aware of their symptoms find that it's much less likely for the virus to transfer between outbreaks than during an active outbreak.
Pregnant mothers can transfer the virus to their children if the child is delivered vaginally during an active outbreak. The direct contact between the baby and the virus within the mother's birth canal can cause the child to become infected. If there are sores and signs of the active herpes virus within the birth canal during labor, the doctor may opt to deliver the baby via cesarean section to protect the newborn from coming into direct contact with the virus.
It is not uncommon for a person infected with genital herpes to be unaware that they even have the disease. Symptoms can be so mild as to go unnoticed, or deemed not serious enough to be worried about. Since genital herpes is most easily transmitted during periods of active breakouts, it's important for one to know what symptoms to look for so as to protect their partners and newborns. Limiting the amount of direct contact of sores and infected areas can greatly reduce the spread of the virus.
Genital Herpes Symptoms Genital Herpes or Herpes Simplex 2 is a virus. After the initial infection, this virus imbeds itself in the nervous system of those infected with it. The name herpes comes from the Greek word that means "snake". Genital herpes is transmitted sexually. Herpes Simplex 2 should not to be confused with Herpes Simplex 1, which causes cold sores and comes from the same family of viruses.
The most common genital herpes symptoms are lesions on and around the genitals, and mucous membranes on the genitals. Lesions appear as watery blisters on the skin that soon scab over. Mucous membranes may appear around the glans penis (or head of the penis), or along the inside of the foreskin on men. The mucous membranes associated with genital herpes appear on women around the glans clitoridis (clitoral hood) and urethra. Both sexes experience the blisters and lesions on the genitals.
After the initial infection, pain, tingling, or itching may precede the formation of lesions. This phase of the infection is known as Prodrome. This can last as little as a few days to a few months before the formation of actual lesions.
Genital herpes symptoms tend to appear during what's called a primary infection. This primary infection can last anywhere between 48 hours and three weeks. Symptoms may subside after this period, lapsing into what's known as a remission phase.
The remission phase does not mean that the infection has "run its course." The infected person still carries the virus and flare ups may occur again in the future. Those who suffer from genital herpes are most contagious during one of these outbreaks or just afterward during what's called the shedding period. Infected persons may still be contagious even if there has not been a viral reactivation in months or years.
There is no known cure for genital herpes and the infection lasts a lifetime. The symptoms of genital herpes, however, can be treated. Clinical studies have shown promising results with topical aloe vera solutions and extracts of other succulent plants. Low doses of Aspirin and other anti-inflammatory medications have also been shown to be effective in reducing the intensity and frequency of flare-ups.
Those who think they may have the symptoms of genital herpes should abstain from sexual activity until they have consulted with a doctor. Diagnosis usually involves inspection of possible lesions and mucous membranes as well as laboratory tests. Genital herpes can be difficult to diagnose since the symptoms of genital herpes often resemble other conditions such as urethritis, and lichen planus.
The symptoms of genital herpes are, unfortunately, only the beginning of the impact on the lives of those infected. Feelings of depression, shame, and isolation often accompany the diagnosis. While living with genital herpes can be difficult, support groups exist that help infected individuals cope with the social and emotional effects of the illness.
Safe sexual contact is possible for those infected, though condoms and thoroughly washing afterward is recommended. Condoms can be effective in preventing the spread of genital herpes, though the success rate isn't 100%, especially in cases where lesions aren't covered by the condom in men. Genital Herpes Treatments While genital herpes cannot be cured, antivirus medications can prevent the virus from growing and spreading. By disrupting DNA synthesis, these medications decrease the duration of genital herpes outbreaks, make the symptoms less severe and, in some cases, prevent outbreaks altogether.
There are three medications commonly used for the treatment of genital herpes: Acyclovir (brand name Zorivax), Famciclovir (Famvir) and Valacyclovir (Valtrex). They are all considered equally effective, but various factors determine which medication is most appropriate for individual cases.
Zorivax is perhaps the most versatile of the three options because it can be administered in three ways. Though usually taken in pill form, it is also available as an intravenous drug and as a topical cream. The cream is applied directly to the affected area of skin when an outbreak occurs. However, this is not a very effective genital herpes treatment. The cream does a poor job of relieving symptoms and is therefore rarely used. Intravenous delivery is highly recommended and most common for people with weak or compromised immune systems, such as HIV patients.
Zorivax is considered safest for the treatment of genital herpes in pregnant women, though women who can't take Zorivax may also use Valtrex.
Zorivax is the only one of the three genital herpes treatments available in generic form. The cost savings, however, may be offset by the fact that Zorivax requires more doses: it does not break down in the stomach as quickly as Famvir and Valtrex do.
The treatment of genital herpes may be episodic or suppressive, and all three of the above medications can be used episodically or suppressively.
Episodic treatments are for genital herpes patients who have infrequent outbreaks. They occur on an outbreak-by-outbreak basis and are most effective when undertaken as soon as the patient notices the tingling and numbness that precede an attack.
If a genital herpes patient experiences six or more outbreaks annually, suppressive therapy is recommended. These patients take antiviral medication every day, whether symptoms of an outbreak are present or not. However, it is suggested that these patients - in consultation with their doctors - abstain from genital herpes treatments for short periods of time to see if the recurrence of outbreaks has lessened.
The side effects of antiviral genital herpes treatments may include dizziness, headaches, nausea, reduction of appetite, stomach pain and joint pain. Less common side effects include diarrhea and constipation. Though rare, kidney damage can result from taking Zorivax intravenously over an extended period of time.
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