Genital Herpes - Picture, Symptoms, Cause, Home Treatment of Genital Herpes

Genital Herpes ( herpes, cold sores ) is an contagious, incurable infection caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) which causes a painful rash of fluid-filled blisters on the genitals and is usually transmitted by sexual contact. Although the infection can stay in the body indefinitely, the number of outbreaks tends to decrease over a period of years.

HSV type 1 most commonly infects the mouth and lips, causing sores known as fever blisters or cold sores. It is also an important cause of sores to the genitals.

About 45 million Americans, age 12 and older have genital herpes.

Symptoms of Genital Herpes

Painful genital blisters that may form ulcers. Can be accompanied by flu-like symptoms. The first outbreak usually occurs within two weeks after the virus is transmitted, and the sores typically heal within two to four weeks.

Diagnosis of Genital Herpes

Swabs taken from the base of the blisters. A blood test cannot show whether you are having a herpes outbreak, but it can show if you are infected with HSV. Newer blood tests, called type-specific tests, can tell whether you are infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2.

Treatment and mangement of Genital Herpes

Talk to your doctor about which treatment plan is best for you. Oral anti-viral medication. Persons with herpes should abstain from sexual activity with uninfected partners when lesions or other symptoms of herpes are present. Condoms can lower the chances of getting herpes. Along with condoms, Valtrex ®, a drug used to treat herpes, can help lower the chances of passing the virus during vaginal sex.

Medicines to treat genital herpes are

• Acyclovir (Zovirax)
• Famciclovir (Famvir)
• Valacyclovir (Valtrex)

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

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