Posts Tagged ‘Genital Blisters’

Genital Herpes Virus and the Symptoms of Genital Herpes

Comments: 0December 26th, 2011 by admin



Genital herpes is spread by direct contact with an infected person. Sexual intercourse or oral sex are usually the most common ways of the virus spreading. Genital herpes usually entails the sufferer getting breakouts or episodes, in-between they experience symptom-free periods. The first episode is always the most severe, it usually starts with a tingling, itching, or a burning sensation or pain around the genitals followed by the appearance of painful red spots which, within a day or two, evolve through a phase of clear, fluid-filled blisters which rapidly turn whitish-yellow. The blisters burst, leaving painful ulcers that dry, scab over and heal in approximately 10 days.

Symptoms of recurrent outbreaks are usually limited to genital blisters, sores, and swollen glands. The blisters are most painful during the first 24 hours after they appear, sometimes flu-like symptoms, or aches, pains – especially are felt down the back, and the back of the legs.

Outbreaks can be treated or partly prevented with medicine from your doctor but there’s no prescription for the feeling of being stigmatized by having herpes. When Outbreaks occur they generally last a few days they often occur during times when you are feeling stressed.

Often Genital Herpes can be mistaken for a variety of other diseases, including syphilis. Some women with the genital herpes Virus don’t even know they have it because the outbreaks usually occur on the cervix.

Genital herpes is more commonly found in females, African-Americans, and users of cocaine (90% in one study) most of these people who had the positive blood tests for HSV virus had no history of symptoms or outbreaks it was silent. Genital herpes outbreaks can occur with such mild symptoms that it goes completely unnoticed by the person. You or your partner may have contracted the virus from a sexual partner such a long time ago or your partner may have had genital herpes without even knowing it.

Genital herpes is classed as an STD (sexually transmitted disease) which is caused by the herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2). Genital herpes is usually caused by HSV-2.

Condoms will offer some protection against the disease, by covering or protecting the mucous membranes which are the likely place of infection. However, be warned condoms do not provide 100 % protection because a lesion may be found which the condom did not cover and such the virus is passed.

Most people think that kissing is a safe activity. Unfortunately, syphilis, herpes, and other infections can be contracted through this relatively simple and apparently harmless act so you need to be careful.

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Testing For Herpes

Comments: 0August 28th, 2010 by admin



Sometimes, one does not know what one is looking for. This is a general truth for just about anything, from something as superficial as shopping, to matters of person and public health. That is to say, with STD testing sexually active persons do not always know what they are looking for. Visits to the clinic for screenings can be spurred by symptoms or as a part of a routine. Herpes is one of the most commonly checked for STD. in fact, it is thought that nearly half of all sexually active adults in the United States are likely to have herpes antibodies.

What is Herpes?

A herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is marked by a cluster of small painful blisters on or near the skin of the genitals, or in some cases, the mouth, urethra, rectum and or tissue lining the throat or nose. There are two types of herpes simplex viruses, HSV1 and HS2. HSV1 is most commonly know as cold sores or fever blisters. Located on the lips, HSB1 is usually transmitted though kissing or sharing eating utensils with someone having an outbreak. HSV1 can cause blisters around the genitals.

HSV2 is referred to as genital herpes, since the blisters grow on and or around the vagina or penis. But, HSV2 can cause mouth sores, as a result of unprotected oral sex. Additionally, pregnant mothers with genital herpes can infect their unborn babies if delivered vaginally.

Testing

Typically, medical professionals perform HSV tests by examining the blisters located on the genitals. However, since there are cases of HSV infecting other body parts, including the eye and brain, a test can be completed using samples of blood, urine, or tears. Before visiting a health care provider and being tested, a patient might find it helpful, maybe even empowering, to understand how many tests are available, how they work, and which most fits his or her needs. Being informed, observant, and unafraid to ask questions can make the experience of sharing personal information, like ones sexual history, might make the testing experience more productive.

Herpes Testing Four Ways

To determine if sores or blisters present on a sexually active person are caused by HSV for types of tests can be performed. The best method of identifying a genital herpes infection is by taking a culture sample. This is done by swabbing cells or fluid from a afresh blister. As effective as this test is, some patients receive false-negative results. For added security an antigen detection test can be performed along with a viral culture. An antigen requires scrapping cells from a fresh blister and examining them under a microscope. Since herpes has a dormant period, when no blisters are visible, another testing option is a polymerase chain reaction test. While, a PCR test can be used on cells, urine, spinal fluid, or fluid from a blister work equally as well. PCR looks for the DNA of HSV and can differentiate between HSV1 and HSV2. This test is particularly useful for the rare instances when herpes infects the brain. A fourth and less accurate test is an antibody test. Antibodies develop in the immune system to fight the infection. However, it takes time to develop antibodies and patient may not have a positive test if infection recently occurred.

Herpes is incurable and while medication can relieve symptoms, reducing blister outbreaks and relieving pain, medicine cannot cure the infection. Those who test positive should know that the recurrence of infection depends on but is not limited to stress, fatigue, sunlight, or other infections like the cold or flu.

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Connection Between HPV and Herpes

Comments: 0January 3rd, 2009 by admin



Is HPV caused by Genital Herpes? Is HPV and advanced stage of genital herpes? What is the connection between HPV and Herpes? I have seen this question many times getting asked. The simple answer is that both are totally different diseases. Both are sexually transmitted diseases but the similarity ends there. I think that some people confuse between the tow diseases because of the nature of transmission and growth of these diseases. Let us see how.

Herpes Virus causes Genital Herpes. HPV is the name of virus group that has more than 100 virus types. The full name is Human Papilloma Virus. Some types of this virus cause ordinary warts. some cause genital warts and some cause Cervical cancer. HPV itself is not a disease.

The only possible similarity between the two diseases is that both are sexually transmitted and both are incurable. Whereas in Genital Herpes blisters form in Genital warts caused by HPV warts form on or near the genitals.

Another similarity between the tow diseases is that people who show no outward sign may transmit both. These people are called silent carriers. They may transmit the diseases to their partner. Sometimes they may not be aware that they are infected themselves.

A blister that is caused by Genital Herpes may get misdiagnosed as a pimple or a boil. But it goes away after sometime. In case of genital warts, the warts do not disappear. They have to be removed.

I hope that the above note will clear whatever confusion any of you may be having about HPV and Genital Herpes. To repeat, both are as different as cheese and chalk.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

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