Posts Tagged ‘Herpes Virus’

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Herpes Zoster Virus – Discover the Symptoms of the Zoster Virus

Comments: 0November 25th, 2011 by admin



The Herpes Zoster Virus is responsible for causing shingles, which is a painful rash. This same virus is responsible for causing chicken pox in children. When most people have recovered from chicken pox the virus becomes dormant, however in some people the virus reactivates itself, usually several years after the individual first suffered from chicken pox.

Although shingles is a contagious infection it cannot be transmitted by touching an infected person.

No one knows what causes the herpes zoster virus to reactivate itself in certain individuals, all that is known is what happens to it after chicken pox has been contracted, and the process that occurs before an individual contracts shingles. After an individual (usually a child) has suffered from chicken pox the virus travels to the root of the nerves where it becomes dormant. When an individual contracts shingles it’s because the virus has “awoken” and travelled from the root of the nerves back up to the skin.

The people who are most susceptible to shingles are the elderly and people with immune deficiency (which can be caused by chemotherapy and HIV). But the vast majority of people who catch this infection are people with a normal immune system.

Now let’s look at the symptoms of shingles:
The initial indicator that the herpes zoster virus has reactivated is a burning sensation around the nerve paths as the virus travels through them. The individual will then feel pain, usually on one side of the body. The pain can affect different parts of the body but it depends on the positions of the nerve paths that the virus is travelling through.

The next symptom to occur is a rash consisting of miniature red blisters. The skin around the rash also becomes swollen. The sufferer will develop a fever and will find that his lymph nodes become swollen.

After 3-5 days the blisters burst and become painful sores. Over the next week or so these sores scab over and eventually fall off.

Some people may experience postherpetic neuralgia, this is when the skin becomes very painful after the scabs have fallen off. This unpleasant symptom can last for between 3 weeks to several months.

If you suffer from any of the symptoms mentioned above you should go and see your doctor right away, a doctor can quite easily diagnose this condition by the presence of the rash as well as looking of your medical history. If the symptoms that are displayed are not conclusive enough for a doctor to diagnose herpes then a scrape test or a blood test can be used in order to accurately diagnose the condition.

If shingles is diagnosed the doctor will prescribe antiviral medication such as zovirax or acyclovir. These types of medications are most effective when they are used as soon as the burning sensation begins. The treatment becomes less effective if it is used more than 48 hours after the rash has occurred. So time is of the essence in regards to treating shingles. If medication is taken early, then the patient can expect the infection to go away faster, and the infection will not be able to spread.

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STD Testing Methods For Genital Herpes

Comments: 0November 5th, 2011 by admin



Genital herpes is a disease that can be easily transmitted through sexual contact. What it makes the risk of spreading the infection higher is the fact that most people who already have it do not notice symptoms at all. In some cases, symptoms do appear but then these do not give any pain or discomfort that a person infected with it will still not recognize that he or she already has the herpes simplex virus or the HSV. Therefore, this person may just continue to perform sex without any precaution, infecting others instead with the virus. The HSV can be transmitted also through oral sex.

Because of the absence of any telltale signs, an HSV virus carrier may not find it necessary to undergo STD testing. Usually, the need for medical check-up is felt only when blisters appear in the area of the genitalia. However, some will even wait for the more telling signs of infection such as fever, vaginal discharges, and cold sores to occur before ever considering of seeing a doctor. This is certainly unfortunate because this means that the difficulty in controlling the spread of the HSV is can be attributed to the negligence or ignorance of the very carrier themselves. Definitely, this can put to harm the people that they care for most, including their kids.

There are certain ways of testing a person possibly infected with the herpes virus. The very basic among these is to find out the existence of blisters. A doctor may examine a patient if she has this basic symptom. However, there are cases when blisters cannot be found, especially if the testing was done when during the early stage of the infection. If so, the patient may be sent to a genitourinary clinic for further examinations. There, she may be made to undergo blood and urine tests. The samples taken will be analyzed to find out any HSV infection. Doctors think that this may not be a very effective STD testing method though. They said that this has a rate of accuracy of a little above 80% only.

The existence of blisters near the sexual organ does not immediately prove herpes infection, although it does make the possibility much higher. Doctors examining the patient may need to take a sample of it too. They usually swab a sample and then study it through the aid of a microscope. This is definitely the more effective way of testing for genital herpes.

It is imperative for sexually active people to learn about genital herpes and its symptoms. By being informed about the disease, they can be more aware of any signs of the infection. Those who can already sense the infection by themselves usually undergo STD testing.

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Diagnosing Genital Herpes – How to Tell If You Have Genital Herpes

Comments: 0October 20th, 2011 by admin



Diagnosing genital herpes is no trivial matter, and no amount of information read on the internet or in any other format will accurately tell you if you have herpes or not. If you believe you have genital herpes, you must immediately seek medical treatment, where you will be tested for the virus. This test may involve a swab of the infection, if you are currently experiencing an outbreak, or it may be a blood test if you are not currently showing symptoms.

The reason diagnosing genital herpes is difficult without access to a doctor is that the symptoms of herpes are wide and varied, and nearly all the symptoms can possibly be another condition or infection. However, for your information, below are listed some of the more common trademarks of the herpes virus.

Sores, blisters or pimple-like spots on and around the genitals. These sores may vary in size from small pin-pricks to large coin sized blisters. They will most often be itchy and may seep and eventually burst, after which they will scab over. They can be painful, and are almost always quite uncomfortable. A rash on and around the genitals. This rash will most often be hot and itchy, and may be concentrated on the penis or on and inside the vagina, or may be spread around the groin and onto the buttocks, upper thighs and lower abdomen. Pain or burning in urination. This is especially prevalent in women, as the outbreak can occur on the vaginal walls as well as on the labia and areas around the vagina. Both women and men may also experience discharge. Flu-like symptoms. Tiredness or fatigue, irritability, headache, nausea and fever are also very common symptoms, and should be especially suspect if they occur at the same time as any of the above symptoms.

If you are experiencing any of the above, you should seek medical attention for a full diagnosis. Genital herpes diagnosis is very quick, painless and accurate, and with proper diagnosis you can get treatment right away and help get the virus under control. There are many treatments available for this disease, and it is not the life sentence it once was. Diagnosing genital herpes is the first step on the road to treatment and recovery, and getting your old life back again.

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STD Testing For Genital Herpes

Comments: 0September 21st, 2011 by admin



Sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing for genital herpes is important for those who are sexually active because the herpes simplex virus (HSV) can be easily transferred to another person through oral, vaginal or anal sex. Most of the time, those who are carriers of the disease are not aware of it because there are usually no symptoms. And if there are symptoms, the indications are usually minimal and are often ignored by the infected person.

Herpes is a chronic disease but it could go into remission and if it recurs, the symptoms tend to be milder the next time around. Moreover, the length of the remission periods become longer over time. Some of the symptoms that may occur at the time when a person is first infected include vaginal discharge, ulcers and blisters on the cervix, painful urination, fever, cold sores usually around the mouth, malaise, and red blisters around the thighs, buttocks, genital area and anus. HSV is found on the skin surface and is transmitted to another person through moist skin, such as the genitals, rectum, the mouth and even the eyes.

One method of testing for herpes is through viral culture. A swab sample is taken within 48 hours after a lesion has appeared. This technique is highly accurate when it provides a positive result. However, it has the disadvantage of having a high probability for false negatives. Thus, blood tests may be recommended. These tests are based on measurements of the quantities of IgM and IgG antibodies in the blood because HSV itself is not found in the blood. IgM appears during the first infection but it may not appear during the recurrences of the disease. IgG is produced right after infection and remains in the blood for life. The problem with IgG tests is that they require a certain length of time before the quantity of IgG is detectable. Thus, there is a possibility of getting a false negative if the test is conducted too early. An alternative method for detecting herpes is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test that detects the presence of the virus itself.

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Diagnosing Genital Herpes

Comments: 0August 3rd, 2010 by admin



Depending on the type and extent of the symptoms experienced by a patient, a doctor can suggest the type of diagnostic tool to be used. This is the same even in the diagnosis of genital herpes. The doctor can diagnose the disease through a simple visual examination of the bumps or lesions (in case the lesions are visible externally). However, this deduction must be supported by a proper diagnostic test to confirm the presence of a herpes infection.

Provided below is a list of 3 types of tests used frequently to ascertain herpes infection.

Tzanck Test

A small piece of the bump or lesion (taken from the patient’s body while he is suffering from an outbreak) is used as a sample for this test, which is first stained and then examined under a microscope to detect the presence of any cells containing multiple nuclei. In case any such cells are detected, then the test concludes that a herpes simplex virus infection is likely.

Although the test yields very quick results, it has certain drawbacks. The drawback with this test is that that it cannot differentiate whether the infection is caused exclusively by herpes simplex virus only or by herpes zoster. Also, the test cannot differentiate between the two types of virus — HSV-1 (associated with oral herpes) and HSV-2 (associated with genital herpes).

Viral Culture

This is a very reliable test. However, the basic requirement of this test is that the herpes sores must be in the blister stage and be full of the infectious fluid. This fluid is then taken as a sample and cultured in the diagnostic lab. If the herpes simplex virus is present, it will grow in the culture medium and can be detected accurately. The drawback of this test is that it takes almost 24 hours or more for the results to show up.

Blood Tests

This test can be performed anytime, irrespective of whether the patient is suffering from a herpes outbreak or not. The blood sample collected from the patient’s body is analyzed for the presence of HSV antibodies. It also helps in ascertaining the exact type of infection — HSV-1 or HSV-2, and it is also a relatively quick diagnostic method.

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Genital Herpes – The Types Of Common Tests

Comments: 0April 27th, 2010 by admin



The experienced eyes of the doctor commonly diagnose genital herpes. Most of the doctors recognize the disease with clinical examination. To confirm the presence different tests are done. Many times the test reports indicate absence of herpes. They need to be repeated after some days. All the testing facility may not be available everywhere. You need to discuss with your doctor about the reliability of the test and identification of HSV1 or HSV2. The test reports may be misleading if sample is withdrawn from old crusted sores. The common tests that are done to find out the presence of herpes are as below.

Viral Culture-

The common test to confirm the presence of herpes is culture test. In culture test, a small sample of fluid or cells is taken from the suspected sore with a swab. This sample is sent for testing. Many times, the results may be negative but you may be having genital herpes. This test is therefore repeated after some time. The test reports of rapid viral test can take 2 to 3 days while that of standard culture may take up to two weeks.

Herpes virus antigen detection test- In this test, cells that are taken from the sore are viewed under a microscope,. The presence of herpes antigens confirms the presence of herpes infection. The results o9f this tests are reported in a day.

PCR- this test is done on cells or sores. In this test the DNA of herpes virus is detected. This test can identify between the two types of Viruses- HSV1 and HSV2. PCR results are reported within three days.

Blood test-

In blood test, blood is drawn either by a needle or with a pinprick. This blood is tested for the presence of herpes virus. Some tests can identify between HSV1 and HSV2. A blood test can only tell you about the presence of virus in your body. It cannot tell you if you have an active breakout.

Commonly blood is tested for the presence of anti bodies of herpes virus. Your doctor will inform you about the reliability of the blood test he/she has performed, because many varieties of blood test options are available. Antibody test results are reported within two days.

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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Genital Warts and Herpes

Comments: 0December 13th, 2009 by admin



Genital warts and herpes are both sexually transmitted diseases. They are caused by different viruses. Genital warts are caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) and herpes is caused by a virus called herpes simplex virus (HSV). Millions of people are infected every year by these two most common STDs. Let us look at these diseases separately so that we may understand the better and know the differences between genital warts and herpes.

Genital warts
These occur in the genital areas and are transmitted mainly through vaginal, anal and oral sex. Genital warts are more common among women than men and therefore there are more works being done to prevent women from getting infected. These warts are flesh colored or gray growths. They may be flat or occur in lumps. Thee warts itch and pain and may eve bleed. These are common symptoms for both men and women.

The HPV can remain inside the body for a long time without showing itself. Once the symptoms are noticed, it is very important to show them to the doctor. There are many treatments for genital warts. They may be removed by freezing using liquid nitrogen, cutting them off with blades heated by electricity, laser surgery or by a method called excision where the doctor uses the surgical tools to remove them. There are also several over the counter effective medicines.

HPV can also attack a pregnant woman and this will involve a lot of risk as the warts may be transmitted to the baby. The pregnant women cannot use the same medicines to treat the warts and need proper medical help.

There are vaccines to prevent genital warts but these vaccines are only for women but search is on for men also. It is best to prevent the problem because there is no cure.

Herpes
This is also a highly contagious STD that has no cure. In this case rashes with blistery sores appear in different parts of the body. These sores may appear even in the anus, vagina, penis and cervix. The symptoms include, itching, burning sensation, pain, fever, swollen glands, headaches, etc. Psychological distress is another symptom from which an infected person suffers from. Herpes is so contagious that it may be transmitted from casual touching or sharing of the same items with an infected person.

There is no treatment available for herpes and therefore it is very essential to protect oneself from it. It is also the responsibility of the person to do everything to prevent the transmission off the disease to other people.

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Herbal Solutions For Herpes – Proper Genital Herpes Treatment

Comments: 0July 13th, 2009 by admin



Herpes virus can become dormant or “latent” for a very long time, sometimes years before showing any signs and symptoms. In other words, a person may be infected for a long time before that person knows that the infection is there. Latency period of the virus is the time when the virus is said to be “sleeping” inside the body. During this period of no activity an infected person feels nothing abnormal, without symptoms, without any bothersome feelings. This is the time when the virus is on its very deceiving state. It is very hard to detect herpes virus in its latent stage sometimes failing the most accurate blood tests.

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Herpes – Testing For Herpes

Comments: 0June 11th, 2009 by admin



Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease passed from skin to skin sexual contact. If you think you have been exposed to the virus, it is a good idea to visit a doctor to get a proper diagnosis. Many people do not get diagnosed with genital herpes because oftentimes the virus is not accompanied by symptoms, or the symptoms can easily and frequently get mistaken for other conditions. This lack of diagnosis, of course, leads to the high numbers of genital herpes cases.

If you experience the following symptoms and/or believe that you have been exposed to the genital herpes virus, you may want to consider going to get tested by your physician or at a sexual health clinic.

- Flu-like symptoms: fever, aches and soreness, swollen lymph nodes
- Tingling, itching, burning or pain in the genital area
- Appearance of painful red spots, which, within a day or two, develop into clear, fluid-filled blisters
- Painful urination
- Abnormal genital secretions

The best time to go to the doctor or clinic for herpes testing is when you first experience any of these symptoms, because a visual diagnosis may be made. Genital herpes can be caused by either herpes type 1 or type 2, so other testing besides a visual diagnosis is necessary to determine the exact type of herpes virus that you have.

Upon your doctor visit, you can expect to first be given a medical survey which will provide information about your medical history: general health, previous conditions and current and previous symptoms. This evaluation will probably include questions about your personal life, like how recently you participated in sexual activity, whether you used condoms, if you have had an STD before and if you have any reason to believe that you have been in contact with herpes. Answering these questions as candidly and truthfully as possible will help the physician in evaluating the chance that you have been infected.

Next, to verify HSV diagnosis, the doctor may suggest one or more tests (a swab test or a blood test) to conclude whether you have HSV-1 or HSV-2. Type 1 is the virus more usually associated with facial herpes, while HSV-2 typically causes genital herpes, although cross-infection can occur. Knowing which virus you have helps determine protocol for future outbreaks. You may need to schedule another appointment to get blood work. Once blood work is done, the doctor will discuss the results with you.

Once you are diagnosed, it is common to be shocked or nervous. You may want to schedule a follow-up appointment just to discuss the implications of your genital herpes diagnosis Here are some questions you may want to ask your doctor after diagnosis is confirmed:

- How did I contract genital herpes?
- How often can I expect outbreaks?
- How can I identify a genital herpes outbreak?
- Can I prevent future outbreaks?
- What are my options for treatment?
- How can I decrease the chance of spreading herpes to my sexual partner?
- Will I be able to have sex without infecting my partner?
- How does genital herpes differ from cold sores/facial herpes?
- What are additional resources?
- Are there any support groups in my area?

Once you have discussed this with your physician, you should ask him/her about treatments that can reduce herpes outbreaks. Natural treatments have proven to be very affordable and lack the side effects of pharmaceutical drugs.

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Herpes Transmission – What You Can Do to Stop the Spread of Genital Herpes

Comments: 0June 5th, 2009 by admin



Prior to 1981, there was no medically-approved treatment for genital herpes. As patients were told that there was no herpes treatment available, the feelings of hopelessness and loss of control must have been prevalent. To have been advised that the only way to prevent herpes transmission was by abstinence during an outbreak would have been extremely difficult to comprehend.

Available by prescription only, in 1982 acyclovir (still prescribed today) became the first treatment for herpes.In further years, both famciclovir and valacyclovir were subsequently developed and brought to market. The three medications are also known by their brand names, Zovirax, Famvir, and Valtrex respectively.

What many people do not understand is how the prescription anti-virals operate in the body. All three of the medications operate in much the same manner.

To survive and reproduce, viruses need certain nutrients and these prescription medications present themselves to the HSV2 virus as these exact nutrients but in reality they are fake.As the HSV2 virus utilized the anti-viral (masquerading as a required nutrient) to replicate itself, it is unable to and reproduction of the virus is dramatically reduced. I am a firm believer that if you can visualize this process actually happening in your body, the effectiveness of the medication could potentially be greater. Should you be uncomfortable taking a pharmaceutical anti-viral or be unable to afford the medication you can use visualization as an effective and no cost option. Knowing what you do now about viral reproduction, you can take a few minutes each day and visualize the genital herpes virus in your body NOT receiving the nutrients it requires to replicate and dying a painful and slow death (ok, that last part is optional). You visualize any herpes outbreak healing and getting smaller with colors such as green and blue. Visualization is a very powerful and extremely under utilized method to treat herpes.

A few more genital herpes treatment facts:

Acyclovir was proven to have poor absorption by the body (only 15% was available for use to disguise itself as essential nutrients to the herpes virus), and thus valacyclovir was brought to market which has a much more effective rate of absorption.Due to this fact, Zovirax needs to be taken more often than Valtrex. Famvir works in a similar method with a slightly different chemical structure.

The anti-viral medications discussed above can be costly (it might be worth your while to search around for a reputable online pharmacy in Canada, the UK, or Australia), and can also be very hard on your liver. Without medical supervision and blood work to test for high level liver enzymes, excessively high dosage or long term usage should be seriously discouraged.

There are several other remedies for herpes (all natural) that are also very effective.

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