Posts Tagged ‘Hsv 2’

Genital Herpes is More Prevalent Than You Think

Comments: 0June 17th, 2011 by admin



There are two major problems we are facing with genital herpes today. One is the lack of testing leaving many people infected without knowing it. The other is the ignorance by many people of just how widespread it is making it all the more likely this incredibly annoying disease is not going to go away any time soon. Those who are sexually active and especially with multiple partners are all at risk.

Unfortunately, genital herpes is not curable, only symptomatically treatable. Many people don’t even know they have it. They may have only had one outbreak years ago and mistaken it for something else.

A friend of mine had a scare when a woman he had been seeing for several years (not exclusively) told me after he had had sex with her recently that she thought she was having a genital outbreak and he may have been exposed. She told him she had it years ago one time and took something like Valtrex and got rid of it and had never had a recurrence until recently. She was under the false impression that that meant she was no longer putting others at risk of passing it along.

Some quick facts on HSV (Herpes):

About 1 in 4 to 1 in 5 of those in the US over age 12 test positive for HSV 2 with a blood test that accurately distinguishes between HSV 1 and 2. The scary part is out of those who are positive, only 1 in 10 knew it before they were tested.

70% of new herpes infections are transmitted from someone showing no symptoms at the time they infected their partner.

For women, a negative pap smear for herpes doesn’t mean she isn’t infected.

The current test known as herpes select is a blood test that accurately distinguishes between types 1 and 2 and is available through the major labs Quest and Labcorp.

A positive test doesn’t indicate when you got it only that you do have it.

It’s also important to know it can take several months after exposure for you to test positive. So those who have multiple partners or move from partner to partner frequently are putting themselves and their partners at a much higher risk.

A study on risk produced the following facts:

The risk is about 10% per year that an infected male will transmit HSV 2 to an uninfected female. That is, if 100 infected men were having one-on-one sex with 100 uninfected women, about 10 women would get infected per year. It’s a little less likely for a woman to pass it to a man – about 4 men out of 100 will get it.

This study was based on no condom use, no sex during herpes outbreaks and no use of daily herpes medications.

Talking about STDs can take all the spontaneity and romance out of sex. Talk about a mood killer. But rather you kill the mood than get something that’ll kill you. Or better yet, get all this unpleasant talk out of the way long before getting physical with somebody.

If you’ve been having your fun and have managed to avoid catching it, don’t forget, the next new partner you hook up with may be carrying it and pass it to you without knowing it until after the fact.

When you are out there whether it’s on dating sites or where ever you are meeting a sexual partner, many people claim they are STD free and tested regularly. While that may be true, what most people don’t realize is that it usually only means they get tested for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and maybe warts (which are easy to spot). Unless you specifically request a herpes test, you most likely didn’t get tested for it. This is something that should really be addressed in the public health arena.

A majority of the population has HSV 1 known as the cold sore virus. This can passed orally to give someone genital herpes type HSV 1. HSV 2 can’t be passed genitally to oral, only genital to genital. A person can have one and not the other, or they can have both. However, HSV 1 doesn’t turn into HSV 2 or visa versa. Having one type doesn’t make you immune to getting the other.

So, to summarize, HSV 1 can be transferred orally to genital or genital to genital. HSV 2 is only transferred genital to genital.

***UPDATE***I recently discussed this with a dermatologist who informed me that we’re still not for sure on whether HSV 2 can be transmitted from genital to oral. So it looks like things aren’t figured out yet. Your best bet is to keep your immune system strong though healthy lifestyle choices and being careful out there. Sorry spontaneity is exciting, but it can also result in some unfortunate consequences.

Herpes testing should be made mandatory as part of your annual blood work testing if you are sexually active – not just HIV. although hsv isn’t fatal, it still carries a social stigma with it.

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Genital Herpes Incubation Period

Comments: 0January 15th, 2011 by admin



Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which is in the same family of viruses that causes chickenpox, shingles and mononucleosis. There are two types of HSV. HSV 1 infects approximately 80% of the U.S. population and typically manifests on the lips in the form of cold sores. HSV 2 refers to genital herpes and is typically found in the genital area. It is possible to spread HSV 1 to the genital area through oral sex. Likewise, HSV 2 can be transmitted to a person’s mouth or lips through oral sex.

Immediately after the virus is contracted, there is a genital herpes incubation period, which refers to the time between contracting the virus and the first sign of a symptom. This is typically two to twenty days. For some people, symptoms are never visible, so it is hard to identify when the genital herpes incubation period is over. For most people, the first outbreak is the most severe and the most painful. Symptoms typically include sores or lesions, to appear in and around the vaginal area and within the cervix in women, and on the penis and scrotum in men. It is possible to develop lesions in the urinary tract, around the anal opening, and on the buttocks or thighs of both men and women.

Once HSV has infected an individual and during the genital herpes incubation period, the virus travels through the nervous system and settles at the base of the spine. When there are no outbreaks or other symptoms of herpes, the virus is considered dormant. It is common for the virus to later “wake up,” travel the nerve paths to the surface of the skin, and cause another outbreak. Periods of outbreak are typically a highly contagious time and sex should absolutely be avoided.

Another period of increased contagiousness is during shedding. Shedding can occur anytime after the genital herpes incubation period and can be asymptomatic (no symptoms are present and an individual will likely not know they are shedding). During these shedding periods, small amounts of the virus are present on the skin, often at the place of first infection. This reactivation without symptoms may also occur in rectal tissue or in fluids from the penis and vagina. It is believed that people with HSV-2 genital herpes tend to have more shedding than those with HSV-1. Also, people with new infections are more likely to shed the virus than those with an infection more than a year old.

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What You Should Know About STD Testing

Comments: 0September 28th, 2010 by admin



Sexually Transmitted Diseases or STDs can infect anyone who is sexually active. As long as you do not practice unprotected sex, you may be the next victim of this deadly disease. Most people barely have a basic knowledge of STD symptoms and its treatment. It is not enough to know these basics. What is important is that once you are aware that you may have STD symptoms it is best that you undergo STD testing. This is the next best step in prevention of this disease. As the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.”

STD testing is the best way to know if you are infected with this disease. Some STDs display symptoms that are similar to the common diseases like flu, diarrhea or the common allergy. Some STDs do not show any symptoms at all and manifest their effects after a very long period of time. Until then you are kept guessing if you have it or you don’t. The best way is to consult your doctor or health provider if you suspect that you were exposed and show symptoms of the disease. Go for STD testing so you will be able to determine the proper treatment of STDs.

Genital Warts. There are two types of warts – high-risk and low-risk. The doctor will take a visual inspection of the affected area to determine what type of wart is afflicting the patient. Some warts are not visible to the human eye that is why during the examination the doctor will swab the affected area with acetic acid to make small warts visible. This strain of warts can lead to cervical cancer so it is important to have regular Pap smear tests for women.

Herpes. Although there are two types, the more lethal cases are caused by the HSV-2. Since there are no visible symptoms, patients will need to undergo a physical exam and a blood test.

Chlamydia. A pelvic exam and a swab test will be given by the doctor to the suspecting patient. A cervical swab will be applied to the cervix and this will be sent to a laboratory to test for signs of bacteria causing Chlamydia.

Gonorrhea. A physical exam as well as a culture test will be taken from the patient. Samples of the green or yellow discharge will be sent to a laboratory to test for the presence of bacteria. A urine test may also be taken but some results may not be accurate.

Syphilis. Early detection of this disease is the appearance of sores and rashes. Since this disease occurs in stages, different tests are taken for every stage. During the early stages, a physical exam and samples of the fluid taken from the sores are required. In the second stage, the lymph glands will be checked as well as signs for body rash. A blood test will be required to look for the anti-bodies of the syphilis bacteria. In the latter stages, a Cerebrospinal Fluid Test will be taken. This procedure will involve extraction of spinal fluids to determine the extent of the infection.

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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 Recurrence – Tips to Shorten and Prevent Outbreaks

Comments: 0February 8th, 2010 by admin



Genital Herpes – What Is It?

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the herpes viruses type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2). Many people who are infected may not even be aware, as they often have no symptoms or only minimal signs of infection. The condition is contracted through sexual contact. It is possible to contract the virus from someone who does not have a visible sore or who does not even know that they are infected.

What are The Signs or Symptoms?

Signs of the active virus usually include the appearance blisters on or around the genital or anal areas. When these blisters they leave painful sores that may take several weeks to heal. An outbreak can also be accompanied by flu-like symptoms and a fever. Users also typically experience psychological distress. Subsequent outbreaks can appear weeks or months after the first. The severity of outbreaks tends to decrease over time. If you suspect you may be infected, you should visit your doctor without delay.

Is There Any Cure?

The infection stays within the body indefinitely and there is no known cure. The condition can be treated with anti-viral drugs to ease pain and discomfort and reduce both the length and frequency of attacks.

Preventative Measures

Infection can still occur even if a person is not showing any symptoms. The use of latex condoms during sexual activity is recommended. Infected persons should abstain from sexual contact during an outbreak to avoid spreading the disease.

Medication and Treatment

Visit your physician to obtain a proper diagnosis. Your physician can arrange a blood test if required and prescribe anti-viral medication.

Avoiding Recurrence

No one is sure why some people have recurrences of herpes. One trigger seems to be stress-both emotional and physical. Outbreaks may recur when a person is under pressure or their immune system is lowered. To help prevent outbreaks, keep your body strong-get plenty of rest, eat a balanced diet, and learn to cope with stress.

Tips For Reducing Discomfort

1. Keep the lesions clean and dry.
2. Use a hair dryer on the low setting to dry sores that are very sensitive or hard to reach.
3. Wear loose-fitting cotton underwear.
4. Take aspirin or ibuprofen to relieve the pain.

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Herpes and HIV Testing

Comments: 0November 29th, 2009 by admin



Did you know that many STD’s aren’t routinely tested for at your doctor or office visit? Most test for
STD’s are done at your request or if you’re pregnant. A pregnant woman with an STD such as Herpes or HIV is at risk of transferring the virus to her unborn baby resulting in severe illness or death. Because of the rising epidemic of HIV infected individuals and herpes cases today, it is very important to get tested. This is especially so because Herpes and HIV are incurable; with HIV being potentially fatal. People fear getting tested but once you know your status it can empower you to take better care of yourself and be more responsible.

Let’s start with testing done for Herpes. If you have sores on your genitals, a sample can be taken and cultured. The virus multiplies and can be seen under a microscope. Another test involves a solution which contains antibodies that is added to the sample. The virus multiplies and glows when viewed under a special microscope. The only drawback with this type of testing is that the virus is detected only in it’s active form. These test can also tell you what type of herpes you have and how you were infected. HSV 1 can be transmitted to the genitals through oral sex and HSV 2 can be transmitted through intercourse or anal sex.

As stated above, the culture detects the herpes virus in it’s active form. False negative results are
possible if the sores have begun healing or if this isn’t your first outbreak. Blood test for herpes are done
when there are no symptoms and are more accurate. However, if you are newly infected it may not show up for several weeks since it takes time for antibodies to the virus to show up in the blood. That is why if you suspect you may be infected you should have a repeat test several weeks after the first one.

The HIV test most commonly used in the US is the EIA or enzyme immunoassay formerly known as (Elisa). This test on blood samples looks for antibodies(http:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibodies) to the HIV virus. A positive EIA must be confirmed with a Western Blot(http:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_blot)on the same sample. HIV test using oral fluids are obtained from the mouth with a special device. Saliva isn’t used for testing but oral fluids found in the mouth. The test is similar to the EIA test done on blood. If the test is positive then a Western Blot is done on the same oral sample to confirm the results.

There are rapid HIV screening test but if reactive must also be confirmed by the Western Blot. Home testing kits are popular since being licensed in 1997, but only one has been approved by the FDA. The Home Access HIV 1 Test System is a home collection kit. The kit has instructions on how to obtain a sample, mailing it and how to obtain your results. There are supportive services available throughout this process.

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Treating Female Genital Herpes

Comments: 0November 1st, 2009 by admin



Genital herpes is a type of sexually-transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex virus. It can infect both males and females. There are two general types of herpes simplex virus, the HSV-1 and the HSV-2. The most obvious symptom of female genital herpes is the formation of blisters around the vagina and the rectum. When these blisters break, they leave sores that take two to four weeks to heal.

The main difference between these two types of herpes is the location where the blisters occur. HSV-1 manifests itself around the mouth area while HSV-2 shows up in the genital area.

Symptoms of female genital herpes start with the reddening and inflammation of the vaginal skin. Blisters will soon form in the area, which will become painful and itchy. Blisters are filled with fluids and when they break open, it can cause more pain. The blisters will eventually heal and turn into scabs.

Other symptoms of female genital herpes are fever, nausea, muscle ache, swollen lymph glands and painful vaginal discharge.

The most unfortunate thing about getting infected with the virus is that there is no cure for it. When it infects the body, it will stay in the body’s system indefinitely. The antiviral medications are for reducing the pain and contagiousness. It will also lessen the occurrence of future outbreaks.

When treating female genital herpes, the doctor will conduct blood tests first to determine what type of virus you have. After getting the results, he will prescribe the correct medication for it. The most common medications used for herpes are acyclovir, famciclovir and valacyclovir. These medications not only remove the pain caused by the blisters, it can also reduce the patient’s chances of passing the virus to her partner.

Genital herpes can have several complications. Pregnant women infected with herpes can pass on the virus to her baby. People with HIV can get more ill if they get herpes. The virus can spread to their internal organs such as the lungs and brains.

Women infected with female genital herpes can conduct some self-treatment by staying away from the sun. Too much exposure to sunlight can irritate the skin and make the blisters worse. They should also refrain from using scented bath and body products that can also irritate the skin. Loose clothing should be worn as often as possible to make the skin breathe and to avoid the trapping of bacteria. To lessen the pain of the blisters, over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin can be taken, as long they are approved by the doctor.

Infected persons should avoid having sex during an outbreak. Transmission is very high when blisters and sores are present. Condoms cannot guarantee much protection in this case since a condom cannot cover all the infected areas.

Prevention is always better than the cure. Sexually-active persons should always practice safe sex. Condoms will provide adequate protection from most STDs. If possible, a monogamous relationship will lessen the chances of contacting the disease. Of course, nothing is safer than abstinence.

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