Herpes Simplex Virus
Genital herpes (herpes simplex virus type 2) is caused by the same family of viruses that cause sores, fever blisters, chickenpox, and shingles. Genital herpes’ symptoms usually show up 2 to 21 days after you’ve come in contact with the virus but it is also possible that a first time infection might show mild or no symptoms. Symptoms include:
- Swelling, pain, itching, and burning around the genitals. This is followed by redness and tiny blisters. These blisters may burst and form open sores. These sores will in time, crust over and eventually heal.
- Fever, chills, muscle aches, tiredness, and headaches
- A burning sensation when you urinate, a genital discharge, and difficulty urinating
- Tender or sore lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small glands under your arms, on your neck, and in your groin area
How Do You Get It?
Genital herpes is almost always spread by having sex. Herpes is easy to catch or spread. If you or your partner is infected, you can catch or spread herpes through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. You catch herpes when your genitals come into direct contact with the genitals of an infected partner, or when your genitals come into contact with the mouth of an infected partner. Herpes can also be spread by other types of skin-to-skin contact.
However, genital herpes is hardly ever spread by infected toilet seats, moist towels, or similar items. Itching or tingling is often an early warning signal. But because some people never show any symptoms, they don’t know they have herpes. So they spread the infection without knowing it. So, remember, you can spread the virus even if you have no symptoms or sores. The virus spreads by “shedding.” That means the virus multiplies and is released from the skin. To prevent spreading the virus to other parts of your body, try not to touch your sores. If you do touch them, wash your hands immediately with soap and water.
Will It Come Back?
Once you’re infected with herpes, you have it for life. The virus stays in your body, and it probably will come back- usually from three to six months after the first outbreak. The good news is these repeat outbreaks are usually not as bad as the first.
How Often Will It Happen?
You never know as this unpredictable virus varies; some people have few or no additional outbreaks while others can have as many as one a month. If you do have outbreaks, they usually occur four to six times a year. The good news is that over the years, you may have fewer outbreaks that are less severe. After five or six years, you may not have any outbreaks at all. But don’t forget herpes can remain in your system for years without showing any symptoms or outbreaks, or only show up as an occasional mild outbreak. Even if you don’t have any more symptoms, you still have the disease and can still infect other people.
Can It Be Cured?
No, there is no cure for herpes yet. But, fortunately, the medicine Zovirax or (acyclovir) or Valtrex may help you. It is the only treatment available today that has been used safely and effectively for over 10 years by millions of patients.
Treatment
We will recommend the treatment program for Zovirax and Valtrex that’s right for you. For first outbreaks, you usually take one 200-mg capsule every four hours, five times daily for 10 days. Talk to us about two different ways to take Zovirax and Valtrex to treat your herpes over the long term
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