SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HERPES IN WOMEN

Genital herpes can be caused by both the type one and type two of the herpes simplex virus; although it is usually caused by the type two virus.  Genital herpes is not gender specific, that is both men and women are susceptible to this sexually transmitted disease.  However, women are four times more likely to contract herpes simplex virus type two than men.  The reason for the increased likelihood of women over men contracting this disease is not definitive.  However, it is speculated that women are more susceptible to HSV-2 because a woman's genital area has a larger surface covered with moist body fluids.  Whatever the reason, women "catch" the virus more often and more easily than men.

Once a woman has contracted genital herpes , the signs and symptoms are varied and often mistaken for other diseases or infections. This makes diagnosing genital herpes in women more difficult and, therefore, makes treatment more difficult. 

Once a woman is infected with the herpes virus, she generally does not manifest symptoms for one to two weeks.  Yet, during this period she is infectious and could pass the virus onto any sexual partners.  After the initial dormant period, a woman's first sign of an outbreak is a tingling or itching sensation in the area where the blisters will soon appear. 

Next, the area becomes red and swollen and the blisters will appear. They are usually located on the vaginal opening and the vulva; however, they can break out on the cervix, urethra, rectum, butt cheeks, and thighs.  The blisters will break open and develop into ulcerated sores that are very painful.  The open sores can last for up to three weeks.  There are instances where a woman can experience a second set of blisters/sores during a single outbreak. 

Besides being more likely to contract the virus, women also suffer more frequent, longer and more painful outbreaks than men.  One reason the outbreaks are so much more devastating for women is that the blisters contain viral material that when released can cause inflammation and infection in any area of the body that is exposed.  Since the female genital region is a larger surface area with delicate moist tissue, it is more susceptible to the infectious viral product released from the blisters.

Women can also develop other health issues due to a herpes outbreak.  If a woman develops ruptured sores on the cervix, this can lead to cervicitis which is a condition caused by the inflammation of the cervix.  In many cases, cervicitis is the only indication that a woman has contracted genital herpes. 

A herpes outbreak with sores on the urethra can cause a woman to develop urethitis which is a painful inflammation of the urethra.  An outbreak in this area can also cause a woman to experience painful urination and develop an infection of the urethra or urinary tract.  Also, one in four women run the risk of developing meningitis which is a disease that causes the fluid around the brain to swell.  This condition can be life threatening. 

The signs and symptoms of genital herpes in women often mimic the signs and symptoms of other various female disorders.  Because of this, it is very difficult to diagnose genital herpes in women.  Women often don't recognize the symptoms as being caused by herpes and, therefore, don't seek medical diagnosis or treatment.  Since a genital herpes outbreak can cause discharge and pain, women often mistake the outbreak for a yeast infection. 

A genital herpes outbreak can also be mistaken for PID—pelvic inflammatory disease.  Even doctors can originally misdiagnose a herpes outbreak for a urinary tract infection or bladder infection if the outbreak of sores are located on the urethra and causing pain and swelling in that area. 

Vaginal discharge is a result of a genital herpes outbreak; however, vaginal discharge is also the result of many other female related disorders including yeast infections and pelvic inflammatory disease.  However, the vaginal discharge from a genital herpes outbreak often differs slightly in that it is very liquid and has a very foul odor.  Most other causes of vaginal discharge do not.  Still, herpes is often confused with other, more common, conditions.  For this reason, any time a woman has signs or symptoms of any condition involving her genital area she should have a thorough examination from a doctor and be tested for herpes simplex viruses types one and two if she is sexually active with multiple partners or a partner who has not been tested for the virus to ensure a proper diagnosis.

How Do I Know if I Have Herpes

If you have had sex with someone with herpes, you are likely worried that you may have contracted the disease – and for good reason. The herpes simplex II virus (otherwise known as genital herpes), is a very contagious sexually transmitted infection (STI), which can easily be passed from one partner to another during sexual intercourse.  Even using a condom does not always protect you from contracting the disease, so anyone who has come in contact with a herpes patient should be checked by their physicians for the disease.

Everyone who comes in contact with an infected person in a sexual manner is at risk for catching herpes.  Of course, the most dangerous time to contract herpes from a partner is during an active outbreak, when they may have at least one open sore in their genital area. But, understand this important fact: even when the infection is not active (meaning there are no visible sores ion the sexual organ) the infection can still be spread from one partner to another.  Even a condom may not stop the disease form spreading; although it is important for herpes patients to always use a condom when having sex to help to at least try and stop it from spreading.

If you suspect that you may have contracted genital herpes from your partner, be sure to see your health care provider for proper testing. Keep in mind, however, that the most accurate test must be performed on an open sore, so your doctor may want to see you immediately should an outbreak occur to take a definitive test and begin treatment.

What about the other signs of genital herpes?  What should you be watching for to ensure your own sexual health?  If you suspect that your partner may have passed along this contagious infection during a sexual encounter, be sure to watch for these common signs and symptoms of genital herpes:

• inflammation and swelling of the sexual organ
• a burning, itching or pained sensation in and around the genital area
• blisters forming around the genitals
• open sores which ooze , then scab over and heal within a week or so
• swollen glands
• fever
• headache
• a burning sensation when urinating
• muscle aches
• overall feeling unwell

Keep in mind that these are all symptoms of an active herpes outbreak, but not everyone notices such an outbreak after they have contracted the disease.  Research shows that more than 90% of all herpes victims have no signs of the disease for weeks or even months after contracting it.  This, of course, can make it hard to know that you have contracted this very contagious infection, which may allow you to spread it to other partners without even realizing it.

Women, especially may not experience their first outbreak for several weeks following contamination and this can leave them open to spreading the disease should they become involved with multiple partners during this time period.

Contracting herpes during the early stages of pregnancy can also be a danger, making it especially important to watch for signs of the infection, especially if you suspect that your partner may have passed it along to you.

If you suddenly experience an outbreak of blisters or open sores, be sure to have them checked right away by your health care provider, who will likely test you for herpes. 

If you have indeed contracted the disease, you will likely experience periodic outbreaks when stressed, ill, change your diet or engage in vigorous sexual activity.  Most people report experiencing about 4-6 outbreaks per year.  But, some people experience less. It should also be noted that each outbreak tends to decrease in severity, which is good since they last for shorter periods of time and are a lot less painful. This decrease in severity, however, can sometimes make it difficult to recognize an attack, which could put your partner at further risk of contracting the infectious disease.

Keep in mind that herpes is not curable and you will have to take precautions to protect your partners for the rest of your life, whether you are symptomatic or not.

The important thing to remember when dealing with herpes Simplex Virus II is to take it very seriously.   Easy to pass along to another, it can be a very painful disease, both physically and emotionally and should be dealt with properly to ensure that it is not passed along to future partners.  Most doctors will recommend a course of maintenance medication to stave off a painful attacks and recommend abstaining from sexual intercourse during an attack.

Want to learn more about genital herpes and how you can protect yourself (and your partners) from contracting this highly contagious infection? For more information, talk to your health care provider or contact the National Herpes Hotline at 919-361-8488.

How Contagious is Herpes

Herpes is a virus that causes a serious infection in the body. That infection manifests itself through the formation of open sores and blisters during an outbreak.  Most people understand that any type of virus can be passed from one person to another, especially when it is in its active stage. But, Herpes is different because, unlike other viruses, it never completely leaves the body.  Even if a person experiences no outbreak of sores for years, the virus is still hiding in the body. This means that others can contract it even when a patient is not exhibiting any outward sign of the disease.

The Herpes Simplex Virus comes in two main forms: one that causes oral sores and blisters around the lips and mouth (Herpes Simplex I) and one that causes the same sores and blisters in the genital area (Herpes Simplex II). Both are equally contagious, although Herpes Simplex II can only be passed to another through intimate or sexual contact.

Both herpes virus strains are usually only passed from one person to another through skin to skin contact.  Secondary contact through an inanimate object like a phone, fork, cup, etc. is possible but extremely rare.  The reason is simple: it is the human body that keeps the virus alive and it does not last long once it strays from its human host.

What does that mean exactly? Well, about 99% of the time, it is impossible to contract herpes by drinking from someone else’s cup, sitting on a toilet they have previously used or even using a telephone they were speaking on. As long as several minutes have passed since their last use, the odds are good that any leftover virus has already died.

Now, if you take a bite from their fork immediately after they used it, then conceivably, yes, the virus can be passed on to you, but the contact ahs to be imemdiate.

When talking about oral herpes, the odds of passing it to a friend or family member other than during an active outbreak is rare and even then you would need to kiss them or share a lipstick or chap stick while the blisters are noticeable on the lips.

Consider this: it has been estimated that 90% of the population already has the Herpes Simplex I virus, so although it is contagious, the odds are good that you will never pass it along to anyone else who does not have it.

Now, the story is a little different when talking about Herpes Simplex II, or genital herpes.  This highly contagious disease can be passed to another through close intimate contact like anal, oral or traditional intercourse.  The most contagious time of the disease is of course during an active outbreak of blisters, when transmission is almost guaranteed.

But, it should be noted that as many as one in six herpes patients can transmit the disease even while it is in its dormant or asymptomatic phase. This is due to something called viral shedding.  This is a time when the virus begins to multiply within the body (with no symptoms present) and can be easily passed to another. Since there is no way to tell when this viral shedding is occurring, those with genital herpes should always wear a condom when having sexual intercourse, and avoid other intimate contact with partners with herpes.

Another note to consider: many women experience deep a vaginal blisters that they do not know are there, which means they could be in the middle of an active outbreak and not even know it, which can put her partner at a greater risk of contracting the disease, even when a condom is worn.

So, what does all of this mean?  Basically, herpes is a very contagious disease which requires its victims to take precautions to protect those they come in contact with whether or not they are experiencing any noticeable symptoms.

Pregnant women too, are usually advised to have a C-section instead of a vaginal delivery to ensure that the baby does not contract the disease during birth.

In addition to abstaining from sexual or close intimate contact during an outbreak, there are ointments and medications which can be used to help lesson the number of attacks experienced and help protect the patient form passing on the infection to others. Many people have also tried a variety of homeopathic remedies to kill of the virus, but it should be noted that these remedies seem to work, there is no evidence that it actually rids the body of the herpes virus, but rather, only sends it into a dormant stage.

For more information on how contagious herpes is, be sure to talk with your doctor about all of the things you must know, both for your own health, but for the safety of those who love.

HERPES SIMPLEX 2

Herpes … even the name sounds menacing. While not a life threatening condition, contracting Herpes Simplex 2 (otherwise known as genital herpes) can change a person’s life and the way they handle their relationships forever.

The Herpes Simplex Virus comes in two general forms: Herpes Simplex I, which is categorized by the painful blisters and sores it causes in and around the mouth and lips.  While not pleasant to deal with (they tend to be pretty ugly and hurt a lot), most people would prefer this version of the virus when compared to Herpes Simplex 2, otherwise known as genital herpes.

When Herpes Simplex 2 is contracted, blisters appear on the sexual organs and genital area.  An outbreak of this strain of the virus can be extremely painful and embarrassing. It can also cause a variety of other health-related symptoms including::

• Open sores that scab and then heal over a period of several days or weeks
• swollen glands
• a fever
• mild to severe headaches
• overall body aches
• muscle aches
• painful urination

Since Herpes Simplex 2 is extremely contagious, close contact should be avoided with one’s sexual partner when a flare-up occurs.  Sexual intercourse should not be performed during this time and even when an active outbreak of sores is not present, any sexual intimacy should be conducted under extreme care using condoms for added protection. Keep in mind though, that condoms are not 100% effective in keeping transmission of the disease from occurring.

Contracting genital herpes can be devastating for a person who may not want the stigma attached with the disease also attached to them as a person. .  Another reason for their concern may be the fact that the virus can not be cured and remains in the system for a lifetime.

While active outbreaks of the virus may only occur a few times a year, unprotected sex at any time is not recommended.  The virus (even when lying dormant) can be passed quite easily from one partner to another during close intimate contact.  Those with multiple partners must notify each of their partners about their disease in order to prevent spreading the virus to any unsuspecting partners in the future.

Pregnant women must be especially careful to prevent passing the disease onto the unborn baby. The most dangerous times to have a herpes outbreak while pregnant is during the first few weeks of a pregnancy when the fetus could be put at risk, and the end of the pregnancy when labor may occur.  Most doctors will recommend a C-section section for any woman with herpes, although some will allow a vaginal delivery as long as no open sores are detected.

Considered both a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) and a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), herpes must be diagnosed and treated by a doctor for the long term.  If you suspect that you may have contracted herpes, be sure to tell your doctor and have any open sores in your genital area tested immediately for the virus. Waiting until a sore has scabbed over or even healed can make diagnosing the disease difficult and may require waiting for another outbreak to begin treatment.

Although Herpes Simplex 2 can not be cured, there are medications as well as homeopathic remedies that can be used to lesson a patient’s symptoms and keep future attacks at a minimum.
Of course, the best treatment option is keeping your immune system strong. Research shows that a weakened immune system actually helps the herpes virus thrive and can push it out of its formant stage, causing a painful outbreak of blisters.  Stress and illness have been cited as the two main herpes activators, according to the medical experts who study the virus.

To eliminate future attacks, it is important to live as stress free as possible and eat a well balanced diet rich in lean proteins, fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains.  Alcohol, mono-saturated fats and processed foods should be avoided as much as possible. In addition, getting plenty of sleep to give the immune system the time it needs to rest and rejuvenate the entire body is paramount to success. For most people that means indulging in 8-10 hours of quality sleep every night to ensure optimal health.

Contracting herpes simplex 2 can be difficult for some people to handle. That is why it is important to get support if needed.  Learn as much as you can about the disease so that you can keep outbreaks at bay and live  a healthier life. For more information on the disease and what you can do to handle this new reality in your own life, contact the National herpes Hotline at 919-361-8488.

Eye Make-Up for Brown Eyes

The colors of the eyes will determine which set of colors to choose to highlight and accentuate your eyes. It requires intricate taste and careful blending to achieve the right effect for your eyes. Eye make-up for brown eyes is the easiest type to handle. They blend well with different shades of colors.

The best colors of eye shadow that suit the brown eyes are the light colors of peach, champagne and brown. Always take the rule of having the light colors to emphasize the brown color of your eyes. Light eye shadow and a thinly applied eye liner will create a perfect match for this eye type. It also gives subtle look on the brown eyes. If you want a more dramatic effect, you may try and experiment on the darker shades of eye liner. Take a lighter eye shadow and pair up with dark eye liner. If you prefer to make your eyes look brighter, you may apply a lighter color. Add up the darker color shaded at the crease of your eyes. Shimmers may be dusted on top of the other colors of eye shadow to give life to the eyes.

The type of eye liner to apply on brown eyes corresponds to an effect desired. The light colored eye liner makes the eyes look wide opened or bright. On the other hand, the dark shades of eye liner do the opposite. It makes the eyes look smaller. Consider the shape of your eyes for the desired effect and be wise to know the colors that fit you well. 

If you want to show off your brown eyes with the accent preserving its natural beauty, you may choose neutral colors. You apply on the skin-tone colors of eye shadow and blend with dark brown eye liner. You will appear and look naturally beautiful with this combination. This eye make-up could be good for regular ordinary days. 

The brown colors have different shades. The extra ordinary varieties of brown colors are hazel brown, dark shade brown, light color brown and medium color brown. Each of them has their own effect on the way your eyes will look. There are a variety of eye shadow shades and eye liners colors to choose from. 

The secret is matching them right. Recommended eye shadow for hazel brown is a color which is extra dark than your natural skin tone. You can choose champagne shades of eye shadow and mix with dark brown eye liner. Get rid of the black eye liner as it does not match with the hazel brown eyes. Black eye liner won’t also match with light brown color of eyes. It is because they appear dominant on the color of the eyes. 

Light brown eyes must stick to the light colors eye shadow. Dark brown eyes need to blend light eye shadows to contrast the strong brown eyes. The medium brown color eyes are the preferred variety of brown shades as it’s easy to get the desired effect with the right combination of eye shadow and eye liner.  Click here for more information. 

Pregnancy Short-term Disability Insurance

Married couples might be planning for the pregnancy ahead of time and will be thinking of the job that they will be temporarily leaving in order to focus on more pressing matters like caring for the baby, recovering from child delivery, etc. In cases like these, couples are given the chance to reimburse their salary while on leave before and after giving birth.

The salary reimbursement may either be paid in full or half depending on the pregnancy short-term disability (STD) insurance plan that they availed.  This insurance covers the mother or both parents.

Payment modes for this kind of STD insurance can either be on a monthly basis paid directly to the insurance provider or through fixed deductions by the employer on the employee’s payroll. The employer will then facilitate the payment of insurance premiums to the insurance provider. Some states allow insurance providers to collect premium payments of employees through their monthly payroll for a specified period of time or on a yearly basis.

STD insurance usually covers an employee’s salary from a month to six weeks of not working. That precious span of time gives both the mother and father the time to rest and enjoy bonding moments with the newest member of the family. STD insurance allows parents to have peace of mind knowing that their salary will be covered even if they are not working. They don’t have to worry about paying their monthly obligations like utility bills (electricity, water, rental payment, etc.) and any other bills because the insurance will reimburse the salary in full.

On the other hand, an emergency situation after giving birth may arise that would require an extended period of absence from work.  Emergency circumstances might include premature-born babies who   require longer incubation period at the hospital. This situation is time-consuming and will render the parents, especially the mother incapable of returning to work at once. The STD insurance fortunately, realizes this problem and gets it covered by reimbursing the salary for a maximum period of six weeks.

If in case a longer period than six weeks is needed to recover from child birth, the insurance will no longer reimburse the salary. After recovering, the couples must visit each of their designated Human Resources Departments of the company they work in. They should prepare all the documents needed to support their claims of the insurance.

The OB GYNE who attended the pregnant woman will have to comply in providing patient’s medical records duly signed. The supporting documents should contain   the doctor’s contact number in order for the HR Department to access doctor for further questions or verifications. This will facilitate the approval of insurance claims filed with the HR Department.

Reference: http://www.maternityinsurance.org

HERPES SIMPLEX 1

Herpes simplex, is a virus that attacks the human body.  There are two types of the virus and they are distinguished as herpes simplex one or HSV-1 and herpes simplex two or HSV-2.  Both types of the herpes virus can occur anywhere on the body; but, as a rule they tend to stick to their own territory.  HSV-2 generally attacks below the waist and causes infections known as genital herpes.  HSV-1 infections tend to occur above the waist and usually occur around the mouth area manifesting as cold sores or fever blisters.  Herpes simplex type one can also be referred to as oral herpes, mouth herpes, or the more scientific herpes simplex labialis.  

Just as genital herpes usually starts with an initial outbreak and continues with recurrent outbreaks, oral herpes mimics the same time table.  A person infected with herpes simplex one can expect an initial painful outbreak followed by recurrent outbreaks in the same location.  There is no set time line for reoccurrence.  The recurrent outbreaks can happen as infrequently as one or two times a year or as often as 4 or 5 times a year.

The first sign or symptom a person with herpes simplex one is likely to experience is a burning or tingling at the location where the blisters will appear.  This is the same precursor for genital herpes.  The burning or tingling around the mouth can start a couple of hours or days before the actual blisters area.  The next symptom is that the area will become red and swollen with some pain.  Finally, the blister will form on top of the red area of your mouth.  The blisters will fill with fluid and eventually erupt and drain. This whole process will last about two or three days.  The resulting sore will become scabbed and take up to ten days to fully heal.  In the meantime, they sores will be dry and crusty and will probably itch quite a bit.  It is best to touch them as little as possible; picking the scabs can be quite painful and delay the healing process.  The good news is that they should not leave any scars behind. 

Herpes simplex 1 basically has two phases: the primary outbreak and the recurrent outbreaks.  Most people infected with herpes simplex one contract the virus as a child.  The only good news is that not all people who contract the virus have a primary outbreak.  For those who do experience a primary outbreak of herpes simplex 1 it is quite painful and can be debilitating.  Blisters can form around the mouth, on the lips, and inside of the mouth.  The blister can be accompanied by flu-like symptoms such as fever and inflamed glands.  Also, a person experiencing a primary outbreak can suffer from bleeding gums.  These symptoms can last for several days.  They are followed by the scabbing of the sores until they heal completely and the skin returns to its normal state which can take two to three weeks in a primary outbreak. 

Still, the skin of the affected area can remain painful to the touch for up to six weeks after the primary outbreak.  The recurrent outbreaks are less severe than the primary episode.  Basically, after a primary episode, the virus travels up the affected nerve cells to the ganglion where is will lay dormant. 

The virus can become active again due to stress, illness that compromises the immune system, or for other unknown reasons.  When it is called back to active duty, it travels down the nerve pathway to its original site of occurrence causing blisters and painful sores.  The recurrent outbreaks are not as long lasting or as painful as the primary outbreak, if a person even had a primary outbreak.

Herpes simplex 1 is a very contagious virus.  It can be spread from an infected person to one not infected by kissing or other close contact with the infected area.  People with ulcerated sores are at the most contagious stage of the outbreak; but, even someone who does not have visible sores can still transmit the virus to others.  The virus can be transmitted through shedding skin even if there are no visible sores. 

Also, the herpes simplex 1 virus can be transferred from one person to another through infected saliva.  Many claims have been made that you can "catch" the virus from using the same towel as an infected person or eating and drinking from the same plate or cup.  However, these are just "old wives' tales" and the virus is nearly impossible to transmit except through direct contact with infected skin or saliva. 

While cold sores are thought to be fairly benign, they can have more serious complications.  Excessive sores or pain around the mouth can cause a person to limit their food and beverage intake which could lead to a serious case of dehydration.  Other risks include the virus being spread to the fingers or eyes by touching the infected area with your fingers.  Keep the infected area clean and finger free.

GENITAL HERPES

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease or what is commonly referred to as an STD.  There are two distinct variations of the herpes virus.  The first is the herpes simplex virus type one which is abbreviated as HSV-1.  The second variation is the herpes simplex virus type two which is abbreviated as HSV-2. 

The herpes virus can invade the body and manifest as cold sores or fever blisters around the mouth. Cold sores and fever blisters are caused by herpes simplex virus type one. It can also manifest as a disease more readily known as shingles.  The third manifestation of the herpes virus is as an STD.

Genital herpes, as it is more commonly called, can be caused by both HSV-1 and HSV-2; but, it is most generally caused by herpes simplex virus type two.  While considered a lifelong condition once a person contracts genital herpes, the length of time the virus stays in a person's body is undetermined and can vary from person to person.

Until an initial outbreak of sores in the genital region, most people are not aware that they are infected with this virus.  Once a person contracts the virus, if they are going to manifest symptoms, they will most likely manifest genital sores, or blisters about two weeks after initial exposure.  The first outbreak can be very severe and painful. 

The blisters ulcerate, or break open, leaving the person with very painful exposed sores that can cover the genital region and the rectum.  The first outbreak of genital herpes generally lasts from two to four weeks.  During the first outbreak of genital sores a person can also experience a second bout of blisters/sores as well as flu-like symptoms such as fever and swollen glands. 

Once the sores heal, a person who experiences an initial outbreak can have four to five more outbreaks within the first year.  However, the subsequent outbreaks tend not to be as severe or long lasting as the first one.  Also, the number of outbreaks, the frequency of outbreaks, and the severity of outbreaks all seem to decrease the longer a person has the virus. 

While these are the primary signs and symptoms of genital herpes, some people infected with herpes simplex virus type two never manifest genital sores.  Or their outbreak is so mild they aren't adversely affected and don't notices the symptoms as being genital herpes.

There are two primary ways for a doctor to diagnose a patient with genital herpes.  The most obvious way to diagnose HSV-2 is a visual confirmation of sores on the genital area or rectum.  Barring an outbreak of blisters that a doctor can confirm, the only other way to diagnose genital herpes is with a blood test.  A blood test for antibodies to herpes simplex virus type one or herpes simplex virus type 2 can confirm that a patient has been exposed to and is infected with the herpes virus.

There is no cure for herpes, but there are two specific treatments available that can improve an infected person's quality of life.  The first is antiviral medications that can shorten the length of an outbreak and prevent outbreaks.  Also, if a person is experiencing symptoms of genital herpes, daily suppressive medications can decrease the likelihood of the virus being transmitted to a sexual partner.

Genital herpes is transmitted through sexual contact with a person infected with the herpes virus.  Transmission usually occurs when a person with genital sores has genital contact with another person.  An infected person could not be aware of the sores and transmit the disease unknowingly.

Genital herpes is usually caused by HSV-2, but it can be HSV-1.  If a person has HSV-1 and is manifesting cold sores around the mouth and has mouth to genital contact with another person, they can transmit their oral herpes and the other person would contract genital herpes (HSV-1).

The only fool proof method for not transmitting genital herpes is to abstain from all sexual activity.  The use of condoms can decrease the risk of transmitting genital herpes, but they are not 100% effective and can still allow this contagious disease to be spread from partner to partner.  This means that you can use a condom and still "catch" herpes from an infected sexual partner. 

There have also been cases where a person has contracted genital herpes from an infected partner who was NOT manifesting sores at the time of sexual activity.  So, again, the only way to be sure that you do not contract genital herpes is to abstain from sexual activity or be engaged in a sexual relationship with only one person who has tested negative for the herpes virus.

Genital Herpes and Pregnancy

Herpes is an active long-term infection (that is why it is called a sexually transmitted infections STI), that can affect your body and health in a variety of ways, including both your ability to get pregnant and sustain a pregnancy to give birth to a healthy fulltime infant.

The facts surrounding genital herpes and pregnancy can sometimes be confusing to understand because there are so many differing options circulating within the medical community. 

While it is generally understood that a baby will not contract the disease during delivery if no open sores or blisters are present, most doctors still recommend a C-section for the safety of the baby.  This can leave many women confused about how their herpes can and will affect their pregnancy and unborn baby.

Let’s start with what we do know: herpes does not seem to affect fertility in the least.  Other than the fact that it can delay a couple’s efforts in trying to conceive during an outbreak (when the couple must abstain from sexually intercourse), research indicates that it does not seem to cross over into other reproductive areas.

There is no evidence to support claims that it can lower a man’s sperm count or a woman’s ability to conceive in the first place. It does, however, offer some unique problems in regards to conception and pregnancy.  The biggest being what we already discussed: times of sexually abstaining due to an outbreak of the virus. This can leave some couple’s trying for months to get pregnant due to a lack of availability.

The second factor that must be considered when dealing with herpes and pregnancy is the chance of the baby contracting the disease during delivery. In most cases, the doctor will suggest that the mother undergo a C-section even if she is asymptomatic because of the slight chance that the virus could be undergoing viral shedding at the time of delivery.

Viral shedding is a period of time in which the virus reproduces itself and becomes just as contagious as it can be during an active outbreak. The problem is, there is no way to know when this viral shedding is occurring (it shows no signs and has no symptoms). Even a doctor can not tell you when viral shedding is occurring and there are no tests to check for it. 

Since a baby will likely contract the herpes disease during delivery if there is any sort of viral shedding or active outbreak, many doctors prefer to use caution and perform a C-section for the health and safety of the baby.  Others, however, may agree to a vaginal birth as long as no sores or blisters are detected wither in the genital area or deep within the vagina.

Why the difference I opinion?  Some researchers believe that taking such precautions (even during an active outbreak) are unnecessary because the mother passes along antibodies to her baby via her bloodstream throughout the pregnancy, making the baby immune to the herpes virus during and after the delivery. Still more research is needed in this area to ensure that a baby is not put at risk of the virus due to these antibodies.

There are two exceptions to be aware of in regards to the dangers of genital herpes and pregnancy:

1. When the first herpes episode is experienced in the first trimester of pregnancy. This is when the virus is strongest and can cause miscarriage.
2. When the first herpes episode experienced in the third trimester of pregnancy. In this case, the baby has not had the time to develop the proper antibodies and resistance to the virus, in which case neonatal herpes may develop, which can result in infant death or stillborn at delivery.

Of course for either of these scenarios to happen, the mother would have to contract the disease during her pregnancy and exhibit symptoms (and active attack) during the first or last weeks of the pregnancy; which is rare indeed.  Women who have already been herpes victims prior to their pregnancy, these two scenarios are not something to worry about.

In short, genital herpes does not have to adversely affect your pregnancy or the health of your baby.  As long as you understand any risks that may entail and take the necessary steps to improve your chances of a good outlook your baby should be just fine. Talk to your doctor about what precautions he/she recommends during delivery and report any active outbreaks immediately to eliminate any concerns for the health and well being of either yourself or your baby.

For more detailed information about genital herpes and pregnancy, contact the Herpes Hotline at 919-361-8488 or the CDC Hotline at 1-800-232-4636.  They can give you the most up to date information about herpes and pregnancy.

Can You Get Rid of Herpes

Herpes is a virus that stays within your system for a lifetime. Once you contract it, it never leaves your body.  Sure, it may seem to go away for weeks, months or even years without its victim experiencing any of its uncomfortable symptoms. Lying dormant. Herpes seems to disappear, but eventually, as its victims know all-too-well the virus will become active again and a painful outbreak will occur.

With no known cure for either the Herpes Simplex I (mouth sores) virus or the Herpes Simplex II (genital herpes) viruses, those who are inflicted with the disease look to all sorts of places for help.  This leaves many people trying a multitude of homeopathic and traditional remedies to stave off an attack.  Some treatments work better than others.  A few patients have even reported being symptom free for ten years or more, making some experts asking the question, “can you get rid of herpes once and for all?”

Most researchers agree that while no, you can not rid your body of the actual virus (it tends to lay quietly dormant during non asymptomatic times), you can get rid of many of the herpes symptoms for long periods of time if you are careful. That is to be confused with curing the disease, which means it actually leaves your system; but handling the disease to stave off repeated attacks.

Herpes is a viral infection that goes through periods of active outbreaks of open sores and blisters. These sores are usually found either on or around the mouth and lips (as in the case of Herpes Simplex I) or the genitals and sex organs (as in the case of Herpes Simplex II), followed by periods of dormancy when no visible symptoms may be present in the patient for long periods of time.  It is during this dormancy period that most people mistakenly think that their herpes has gone away. Research shows that it hasn’t.  What herpes is very good at is hiding.

Eventually, the immune system will become weakened and the herpes infection/virus will come alive once again, thriving in this new weakened environment, causing another blister outbreak.  So, what makes herpes become active after such a long period of dormancy? NO one knows for sure but there are a lot of theories regarding this phenomenon.

It has been shown that any illness can weaken the immune system giving it the chance to thrive.  Stress too, is a big herpes activator.  Patients are encouraged to adopt a stress free life as possible to eliminate outbreaks.

While there are both prescription medications and homeopathic remedies to help treat herpes outbreaks and even strengthen the immune system to help keep outbreaks at a minimum, one of the best ways to prevent the disease from attacking is to keep your immune system as strong as possible.  This is done by being diligent about:

• Your Diet:  Be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and lean meats to keep your body and immune system healthy.  Avoid mono-saturated fats, alcohol sweet drinks and refined sugars and carbohydrates. Processed foods should be avoided and enriched white rice, flour and other products should be replaced with whole grains.

• Your Sleep Patterns:  Be sure to get enough sleep (at least 8 hours per night) to ensure that your body has the time it needs to rejuvenate itself. Sleep is a great time for every cell in your body to work to repair damage to itself and when you do not get enough sleep your immune system does not have the time to release important hormones needed for health and strength at battling all sorts of illnesses, including herpes.

• Avoid Stressful Situations:  Keep your home and family life calm; avoid making too many commitments and choose your job wisely.  Stress can activate herpes and cause multiple outbreaks every year.

The immune system is an amazing system. It ahs everything the body needs to fight off disease and repair the body when threatened. Your immune system is designed to protect you from disease, but when stressed or weakened it can actually work against you, allowing a virus or infection like Herpes Simplex I & II to gain strength.

For more ways on dealing with herpes and keeping outbreaks at a minimum, be sure to talk to your doctor. There are plenty of ways to get rid of herpes symptoms if you are careful and diligent and take care of your body. The key to success is understanding how this virus works within the body and taking good care of yourself to strip it of its power and strength.