About the health problems caused by genital herpes

Genital herpes is a highly contagious infection transmitted usually through sexual contact with an infected person who has ulcerative lesions, but can be transmitted by oral or anal sex. Can be transmitted if the lesions are not visible.Genital herpes can be transmitted to the infant at birth, when passing through the pelvic canal if  the mother has an active infection.

Causes
Usually this infection is caused by herpes simplex virus type 2, although herpes simplex virus type 1 responsible for injuries around the mouth during colds and this may be responsible for this disease occasionally.

Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted disease (STDs).
In recent years, the incidence has increased by approximately 30% compared to 1970, mainly affecting teenagers.
Genital herpes is more common on women that  men.

Symptoms
Most people with genital herpes are asymptomatic or have minor symptoms and signs. Herpetic lesions has the following sequence:

• Skin around the genitals or inflamed
• Skin may be hot, painful or be itchy (itchy)
• Blistering around the genitals or
• Blisters break, make the crust then heal

Symptoms and signs may appear at first infection are:

• Enlarged lymph
• fever
• Headache
• Dysuria (burning on urination)
• Muscle

First appearance of herpes can be spread over a period of several weeks. After that, the virus retreats into the nervous system, where it remains inactive, until you arise triggers reactivation.
Typically, lesions subsequent appearances are weeks or months after the first episode. In most cases, they are less severe and shorter than the first episode.
Although the infection can stay in the body indefinitely, the number of active episodes tends to decrease after a number of years.

Frequency of episodes of herpes virus activation
Successful period herpetic lesion varies from person to person. On average, people infected have about 4 episodes per year. The first episode is usually the most painful and requires time for healing. Pain and decrease healing time from one episode to another.
Triggers virus reactivation
Triggers vary from person to person.

Most Popular triggers include:

• Stress;
• Diseases;
• Surgery;
• Energetic intercourse;
• Diet;
• Menstruation.

Diagnosis
Your doctor diagnoses of genital herpes by visual inspection of the genital area  where the  lesion is typical or taking a sample of the lesion, where is atypical.
Herpes simplex virus infection is difficult to diagnose between episodes of reactivation when there is no injury.
Your doctor will examine the cervix in women and the urethra in men for the discovery of possible internal injuries. Blood tests for the detection of herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 may be helpful, although the results are not always accurate.

Treatments
There is no treatment to eliminate infection with herpes simplex virus 2, but doctors may recommend antiviral medications, ointments or oral, that may hasten wound healing.
Analgesic drugs (against pain) purchased without a prescription can be effective in terms of discomfort of injuries.
If reactivation are frequent, the doctor will recommend antiviral medicines administered over long periods of time to try suppression reactivation.
No treatment can cure the infection with HSV 2. The virus can stay in the body for ever, once the person is infected. The virus is dormant in nerve cells stuck until the triggers that reactivate it. Symptomatic episodes including painful blisters can be controlled.

Genital herpes in pregnant women and children
Episodes of reactivation of genital herpes during pregnancy are associated with spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, prematurity. Herpes infection of the newborn cause severe brain damage and blindness.
However, women with genital herpes can give birth to healthy children. All these issues should be discussed with your doctor.

Prophylaxis
Some of the methods of preventing HSV-2 infection include:

• Avoid sexual contact with a person with genital herpes;
• Use of condoms during sex (safe sex);
• Use of condoms should be made along with a spermicide containing nonoxynol-9;
• Limiting the number of sexual partners;
• Following treatment with antiviral drugs (eg acyclovir) by a person with genital herpes can reduce the risk of transmission of infection, but does not eliminate;
• By concomitant use of antiviral drugs and the measures listed above, the risk of transmission is also low.

What to do in episodes of herpes?
Many people are depressed when they are diagnosed with herpes infection, knowing they are defined as infected and can transmit the infection to others. Depression is not a solution to solve the problem. The best solution is to learn as much about this infection, which help control the disease and regain self-confidence. Also helpful are discussions about the suffering of a close friend.
People who are infected with HSV-2 may also have a regular sex life, but using condoms (infected man or woman infected partner) and warning sexual partner about this suffering. Also infected women may have children by careful supervision by a specialist task.