Genital Herpes Clinic - Everything About Herpes » Genital Herpes

Conditions Confused with Herpes

Joanna — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:50:26 +0000

Herpes is an infection that is caused by a herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of herpes disease. The first herpes type is oral herpes which is commonly caused by herpes simplex type 1 and the second type of herpes is genital herpes which is commonly caused by herpes simplex type 2. Oral herpes causes herpes cold sores around the mouth or face. Genital herpes on the other hand affects the genitals, buttocks or anal area. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). You can get it from having sex, even oral sex. The herpes virus can spread even when herpes sores are not present. Mothers can also infect their babies with herpes virus during childbirth.

Some people have no herpes symptoms. Others get herpes sores near the area where the herpes virus has entered the body. They turn into herpes blisters, become itchy and painful, and then heal. The herpes virus can be dangerous in newborn babies or in people with weak immune systems.

Most people have herpes outbreaks several times a year. Over time, you get herpes outbreaks less often. Medicines to help your body fight the herpes virus can help lessen herpes symptoms and decrease herpes outbreaks. Correct usage of latex condoms can reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading herpes.

However herpes is not an easily identifiable sexually transmitted disease. Herpes can actually be confused with some other medical conditions. Listed below are some conditions that are sometimes mistaken for herpes:
Condition Confused with Herpes #1: Canker sores – (aphthous ulcers), this usually occurs inside the mouth and are gray with a distinct edge, and usually heals within 10 to 14 days without treatment. Canker sores are not a form of oral herpes but it is often confused and mistaken for herpes. This medical condition is not considered to be contagious unlike herpes cold sores and mouth herpes which are caused by the herpes simplex virus and can be very contagious.
Condition Confused with Herpes #2: Bacterial or yeast infections is another type of medical condition that is sometimes confused with genital herpes, but do not usually produce blistering like herpes.
Condition Confused with Herpes #3: Impetigo is a highly infectious bacterial disease that can also be confused with herpes sometimes. This disease is more common among children often producing crusty blisters, which is one of the symptoms of herpes.
Condition Confused with Herpes #4: Syphilis, a bacterial infection, causes chancres sometimes mistaken for blisters caused by genital herpes. Unlike genital herpes though, Syphilis does not usually produce a cluster of blisters, and it usually responds well to antibiotics.
Condition Confused with Herpes #5: Molluscum contagiosum (molluscum) – like herpes, molluscum is a viral infection of the skin. Unlike herpes however, molluscum produces lesions that are raised, with a central dimple.
Condition Confused with Herpes #6: Genital Warts
Genital warts are another medical condition that can be confused with herpes. Unlike herpes though, this disease causes growth of skin-colored, cauliflower-like masses of various sizes and shapes. Symptoms may occur several weeks and even months after being exposed to the human papilloma virus (HPV) and include itching or burning around the genitals and painless growths in either sex, usually on damp or moist surfaces of the body.

For a better idea of what herpes is and how to recognize the herpes virus it is always advisable that you research the symptoms of herpes virus, and view and compare herpes pictures to have a clear idea of what a herpes infection is.
If you think that you may have a sexually transmitted disease you can visit the Sexually Transmitted Disease Resource Center for information, pictures and support relating to all the most common STDs.
If you suspect that you may have genital herpes, an infection caused by the herpes virus or another STD please contact your local health care provider for a professional diagnosis.

Mistaken Symptoms of Herpes

There are symptoms of other diseases that can be mistaken for herpes outbreaks such as insect bites, jock itch, abrasions, razor burn, yeast infections, haemorrhoids and ingrown hair follicles.
Should any of these symptoms occur, consult your doctor or other healthcare provider immediately. Genital herpes should be diagnosed and treated professionally.

Diagnosing Genital Herpes

Joanna — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:44:06 +0000

In the United States alone, genital herpes simplex virus 2 infections are reaching epidemic proportions. The recent herpes data from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) indicate that as many as 21.9% of the population between 12 and 74 years of age are infected with herpes simplex virus 2. The overwhelming majority of these are genital herpes infections. The prevalence of genital herpes is higher among persons who attend sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinics and in many obstetrical practices. These data represent a 30% increase in herpes simplex virus 2 seroprevalence in the early 1990’s as compared with the late 1990’s. The United States is not the only country that has seen a marked increase in genital herpes in the last twenty years. Genital herpes epidemics are now well documented in Europe, Africa, and South America.

There are multiple reasons for the rise in Herpes Simplex Virus 2 infections worldwide. However, a major contributor to the rise of Herpes Simplex Virus 2 is the fact that most Herpes Simplex Virus 2 seropositive persons are unaware that they are infected with the herpes simplex virus 2. Although, new diagnostic tests are now available that could definitively identify those with Herpes Simplex Virus 2. Accurate diagnosis is the key to treatment and prevention of genital herpes. Genital herpes:

• Can be diagnosed

• Can be treated

• May be prevented

Recognizing genital herpes

Most people who have Herpes Simplex Virus 2 infection are unaware that they have it. Only about 20% of those infected with Herpes Simplex Virus 2 have symptoms that are recognized as genital herpes. Most do not recognize the symptoms of Herpes Simplex Virus 2. Much of this lack of recognition is due to the unfamiliarity with the signs and symptoms of herpes which are often mild and are easily confused with other conditions. However, once taught about the symptoms of the herpes disease, the majority of people infected with Herpes Simplex Virus 2 will return to the clinic within one year with a clinically symptomatic recurrence of genital herpes. In other words, with a little instruction, persons who have Herpes Simplex Virus 2 can be taught to recognize a recurrence of genital herpes. Recognizing a recurrence of genital herpes is key to controlling the herpes disease and reducing the possibility of transmitting the

Importance of Diagnosing Genital Herpes

Genital herpes while considered to be a rather benign infection does have severe complications. Genital herpes is a chronic infection that will affect the person emotionally, physically, and sexually for the rest of their life. Often these patients are misdiagnosed with another infection, thus, treated inappropriately. This is costly and poor clinical practice. If a pregnant woman becomes infected, especially during the third trimester, she is at increased risk of transmitting the herpes disease to her newborn. Neonatal herpes is a life-threatening infection that is associated with severe morbidity. Genital herpes infections have also been associated with the increased risk of acquisition of HIV. Open lesions present a portal of entry for the HIV virus. Lastly, Herpes Simplex Virus infection can allow HIV replication in cells previously immune to HIV. These complications emphasize the importance of letting a person know whether or not they are infected.

Determining Herpes Infection

Herpes can be diagnosed clinically, by culture, and by serology. As mentioned earlier, often patients are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic. Clinical diagnosis of herpes is difficult in these cases. Also, lesions are not always present on patients. At this time the clinician must rely on a history and ask the patient to return when there are lesions. Cultures are very helpful if the patients presents early in the recurrence. However, viral shedding only lasts a few days and often the lesion has crusted or disappeared by the time the patients sees the clinician. Thus, a negative culture will not definitely rule out herpes. A new test which measures Herpes Simplex Virus DNA in a swab called a PCR assay may be more sensitive for detecting Herpes Simplex Virus in a lesion than a viral culture. The PCR assay is, however, more expensive than a viral culture. PCR assays need to be sent to regional reference laboratories.

The most reliable herpes diagnosis for most patients is an antibody test that is specific and sensitive for Herpes Simplex Virus 2 antibodies in serum. These tests are new and are major improvements over older assays which did not distinguish between past Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and past Herpes Simplex Virus 2. Persons with past Herpes Simplex Virus 2 infections make antibodies to the Herpes Simplex Virus 2. These new assays can distinguish between antibodies to Herpes Simplex Virus 2 from Herpes Simplex Virus 1. These assays are new and all laboratories do not do them. You need to specifically ask for these assays. Additionally, a test is now available for use in the clinic or the doctor’s office. This test is a type-specific Herpes Simplex Virus 2 serologic test that can give results within 15 minutes of pricking the patient’s finger.

How Oral Herpes Can Be Prevented

Joanna — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:51:08 +0000

Oral herpes, also known as herpes labialis or herpes cold sores is one of many subtypes of the herpes virus. Oral herpes is also known as the most common form of herpes, typically caused by herpes simplex virus or HSV-1 although herpes simplex virus 2 which is more commonly known to cause genital herpes can also sometimes cause oral herpes as well. Because both herpes simplex virus 1 and herpes simplex virus 2 may cause oral herpes, there are several considerations in preventing oral herpes.
A manifestation of oral herpes or herpes cold sores is small herpes blisters found inside your mouth or on your lips. Since this is a virus, cold sores can easily be transmitted and spread through direct contact, particularly when kissing or during oral sex.
The herpes virus can be treated but not cured. The herpes virus is believed to be more contagious during active periods when herpes blisters are present and herpes lesions are visible. However, the herpes virus can be transmitted person-to-person at any time, even when herpes lesions are not visible.

This is why it is important to know and practice all the ways in which you can safeguard yourself against getting infected with oral herpes.

Oral herpes prevention #1
One of the most important herpes prevention steps you can take is to maintain your immune system since viruses usually thrive when your body’s immune defense system is low, there is a higher likelihood of an outbreak if you suffer from other illnesses, are extremely stressed or very tired. Get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, exercise and avoid excessive stress.

Oral herpes prevention #2
Another oral herpes prevention step you can take is to exercise cautious saliva-swapping. Herpes virus is highly contagious and easily transmitted through saliva. Avoid kissing others that have herpes virus or herpes symptoms. Also avoid sharing cups, silverware and other items potentially contaminated with saliva. Make sure you always have your own eating utensils. Straws, forks, cups-all these seemingly innocent items can also be a pathway for getting the herpes virus.

Oral herpes prevention #3
Maintain your personal bubble. Again, the herpes virus is highly contagious. Keep reasonable distance from those suffering from a herpes outbreak in social and work situations.

Oral herpes prevention #4
The practice of safe sex is another oral herpes preventive step. If a sexual partner is suffering a herpes outbreak of genital herpes, use condoms or practice abstinence from any form of sexual activity. Use latex condoms during all sexual contact. Spermicidal foams and jellies may offer added protection from the herpes virus, although this is highly debated. Oral herpes can be caught from having contact with someone who has genital herpes. Although Herpes Simplex Virus 2 generally causes genital herpes, it can cause oral herpes as well.
Oral herpes prevention #5
Practice safe sun-exposure. Wear sunscreen and use an SPF lip balm. Or, avoid exposure to the sun altogether if you are prone to oral herpes outbreaks.

Oral herpes prevention #6
Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have contracted oral herpes. Your doctor will usually prescribe an oral herpes antiviral medication and offer herpes treatment and future herpes prevention advice.

Oral herpes prevention #7
Refrain from touching the herpes sores of another person. Touching the herpes sores then touching another part of your body can spread the herpes virus to yourself. If you touch a herpes sore, wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible.

Oral herpes prevention #8
Try to avoid using someone else’s makeup products, especially lipgloss or lipstick. These simple beauty tools can provide unassuming pathways for the oral herpes virus to spread.

Oral herpes prevention #9
Limit the number of sexual partners you have. Doing so can help you prevent contracting oral herpes.

Preventing the herpes virus is much easier than treating the herpes symptoms of the disease. Once you have been infected with the herpes virus, you will have it for life. Avoiding those who are infected with herpes virus, and situations in which spreading of the herpes virus can occur, may be the best way to protect yourself from getting infected with the herpes virus.
Make sure you understand how to recognize and deal with oral herpes to reduce your chances of contracting the herpes virus.

About Genital Herpes and the Genital Herpes Symptoms

Joanna — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 23:44:21 +0000

What Is Genital Herpes?

Genital herpes is caused by a virus called herpes simplex (HSV). There are two different types of herpes virus that cause genital herpes — Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Herpes Simplex Virus 2. Most forms of genital herpes are Herpes Simplex Virus 2. But a person with Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (the type of herpes virus that causes cold sores or fever blisters around the mouth) can transmit the herpes virus through oral sex to another person’s genitals.

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It causes herpes sores in the genital area and is transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal sex, especially from unprotected sex when infected skin touches the vaginal, oral, or anal area. Occasionally, the herpes virus can cause herpes sores in the mouth, and can be spread by secretions in saliva. Because the herpes virus does not live outside the body for long, you cannot catch genital herpes from an object, such as a toilet seat.

Symptoms of a Genital Herpes Outbreak

Someone who has been exposed to the genital herpes virus may not be aware of the herpes infection and may never have a herpes outbreak of sores. However, if a person does have a herpes outbreak, the herpes symptoms can cause significant discomfort.

Someone with genital herpes may first notice itching or pain, followed by herpes sores that appear a few hours to a few days later. The herpes sores, which may appear on the vagina, penis, scrotum, buttocks, or anus, start out as red bumps that soon turn into red, watery blisters. The genital herpes sores may make it very painful to urinate. The genital herpes sores may open up, ooze fluid or bleed, and then heal within the next 2 to 4 weeks.

The entire genital area may feel very tender or painful, and the person may have flu-like symptoms including fever, headache, and swollen lymph nodes. If someone has a herpes outbreak in the future, it will tend to be less severe and shorter in duration, with the herpes sores healing in about 10 days.

How Long Until Genital Herpes Symptoms Appear?

Someone who has been exposed to genital herpes virus will notice genital itching and/or pain about 2 to 20 days after being infected with the herpes virus. The herpes sores usually appear within days afterward.

What Can Happen When Infected with Genital Herpes Virus?

After the herpes blisters disappear, a person may think the herpes virus has gone away — but it’s actually hiding in the body. Both Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Herpes Simplex Virus 2 can stay hidden away in the body until the next herpes outbreak, when the herpes virus reactivates itself and the herpes sores return, usually in the same area.

Over time, the herpes virus can reactivate itself again and again, causing discomfort and episodes of herpes sores each time. Sometimes a person has about four to five herpes outbreaks each year, but this can vary between people. Usually, the number of herpes outbreaks will lessen over time.

There is no cure for herpes; it will always remain in the body and can always be passed to another person with any form of unprotected sex. This is the case even if blisters aren’t present on the genitals, but more likely if they are. Many cases of genital herpes are transmitted when symptoms are not present, but a person can lessen the chance of spreading the herpes infection to someone else by taking antiviral medication to lessen the amount of herpes virus that is around. This is a prescription medication that needs to be obtained from a doctor.

Genital herpes also increases the risk of HIV infection because HIV can enter the body more easily whenever there’s a break in the skin (such as a sore) during unprotected sexual contact. In addition, if a pregnant woman with genital herpes has an active infection during childbirth, the newborn baby is at risk for getting herpes infection. This risk is greatest if she gets her first herpes outbreak while pregnant. Herpes infection in a newborn can cause meningitis (an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord), seizures, and brain damage.

How Is Genital Herpes Prevented?

The only surefire way to prevent genital herpes is abstinence. If one partner has a herpes outbreak, avoid sex — even with a condom or dental dam — until all herpes sores have healed. Herpes can be passed sexually even if a partner has no herpes sores or other signs and symptoms of a herpes outbreak. Finally, one way to lessen this risk is to take antiviral medication even when no herpes sores are present if you know you have genital herpes.

Genital Herpes Symptoms

admin — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 12:46:54 +0000

The symptoms of herpes vary greatly from person to person. Many people infected with herpes are actually not aware that they have the disease because herpes is actually asymptomatic, which means that symptoms may not be noticeable.

The First Herpes Outbreak

With an initial herpes outbreak, it is recommended that the infected individual with signs or symptoms of herpes infection seek medical care as soon as possible. Herpes infections are generally not a medical emergency but herpes treatment is more effective when it is started within the first few days of the herpes outbreak.
Signs of herpes tend to develop within three to seven days of skin to skin contact with a person infected with the herpes virus. Genital herpes infections appear to be small blisters or ulcers on the genitals. Typically, each blister or ulcer is about 1 to 3 millimeters in size, and the blisters or ulcers tend to be grouped into “crops”. What usually happens is that the blisters form first then soon open to form ulcers. Herpes infections may be painless or slightly tender but in some people however the blisters or ulcers can be very tender and painful.
The first genital herpes outbreak is usually the most painful, and the initial episode may last longer than later outbreaks. Herpes symptoms may last for two to four weeks. Aside from blisters or ulcers, some people also develop other signs of genital herpes infection, particularly with the first episode including:
Pain and itchiness, burning or tingling sensation during the first herpes outbreak. Other symptoms include: swollen lymph glands, painful inflamed blisters that develop around the infected area, headache, muscle ache, fever, vaginal or penis discharge, infection of the urethra causing a burning sensation during urination, a burning sensation in the genitals, lower back pain, small red bumps may also appear in the genital area following earlier symptoms and later developing into painful blisters, which crust over, forming a scab and then heal.

Later Outbreaks of Genital Herpes

If the disease returns, later outbreaks generally have much less severe symptoms. A lot of people with recurrent disease develop pain or a tingling sensation in the area of the infection even before any blisters or ulcers can be seen. This is caused by irritation and inflammation of the nerves leading to the infected area of the skin. These are the signs to watch out for to know that a herpes outbreak is about to start. In this particular period, the condition is contagious even though the skin may appear normal.

Mistaken Symptoms of Herpes

Since symptoms of herpes are not always present, there are some people who tend to mistake a herpes outbreak for something else. Herpes outbreaks may be mistaken for: insect bites, a jock itch, abrasions, razor burn, yeast infections, hemorrhoids and ingrown hair follicles.
Herpes is also sometimes confused with another medical condition such as canker sores which usually occur inside the mouth and are gray with a distinct edge. Canker sores however usually heal within 10 to 14 days without treatment. Bacterial or yeast infections are also sometimes confused with genital herpes although bacterial or yeast infections do not produce blistering.
Another condition that’s sometimes mistaken for herpes is impetigo which is a highly infectious bacterial disease. Impetigo however is more common among children often producing crusty blisters. Syphilis, another type of sexually transmitted disease is also some times mistaken for herpes because of chancres. Unlike genital herpes however, syphilis does not usually produce a cluster of blisters, and it usually responds well to antibiotics.
And like herpes, molluscum is a viral infection of the skin. However what differentiates molluscum from herpes is that molluscum produces raised lesions with a central dimple.
For a better idea of what herpes is and how to recognize the herpes virus, you should research the symptoms of the herpes virus plus view and compare real life herpes pictures.

Women Genital Herpes

admin — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 12:36:31 +0000

Sexually transmitted diseases such as genital herpes are infections that can be transferred from one person to another through any type of sexual contact. Genital herpes is a lifelong disease that causes painful outbreaks of blisters in the genital area. The herpes simplex virus can infect both male and female though the herpes infection pattern is different. The herpes simplex virus is transmitted through the exchange of saliva, semen, cervical fluid or vesicle fluid from active lesions. The herpes virus may also be transmitted through skin to skin contact so for the herpes virus to spread to another person, it must come in contact with the mucosal cells or abraded skin to begin replication and infection.

Genital Herpes Transmission in Women

Women compared to men are approximately 4 times more susceptible to acquire a herpes simplex 2 infection. Susceptible women have a higher risk of contracting the genital herpes virus from a man already infected with herpes than a susceptible man becoming infected with the genital herpes by a woman.

Why Women are at Greater Risk with Genital Herpes

You may wonder why is it that a woman is more at risk to contracting genital herpes infection because of two main reasons: One is that the genital area has a greater surface area of cells moist with body fluids compared to men. The second reason is that hormone changes during a woman’s menstrual cycle may affect the immune system which makes it easier for the herpes simplex virus to cause an infection.

First Genital Herpes Outbreak in Women

Symptoms of genital herpes are not easily determined as herpes is actually asymptomatic. But once the symptoms appear, this is now what is called the first genital herpes outbreak. The first genital herpes outbreak is more painful and this lasts longer than the recurrent genital herpes outbreaks, this applies to both men and women. Compared to the opposite sex however, women have more tendencies to have more severe disease and higher rates of complications during the first genital herpes outbreak.
Herpes lesions in women can appear anywhere in the genital area. Herpes lesions appearance can occur in the vulva, inside the vagina, on the cervix or the urethra. The herpes lesions can also occur in other areas aside from the genital area. These areas include the buttocks and the thighs. The first herpes lesions are considered infectious which can last for an average of 3 weeks. These first herpes lesions also stay longer in women than in men and longer than recurrences in women, because the blisters contain a large number of infectious viral particles.

Other Symptoms with the First Genital Herpes Outbreak

In addition to a rash in the genital area, there are also other herpes symptoms which occur with the first genital herpes outbreak in women. These genital herpes symptoms can also include swollen lymph nodes in the groin and a burning sensation with urination. Genital herpes infection in women also causes complications with the first genital herpes outbreak. Complications from genital herpes include difficulty in urinating, with about 10 percent to 15 percent of women experiencing such, and meningitis, an inflammation of the fluid surrounding the brain with about 1 out of 4 women suffering from such complication.

Confusing Symptoms with Genital Herpes in Women

There are times however that the genital herpes disease may be confused with another disease. Women may suffer from herpes symptoms though it can be misdiagnosed as another disease. One example: A woman who has herpes lesions inside the vagina or on the cervix may have pelvic pain and discharge which may sometimes be misdiagnosed as a yeast infection, cervicitis which is an inflammation of the cervix, or pelvic inflammatory disease.
Another example is occurrence of herpes lesions in the urethra which can be misdiagnosed as a urinary tract infection or bladder dysfunction. With recurrent herpes infections, women may experience only irritation in the genital area without a rash. It is important that women with vaginal discharge or recurrent vaginal symptoms should undergo a herpes test.