Genital Herpes Clinic - Everything About Herpes » Herpes Infection

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 to Treat Oral Herpes

Joanna — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 00:10:51 +0000

There are two types of herpes: Herpes Simplex Virus 1 which is more known to be the herpes virus that causes oral herpes and Herpes Simplex Virus 2 which is more known to be the herpes virus that causes genital herpes. The bad news about the Herpes Simplex Virus 1 is that an estimated 90 percent of the population has some form of this herpes virus. The good news, however, is that the oral herpes symptoms are usually no worse than cold sores, and can be prevented with proper herpes treatment.

Oral herpes can be treated via self medication otherwise known as home care treatment or through medical treatment.

Self Care at Home Oral Herpes Treatment

Oral Herpes Treatment Step 1:
Apply ice to the herpes inflammation site for 15 seconds at the first sign of a herpes blister. The ice freezes the herpes virus, and can prevent a herpes blister from fully forming. Remove the ice for 15 seconds, and then repeat the procedure for a total of 5 minutes. Wait 15 minutes, and then repeat the entire process.
Oral Herpes Treatment Step 2:
Another self care at home oral herpes treatment that is advised is to mince a few cloves of garlic and ingest it through pasta sauce. Studies have shown garlic may have the power to kill both oral herpes and genital herpes virus strains. The herb’s effects greatly support the body’s immune system, and helps treat herpes outbreaks. You can also substitute fresh garlic for its tablet counterpart, which is available at most health food stores.
Oral Herpes Treatment Step 3:
Use products containing echinacea extract for oral herpes treatment. Preliminary studies indicate echinacea may be used to treat oral herpes, as it has the ability to completely destroy the herpes virus. Products containing echinacea root tincture can be applied to the inflammation site twice per day, using a cotton ball.

Medical Treatment for Oral Herpes

Medical treatment for oral herpes includes medication for fever and taking plenty of fluids as well. Because the herpes sores are painful, you may have difficulty eating or drinking. To prevent dehydration, call your doctor as soon as you cannot eat or drink.
It is also advisable that you call your doctor immediately if any of these herpes symptoms, which suggest dehydration, occur:
o   A decrease in urination (fewer wet diapers in infants)
o   Drowsiness
o   Irritability
o   Dry mouth
It also advised that you call your doctor if you or your children are not sure if the sores are herpes sores or simply cold sores.
If your child is younger than 6 weeks, notify your doctor when herpes sores appear. Severe infection or disease complications occur more commonly in infants. For instance, besides affecting the mouth, the herpes simplex virus may go to the brain and produce damage.
People whose immune systems are weakened should also call their doctor when herpes sores appear. Your immune system protects you from infection or fights infection. If your system is weakened, you are more likely to have severe infection or disease complication.

Medical treatments to take for oral herpes outbreaks are the following:

Oral Herpes Treatment Step 1: Treat the symptoms of oral herpes outbreaks with over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. These medicines can help decrease pain and can shorten the healing time of the herpes sores.
Oral Herpes Treatment Step 2: Obtain prescription medicines such as Valtrex, Famir or Zovirax. These antiviral medications are recommended for those who suffer from herpes outbreaks four or more times per year.
Oral Herpes Treatment Step 3: A topical anesthetic such as viscous lidocaine (Dilocaine, Nervocaine, Xylocaine, Zilactin-L) may be prescribed to relieve pain caused by oral herpes.
Oral Herpes Treatment Step 4: Oral or IV medication does exist for herpes simplex virus 1 or oral herpes but is not recommended for people with a normal immune system. It is used only for people with weakened immune systems, infants younger than 6 weeks, or people with severe disease.
Some people may also require hospital admission for oral herpes treatment. These are people who suffer from severe local herpes infection, people whose herpes infection has spread to other organ systems, people with weakened immune systems, dehydrated individuals who need IV hydration and infants that are younger than 6 weeks.

	Spring Valley – Odorless Garlic 1000 mg, Twin Pack, 200 Softgels, 100 Ct Each Bottle
	Liquid Echinacea Extract
	Zovirax Cold Sore Treatment Cream 2g