Genital Herpes Clinic - Everything About Herpes » Featured https://www.genitalherpesclinic.com Because it can happen to anyone! Thu, 28 Feb 2013 14:13:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.38 Announcement: Is it possible to get genital herpes on the back of your leg? https://www.genitalherpesclinic.com/is-it-possible-to-get-genital-herpes-on-the-back-of-your-leg/ https://www.genitalherpesclinic.com/is-it-possible-to-get-genital-herpes-on-the-back-of-your-leg/#comments Sun, 18 Apr 2010 03:28:27 +0000 http://www.genitalherpesclinic.com/is-it-possible-to-get-genital-herpes-on-the-back-of-your-leg/

My daughter gets a patch of small blisters on the back of her leg just below her right buttock about every 3 months or so. Her leg swells in that area and gets red and tender then itches and a patch of blisters pops up. The tiny blisters burst, then scab over in about a week and slough off. She also says she gets tenderness in her r groin. Could this be herpes. I don’t know what to tell her? I thought herpes only came in genital area’s. She says she doesn’t have the blisters on her genital area.

]]> https://www.genitalherpesclinic.com/is-it-possible-to-get-genital-herpes-on-the-back-of-your-leg/feed/ 4 Announcement: Genital Herpes Symptoms and Genital Herpes Treatment https://www.genitalherpesclinic.com/genital-herpes-symptoms-and-genital-herpes-treatment/ https://www.genitalherpesclinic.com/genital-herpes-symptoms-and-genital-herpes-treatment/#comments Sun, 18 Apr 2010 03:27:06 +0000 http://www.genitalherpesclinic.com/healthscouter-herpes-genital-herpes-symptoms-and-genital-herpes-treatment-herpes-patient-advocate-guide/


Product Description. For the most honest, objective opinion, HealthScouter provides a patient’s view of the most common medical problems. Including hundreds of quotes, questions, and answers from patients themselves, this guide provides comprehensive information about a single condition for from perspective that matters: the patient’s perspective. Understand how current patients approach their medical challenges, and help overcome your own. This reference will help you see through obscure medical jargon and limited treatment options and empower you to better understand the issues that really matter: Diagnosis + Symptoms + What to Expect + Treatment Options + Medical Terminology

]]> https://www.genitalherpesclinic.com/genital-herpes-symptoms-and-genital-herpes-treatment/feed/ 1 How to Get Herpes Pain Relief https://www.genitalherpesclinic.com/how-to-get-herpes-pain-relief/ https://www.genitalherpesclinic.com/how-to-get-herpes-pain-relief/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:16:39 +0000 http://www.genitalherpesclinic.com/?p=240
Herpes outbreaks can cause a lot of pain, sometimes described as razor blades slicing the genital area. Not a pleasant thought, but herpes pain relief can be found. There are a variety of medications and topical applications on the market to provide herpes pain relief, but you can also go natural with some useful home herpes remedies.
If you decide to go with an over the counter treatment for herpes pain relief, you will find a wide range of products. Some are simply local anesthetics that dull the nerve endings and numb the area for a short time. These will need to be reapplied frequently and can get a bit messy.
Icing the affected area can be a good way to get natural herpes pain relief. The coolness will numb the area and can provide a soothing relief. Using a chilled compress of any kind will provide similar herpes pain relief. However, the numbness is only temporary and you will find it necessary to repeat this herpes treatment frequently in order for it to be properly effective.
Taking a warm bath or using a blow dryer set to low can be a good way to ease the pain as well. Your genital area should remain dry to promote faster healing of the blisters and this can be helped along by using the blow dryer or by dusting the area with cornstarch. You may also sprinkle cornstarch in your underwear to ensure dryness.
Another good tip is to use loose clothing, particularly underwear. Tight clothes can irritate the sores and cause an outbreak to be even worse. Cotton clothing is best, as it allows the genital area to breathe and stay dry. Polyester and other synthetic fabrics should be avoided during an outbreak as they tend to capture heat and moisture and can undo any herpes pain relief that you had already sought out.
Regular pain killers can also provide herpes pain relief. Try Tylenol, acetaminophen or even ibuprofen to ease the pain. Using pain killers in combination with a topical treatment is often the best way to treat the discomfort. Experiment to find which combination works best for you.
Herpes pain relief can be elusive at times. It’s all a matter of experimentation and finding out what remedies work for you and your outbreaks. Some people find that they experience such mild outbreaks, all they need is an aspirin, but for others, a topical treatment combined with a pain killer is the only way to cope.

Top 5 Herpes Pain Relief Solutions

Herpes Relief #1: Peppermint oil and teatree oil, diluted in olive oil and applied at first sign of herpes pain. Caution! Please test on small area first to make sure you have added enough oil to dilute the oils so that they are not too strong and won’t sting. Be sure to use pure oils, with no fillers.
Lemon balm essential oil is also an effective herpes relief that has been studied and demonstrated in Germany. It can prevent further herpes outbreaks, limit genital herpes outbreak severity and duration. Many people with herpes also consider tea tree oil to be very helpful.
Herpes Relief #2:  Ice the area as soon as you feel the prodome tingle and keep area cool – Avoid tight undergarments. Do not ice for long periods.
Herpes Relief #3: Silica gel provides herpes pain relief for some. In fact, some users report that silica gel works as well as acyclovir for herpes pain relief. However, silica gel is not readily available in the U.S. so order from reputable sources only.
Herpes Relief #4: Soak in a lukewarm bath. If itching is an issue, and itching causes even more pain, you might try an Aveeno Oatmeal bath to help calm the lesion area.
Herpes Relief #5: A mild or natural sedative taken before bed may help you rest better til the itching and pain subsides.
]]> https://www.genitalherpesclinic.com/how-to-get-herpes-pain-relief/feed/ 0 Can Herpes Simplex Virus Cause Cancer? https://www.genitalherpesclinic.com/can-herpes-simplex-virus-cause-cancer/ https://www.genitalherpesclinic.com/can-herpes-simplex-virus-cause-cancer/#comments Mon, 05 Dec 2011 07:57:58 +0000 http://www.genitalherpesclinic.com/?p=244 The herpes simplex viruses, among the most ubiquitous, persistent and resistant of infectious organisms, are fast gaining notoriety as a cause of human illnesses. Indeed, every species of animal seems to have evolved with its own contingent of disease-causing herpes viruses, and few herpes infections in any species have thus far proved curable or preventable.
In fact, says Dr. Clyde Crumpacker of Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, one of a legion of researchers currently battling these stubborn organisms, the five herpes viruses that infect human beings are now believed to cause more illness than any other group of viruses. Two members of the herpes family are leading suspects in research efforts to prove that herpes viruses cause human cancers, including cancer of the cervix.
Though herpes simplex virus is currently best known by name as the cause of a worldwide epidemic of venereal disease, this virus family plagues people of all ages and circumstances: The fetus may be devastated by cytomegalovirus, the child bespotted by chicken pox, the adolescent felled by infectious mononucleosis, the adult pestered by recurrent herpes cold sores, the aged agonized by herpes shingles.
And unless some way is found to control the epidemic of genital herpes, which now affects one in five American adults, a dramatic increase is predicted in cervical abnormalities and cases of cervical cancer. An apparent increase in early cases of cervical cancer has already been noted by several gynecologists.
”Each year, another half million cases of genital herpes are added to the 20-odd million already infected,” notes Dr. Fred Rapp, a microbiologist at Hershey Medical School and a leading herpes investigator. ”We will soon have 30 million cases, and the chances of getting infected by an occasional sexual partner keep increasing.”
According to Dr. Rapp, other characteristics responsible for the increased notoriety of herpes viruses and the difficulties researchers have in combating them include the following:
– All the herpes viruses can hide out in the body, apparently for life. At least three – the cold sore, genital herpes and chicken pox viruses – can re-emerge to cause recurrent infections.
– Although the first effective antiviral drug was developed against a herpes virus, there is still no cure for human herpes and no treatment for herpes can eradicate hidden herpes infections or prevent their recurrence. Treatment for herpes can ward off herpes-caused blindness and potentially deadly herpes encephalitis, but in the latter case, the herpes treatment itself can have devastating side effects.
– All five human herpes viruses have been shown in the laboratory to transform normal human cells into cancer cells, though proof that the viruses actually cause cancer in people is still indefinite. Two nonhuman herpes viruses are already established causes of cancer in animals: Marek’s disease, a lymphoma of chickens, and kidney cancer in leopard frogs. In addition to cervical cancer, in people herpes viruses are suspected causes of Burkitt’s lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and possibly also vulvar cancer, Kaposi’s sarcoma (which occurs primarily among homosexual men) and cancer of the prostate and bladder.
– Pieces of genetic material from genital herpes virus have been found in cancer cells of 40 to 50 percent of patients with cervical cancer, Dr. Rapp said. One study showed that women who married men whose first wives had cervical cancer themselves faced a three-tofour-times increased risk of developing the disease.
– Vaccines, which stimulate the production of antibodies to fight off infectious organisms, may not block latent or recurrent herpes or prevent herpes-triggered cancers. Recurrent infection and herpes associated cancers occur in people who are loaded with antibodies, which may keep the virus from causing a body-wide attack, but cannot prevent recurring herpes lesions. Nor would they keep the herpes simplex virus from transforming cells to cancer.
However, a successful herpes vaccine was developed against Marek’s disease of chickens, raising the hope that similar preventives might ward off initial herpes infections with human herpes viruses.
]]> https://www.genitalherpesclinic.com/can-herpes-simplex-virus-cause-cancer/feed/ 0 Methods for Prevention of Herpes https://www.genitalherpesclinic.com/methods-for-prevention-of-herpes/ https://www.genitalherpesclinic.com/methods-for-prevention-of-herpes/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:51:00 +0000 http://www.genitalherpesclinic.com/?p=157

Herpes has various types and various herpes symptoms. For each kind of herpes, there are corresponding herpes signs and herpes symptoms. Herpes Simplex Virus infection causes several distinct medical disorders. Common herpes infection of the skin or mucosa may affect the face and mouth (orofacial herpes), genitalia (genital herpes), or hands (herpes whitlow). More serious disorders occur when the herpes virus infects and damages the eye (herpes keratitis), or invades the central nervous system, damaging the brain (herpes encephalitis). Herpes patients with immature or suppressed immune systems, such as newborns, transplant recipients, or AIDS herpes patients are prone to severe complications from herpes simplex virus infections. Herpes Simplex Virus infection has also been associated with cognitive deficits of bipolar disorder, and Alzheimer’s disease, although this is often dependent on the genetics of the infected person.

With these various herpes types and herpes symptoms, how does one diagnose herpes? Primary orofacial herpes is readily identified by clinical examination of persons with no previous history of lesions and contact with an individual with known Herpes Simplex Virus 1 infection. The appearance and distribution of sores in these individuals typically presents as multiple, round, superficial oral ulcers, accompanied by acute gingivitis. Adults with non-typical presentation are more difficult to diagnose. Prodromal herpes symptoms that occur before the appearance of herpetic lesions help differentiate herpes simplex virus symptoms from the similar herpes symptoms of other disorders, such as allergic stomatitis. When lesions do not appear inside the mouth, primary orofacial herpes is sometimes mistaken for impetigo, a bacterial herpes infection. Common mouth ulcers (aphthous ulcer) also resemble intraoral herpes, but do not present a vesicular stage.

Genital herpes can be more difficult to diagnose than oral herpes since most herpes simplex virus 2infected persons have no classical herpes symptoms. Further confusing diagnosis, several other conditions resemble genital herpes, including lichen planus, atopic dermatitis, and urethritis. Laboratory testing is often used to confirm a diagnosis of genital herpes. Laboratory tests include: culture of the herpes virus, direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) studies to detect herpes virus, skin biopsy, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to test for presence of viral DNA. Serological tests for antibodies to herpes simplex virus are rarely useful to diagnosis and not routinely used in clinical practice, but are important in epidemiological studies. Serologic assays cannot differentiate between antibodies generated in response to a genital virus or an oral Herpes simplex virus infection, and as such cannot confirm the site of herpes infection. Absence of antibody to HERPES SV-2 does not exclude genital herpes infection because of the increasing incidence of genital herpes infections caused by HERPES SV-1.

Prevention of Herpes Transmission

Although herpes is a very dangerous and complicated disease, herpes can still be prevented and treated. Below are various ways on how to prevent herpes.

Barrier protection, such as a condom, can reduce the risk of herpes transmission.

For genital herpes, condoms are highly effective in limiting transmission of herpes simplex infection. The herpes virus cannot pass through latex, but a condom’s effectiveness is somewhat limited on a public health scale by their limited use in the community, or the base of the penis or testicles not covered by the condom may come into contact with free herpes virus in vaginal fluid of an infected female. The use of condoms or dental dams also limits the transmission of herpes from the genitals of one partner to the mouth of the other (or vice versa) during oral sex.

As with almost all sexually transmitted herpes infections, women are more susceptible to acquiring genital HERPES SV-2 than men. On an annual basis, without the use of antivirals or condoms, the transmission risk of HERPES SV-2 from infected male to female is approximately 8-10%.

To prevent newborn herpes infections, seronegative women are recommended to avoid unprotected oral-genital contact with an HERPES SV-1 seropositive partner and conventional sex with a partner having a genital herpes infection during the last trimester of pregnancy.

Additional information on genital herpes prevention can be found at the cdc website.

]]> https://www.genitalherpesclinic.com/methods-for-prevention-of-herpes/feed/ 0 Treatment Options for Genital Herpes https://www.genitalherpesclinic.com/treatment-options-for-genital-herpes/ https://www.genitalherpesclinic.com/treatment-options-for-genital-herpes/#comments Wed, 11 Aug 2010 17:47:44 +0000 http://www.genitalherpesclinic.com/?p=184

Treatment with antiviral drugs can help people who are bothered by herpes outbreaks stay symptom-free longer. These drugs can also reduce the severity and duration of herpes symptoms when they flare up. Drug therapy is not a cure for herpes, but it can make living with herpes condition easier.
There are three major drugs commonly used to treat genital herpes symptoms: acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), and valacyclovir (Valtrex). These are all taken in pill form. Severe cases may be treated with intravenous (IV) acyclovir.herpes-300x198
Formulas applied to the surface of the skin provide little benefit, and doctors don’t usually recommend them.


Genital Herpes Drug Medication #1: Famciclovir
Famciclovir is used to treat infections caused by certain types of viruses. It treats shingles caused by herpes zoster. It also treats herpes outbreaks of herpes simplex that cause herpes cold sores around the mouth, herpes sores around the anus, and genital herpes. In people with frequent genital herpes outbreaks, famciclovir is used to help reduce the number of future episodes.
Famciclovir is an antiviral drug. However, it is not a cure for these herpes infections. The herpes viruses that cause these herpes infections continue to live in the body even between herpes outbreaks. Famciclovir decreases the severity and length of these herpes outbreaks. It helps the herpes sores heal faster, keeps new herpes sores from forming, and decreases pain/itching. This medication may also help reduce how long pain remains after the herpes sores heal. In addition, in people with a weakened immune system, famciclovir can decrease the risk of the herpes virus spreading to other parts of the body and causing serious herpes infections.

Genital Herpes Drug Medication #2: Valtrex
Valacyclovir is used in children to treat herpes cold sores (herpes labialis) and chickenpox (varicella zoster). It is used in adults to treat herpes cold sores and shingles (herpes zoster). Valacyclovir does not cure these herpes diseases, but it may decrease pain and help herpes sores heal faster. Valacyclovir belongs to a class of medications known as antivirals.
Valacyclovir is also used to treat people with genital herpes who are currently having a genital herpes outbreak. It can also be used to prevent a herpes outbreak (suppressive therapy). This medication helps control herpes symptoms, but does not cure the herpes disease or prevent herpes infection of sexual partners.
If you are taking valacyclovir for treatment of genital herpes, it is important to follow safe sex practices to lower the chance of giving herpes to your partner, even if there are no herpes symptoms present. Always use a condom made of latex or polyurethane. When you have herpes symptoms or are experiencing a herpes outbreak, do not have sexual contact with your partner.

Genital Herpes Drug Medication #3: Zovirax
Acyclovir is used to treat herpes infections caused by certain types of viruses. It treats herpes cold sores around the mouth (caused by herpes simplex), shingles (caused by herpes zoster), and chickenpox.
This medication is also used to treat genital herpes outbreaks. In people with frequent herpes outbreaks, acyclovir is used to help reduce the number of future herpes episodes.
Acyclovir is an antiviral drug. However, it is not a cure for these herpes infections. The herpes viruses that cause these herpes infections continue to live in the body even between herpes outbreaks. Acyclovir decreases the severity and length of these herpes outbreaks. It helps the herpes sores heal faster, keeps new herpes sores from forming, and decreases pain/itching. This medication may also help reduce how long pain remains after the herpes sores heal. In addition, in people with a weakened immune system, acyclovir can decrease the risk of the herpes virus spreading to other parts of the body and causing serious herpes infections.

Side Effects of Herpes Medical Drugs and Follow-up Care for Herpes

Side effects with these drugs are considered mild, and health experts believe these drugs are safe in the long term. Acyclovir is the oldest of the three, and its safety has been documented in people taking herpes suppressive therapy for several years.
People taking herpes suppressive therapy should see their doctor at least once a year to decide if they should continue. You may find taking the pills every day to be inconvenient, the drugs may not work for you, or you may naturally have fewer herpes outbreaks as time goes on. Your doctor can help you make herpes treatment choices to suit your needs.

 

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