Herpes Testing Blog

This article has the point of dispelling some common myths about genital herpes, and also of  spreading the news about prevention.

Herpes is a very common virus: the CDC estimates that as many as 45 million people ages 12 and older are infected with genital herpes.  This is about one in five adolescents and adults.  This means that it is very likely that you or someone you know have this virus.

Many people that have genital herpes may not know that they have it because they either have very mild symptoms or they mistake the symptoms – such as painful urination in women – for another condition such as a yeast infection.

Just by taking some simple precautions, including using a condom and taking anti-herpetic medicine, you can protect yourself and your partner from getting the virus. Another way, possibly the most effective way, to prevent herpes (or any other STD) transmission is for you and your partner to be tested and known to be uninfected.

What is genital herpes?

Genital herpes is caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), which can invade the body through a crack in the skin or through the mucosa of the mouth or genital areas. Signs of a HSV-2 infection are usually one or more blisters on or around the rectum or genitals. When the blisters eventually break, they leave tender ulcers or sores. Those can take two to four weeks to heal after the first breakout. Typically future breakouts will be less severe and have a shorter healing time.

Viral activity tends to decrease with time. This means that as time progresses, somebody with herpes will have less frequent and less severe outbreaks.

Did you know?

Genital herpes can spread whether or not there are symptoms present or if there have never been signs or symptoms.
Herpes is likely to be spread 3-5 days before a breakout.
Having genital herpes can make you two to five times more susceptible to HIV infection.
Condoms do not fully protect you against HSV-2 because the virus can infect areas not covered by the condom.
Even if you are not having a herpes outbreak, you may still “shed” the virus.

How can you protect yourself and your partner?

Abstinence is the only 100 percent effective way to ensure against the spread of any STD including genital herpes. Herpes can also be spread without the presence of signs or symptoms. Condoms act as a physical barrier against the spread of the virus, but they are only effective at protecting the area that it covers, which is probably not the only part of you that is coming in contact with your partner when you are having sex.

There are also over-the-counter as well as prescription medicines that one can take to suppress the frequency and severity of the outbreaks.  In doing so, they also reduce the risk of transmitting the virus. If you are interested in this, the best thing to do would be to ask you doctor about your options

Because such a high number of people are unaware that they are infected with genital herpes, testing for herpes is the best way to determine your status. A long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected is one of the best ways to remain disease-free.

*For the original article, please refer to http://www.hivtestingblog.com/original-articles/

A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine based on data from a trial of an experimental HSV-2 vaccine that ultimately failed found that consistent use of condoms can lower both women’s and men’s risk of contracting the virus that causes genital herpes.

The study of more than 1,800 adults considered at high risk of genital herpes because they’d had either an STD or four or more sexual partners in the past year, found that those who said they usually used condoms were one-quarter less likely to test positive for herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) than those who usually had unprotected sex.

Overall, just over 6 per cent of the men and women became infected with HSV-2 during the 18-month study period. The findings provide one more reason to use condoms consistently, however, it’s important for people who know they have HSV-2 to avoid sex when they are having a symptom outbreak.

If you suffer from genital herpes, then it’s possible you’re also suffering from erectile dysfunction.  Though there are no clinical studies that prove a link, there are certainly documented cases of herpes causing impotence in psychological ways.  Your body might psychosomatically cause erectile dysfunction if you’re anxious, or worried about transmitting herpes.  The mental anguish you’re going through can easily present itself with physical or physiological symptoms.  Fear of transmitting genital or oral herpes to your partner could cause a temporary dysfunction.

There are three basic steps you need to take to successfully engage in sexual intercourse while having a genital herpes outbreak.  First and foremost is the protection of your partner.  You absolutely must use a condom.  A condom doesn’t always offer full protection, but covering the genital warts on your penis is definitely the first step towards healthier sex.

Second, you need to treat the genital herpes directly.  There are many medical solutions to herpes available, and probably the best is Valtrex.  You can buy generic Valtrex online, as well.  Valtrex’s biggest advantage is that in addition to treating herpes, it also minimizes the risk of transmission to an uninfected partner.  These two solutions can help put you at ease, which would definitely give your performance in bed a positive boost.  Talk to your doctor about possible allergies or side effects, but Valtrex is safe for the majority of the population.  If you’ve never had an allergic reaction to a drug in the past, then it’s probably ok for you.

Thirdly, and possibly most importantly, you can treat the erectile dysfunction directly.  Drugs like Viagra, Cialis or Levitra can give you a quick boost if you’re experiencing a little performance anxiety.  Sometimes all it takes are a few drug assisted successful performances in bed to get your self esteem up, and your anxiety back in line.

For the complete article, please refer to http://www.pro-medics.com/

Oral or genital herpes can be a nuisance to live with, but you may not be aware that it can also put your life at risk.  People with genital herpes need to be doubly careful about contracting HIV, the virus that can lead to AIDS, because of their body’s increased risk of exposure.

If you have open herpes sores, you are much more likely to become infected with HIV during sex, so you have to be careful.  HIV can be transmitted through semen, vaginal fluid, or blood, which means that if any of those come in contact with an open genital wart or cold sore, you run an extremely high risk of infection.

If you have herpes, and you suspect that your sexual partner might have HIV, then you should seriously consider getting yourself tested, either in a clinic, or with at at home HIV test.  It’s probably a good idea to go for the HIV test even if you don’t have herpes, if you suspect your partner might have HIV.

Having HIV together with herpes can wreak havoc on your body.  The effects of one can intensify the effects of the other.  Herpes can quicken the path from HIV to AIDS by encouraging the virus to replicate more quickly.  HIV also has an effect on herpes, and can lead to harsher herpes outbreaks, occurring more often.  An HIV stricken immune system simply can’t fight off herpes efficiently.

Treating genital herpes usually means going to your pharmacy to buy valtrex (or buying generic valtrex online), but having HIV can complicate matters.  If your HIV test shows that you’re positive, you may need to seek out alternatives in your herpes treatment.  The drug Foscavir, or a Vistide gel are possible alternatives to Valtrex treatment, especially if your HIV has made the herpes resistant to standard antiviral drugs.

For the complete article, please refer to http://www.pro-medics.com/

Finding out you have genital herpes can be a bummer.  But it doesn’t have to spell the end of your social life!  Dating and herpes don’t have to be mutually exclusive.  Many people are out there actively dating with genital or oral herpes.  Here are some ways for you to deal.

Make sure to tell your partner before things get hot ‘n steamy.  Sometime towards the end of the second date is usually a good time for these sorts of disclosures.  Don’t wait until you’re already rolling around under the covers!  It’s very important to understand that when you tell him you have herpes, you’re not confessing anything – you did nothing wrong.  You have herpes, what’s the big deal?  It’s a simple condition, that’s very easily kept under control.  80% of the US population already has some sort of herpes, and most of them don’t even know it!  Keep in mind that the likely situation here isn’t that you have herpes and he doesn’t – it’s more like you know about you’re condition, and he’s less informed.  Knowledge can be an advantage!

If your partner is freaking out because of some silly virus, it might be a good idea to have HIM tested.  Chances are, he’s positive for herpes, or possibly something even more serious.  Either way, he’ll be assured that you’re together in the same boat, and possibly better informed about his own health (and so will you!).  Remember, if you’re testing for herpes, he needs to get tested at least 16 weeks after his last sexual encounter (which might also be a second date disclosure).  If you find out that you both have herpes, then it’ll at least make a great bonding experience – you can go together to the pharmacy with your Valtrex prescriptions, or sit at your computer and buy generic Valtrex online!