Herpes Simplex:
Herpes is a viral infection caused by herpes simplex 1 or 2. Herpes simplex type 1 is usually found on the mouth in the form of a cold sore or fever blister. Herpes simplex type 2 is usually responsible for outbreaks in the genital region. It is possible, however, to have type 1 in the genital area and type 2 on the mouth. Herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. The herpes virus generally infects the mucosal tissue of the vagina, penis, or anus through a process called viral shedding.
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painful ulcer
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blister/cluster of blisters
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tingling sensation in the area of infection
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pimple-like bump/bumps
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flu-like symptoms
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red tender spots
Herpes
Basic Information
Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). Most individuals may have only minimal signs or symptoms from HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection. When signs do occur, they usually appear as blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. The blisters are tender ulcers (sores) that may take two to four weeks to heal the when they occur. Although the infection can stay in the body indefinitely, the number of outbreaks tends to decrease over a period
Testing
Genital herpes can be detected by visual inspection if the outbreak is typical, and by taking a sample from the sore(s) and testing it in a laboratory. HSV infections are more difficult to diagnose between outbreaks. Blood tests, which detect HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection, although the results are not always clear-cut.
How do people get Herpes.
Generally, a person can only get HSV-2 infection during sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection. Transmission can occur from an infected partner who does not have a visible sore and may not know that he or she is infected.
HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, but usually causes infections of the mouth and lips, so-called "fever blisters." HSV-1 infection of the genitals can be caused by oral-genital or genital-genital contact with a person who has HSV-1 infection. Genital HSV-1 outbreaks recur less regularly than genital HSV-2 outbreaks.
Treatment for Herpes. There is no treatment that cures herpes, but antiviral medications can shorten and help prevent outbreaks during the period of time the person takes the medication. In addition, daily suppressive therapy for symptomatic herpes can reduce transmission to partners.
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Herpes
Should I be tested?
Typically, once an individual has become sexually active, periodic testing for HIV and other STDs is highly recommended. Especially those with multiple partners. As the number of sexual partners increases, so does the risk for contracting an STD. As the likelihood of contracting an STD increases, the need for testing for all STDs is extremely important.
Sexually active adults should keep in mind that a partner may unknowingly transmit an STD to them due to the lack of noticeable symptoms. Lack of symptoms, however, does not eliminate or even reduce transmission of an STD from one person to another and it certainly does not mean someone is STD free. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, and especially HIV are a few of the STDs that can be transmitted when no symptoms are present.
It is estimated that more than 50 million Americans, 20% of the population, suffer from allergic diseases. Allergy is a common cause of acute and chronic illness, accounting for approximately 16.7 million physician office visits annually and an estimated 4 million days of lost time at work and school. In addition to producing chronic respiratory problems, allergy can interfere with normal growth and development, may cause physical disability, and poses substantial social and economic burdens, the latter of which have been estimated in the US to exceed $6 billion a year for allergic rhinitis alone.
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