The skin eruptions are sometimes very painful. Redness, numbness and tingling are common a few hours before these blisters and ulcers develop. The skin eruptions may appear once only, and never recur, or they may recur with changing frequency at different sites. Sometimes when a person first has an attack of genital herpes, he may have severe back, neck and head pain and be so sore that he is unable to pass urine. The head and neck pains are often like meningitis.
How Herpes is Contracted
Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus. This virus is well known as the same virus that causes cold sores. Approximately 90% of the adult population carry this virus. Once infected, the virus remains dormant within the individual for life. Only about 10-15% of these people ever have evidence of virus activity and this is seen as recurrent cold sores.
The same herpes virus or one very similar may infect the genital area. The virus may be transferred from mouth to genital area by hand transfer or may be transferred during sexual activity. Often the person transferring the virus may not be aware he is carrying it, and transmission may take place from one person to another, even when there are no skin lesions.
Diagnosing Herpes
A doctor may recognise the skin blisters or ulcers, but to be sure of the diagnosis it is possible to take a swab from the ulcers and grow the virus in the laboratory. Another method for diagnosis is to take some of the fluid from one of the blisters and look at it under the electron microscope. In this way the virus may be seen and identified.
How to Prevent the Contraction of Herpes
There have been several attempts to produce a vaccine to prevent people becoming infected or to modify the severity of illness in those who have the problem. However, these vaccines are not generally available as yet. The best way to avoid Herpes is to use condoms during intercourse.
Treatment for Herpes
Although there is no medicine at present which will prevent a person becoming infected with herpes for the first time, there are very effective medicines available for treating the skin eruptions and these may be applied to the affected area or taken as tablets or liquid.
These medicines stop the virus reproducing, help shorten the period of blisters and ulceration and promote earlier healing. The medicine is equally effective against cold sores or genital herpes. Some people who suffer from recurrent attacks are able to predict the onset of an attack by the abnormal sensations they feel in the affected area and by taking the medicine at that time, they can stop the attack from breaking out.
People who have very frequent attacks, can take small doses of this medicine every day for a period of two to three months to reduce the attack. Often after this period of taking medicine, the frequency of the attacks will lessen even after the medicine is stopped.
Source:
The National Health Service online
Jen Syrkiewicz - Jen is a writer based in York, UK. She has many years of experience in the communications field, and specialises in Blog Writing and Blog ...
