There are two types of venereal conditions. The first one comes from the Type 1 virus, while the other is Type 2. Though both are venereal diseases, they exhibit distinct clinical conditions. Type 1 virus mainly attacks the mouth and lips of a patient with painful blisters. Then Type 2 affects the genitals in both men and women. The most common is the lip herpes that people rarely associate it with any venereal virus. Though many terms it as disease, genital herpes is a condition like HIV. You will have to manage it for life.
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Analysis
Like all the others, genital herpes relies on sexual contact for its transmission. When one comes into contact with genital fluids from an infected person, the virus infects the foreign person. The debate around the transmission through oral saliva is still ongoing. The worrying trend is most of the infected persons do not realize that they are carriers. Like HIV, you may incubate the virus for a long period without displaying any clinical signs.
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The incubation period is not constant. The outbreak of the symptoms can be within a week or stay for months. Herpes symptoms will include any of the following.
- Blisters around the mouth and lips
- In both men and women, blisters on the genitals, buttocks and the anus
- Painful itching of the blistering area
- Open sores after the blister breaks and oozes fluids
- Swelling of the lymph glands
- Headaches and fever
Pregnant women can pass the disease to the baby during delivery. So, it is advisable to have cesarean delivery at childbirth. The complications on the baby may mirror or be severe than the parent.
Read More: Genital Herpes Symptoms
Clinical Testing
Most likely, the doctor can diagnose the sores by physical examination. But the standard practice is to have the fluid and tissues for laboratory testing. A clinical blood test can detect the herpes virus in its incubation period. In case you suspect of any exposure to the virus, seek medical opinion fast.
Product: Herpes Private Test Kit
Product: One Step Herpes Test
Treatment
Since it is a lifetime condition, the medication can only manage the clinical signs. Most doctors prescribe a combination of antiretroviral for a specific period. Treatment is usually at the onset of the outbreak until the symptoms disappear.
Self-medication at home is a supplement to conventional drugs. Proper hygiene with mild bathing soaps and drying the sores with a dry towel is highly effective in managing the ulcers. It helps in containing the blisters and accelerates the healing of the crusts.
Read More: Genital Herpes Treatment
Prevention
As you have more outbreaks, so does your immune system decline. It is useful if you abstain from sexual activities. This reduces the chance of contracting other diseases like HIV, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Pregnant mothers should take good care of themselves to avoid mother to infant transmission.
Read More: What’s Herpes and Benefits of Testing at Home
Read More: Genital Herpes in Ghana
References
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