subject: You Can't Cure Genital Herpes, but You Can Learn to Live With it and Lead a Normal Life [print this page] Genital herpes comes from the herpes simplex virus otherwise called HSV. There are two types of this virus. They are simply referred to as type 1 and type 2. The type 1 is associated with the mouth. It consists of cold sores or fever blisters. It is highly contagious and can spread from mouth to mouth or mouth to genitals through kissing and sexual activity. Type 2 is found in the genital area and is transmitted from an affected partner to another through sexual intercourse.
You can identify genital herpes by the sore, blister or painful ulcer located in the genital area. The symptoms may include a burning or itching pain on contact. It does not have to be present to be passed onto another person. Once the virus exists in a person's body, it never goes away.
There are many treatments available for genital herpes. There is no cure for genital herpes, however. The treatments can range from ingesting antiviral medicines to using topical ointments to soothe the pain from the sores. Sometimes the treatments can make the outbreak of the virus not last as long as it would without the treatment. Antiviral medications can do the same. Sometimes medication can prolong the time between outbreaks of the herpes simplex virus.
If you think you may have contracted the disease it is important to seek medical attention to identify it and treat it accordingly. You will need to contact sexual partners to let them know about your discovery. If you plan on remaining sexually active, it is important to use prophylactics to prevent the herpes from spreading from partner to partner. Although it is difficult to tell a sexual partner what you have contracted, it is necessary so that they can be checked out as well. It is a difficult to know that you have it and know that there is no way to cure genital herpes.
Genital herpes can affect pregnant women as well. One of the medical questions that doctor's ask is if genital herpes is possibly in the system. It can be dangerous for a newborn baby if sores are existent on the vagina during a vaginal birth. If this is the case, usually a cesarean section would be performed to prevent the baby from being affected. It can cause other complications if it is contracted while the woman is pregnant.
Although there is no way to cure genital herpes, one can live with it and lead a fairly normal sexual life as long as precautions are taken.
You Can't Cure Genital Herpes, but You Can Learn to Live With it and Lead a Normal Life
