It can be difficult to know whether or not you have asymptomatic HSV-1 or HSV-2, or simply have infrequent herpes outbreaks. If you have asymptomatic herpes, the best approach is to speak to your doctor about treatment options and the use of suppressive therapy to reduce your risk of infecting others.
Herpes outbreaks can range from a minor inconvenience to a major annoyance. Outbreaks of genital herpes can be particularly frustrating, as they can have a major effect on your personal relationship with your partner or partners.
Luckily, herpes is relatively easy to manage using modern medication. Most doctors recommend the use of antiviral medication like valacyclovir , which suppresses the herpes virus from multiplying within the body.
During an outbreak, this can prevent viral replication and speed up healing. Want to learn more about treating herpes? This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Herpes is one of the most stigmatized, feared, and misunderstood sexually transmitted infections STI. We test many patients for herpes at our OBGYN offices in Queens and Long Island, and we get lots of positive results, which understandably cause lots of anxiety for affected patients.
Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can cause lesions in the mouth, the genitals, and in other areas around the anus, in the eyes, or in areas where skin has been traumatized. Here are 4 reasons why a positive herpes test is not the end of the world. People with herpetic infections can thus learn to manage their triggers to minimize the chance of an outbreak. For those who get frequent outbreaks—say, more than 3 or 4 per year—medications are available which shorten the duration of symptoms and decrease the likelihood of spreading the virus.
If you get frequent outbreaks and are have not discussed the possibility of using medications to suppress the herpes virus, you should call us for an appointment.
A diagnosis of herpes is not the end of the world, but women should know where they stand. We encourage testing for all sexually active women. The most accurate test is when you are able to take a swab sample from a new herpes lesion, but often times the diagnosis is made by a clinician based on your history and report of symptoms. Because the blood test can be expensive and inaccurate, it is not typically included in a sexually transmitted disease evaluation unless you ask your provider for it specifically.
If you do experience an outbreak, a skin swab — not a blood test — is your best bet for confirmation. If you have the virus, your doctor may prescribe a medication like Zovirax or Valtrex to keep on hand in case of a flare-up.
And if you experience outbreaks often, your provider may recommend daily dosing. The main issue is to have productive conversations around these issues. Michelle Konstantinovsky is an experienced writer, regularly producing content on a variety of wellness-oriented topics ranging from breaking health news to fitness and nutrition. There is no cure for herpes. However, there are medicines that can prevent or shorten outbreaks. One of these anti-herpes medicines can be taken daily, and makes it less likely that you will pass the infection on to your sex partner s.
Genital herpes can cause painful genital sores and can be severe in people with suppressed immune systems. If you touch your sores or the fluids from the sores, you may transfer herpes to another part of your body, such as your eyes. Do not touch the sores or fluids to avoid spreading herpes to another part of your body. If you do touch the sores or fluids, immediately wash your hands thoroughly to help avoid spreading your infection.
If you are pregnant, there can be problems for you and your developing fetus, or newborn baby. How could genital herpes affect my baby?
If you have herpes, you should talk to your sex partner s and let him or her know that you do and the risk involved. Using condoms may help lower this risk but it will not get rid of the risk completely. Having sores or other symptoms of herpes can increase your risk of spreading the disease.
Even if you do not have any symptoms, you can still infect your sex partners. You may have concerns about how genital herpes will impact your overall health, sex life, and relationships. It is best for you to talk to a health care provider about those concerns, but it also is important to recognize that while herpes is not curable, it can be managed with medication.
Daily suppressive therapy i. Be sure to discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider. Since a genital herpes diagnosis may affect how you will feel about current or future sexual relationships, it is important to understand how to talk to sexual partners about STDs external icon.
Herpes infection can cause sores or breaks in the skin or lining of the mouth, vagina, and rectum. This provides a way for HIV to enter the body. Even without visible sores, having genital herpes increases the number of CD4 cells the cells that HIV targets for entry into the body found in the lining of the genitals.
0コメント