Herpes is a skin infection caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) that is characterized by small blisters or vesicles on reddened skin. There are two types of HSV - HSV-1 typically causes oral herpes ("cold sores") while HSV-2 usually causes genital herpes. Genital herpes can be transmitted through unprotected sex even without visible sores present and may cause pain, itching or sores in the genital area. While antiviral medications can reduce symptoms, there is no cure for herpes though many people experience few to no outbreaks over time.

1. Tannesha Simpson-Solan
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2. Herpes is a skin infection caused by a virus. It is
characterized by the presence of small vesicles
against a background of reddened skin.
It may be quit painful and is usually associated
with fever and inflammation of the
neighbouring lymphatic glands. It is frequently
observed inside the mouth and around the lips,
and on the male or female genitals.

3.  Type 1 herpes Simplex (Cold sores)
 Type 2 herpes Genital

4.  It is the most common type of herpes which
affects the lips and the mouth. It causing
reddening , swelling and blistering.

6. Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted
infection that affects men and women.
Features of genital herpes include pain, itching
and sores in your genital area. But you may
have no signs or symptoms of genital herpes.
If infected, you can be contagious even if you
have no visible sores.

8. According to United States National library of
Medicine, herpes is a virus known as HSV 1 or
HSV 2. Herpes simplex, HSV 1, is a
contagious virus that can be transferred from
one person to another through direct contact.
This transfer can take place through general
interaction which includes sharing eating
utensils, lip balm, or by kissing.

9. Other Causes include:
 Sharing tooth brushing
 Having oral sex
 Unprotected sex
 Multiple sex partner
 Interaction with an infected
person

10. Symptoms are usually noticed in few days to a
couple of weeks after the initial contact
There might not have an initial outbreak of
symptoms until months or even years after
becoming infected. When symptoms occur
soon after a person is infected, they tend to be
simple.

11.  They may start as small blisters that eventually
break open and produce raw, painful sores that
scab and heal over within a few weeks. The
blisters and sores may be accompanied by flu-
like symptoms with fever.
 Cracked, raw, or red areas around the genitals
area without pain, itching, or tingling

12.  Itching or tingling around the genitals area or
the anal region
 Small blisters that break open and cause
painful sores. These may be on or around the
genitals (penis or vagina) or on your buttocks,
thighs, or rectal area. More rarely, blisters may
occur inside the urethra -- the tube urine passes
through on its way out of the body.

13.  Pain from urine passing over the sores -- this is
especially a problem in women.
 Headaches
 Backaches

14.  Flu-like symptoms, including fever, swollen
lymph nodes, and fatigue
 Genital herpes is not the only condition that
can produce these symptoms. Sometimes,
HSV is mistaken for vaginal yeast infections,
bacterial infections, or bladder infections. The
only way to know whether they are the result
of HSV or another condition is to be checked
by a health care provider.

15. If transmitted from mother to baby during
childbirth, herpes is serious and can be deadly
to the baby. In addition, having herpes can
make it easier for you to get HIV.

16.  Many person with herpes, especially soon after
being diagnosed, feel shame and embarrassed.
 They feel fear of telling anyone.
 Guilty and full of self blame thinking that they
brought it on themselves
 Some feel they are being punished by God for their
sexual activities.
 Fall into depression and suffer from low self
esteem.
 It leave some to wonder if they would have date or
sexual engagement with anyone else again.

17.  The major reason seems to be the fact that
genital herpes is sexually transmitted. Growing
up in our society, most of us come to view a
sexually transmitted disease as a fate that
befalls only those who have done something
wrong. In addition, many people lose
perspective about the medical implications of
herpes. Leave love one in depression

18.  There are signs as well that on a personal level
we are becoming somewhat more open about
topics such as sexual orientation and sexual
function. With herpes there’s a similar trend to
more awareness and openness. Surveys show
that the public is more educated on the subject
than ever before. Perhaps the day will come
when even the idea of social stigma will be a
distant memory.

19.  Medication can reduce the duration
and frequency of herpes breakouts.
The medication can prevent the
transmission of the virus to a
susceptible partner. Treatment with
antiviral drugs can help people who
are bothered by genital herpes
outbreaks stay symptom-free longer.

20.  These drugs therapy is not a cure, but it can
make living with the condition easier.
There are formulas which are applied to the
surface of the kin but they provide little
benefit so doctors rarely recommend them.
There are three major drugs commonly
used to treat genital herpes symptoms:
acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), and
valacyclovir (Valtrex). These are all taken in
pill form. Severe cases may be treated with
the intravenous (IV) drug acyclovir.

21.  If you have symptoms such as sores when
you're first diagnosed with genital herpes, your
doctor will usually give you a brief course
(seven to 10 days) of antiviral therapy to
relieve them or prevent them from getting
worse. Your doctor may keep you on the drugs
longer if the sores don't heal in that time.

22.  United States National library of Medicine
 Galbes Herminia September 2006 4th edition Encyclopida
of Health and Family from the universities of France.
WebMD Medical
 Reviewed by Nivin Todd, MD, FACOG on December 24,
2013
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