herpes first outbreak
Herpes is the common name for a viral disease known as herpes simplex. Two types of herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2) cause the disease. Herpes can situate in the patient’s mouth (oral herpes) and be evident through cold sores and fever blisters. Herpes is one of the most common viral infections in the United States. One of every four Americans over 18 has been exposed to genital herpes
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that’s usually caused by the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2), although it can also be caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1), which normally causes cold sores around the mouth. Genital herpes ranks behind oral herpes in terms of prevalence. The herpes simplex virus cycles through active periods every 2 to 21 days.
Sometimes people who have genital herpes only have one outbreak. There’s no cure for herpes. Once someone has been infected with the herpes virus, it stays in the body. The body’s immune system is powerless to remove the herpes virus. Victims of the HSV-2 virus may not even exhibit symptoms.
What causes herpes?
Herpes is a viral infection of the skin caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of herpes: HSV-1 and HSV-2.
Most of the time HSV-2 causes genital herpes. But, either type of herpes can cause an infection of the mouth or genitals.
Herpes is spread by direct skin-to-skin contact with someone who is infected. You can get herpes from someone who has sores on his or her lips, skin or genitals. But, most of the time, herpes is spread when someone does not have any signs or symptoms.
Remember: you can get herpes from someone who has no sores or symptoms and if you have herpes you can spread it even if you have no sores or symptoms.
Symptoms And Signs Of Herpes
Symptoms of herpes outbreaks typically begin with pain, tenderness, or itching in the genital area and may also include fever and headache. After the first herpes infection, the virus can lie dormant without causing any symptoms.
Both HSV1 and HSV2 can stay hidden away in the body until the next herpes outbreak, when the virus reactivates itself and the sores return.
Signs and symptoms may include:
- A fever, headache, and muscle aches. Three days later, painful blisters and skin ulcers appear where you were infected. This may be your mouth, genital area, anus and/or rectum.
- Sores usually appear on both sides of the genitals during the first outbreak.
- Blisters may be “hidden” in your vagina.
- About a week after the skin rash, tender and swollen glands, or lymph nodes, may develop in your groin.
How can I prevent herpes?
Using condoms will not totally stop the risk of giving or getting herpes because this disease is spread through skin-to-skin contact from sores/ ulcers OR infected skin that may look normal. You should be checked for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, herpes, genital warts, trichomoniasis, and HIV.
Top Five Questions About Herpes :
- Q. I have herpes and my new partner doesn’t. How do I talk to my partner about it? I’m worried that my partner will be upset?
A. There is no set answer for this.
- Q. I do NOT have herpes but my new partner does. What do I need to know and do?
A. You should know up front that although transmission of herpes is very unlikely unless there is actual close physical contact of a sexual nature, however the use of condoms and spermicides is NOT 100% effective in prevention, although they have been reported to reduce the risk. There are many cases where one person has herpes and never gives it to the intimate partner even though they are having regular unprotected sex - there are also many cases where herpes was transmitted during the first sexual encounter when there was not an outbreak in progress. Remember that herpes CAN be transmitted even when the infected partner is not having symptoms.
- Q. I have herpes but my new partner does not. What do I need to know and do to keep from infecting my partner?
A. I would suggest that you start the process by locating your previous medical records to find out what type of herpes it is that you have in your genital tract. Presumably it is type 2, but it might not be. In some countries, type 1 herpes simplex causes herpes in as much as thirty percent of cases. The best information to have would be a previous viral culture that revealed what type virus that causes your infection. Standard office blood work may not be type specific and thus would not be the best information. If it is, in fact, herpes simplex type 2 that causes your infection, then my suggestion is that you ask your partner to have the POCkit blood test for type 2 herpes simplex performed in the physician’s office. This test is not available for type 1 herpes simplex, plus the majority of people are infected with type 1 already in the oral area. If your partner is negative, then repeat the test in about three months. If it remains negative, then your partner almost certainly is not infected with type 2 HSV. The test is not one hundred percent accurate, but it is close enough to give you good information. If your partner develops symptoms, of course, then ask your partner to consult a dermatologist or urologist for a viral culture of one of the lesions for herpes simplex virus.
- Q. What is the latest status on vaccines for herpes?
A. Work is in progress on vaccines for both genital herpes and HPV, but they are a few years off. The drug companies release occasional updates on the progress they are making, but a “cure” is not around the corner, unfortunately.
- Q. Can I have children if I have herpes?
A. The answer is yes. There are two issues associated with pregnancy and birth. One is the issue of transmitting herpes to the baby if the mother is having an outbreak during the birth. Doctors are very used to dealing with this situation, as long as they know about it. Sometimes it necessitates having a C-section instead of normal labor.
About Aldara
Aldara (imiquimod) is an immune response modifier. Aldara is used to treat actinic keratosis (a condition caused by too much sun exposure) on the face and scalp.
Aldara (for the skin) is also used to treat a minor form of skin cancer called superficial basal cell carcinoma, when surgery would not be an appropriate treatment.
Aldara also treats genital warts that appear on the outside of the body, but this medicine is not a cure for genital warts. Imiquimod may be used in adults and children who are at least 12 years.
Aldara may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
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