This post will be about the most important points about Herpes. To learn more about this disease, click on the blue links within this post. They will take you to more detailed information. .
Herpes is a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) which has been around for hundreds of years. Here are 6 essential things to know about Herpes.
What is Herpes?
Herpes is a common STD. According to John Hopkins Medicine (an organization combining John Hopkins University and the John Hopkins Health System Corporation), 50-80% of Americans have oral herpes, and about 1 of every 6 Americans have genital herpes. Yeah, it’s that common! Since Herpes outbreaks come and go, it has the nickname ‘The Gift That Keeps On Giving‘.
Once you have the virus, there may be times when you are more infectious to other people.
During these times, blisters can appear along with flu-like symptoms.
After the blisters break, the Herpes sores appear. This is referred to as an “outbreak”. The first one is usually the worst. However, the following outbreaks are usually shorter and milder.
Unfortunately, once you get the Herpes virus, you’ve got it for life. There are treatments for outbreaks, but there’s no cure to get rid of it.
The types of Herpes and what they are
There are two types of Herpes virus. The first type is Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-1), also known as Oral Herpes. Most folks get this virus when they are children or in their teen years.
With Herpes Simplex 1, cold sores (called Herpes Sores) appear on your lips and/or around your mouth. The virus is transmitted through your saliva and the fluid from the Herpes sores. If you engage in oral sex, the virus can be to spread to someone’s genitals!
Herpes Simplex Virus-2 (HSV-2) is known as Genital Herpes. Having sex, touching Herpes sores, or touching the skin of an infected person, increases your risk of becoming infected.
Symptoms of Herpes
Not all infected people have symptoms. Here are some of the common symptoms:
-Pain or itching around the genitals
-Painful urination
-Discharge from the penis and vagina
-Small bumps or blisters around the genitals, anus, or mouth
-Scabs from burst blisters
Symptoms show up within 2-12 days after being infected. If you have any of these symptoms, get checked out by a medical professional.
What do you do if you’re pregnant and have Herpes?
If you are pregnant and have Herpes, let your doctor know immediately! The virus can be passed to the baby during a vaginal birth. Unfortunately, that risk increases if you have an outbreak at the time of delivery.
Treatment for Herpes
There are some medicines that will shorten outbreaks and reduce the risk of spreading Herpes to others.
