Girls can have outbreaks when they get their periods. HSV-1 is the virus that causes cold sores around the mouth. It can cause genital herpes when it spreads through oral sex. But most of the time, genital herpes is caused by HSV Genital herpes can spread even if there are no sores because the virus is still in the body.
The virus sometimes "sheds" in the skin near the genitals. When the virus is shedding, it can infect another person. People with genital herpes need to tell recent, current, and future sex partners about their infection. Because someone may never have symptoms or may not have symptoms for months to years after infection, a current partner may not be the source of the infection.
The only way to prevent genital herpes and other STDs is abstinence. This means not having sex oral, vaginal, or anal. Less commonly, a person can transmit the virus when symptoms are not present.
Also, people with HIV have weakened immune systems, and this increases the risk of more severe complications. For example, if a person has oral herpes and a weakened immune system, they may have a higher risk of developing keratitis, a type of eye inflammation, or encephalitis, inflammation of the brain. If a person has a weakened immune system and genital herpes, there is, rarely, a higher risk of developing inflammation of the brain, eyes, esophagus, lungs, or liver, as well as widespread infection.
Some people find that using ice packs help. Never apply ice directly to the skin — wrap it in a cloth first. A person can purchase lidocaine creams in drugstores or online. No drug can get rid of the herpes virus. However, a doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication, such as acyclovir, to prevent the virus from multiplying.
Meanwhile, over-the-counter herpes treatments, which are often creams, can help manage tingling, itching, and pain. To significantly lessen the duration of an outbreak, start treatment within 24 hours of initial symptoms, for example, as soon as the tingling begins.
If a person uses antiviral medication, symptoms may resolve 1—2 days more quickly than if they had used no treatment. Medication may also reduce the severity of symptoms. If a person has fewer than six recurrences of genital herpes per year, a doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication at each recurrence.
If a person experiences recurrences more frequently, a doctor may recommend taking an antiviral for 6—12 months at a time. Taking these medications every day for longer periods can significantly reduce the risk of passing herpes to a partner, though it remains a possibility.
The following strategies can reduce the risk of developing or passing on herpes:. Children will often contract HSV-1 from early contact with an adult who has an infection. They then carry the virus with them for the rest of their lives. The virus spreads more quickly during an outbreak. An estimated 67 percent of people ages 49 or younger are seropositive for HSV-1, though they may never experience an outbreak. HSV-2 infections are spread through contact with a herpes sore.
In contrast, most people get HSV-1 from a person with an infection who is asymptomatic, or does not have sores. Anyone can contract HSV, regardless of age.
Your risk is based almost entirely on exposure to the infection. In cases of sexually transmitted HSV, people are more at risk when they have sex not protected by condoms or other barrier methods. If a pregnant woman is having an outbreak of genital herpes at the time of childbirth, it can expose the baby to both types of HSV, and may put them at risk for serious complications.
They may also transmit the virus to others. You may also experience symptoms that are similar to the flu. These symptoms can include:. HSV can also spread to the eyes, causing a condition called herpes keratitis. This can cause symptoms such as eye pain , discharge, and a gritty feeling in the eye. This type of virus is generally diagnosed with a physical exam.
Your doctor may check your body for sores and ask you about some of your symptoms. Repeat outbreaks are usually shorter and less severe than the first outbreak. Although the infection stays in the body for the rest of your life, the number of outbreaks may decrease over time.
You should be examined by your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms or if your partner has an STD or symptoms of an STD. STD symptoms can include an unusual sore, a smelly genital discharge, burning when urinating, or for women bleeding between periods. Your healthcare provider may diagnose genital herpes by simply looking at your symptoms. Providers can also take a sample from the sore s and test it. In certain situations, a blood test may be used to look for herpes antibodies.
Have an honest and open talk with your health care provider and ask whether you should be tested for herpes or other STDs. Please note: A herpes blood test can help determine if you have herpes infection.
It cannot tell you who gave you the infection or how long you have been infected. 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.
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