An Overview to Genital Herpes in Plain English

Genital herpes is one of the most commonly occurring STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases). It is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. There are two variations of the virus: type 1 or also referred to as HSV-1 and type 2 also commonly known as HSV-2. Type 1 which is the culprit behind the cold sores you might see people sporting on their lips and type 2 which is most commonly responsible for genital herpes.

Genital herpes has no preference when it comes to gender or age. It affects both men and women although HSV-2 does seem to have a higher rate of occurrence in women.

A person can only get infected during sexual contact with someone who is already infected. The most common way to transmit the HSV virus is thru sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse can be vaginal, anal or oral sex. Most people have none to very minimal signs or symptoms from type 1 or type 2 infection. When signs do occur, they tend to appear as small blisters in the pubic and anal region of the person infected. These blisters break leaving sores that may take several weeks to heal. In most cases, the first outbreak is the most severe. Signs and symptoms during the first outbreak include flu-like symptoms, fever and swollen glands. Outbreaks tend to happen less often and less severe over time.

When a person has an outbreak, which means that the blisters are present, they are more likely to transmit the disease. That doesn't mean that someone who is infected with genital herpes and doesn't have blisters is safe. They're not. Safe sex practices do need to be followed regardless of the presence of blisters.

The only real way to be diagnosed with genital herpes is by getting a blood test. When you are diagnosed with genital herpes you may view that as the end of your sexual life. It's not. Many people live with this condition and enjoy active intimate lives. There are multiple sites dedicated to introduce singles with herpes for dating.

Some surprising facts about genital herpes that many people aren't aware of include:

* Approximately 1 million people are infected with genital herpes each year.

* In the United States it's estimated that 1 in 5 people are infected with genital herpes.

* Type-2 infections are more common in women than in men.

* Up to 90% of people who are infected with genital herpes aren't aware of it.

In order to manage this condition, you do need to be diagnosed by a doctor. That's the first step towards treatment. There is not an available cure for genital herpes but it can be managed by oral medication known as suppressive therapy. The medicine helps reduce the number of outbreaks you can experience but as time progresses, your body gets used to the viral infection and is able to fight is reducing the number of outbreaks.

If your partner confides in you that he or she may have genital herpes or you suspect that you may be infected, plan a visit to your physician as soon as possible. With the required knowledge in hand you can take control of your sexual health.

Carmen Peralta is the Genital Herpes channel guide at Herpes Dating website STDSingles.com. She is also a a biology student in Virginia.

Cold Sore Overview

Cold sores are infections in the skin caused by Herpes Simplex Virus or HSV. Eight out of 10 people are affected by this common skin infliction. Many can be infected with this without knowing it is happening. The herpes virus can be transmitted by saliva or direct contact with a person that is affected by this virus.

When someone is infected with the Herpes Simplex Virus, he might not feel the symptoms of this immediately. It typically takes four to five days before the symptoms occur. You may not even notice its effects even if it is already attacking you. After four or five days, you will have swollen glands and you will feel down. You will then have blisters on or around your mouth. This will cause pain and itchiness, but will usually only last for up to a week.

There are some activities that make cold sores worse. Continuous exposure to direct sunlight will almost always make the outbreak worse. They can also worsen if you are exposed to cold or windy conditions. Being stressed and suffering from the flu, fever or colds can also worsen the condition. More negative effects can also occur if you drink alcoholic beverages.

Despite the many things that can worsen cold sores, if you follow this simple advise; they will get better:

Do not lick or poke the area that is affectedDo not let it get wetApply alcohol around the affected areaApply ice therapy to the areaDo not eat foods that are acidic such as lemons or grapesDo not let it get exposed to sun or windBuy over-the-counter remedies that are recommended by the doctors.

The following information will help you diagnose cold sores:

If you have blisters around the mouth area, observe the people that commonly are in contact with you. If one of them has developed cold sores after a few days, chances are, they already acquired the virus from you.
Go to a doctor and give him the information that is needed to diagnose if you have cold sores. He might ask you what you are feeling and if you have friends who are also suffering from these blisters.

The Herpes Simplex Virus is the cause of cold sores. The virus will spread through sneezing, coughing, kissing and other direct contact to people that are affected by the virus. You can also get this when you hold things that the person affected with this virus has recently touched.

Cold sores can really be annoying, especially cold sores on the mouth and around the mouth area because it is very visible by people around you. If you don't want this to happen to you, you should always protect yourself from people that have cold sores.

Julie Carlson is a freelance writer who focuses on health-related topics. As a main contributor to http://thehealth411.com/, Carlson presents health information in an unbiased format. Visit theHealth411 for a wide base of information, from gout remedies to migraine headaches.

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An Overview to Genital Herpes in Plain English

Genital herpes is one of the most commonly occurring STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases). It is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. There are two variations of the virus: type 1 or also referred to as HSV-1 and type 2 also commonly known as HSV-2. Type 1 which is the culprit behind the cold sores you might see people sporting on their lips and type 2 which is most commonly responsible for genital herpes.

Genital herpes has no preference when it comes to gender or age. It affects both men and women although HSV-2 does seem to have a higher rate of occurrence in women.

A person can only get infected during sexual contact with someone who is already infected. The most common way to transmit the HSV virus is thru sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse can be vaginal, anal or oral sex. Most people have none to very minimal signs or symptoms from type 1 or type 2 infection. When signs do occur, they tend to appear as small blisters in the pubic and anal region of the person infected. These blisters break leaving sores that may take several weeks to heal. In most cases, the first outbreak is the most severe. Signs and symptoms during the first outbreak include flu-like symptoms, fever and swollen glands. Outbreaks tend to happen less often and less severe over time.

When a person has an outbreak, which means that the blisters are present, they are more likely to transmit the disease. That doesn't mean that someone who is infected with genital herpes and doesn't have blisters is safe. They're not. Safe sex practices do need to be followed regardless of the presence of blisters.

The only real way to be diagnosed with genital herpes is by getting a blood test. When you are diagnosed with genital herpes you may view that as the end of your sexual life. It's not. Many people live with this condition and enjoy active intimate lives. There are multiple sites dedicated to introduce singles with herpes for dating.

Some surprising facts about genital herpes that many people aren't aware of include:

* Approximately 1 million people are infected with genital herpes each year.

* In the United States it's estimated that 1 in 5 people are infected with genital herpes.

* Type-2 infections are more common in women than in men.

* Up to 90% of people who are infected with genital herpes aren't aware of it.

In order to manage this condition, you do need to be diagnosed by a doctor. That's the first step towards treatment. There is not an available cure for genital herpes but it can be managed by oral medication known as suppressive therapy. The medicine helps reduce the number of outbreaks you can experience but as time progresses, your body gets used to the viral infection and is able to fight is reducing the number of outbreaks.

If your partner confides in you that he or she may have genital herpes or you suspect that you may be infected, plan a visit to your physician as soon as possible. With the required knowledge in hand you can take control of your sexual health.

Carmen Peralta is the Genital Herpes channel guide at Herpes Dating website STDSingles.com. She is also a a biology student in Virginia.