John Trout asked:

To most people the word "herpes" conjures up an image of genital herpes, the incurable virus that is transmitted through sexual contact and causes blisters on the genitals. However herpes is in fact a family of viruses that is extremely widespread and can cause a number of conditions affecting the skin, mouth, eyes, brain or, in rare cases, the whole body.

Some estimates suggest that as many as 1 in 6 people may carry some form of the herpes virus in their body, either active or inactive.

Forms of the herpes virus include herpes simplex type 1 (cold sores), herpes simplex type 2 (genital herpes), varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox), cytomegalovirus (mild hepatitis), Epstein-Barr virus (mononucleosis) and herpes-zoster (shingles). All of these conditions are caused by viruses in the herpes family.

Two similar conditions, herpes gestationis and dermatitis herpetiformis, both produce herpes-like blisters on the skin but are not related to or caused by any of the various herpes viruses.

The many diseases that are caused by the herpes virus may differ widely from one another, but they all share

a few common traits:

They are generally very contagious.

The viruses can survive in latent form for long periods of time after the initial infection.

They are not curable. (However, there are effective treatments that can render the virus dormant, even in genital herpes)

Estimates suggest that nearly 30 million Americans are infected with herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) and despite many studies over many years there has been little success in developing either a cure or an effective vaccine.

Many of the viruses in the herpes family do not recur after the initial disease outbreak, such as chicken pox for example. However all herpes viruses, when not active, remain dormant in your body, hidden in nerve tissues and escaping detection by the immune system.

It is unsure exactly how and why a latent herpes virus will suddenly trigger into an active infection, however it is known that certain stresses to the immune system appear to bring on an outbreak. These stresses that may lead to outbreaks include illness, injury, emotional stress, poor diet, over exposure to sunlight, and even menstruation.

A strong immune system seems to lessen recurrence of outbreaks, though outbreaks may continue throughout life. Studies show that chickenpox and shingles have a recurrence of nearly zero while HSV-1 has a recurrence rate of 14 percent and herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) has a recurrence rate of 60 percent.

It is HSV-2 that most commonly causes genital infections, and HSV-1 that most commonly causes infections of the lips; however either viruses can be passed from one location to the other.

Studies have also shown that herpes sores can also provide an entryway for other infections.

Women with the herpes virus may even have an increased risk of cervical cancer and it is important for any women who has had herpes to have a cervical smear test (Pap test) every one or two years.

Whether you have been diagnosed with some form of herpes or not, practicing common sense prevention can go a long way in controlling the spread of herpes. For instance, avoid kissing persons who currently have sores on their mouth or lips.

Always practice safe sex in non-monogamous relationships and avoid all sexual contact with any partner who is exhibiting symptoms of an active outbreak of genital herpes until symptoms have disappeared. While most, but not all, male genital herpes outbreaks are easily detected, female genital herpes outbreaks can many times go completely unnoticed. In fact, many women with genital herpes don't realize they have contracted the virus until they have passed it on to a partner.

Using a condom may or may not prevent the spread of the herpes virus from one partner to another, whether one partner has an active outbreak or not; So while using condoms may be better than no protection at all, you should be aware that even condoms are not 100% effective in protecting against the transmission of the herpes virus.

If you have a history of herpes, avoid getting overtired or allowing yourself to get run down. When you are fatigued, your immune system cannot function as well, and you may be more vulnerable to a recurrence of herpes.

If you suspect you might have some form of the herpes virus or if you have a partner that has herpes, please see your local health care provider for a diagnosis and medical advise.

Combating Genital Herpes

Dylan Morris asked:


 



Genital herpes is caused by two forms of the herpes simplex viruses: HSV-1 or HSV-2.



Most oral herpes is caused by HSV-1, and most genital herpes is caused by HSV-2.



Most people do not show signs or symptoms from HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection.



at least 45 million people ages 12 and older, or 20% of U.S. adolescents and adults, have had genital herpes.



Genital HSV-2 infection is more common in women (approximately one out of four women) than in men (almost one out of eight).



Both herpes Type 1 and 2 can be transmitted by contact with the sores that the herpes viruses cause, but also between outbreaks (sometimes called OBs) via “shedding” from skin that does not have a sore on it.



Herpes transmission frequently occurs from an infected partner who does not have a visible sore, and may not even know that he or she is infected with the virus.



Genital OBs of HSV-1 recur less frequently than genital outbreaks caused by HSV-2.



First symptoms of genital herpes, they can be quite intense. Subsequent OBs are more mild. Symptoms can include:



small area of redness, sometimes with raised bumps or fluid-filled blisters;



Itching, burning or tingling in the genital area;



Flu-like symptoms (headache, swollen glands, fever);



Painful urination and/or discharge.



Initial herpes outbreak usually occurs within two weeks after the virus is transmitted, and the sores usually heal within two to four weeks.



Sometimes, a person does not become aware of the infection until years after it is acquired.



Do not squeeze OB blisters because that may cause infection to spread.



Genital herpes infection can be more severe in people with immune systems depressed due to other causes.



Genital herpes can cause psychological distress in people who know they are infected, due particularly to the attached social stigma.



Any area in the groin can be affected by genital herpes.



Herpes is not the only infection that causes genital sores. Bacterial infections have also been known to cause sores that resemble herpes sores. So, it's best to get tested.



Genital herpes can lead to potentially fatal infections in babies.



Genital herpes can sometimes be diagnosed by visual inspection of the outbreak, or by taking an actual sample from a sore.



The only sure way to avoid getting herpes and other STDs is abstinence, or a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with someone who is not infected.



If you inform your partner of your herpes, you can discuss it instead of making excuses as to why you don’t want to have sex.



Genital herpes caused by HSV-2 carries an 80-90% chance of OBs.



Genital herpes caused by HSV-1 carries a 50% chance of OBs.



OB sores can occur in areas that are not covered by a latex condom, so condoms are not fool-proof in protecting from contracting genital herpes.



Even if a person does not have any symptoms he or she can still infect sex partners.



You can’t get herpes from swimming pools, towels or toilet seats.



Frequency and severity of herpes OBs vary between individuals.



The most common symptom of genital herpes is one or more sores or blisters that appear on the genitals, anus, buttocks.



Some things thought to trigger Obs are:



stress;



anxiety;



other illnesses;



menstruation;



and extreme weather exposure.



OBs are most common in the first year after infection with herpes.



Oftentimes signs like tingling, itching, numbness or tenderness where the sores will appear occur a few days before an OB.



Genital herpes can be well managed with medication, stress management and healthy eating.



Genital herpes infections almost never cause long-term damage in healthy adults.



Research has shown that genital herpes does not cause cervical or any other types of cancers.



With proper treatment and open communication, most people with herpes find they can have normal, healthy, enjoyable relationships.



Symptoms of the herpes virus can be similar to symptoms of other diseases, so the best way to be sure whether you have it to get tested.



For immediate relief from an OB:



You can take warm baths or hold ice packs on the sores for several minutes.



You can wear loose cotton clothes to prevent chafing.



Keep the area dry with baby powder or cornstarch.



You can take aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen to relieve pain and fever.



Women who get herpes before becoming pregnant have a low risk of passing the virus to the baby.



Risk of infant herpes increases if mother gets herpes during final trimester of pregnancy.



A genital herpes diagnosis in a long-term, monogamous relationship does not mean a partner was unfaithful.



Herpes can be transmitted through oral sex.



There is no absolute cure for the herpes infection at this time.



If you have genital herpes, avoid (or reduce) activities that may affect OBs, like:



poor diet;



overexertion;



emotional or physical stress;



lack of sleep;



excess alcohol;



and surgical trauma.



Excessive friction during intercourse may trigger OBs.



Genital herpes does not mean that your sex life is over.



Approximately 70% of genital herpes cases result from asymptomatic shedding, when no signs or symptoms exist.



It's been reported that people who tell their partners of their diagnosis are rarely rejected.



Herpes has not been found to affect fertility or ability to have children.



Research suggests that when someone has both HIV and HSV, the HIV virus may be increased in genital secretions, increasing the risk of HIV transmission to sexual partners.



Cold sores and canker sores are not related, though people mistake the two.



Cold sores are contagious.



Canker sores are not contagious.



Cold sores appear around the mouth and symptoms include:



tiny, fluid-filled blisters or sores around the mouth, surrounded by red (inflamed) skin;



days before appearance of blisters soreness or tingling around mouth area;



and, discomfort and appearance of blisters generally last between 7 and 10 days.



Cold sores can sometimes be found on nostrils, chin or fingers.



Oral herpes OB can occur from contact with someone who has an active lesion through activities like sharing eating utensils, razors and towels.



Cold sores typically heal without medicine. But, you may want to seek medical attention if:



the blisters don't go away within one to two weeks;



you have a pre-existing health condition that has put your immune system at risk;



symptoms are severe;



you have frequent outbreaks;



or if eye irritation occurs.



Some people are at greater risk of contracting cold sores and should be avoided, including:



infants;



people with eczema;



or people with a suppressed immune system caused by cancer, AIDS or an organ transplant.



If herpes infects the eye, it can cause corneal scarring -- one of the major causes of blindness in the U.S.



Expectant mothers must alert their physician if either she or her partner has genital herpes.



To protect yourself and your partner from contracting oral herpes and to avoid spreading it to other body parts:



don't kiss or have skin contact with infected persons during an OB;



don't share items like eating utensils, towels, lip balm;



during OBs, wash your hands carefully and regularly;



use caution when touching other body parts, especially eyes and genitals;



avoid stressful situations, like cold or flu, lack of sleep or prolonged sun exposure without sunblock;



and, use sunblock on lips and face prior to prolonged sun exposure— in winter and summer.



In some cases, the decision to not use condoms may be agreed upon in a relationship where both partners understand the risks of contracting genital herpes.



Because of society’s negative misconceptions about genital herpes, you should prepare yourself before approaching others about the topic.



Discuss your genital herpes with a partner when you are not 'in the mood' for sex, when you're feeling confident, and when you can pay full attention to the conversation.



Anywhere you feel safe and comfortable is a good place to talk about herpes with a partner.



Discussing genital herpes may strengthen your relationship and bring you closer together as a couple.



Some people find that seeking counseling helps them cope with their diagnosis.



 

 



Wartrol:Genital Warts Relief

bcured asked:


The word herpes evokes an emotional response from almost everyone. Eighty percent of the world's population has serological evidence of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1, generally orolabial herpes), while 20 to 30 percent of the U.S. population is seropositive for the herpes virus type 2 (HSV-2, generally genital herpes).

Add chickenpox, shingles, the immunosuppressant drugs used by cancer and organ-transplant patients, along with the increasing number of immunosuppressed patients who have HIV and AIDS, and it's not hard to understand why we are now seeing a greater incidence of herpes infections.

HSV1 and HSV2-the culprits of oral and genital herpes

Oral Herpes

Oral herpes affects areas of the mouth and face. Herpes type 1 (HSV1) is the most common cause of oral herpes. However herpes type 2 (HSV2) can also cause oral herpes infections. In other words, either HSV1 or HSV2 may be responsible for oral herpes.

Recurring symptoms or outbreaks may develop as soon as 5 to 10 days after the initial infection. Symptoms include painful blisters around the mouth, often accompanied by a cold or fever, hence the term “cold” sores or “fever” blisters. Immunity plays a key role in outbreaks. When the system is stressed or the immune system is weakened, the virus travels down the ganglia and resurfaces on the skin, causing an outbreak.

Genital Herpes

For reasons unknown, HSV2 seems to gravitate towards the genital tract and is therefore the most common cause of genital herpes. However, HSV1 can also manifest in the genital region and cause genital herpes. So, once again, either HSV1 or HSV2 can cause genital herpes.

When the virus erupts on the surface of the skin, causing an outbreak, typical symptoms are inflamed blisters or ulcers. As the infection is caused by the either HSV1 or HSV2, lesions resemble cold sores. The first outbreak commonly reveals its aggravating presence 4 to 7 days after the initial infection of HSV.

In females, outbreaks occur on or near the vulva, labia, clitoris, pubis, or anus. In males, herpes lesions can appear anywhere on the penis, scrotum, or around the anus. Outbreaks are commonly accompanied by pain, itching, or burning. Some experience enlarged lymph nodes, muscle pain, and fatigue.

Some experience prodrome before an outbreak. This is a tingling, itching, or painful sensation experienced prior to an outbreak. Prodrome symptoms may be experienced for several days or for a few hours. Use of an antiviral treatment (oral or topical) during prodrome is known to reduce the duration of an outbreak, and it may even abort the outbreak for some individuals.

Unfortunately, there is no known “cure” for herpes. Use of a condom is recognized to be the most reliable method to prevent transmission of the virus. However, effective treatments are available which can reduce the frequency and severity of outbreaks, stop viral reproduction, and reduce viral load, all of which greatly mitigate outbreaks and allow sufferers to control the condition.

Depending on what study you wish to believe, well over 90% of the US population will test positive for having either HSV1 or HSV2.

Acyclovir is the most popular drug prescribed for herpes. However, the emergence of aciclovir-resistant virus strains has created the need for the development of new effective antiviral agents.

New anti-herpetic chemical drug compounds have been identified, but they have significant adverse effects when consumed and HSV has again developed drug resistance to these new compounds.

As new chemical drug options are not viable, alternative antiviral options are being investigated with great interest. Recent scientific studies of medicinal antiviral plant extracts show very encouraging results, and have sparked a new methodology for treating herpes.

Studies of these antiviral extracts demonstrate that many of these compounds exhibit significant anti-herpetic activity. Several actually inactivate HSV with great effectiveness. These antiviral extracts represent new effective treatment options for therapeutic use as virucidal agents for recurring herpes infections.

Enter CURED herpes treatment–HSVCurative

HSVCurative is a potent all natural antiviral agent highly effective against HSV1 and HSV2, it has a wide spectrum of antiviral activity against these viruses. The antiviral extracts in this treatment have the ability to inactivate and destroy HSV, which has been established in published clinical trials. It is to be applied directly to an outbreak.

HSVCurative is used specifically to treat HSV1 and HSV2 infections and acts as a curative agent against both these strains of herpes. It exhibits a pronounced anti-herpetic activity against HSV1 and HSV2 and actually kills these viruses upon exposure regardless of location on the body.

HSVCurative is formulated at maximum strength and has produced spectacular results in eliminating herpes outbreaks in almost all known cases. It is possibly the most powerful and effective topical herpes treatment on the market, providing total clearance of outbreaks time after time. Results are Guaranteed.

Topical application causes herpes outbreaks to dissolve and dry out, with total clearance commonly experienced in 24 to 36 hours. Immediate results and pain relief are certainly experienced with every application.

HSVCurative is therefore proving to be unrivaled in the treatment of genital and oral herpes. It is simply the best in its class.

HSVCurative contains certified organic medicinal plant extracts and antiviral essential oils which cause cellular death to HSV1 and HSV2 in scientific studies. HSVCurative has a rather remarkable array of pharmacological and biochemical properties which inactivate and destroy the herpes virus.

The importance of applying certified organic material to outbreaks or open sores cannot be overstated.

This is because one is applying a topical remedy directly to exposed porous tissue, or open lesions. Treatments applied to lesions or open sores are quickly absorbed into the circulatory system in significant quantities; hence use of organic material is absolutely essential. HSVCurative is certified organic and is meant for medicinal use. For more details about our herpes treatment, refer to our website of http://www.bcured.net.



Amazing New Ebook On Curing Herpes!