Herpes - What You Need To Know

People have a common notion that herpes is a disease specifically acquired through sexual contact. But that isn’t entirely true. Simple direct skin contact may also cause herpes virus transmission. Some people also believe that the herpes virus may be passed on via inanimate objects like toilet seats, etc. Although the last idea may be highly unlikely due to the fragility of the virus itself. The herpes virus passes through tiny breaks in the skin or mucous membranes of the mouth and genital areas. Healthy skin acts as really good protective barriers against this infection. In cases of mucous membranes, even the slightest scrape or scratch is enough to expose the nerve endings into which the herpes virus entwines itself. This is the main reason why herpes infections usually manifest in areas where mucous membranes and normal skin merges. A good example is the corner of your mouth. The virus has been said to be passed on by sharing razors with an infected person. Unlike toilet seats, the virus can survive in the moist areas between the blades. This disease may also be passed from mother to infant during birth, however, most cases show that infants acquire the said condition after birth.

Herpes may be categorized into oral and genital herpes. Oral herpes are caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1). They are commonly referred to as cold sores or fever blisters. Fever blisters often appear as tiny, clear, fluid-filled blisters on the face. These usually appear on the lips. Genital herpes, on the other hand, is caused by HSV-2 and is characterized by painful, itchy sores in the genital area.

Health Complications With Genital Herpes

Genital herpes in some people may never show symptoms, but for others, the symptoms become so severe that complications develop, especially if sores or herpes blisters appear in other areas of the body.

Cold sores on the lips, called herpes labialis, are normally mild and may be considered a mere nuisance. But if these become prolonged, frequent, or severe, the use of antiviral treatments is recommended.

Blisters on the hands and fingers can also occur and it is called herpetic whitlow. Since the hands can practically reach all parts of the body, it has the greatest capacity to spread the virus. To prevent such a disaster, the hands must be covered with plastic or rubber gloves.

There can be blisters on the anus, too. The infection is called herpes proctitis. This infection is usually more painful and more distressing than genital herpes.

The eyes, especially that of the newborn, is also susceptible to the herpes virus. The infection is called herpes keratitis or ocular herpes. When this happens, or even when you only feel a painful irritation in your eyes, consult the doctor immediately. If ignored, herpes keratitis could lead to blindness.

Women who experience genital herpes outbreaks may also have vaginal yeast infections, called vulvovaginal dandidiasis. There will be swelling, itching, and pain when the woman urinates or engages in a sexual activity. This is due to the presence of too many yeast organisms in the vagina. If you have vaginal yeast infections, it doesnt mean that you also have genital herpes. The excess growth of yeast occurs for many reasons, such as when the woman is taking antibiotics or birth control pills, or when she is pregnant, or when she is wearing tight body-hugging clothes. Fortunately, with good hygiene, this type of infection disappears on its own.

Healing Herpes With Self-Love

When I was a boy we lived in the Ghettoes of Toronto, Canada. We had just immigrated from Trinidad and Tobago. My mother struggled to raise four of us on a waitress salary. There was chaos and self-destruction all around us. Many of my playmates are no longer among the living. But none of this touched us- we were living a different life. My mother was a church-lady. She was strong and resilient and strict. All of us grew up in the church. The church kept us insulated from most of the horrors of poverty.

The church still has its influence on me. I feel it and walk it everyday and I am happy for it. I learned about love in the church. Not the love you see on TV and in the movies- a bigger love, a deeper love. Thats the one sermon from our Jamaican female pastor that I remember the most. When I was 13 she spoke about love. Jesus was all about love, he was love, he is love.

Bryan Ferry from Roxy music sings Love is the drug that I need to score. I disagree, I dont believe that love is a drug- an intoxicant. That sounds more like infatuation to me. I believe that love is a medicine. The Medicine. For those of us in the sixty percent or more of the population with the herpes simplex virus Love is the most powerful healing tool.

Genital Herpes Treatment

Genital Herpes- what is it?

Genital Herpes is caused by virus type 2 of Herpes Simplex. Virus type 1 produces cold sores of herpes. Genital herpes spreads by sexual contact. Any kind of sexual contact will infect you with genital herpes if your partner is a carrier. Oral sex is equally contagious. Herpes never gets eliminated from the body. The virus will remain for life in your body. Please find out more about the treatment of Genital herpes. Treatment is done only when genital herpes flares up. Till then the virus will remain dormant in the body. You may get one or many flare-ups in your lifetime. After you treat genital herpes flare up, the skin heals again and the virus goes back in the dormant state. As I said earlier, it never gets out of the body.

Genital Herpes- flare up

After getting the virus because of sexual contact you may not show the diseases for many days. After that also the initial flare up is many times so mild that the patient commonly ignores it. The second flare up that may occur anytime after the first flare up may be severe. The time gap between the two flare-ups may be months or years. The typical signs will be ulcerating sores on the genitals, fever, muscle ache etc. women may develop ulcerating sores inside genitalia and cervix. If they don’t show any sores outside, this flare up may be treated for some other diseases unless a proper blood examination is performed. Many times the first and the subsequent flare-ups are equally severe. It is also seen that some people only get one incidence in their life and herpes does not return after that. Genital herpes flare-ups cannot be predicted. When the flare-up is severe, it discomforts a lot. The sores that ulcerate on the genitals and near the anal area can be quite painful.

Whenever anyone gets a flare-up of Genital herpes he/she should keep away from any sexual contact till the skin heals totally. You area very active carrier when you have a flare up of genital herpes. If your partner has any flare-up, protect yourself by abstaining from any sexual contact with him/her.

Genital Herpes- Are You Going To Get Infected?

Genital Herpes- what is it?

Genital Herpes is the herpes infection of genitals. It affects both men and women. It is caused by the HSV type2. The only way to spread this disease is sexual contact. Anybody who has genital herpes may pass it on to the partner without any knowledge. Let us see how?

Genital Herpes- silent transmission

Let us take an example. Suppose your partner contacted genital herpes from someone during a sexual encounter. The virus entered your partner’s body. The virus will show anytime within 20 days of getting contacted. The symptoms may be sores and blisters, fever, joint ache etc. Here comes the problem. Many times these symptoms are so insignificant that no body realizes about them. The symptoms will resolve after some days. Now your partner is a silent carrier of Genital herpes. He/she may be unaware that they are carriers. During this time, if you have sexual contact with them, you will catch the virus.

Genital Herpes – How Prevalent Is It And What Should You Do?

Genital herpes is a topic not readily discussed in the course of normal conversation however, if you’re aged 25 and over, and are sexually active with multiple partners then it would be wise to be tested for genital herpes.

A recent study in Australia ( May 2006 ) revealed at least one in eight people people in that country have genital herpes. If that sounds alarming then it should be. A first nation-wide study also found herpes was most prevalent in people aged 35 to 44 and city folk were more likely to be carrying the virus than their “country cousins.”

So what to do? Being a little less promiscuous could be the answer but this would only be a superficial fix. The problem lies in the fact that at least 80 per cent of people who have genital herpes don’t know they have it. And it’s fair to say those who contract the virus do so innocently. Affected people who pass it on and are unaware they have it, don’t experience the symptons. The obvious answer once again is to get tested  especially if you’ve had multiple partners.

Discover Herpes Dating Sites

Large scale general dating sites were the first to reach the internet, gaining a lot of popularity. Once these dating sites had saturated the online dating market, the next step was to create dating sites that focused on specific niche audiences. Herpes dating sites are one example of these specialized niche dating sites, catering to specific people that have something common amongst them.

People who have herpes may feel uncomfortable looking for friends and potential mates on general dating sites, because admitting that they are suffering from a sexually transmitted infection is not always easy. However, by signing up for herpes dating sites rather than general dating sites, these people can feel more comfortable with the dating scene.

Herpes dating sites are designed to cater to people with Herpes. When two people suffering from Herpes date, it is obviously much safer as there is no worry about transmitting anything from one person to another.

Ayurveda approach to Genital Herpes

Dosha theory which help in diagnosis of the diseases

According to ayurveda three doshas or three energetic forces control the activities of the body. These doshas are

1.Vata

2.Pitta

3.Kapha

VATA: The Vata dosha is the most important of the three doshas. It has been said in ayurveda classic books that pitta , Kapha and all other body tissues are considered lame without assistance of VATA . Vata dominates the lower part of the body, which is below umbilicus. The movements of body fluid, metabolism, elimination of waste products, semen ejaculation, pushing the fetus out of body, relaying stimulus to brain and response to organs and tissues, heart beat, respiration, body movements etc are assisted by VATA.

Vata dominated regions are intestines, lumbar region, ears, bones and skin.

Attacking the Deadly Herpes Virus with Acyclovir

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are thousands of Americans who are infected with one of the most active virus known to man — the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). Scientists have been studying how the virus works because it is among the most difficult to control. The virus has spread to different countries around the world. It causes a variety of illnesses, including mucocutaneous infections. or herpes simplex virus (HSV), is one of the most common agents infecting humans of all ages.

There are two types of Herpes virus, namely: Type 1 Herpes which is carried by over 80 per cent of the population and is the culprit behind recurrent cold sores; and Type 2 Herpes which affects five to 20 per cent of the population. This type is often associated with genital herpes.

Studies show that genital herpes simplex virus infects more than 1 of 5 adolescents and adults. It is more common in blacks than in whites, and more likely to infect women than men. Most people with genital herpes don’t know they have it, and are unaware that they are spreading it to others. Many have no symptoms or mistake their symptoms for something else such as jock itch, insect bites, hemorrhoids, yeast infections, razor burn, or allergies to laundry detergent.