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This article was co-written by Lacy Windham, MD. Dr. Windham is a Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist in Tennessee. She attended medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis and completed her residency at East Virginia School of Medicine in 2010 for which she was awarded the Distinguished Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Doctor of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Best Resident in Oncology and Best Resident Doctor.
There are 18 references cited in this article that you can see at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 3,605 times.
Herpes is a disease caused by the Herpes Simplex virus, which has two variants, HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 usually presents as cold sores or canker sores, but can sometimes appear on the genitals. HSV-2, the virus that causes genital herpes, is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States that infects the skin and mucous membranes, rectum, eyes, and central nervous system. Herpes is an incurable disease and sufferers have to live with it for the rest of their lives. [1 ] X Research Source A Wald, Genital HSV-1 Infections, Sexually Transmitted Infections, 2005 June, 82( 3), 189-190 You should take these simple steps to find out if you have been infected with this virus.
Steps
Look for signs of herpes
- Initially, red patches appear in clusters over the infected area, [2] XTrusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to the source of pain with a sensation of heat and itching during the first few hours after manifesting. [3] X Research Resources Beauman, John G. and MC Maj, Genital Herpes: A Review. Am Fam Physician. 2005 Oct 15, 72(8): 1527-1534 .
- Similar to flu symptoms are fever, general aches and pains, and malaise. [6] X Research Sources
- This fluid is pale yellow and bloody. [7] X Research Resources Beauman, John G. and MC Maj, Genital Herpes: A Review. Am Fam Physician. 2005 Oct 15, 72(8): 1527-1534 .
- These symptoms are indicative of the initial flare-up, and are always more severe than subsequent flare-ups. The first outbreak usually lasts from 2 to 6 weeks, the latter lasts only about 1 week on average. [8] X Research Resources Beauman, John G. and MC Maj, Genital Herpes: A Review. Am Fam Physician. 2005 Oct 15, 72(8): 1527-1534
Medical diagnosis
- Herpes is most contagious through direct contact with a wound or secretions containing the virus. However, the disease can be transmitted by contact with skin that does not appear to be infected. [12] X Credible Sources Centers for Disease Contrp and Prevention Go to source Transmissibility decreases with time from initial infection, and by up to 70% after 10 years. [13] X Research Source
- Your doctor may also do a viral culture test. [15] X Trusted Source Centers for Disease Contrp and Prevention Go to the source With this test they must take a swab from the wound, then place the sample in a Petri dish. Testing time is a bit long because it has to wait for the virus to develop. Once a sample of the virus has been collected, your doctor will test you to determine which strain of the virus you have. [16] X Research Source Beauman, John G. and MC Maj, Genital Herpes: A Review. Am Fam Physician. 2005 Oct 15, 72(8): 1527-1534[17] X Credible Sources Centers for Disease Contrp and Prevention Go to source This method takes more time and is also less accurate than the PCR test. [18] X Trusted Source Centers for Disease Contrp and Prevention Go to source
Treatment of herpes
- In general, the normal dose for a first flare-up is 1000mg twice daily for 10 days. For the following times the dose is 500mg 2 times per day and taken for 3 days.
- If the disease flares up frequently, i.e. more than 9 times per year, you can use valacyclovir as suppressive therapy. This means you take medicine to prevent flare-ups instead of just taking it at the first sign of illness. If you choose this solution, you must take it as prescribed by your doctor, usually the dose is 500mg twice a day, and taken daily.
- The initial symptom is itching and a slight stinging in the area where the blisters will appear for a few hours to a few days afterward. Start taking the medicine as soon as you feel a tingling and burning sensation. [21] X Research Sources Simmons, Anthony, Clinical Manifestations and Treatment Considerations of Herpes Simplex Virus Infection, Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2002 186, Sup 1, S71- S77
- If your doctor gave you this medicine during your first flare, the usual dose is 200mg 5 times a day, awake for 10 days. If you are in the stage of recurrent disease, you should take 200mg 2-5 times a day, taken when awake for 5 days (or for a whole year).
- Acyclovir is also available in a cream form. Acyclovir cream is not as effective as the oral form, but can aid in the healing of mouth sores. Apply cream upon awakening every 3 hours for a week. [24] X Research Sources Simmons, Anthony, Clinical Manifestations and Treatment Considerations of Herpes Simplex Virus Infection, Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2002 186, Sup 1, S71- S77
- The usual dose to treat a flare-up is 1000mg twice daily, and only once a day. The usual dose for relapse suppression is 250 mg twice daily for a year.
- Generally you would take one pill twice daily and only take one a day to treat a relapse. To keep the disease from recurring, your doctor may ask you to take it twice a day for a year. [27] X Research Source
- Aspirin is also helpful for herpes, but you must consult your doctor before you start taking it. One of the active ingredients of the drug is taken from the bark of the willow tree, which helps to inhibit the herpes virus. Take 325mg 1 time per day.
- Perilla can be applied directly to the wound, it has a healing effect if applied 4 times a day until the wound shows signs of improvement. [29] X Research Sources
- Similar to Zovirax cream, you can use zinc cream. Apply a topical zinc oxide cream to the wound every day to promote healing. In addition, people also apply aloe vera gel to the wound to stimulate premature skin birth. [30] X Research Resources Beauman, John G. and MC Maj, Genital Herpes: A Review. Am Fam Physician. 2005 Oct 15, 72(8): 1527-1534
This article was co-written by Lacy Windham, MD. Dr. Windham is a Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist in Tennessee. She attended medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis and completed her residency at East Virginia School of Medicine in 2010 for which she was awarded the Distinguished Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Doctor of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Best Resident in Oncology and Best Resident Doctor.
There are 18 references cited in this article that you can see at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 3,605 times.
Herpes is a disease caused by the Herpes Simplex virus, which has two variants, HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 usually presents as cold sores or canker sores, but can sometimes appear on the genitals. HSV-2, the virus that causes genital herpes, is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States that infects the skin and mucous membranes, rectum, eyes, and central nervous system. Herpes is an incurable disease and sufferers have to live with it for the rest of their lives. [1 ] X Research Source A Wald, Genital HSV-1 Infections, Sexually Transmitted Infections, 2005 June, 82( 3), 189-190 You should take these simple steps to find out if you have been infected with this virus.
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