Men's Health > Sexually Transmitted Disease > Herpes

Herpes

Herpes is a STD that is caused by a one of two viruses. The first of these viruses is “herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1)” and the second virus is “type 2 (HSV-2)”.

Herpes are transmitted when a person carrying the virus has unprotected sex. Transmission of the herpes STD can also occur when there are no symptoms of an outbreak. The bottom line is that anyone that has herpes must always have protected sex with their partner(s). This includes oral sex as well as vaginal sex. Pregnant mothers can also pass herpes to their unborn child.

Symptoms of Herpes

Many people have no symptoms of herpes that are caused by either type 1 or type 2 viruses during the first stages. Herpes outbreaks can occur about two to four weeks after the initial infection has taken place. After this first outbreak heals, another one can occur anywhere from several weeks to several months down the road. Each time an outbreak occurs, it will typically heal in reduced time. Most people will have the herpes virus for their entire lifetime, although there are some cases where the herpes virus disappears entirely.

People with type 1 herpes often experience symptoms including: blisters and “cold sores” around the lips.

People that have type 2 herpes will most likely not even be aware that they have the infection. Until symptoms appear in about two to four weeks after the initial transmission. These symptoms can include glands that are swollen, and fever.

When people have their first outbreak of herpes they will usually have at least four to five more outbreaks during the first year. After this the outbreaks will subside and become less severe, but are by no means less uncomfortable and inconvenient.

Most people that have herpes will find out that they are infected when they detect sores in the genital area. A visit to the doctor, and subsequent laboratory tests, will confirm the presence of herpes.

Herpes Treatment

Herpes has no “miracle cure” and is a STD that most people must learn to live with for a lifetime. During an outbreak of the herpes virus, people can use an antiviral medication for preventing future outbreaks, and for shortening the length of the current one. This means that when a person is diagnosed with herpes they will have to learn to live with their STD and take care not to infect their sexual partners. Even if they have a long term partner they will need to take care not to infect them by using protection during genital sex.

Since there is as yet not a known cure for herpes researchers continue to look of something that will wipe out this STD. The only thing that people can do at present is to be smart about the way that they have sex with their partners. This means using a condom at all times and letting their sexual partners know that they are herpes positive. With education and knowledge less and less conditions of herpes will occur.

There is also some increasing attention (in the western world) to alternative medicines and treatments which could provide some herpes relief. These alternative medicines, treatments, and therapies include: lysine, propolis (from bees), spirulina, and the essential mineral zinc.

Jim Shaw