Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD/STIs) and is a strain of the herpes simplex virus (HSV), the same that causes cold sores or fever blisters on the mouth. Cold sores are a manifestation of the HSV1 virus, and infection in the genitals is a manifestation of the HSV2(herpes simplex virus type 2).
Once contracted, the HSV-2 infection virus lies dormant in the immune system until a trigger such as stress, illness, or sleep deprivation causes an outbreak to occur. Once contracted, the genital herpes virus stays in the body for life; there is currently no cure or vaccine, although an intensive study is currently underway towards this. However, there is still hope for sufferers, as many effective treatments exist to suppress the virus and prevent its future outbreaks.
First herpes outbreak can occur at different rates depending on the person. Some people experience outbreaks every month, others only a few times a year.
What are the Symptoms of Genital Herpes?
The symptoms of this sexually transmitted infection herpes are wide and varied. Some sufferers experience strong and recurring symptoms, while others only get mild symptoms or none at all.
Do you feel an itching or tingling sensation around your genitals? Then these are the initial genital herpes symptoms in men. Once triggered, some genital herpes symptoms in men include painful small blisters around the genital area. This is the trademark herpes blisters have become known for.
The herpes sores usually last for about a week; then it will begin to heal signaled by the formation of scabs. These symptoms are followed by a tingling and itchy sensation in the groin area. Some men with genital herpes also reported having flu-like symptoms such as fever, coughing, chills, and painful muscles, among others before the formation of the genital sores. Other genital herpes symptoms include painful urination, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue.
Apart from general symptoms attributed to this outbreak, other symptoms such as pain during urination, headache, fever, fatigue, and other flu-like symptoms can also be felt by someone who has been infected.
What can I do about it?
Genital Herpes may seem like an embarrassing disease to an infected person, but what isn’t well known is that the virus is incredibly common, occurring in 1 out of 5 men. Although sufferers can feel ashamed or ‘dirty’ when they discover they have genital herpes and can often experience depression and anxiety as a result. Genital Herpes infection is nothing to be ashamed of, it is a nasty virus and nothing more, and with the right treatment, outbreaks can be controlled.
The first step you should take if you think you may have genital herpes is to see your health care provider or doctor with your sexual partner. Your doctor will be able to carry out a blood test and afterward prescribe anti-viral medication (such as valacyclovir and acyclovir ) which will help suppress the virus and prevent outbreaks of genital herpes, allowing you control the disease and get on with your life.
Overall, since Genital herpe is an infectious disease, to prevent more outbreaks, it’s important to avoid oral sexual activity or sexual contact and also avoid having intimate skin contact. Eat diets that are rich in vitamins. Leafy green vegetables are ideal, and they can easily reduce the symptoms as well.