Genital Herpes

You Might Have Genital Herpes - Now What

Getting a Genital Herpes Diagnoses

Genital herpes is not a disease that anyone should take lightly. While it isn’t a life threatening disease, it is one that lasts a lifetime, and it is highly contagious to others. The truth of the matter is that most people with genital herpes are unaware they even have this STD.

The symptoms can be so minimal that most carriers do not even recognize them as symptoms, therefore living their life with genital herpes and potentially spreading the disease to others through sexual contact.

However, genital herpes does have symptoms and it is important that everyone know the signs and symptoms of genital herpes; knowing what to look out for can help to prevent outbreaks and save others from contracting this sexually transmitted disease as well.

Symptoms of Genital Herpes

Initially, the onset of genital herpes is pain and itching in the genital area followed by small red bumps and/or little white blisters in a person’s genital area. After a few days the bumps and blisters begin to rupture, occasionally causing bleeding and oozing.

An outbreak of the herpes virus ends when each bump and blister scabs over and heals. During this time it may be painful to use the restroom and a person’s genital area will be sensitive and easily hurt.  Initial outbreaks are often accompanied by flu-like symptoms.

If you think you have genital herpes it is imperative you see your doctor immediately for a proper diagnosis.

Herpes Simplex Virus

When a person is diagnosed with the herpes virus, their doctor will prescribe medication for them. There is no cure for genital herpes, but the medications prescribed by a doctor can help to ease symptoms, deter outbreaks and alleviate some of the discomfort that comes with an outbreak of the herpes virus.

Valtrex, Zovirax and Famvir are all medications that doctors prescribe to treat herpes. Some doctors require that their herpes patients take these medications only when experiencing an outbreak of the herpes virus while others want their patients to take the medication every day, even without an outbreak.

Genital Herpes

Protecting Partners and Preventing Herpes Outbreaks

The herpes virus is not life threatening, but it does mean that those with the disease must be extremely careful from this point out. Anyone with herpes is highly contagious during an outbreak, which means that the best means of protecting their sexual partner is to abstain from sexual intercourse during an outbreak. Additionally, it is always a good idea to use a latex condom during intercourse to prevent the transmission of genital herpes.

Natural Treatments for Genital Herpes

Genital Herpes is different for everyone. Some may experience frequent outbreaks while others experience them rarely. Life factors such as poor diet, stress, fatigue, surgery, menstruation and illness can all cause outbreaks of herpes. When this occurs, H-Balm Extra Strength works. This all natural organic compound uses homeopathic ingredients to treat herpes outbreaks and essential oils to soothe and promote healthy skin where outbreaks occur.

If you or your sexual partner has genital herpes it is important to see a doctor and discuss the risk factors associated with this virus. Not only will it protect you both from contracting the disease from the other, seeing a doctor and using all natural remedies to prevent and treat herpes will help you to deal with this STD more comfortably and safely.

The Different Kinds of Viral STDs

Sexually transmitted diseases can get upsetting sometimes. The good news is that many of them are curable even though some can only be treated and not cured.

It is also heartening to know that STDs, as they are often called, can be prevented by following some of the most common rules of safe sex.

Not only should you educate yourself about the various steps to take to prevent STDs, you should also educate yourself about the various kinds of STDs that exist.

Sexually transmitted diseases can be caused by bacteria or virus. The ones that are caused by different types of bacteria include vaginitis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and pelvic inflammatory disease.

The details of those caused by virus are outlined below:
Genital Herpes – This is a condition caused by the herpes simplex virus (type 1 and type 2). It spread via the sores that are caused during the condition. Sometimes it also spread in between periods of active symptoms from the skin itself. This is called shedding. Typical symptoms when the condition does act up include small but painful blisters and itching and burning sensation in the affected area.

Genital Warts – Also called Human Papillomavirus (HPV), this is an infection caused by a group of virus by the same name. There are more than 30 viruses in this category that can affect areas such as the penis, vulva, anus or the vagina. The condition spreads through genital contact. The warts caused in case of the symptomatic phase are skin colored and can be raised or flat. While they are painless, they can cause excessive itching and appear only after about 8 months of contracting the infection.

Hepatitis B – A condition caused by a germ virus, hepatitis B can cause a significant amount of liver damage leading to liver failure and even liver cancer. It is caused by having sex without protection, being born to a mother that has hepatitis B or sharing needles. The condition presents itself in the acute or chronic state and manifests itself with flu like symptoms including tiredness, jaundice and dark urine.

Hepatitis C – Caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), this is actually a liver disease that spreads due to contact with the blood of an infected person. Symptoms include fatigue, muscle and joint pains, diarrhea and vomiting and jaundice.

HIV – The Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV as we know it is a condition in which the CD4 cells are attacked. These cells are responsible for fighting off infections in our body and with a significant reduction in the count, the chances of various infections entering our body and affecting our system increases. Warning signs of this infection include rapid weight loss, recurring fever, chronic diarrhea, white spots on the tongue, memory loss and other neurological problems.

The Eye-Opening Facts About Teens and STDs

Sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise in the country. A large part of this can be attributed to higher levels of sexual activity among teens, some of whom are not aware of the various ways in which they can have safe sex.

Estimates show that there are 20 million new infections in the United States each year. Half of these are attributed to people between the age of 15 and 24 years.

The highest infection rate for gonorrhea is found among teen girls in the age group of 15 to 19 years of age. The infection rate among teens is almost 50 percent among teen boys and teen girls.

The majority of sexually transmitted diseases are accounted for by the human papillomavirus virus.

About 46 percent of high school students are sexually active and 4 in 10 of these students do not use a condom.

Twenty five percent of teens contract a sexually transmitted disease every year.

These facts show that sex education is a must for teens whether it is provided by the school authorities or by parents.

Here are facts teens need to know before becoming sexually active:

STDs are spread by having unprotected sex. Any kind of vaginal, anal or oral sex can lead to STD infection.

It is naïve to believe that you can tell if another person has a sexually transmitted disease. Many STDs do not have visible symptoms and many like herpes lie dormant for many years even when they can cause infection to another.

If a teen has already been sexually active, the only way to test for sexually transmitted diseases is to go to a STD testing center that looks into all kinds of STDs.

The only sure shot way to avoid STDs is to avoid sex. If avoidance is not an option, safe sex should be ensured at all times. Using a condom can prevent against a large number of STDs. While they can prevent some completely, the risk of others can be reduced significantly.

Condoms should be put on as soon as there is an erection. Waiting for foreplay may result in some amount of ejaculation that can come in contact with the other person causing fluids to be exchanged. It might be a good idea to go to a teen clinic to understand how a condom can be used properly.

Boosting Your Immune System Through Nutrition

A good and strong immune system is one of the best ways in which you can prevent any kind of disease or infection.

When you have a strong immune system your body knows how to fight back infection and not let it get the better of you.

Irrespective of how the saying goes, an apple a day is not enough to keep the doctor away and there may be some other foods that you want to ingest to enhance the functioning of your immune system.

Here are some great foods that help in boosting your immunity:

Yogurt – Filled with active live cultures, the probiotics present in yogurt help the gut remain healthy. Lactobacillus reuteri stimulates white blood cells to make them function more efficiently.

Oats and barley – The soluble fiber beta glucan present in oats and barley helps in keeping cholesterol levels under control. It also has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that fight flu, herpes and anthrax too.

Garlic – It might stink but it will help reduce chances of stomach cancer and lower the rate of colorectal cancer as well.

Shellfish – All shellfish contain large amounts of selenium that helps the white blood cells in producing cytokine. These are proteins that help in fighting flu and other viruses. Dig into the oysters, lobster and crab and you can fight the flu virus better.

Boosting Your Immune System Through Nutrition Green tea or black tea – Drinking green tea or black tea on a daily basis helps in boosting immunity. The amino acid that helps in this is called L-theanine, present abundantly in green and black tea.

Mushrooms – Shiitake, reishi and maitake mushrooms help in higher production of white blood cells. They also help in increasing performance levels of these cells so they can fight pathogens more efficiently.
Berries – Acai berries, elder berries and blueberries are known to have antioxidants called anthocyanins. These fight disease by warding off free radicals that may appear in the body.

Watermelons – Glutathione, the antioxidant present in watermelons has been tested in studies to show that it enhances the immunity levels.
Simply changing your eating habits slightly to include these super foods that help enhance immunity is a great way to stay fit.

While nature does not provide any guarantees and sure shot ways like allopathic medicines, the manner in which it heals is far more real and permanent.