How to deal with daunting genital herpes

l herpes is a fairly common sexually transmitted infection that affects both men and women.

What you need to know:

  • The blisters rupture and leave a person with sores that are very painful and may take several weeks to heal.

  • At times, these symptoms are referred to as ‘having an outbreak’. The initial outbreak may be accompanied by symptoms similar to that of flu such as body aches, fever and swollen glands.

  • It is common to have recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes, particularly in the first year after infection.

l herpes is a fairly common sexually transmitted infection that affects both men and women.

The chronic, lifetime infection is caused by a virus known as herpes simplex, and a person can get infected through sexual intercourse with an infected partner, or by coming into contact with fluids found in the herpes sores of an infected person.

Although genital herpes does not have a cure, there are medications available to ease the symptoms and decrease the risk of passing the virus to other people. Here, a sample of your questions regarding this, and more...

 

Dear Doc,

What are symptoms of genital herpes and how do I differentiate them from other skin conditions? Darren.

 

Dear Darren,

Thanks for asking this important question. Most people with genital herpes usually experience no symptoms at all, or the symptoms may be too mild to be noticed.

A person may easily mistake such symptoms for other conditions of the skin such as pimples. For this reason, most people may carry herpes and not realise at all that they have the infection.

Sores or ulcers associated with genital herpes normally appear as a single or more blisters on or around the moist lining of the mouth, rectum or the genitals.

The blisters rupture and leave a person with sores that are very painful and may take several weeks to heal.

At times, these symptoms are referred to as ‘having an outbreak’. The initial outbreak may be accompanied by symptoms similar to that of flu such as body aches, fever and swollen glands.

It is common to have recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes, particularly in the first year after infection. Though the infection can remain in the body for life, the number of outbreaks a person has tend to reduce over the years.

The subsequent episodes of genital herpes may occur only one to three times in a year; they are milder, and last for a shorter time as compared to the first outbreak.

If you notice symptoms such as an abnormal sore, burning sensation when passing urine, a smelly discharge, or, if you are a woman, bleeding between menstrual periods, see a doctor for examination.

 

Dear Doc,

I heard that there are different herpes simplex viruses. What is the difference between them? Duncan.

 

Dear Duncan,

Herpes simplex viruses (HSV), simply referred to as herpes, are classified into two types, namely HSV-I (herpes type I or oral herpes) and HSV-II (herpes type II or genital herpes). In most cases HSV-I causes sores, most times called cold sores, around the lips and mouth. A person with HSV-II can develop sores around the rectum or genitals.

Though HSV-II sores may develop in other parts of the body, these sores normally occur below the waist.

 

Dear Doc,

Can a person get genital herpes from someone who is infected but never had sores? Xavier.

 

Dear Xavier,

Yes, it is possible. This can happen because most people infected with the herpes virus may never develop symptoms, or may assume that symptoms are as a result of other conditions. If this happens, such a person can transmit the virus to his or her sexual partner(s), who can subsequently develop genital sores.

The risk is higher if you have other STIs, multiple sexual partners, or if you have a partner with other STIs. If your sexual partner develops genital herpes and you have never had a history of genital ulcers, it is important that you see a doctor, who will run tests to find out if you have been infected.

 

Dear doc

What is the treatment for genital herpes? MG.

 

Dear MG,

Unfortunately, there are no drugs to completely eliminate symptoms of genital herpes. Once infected, the virus remains in the body and it can become active several times after exposure to triggering factors such as stress.

Treatment involves use of antiviral drugs to manage the condition.

These drugs reduce the number of outbreaks a person may have, shorten the duration of ulcers (sores), and prevent the patient from shedding the virus — and hence reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to other people.

To avoid spread of the virus, keep off sex until the symptoms have cleared and thereafter continue using protection each time you have sexual intercourse to avoid reinfection.

 

Dear Doc,

What is the relationship between genital herpes and HIV? Thanks, Gil.

 

Dear Gil,

HIV and genital herpes virus can be very bothersome because one can cause the effects of the other to become worse. Normally, genital herpes can cause formation of ulcers or breaks, either on the skin or on the moist lining of the vagina, mouth, and rectum. These ulcers bleed easily.

If your partner comes into contact with these sores through the vagina, mouth or rectum during sexual intercourse, there is an increased risk of passing the HIV if you are infected, or getting HIV from your partner if he or she is infected.

A person with both HIV and herpes may experience more severe and long-lasting outbreaks of herpes symptoms because of the weakened immune system.

 

 Tips on how to cope and remain healthy with the condition

Learning that you are infected with an STI such as genital herpes can bring about a lot of physical and emotional stress. No one ever wants to even imagine acquiring an STI, much so an incurable one. Though genital herpes does not have a cure, there are ways in which you can help yourself live a normal life.

Here’s how to:

 

Physical and emotional stress: Continuous stress that lasts for more than a week can trigger outbreaks of genital herpes. Adopting healthy ways to manage stress can significantly lower the number of outbreaks you may have.

 

Balanced diet: Eat a balanced diet by ensuring that you include all the essential nutrients in your diet. Include proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals to keep your body going strong.

Consume a lot vegetables and fruits to help boost your immune system. Cut down on fatty and sugary foods and also do not overindulge in alcohol and caffeine.

 

Plenty of rest and sleep: Take time to relax. Go for yoga or do other things such as watching television programmes that you like, listening to music or just sitting somewhere enjoying the nature.

Allow yourself enough sleep. A person who is more rested is in a position to handle stress better.

Most adults require around eight hours of good sleep in order to be able to function properly. However, some people may need less as each person is different.

Note the amount of hours you sleep and wake up naturally without the need for an alarm. Ensure that you have quality sleep, stick to a regular schedule and avoid caffeinated products such as coffee before bedtime.

 

Exercise: Physical activity plays a great role in relieving stress. Do things that you enjoy such as sporting activities or dancing. You can also include a friend who shares the same tastes as you for motivation.

 

Social support: Reach out to others. Most people, when stressed, do not like to socialise, yet this can go a long way in helping you forget your worries for a while. Talk about your disease with someone you trust such a close friend, spouse, or a therapist.

 

Learn how to protect yourself: Avoid unprotected sex and have your partner(s) tested to avoid re-infection. It is possible to get different strains of the virus from the one you have and this can worsen your existing condition.

 

Though outbreaks can result from persistent stress, little stressful occasions in daily life are normal and may not be enough to trigger episodes of herpes symptoms.

Know factors that trigger your symptoms outbreak and learn how to deal with them when they occur. Some common triggers may include;

  •  Hormonal changes around the time of your menstrual cycle.

  •  Common colds may be a trigger for cold sores also known as oral herpes.

  •  Sexual activity to some people may irritate the surrounding skin hence trigger symptoms. However, this may probably not happen each time you engage in a sexual activity.

  •  A weakened immune system, for instance, as a result of HIV/AIDS, is more likely to experience herpes outbreaks more frequently than a person whose immune system if functioning normally

    It is important to understand that various triggers affect different people in different ways. What triggers an outbreak in one person may not apply to another person. Therefore, if you have particular factors that trigger an outbreak of your herpes symptoms, talk to a doctor so that he or she can recommend on what you can do about it.