Some of the most common STIs are:
Chlamydia,
Genital herpes,
Genital warts or human papillomavirus (HPV):Certain high-risk types of HPV can cause cervical cancer in women,
Gonorrhea,
Hepatitis B,
Syphilis,
Trichomoniasis,
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS.
Today we will be talking about Genital herpes a common sexually transmitted infection marked by genital pain and sores. Caused by the herpes simplex virus, the disease can affect both men and women.
Treatment can help, but this condition can’t be cured. It can last for years or be lifelong . Usually self-diagnosadthough Lab tests or imaging is often required to be accurate
HOW IT SPREADS
- Spreads by sexual contact usually unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
- By mother to baby by pregnancy, labor, or nursing.
Genital herpes are usually self-diagnosable
Pain, itching and small sores appear first. They form ulcers and scabs. After initial infection, genital herpes lies dormant in the body. Symptoms can recur for years. Pain areas can occur during urination, in the penis, or vagina Also common, genital sores, sensation of pins and needles, or skin rash.
Herpes might not have any symptoms.
You or your partner may not have any herpes symptoms that you can see or feel, or the signs of herpes may be so mild you don’t even notice them. Sometimes people confuse herpes symptoms with other things, like pimples, ingrown hairs, and the flu.
Herpes symptoms come and go, but that doesn’t mean the infection goes away or that you can’t spread it to other people. Once you have herpes, it stays in your body for life.
Some common genital herpes symptoms
The most common symptoms of genital herpes is a group of itchy or painful blisters on your vagina, vulva, cervix, penis, butt, anus, or the inside of your thighs. The blisters break and turn into sores. You might have these other symptoms too: burning when you pee if your urine touches the herpes sores, having trouble peeing because the sores and swelling are blocking your urethra, itching, pain around your genitals.
If your genital herpes is caused by HSV-2, you might also have flu-like symptoms, such as: swollen glands in your pelvic area, throat, and under your arms, fever, chills. headache, feeling achy and tired
When blisters and other genital herpes symptoms show up, it’s called an outbreak. The first outbreak (also called the “first episode” or “initial herpes”) usually starts about 2 to 20 days after you get infected with herpes. But sometimes it takes years for the first outbreak to happen.
The first herpes outbreak lasts about 2 to 4 weeks. Even though the blisters go away, the virus stays in your body and can cause sores again. It’s really common to get repeat outbreaks, especially during the first year you have herpes. You might notice some warning signs a few hours or days before outbreaks flare up, like itching, burning, or a tingly feeling on your genitals.
Herpes outbreaks are no fun, but the first one is the worst. Repeat outbreaks are usually shorter and less painful. Most people with herpes get fewer outbreaks as time goes on, and some stop having them altogether.
Herpes symptoms may be more painful and last longer in people with illnesses that damage your immune system like leukemia and HIV.
Oral herpes symptoms
Usually, oral herpes is less painful than genital herpes and doesn’t make you feel as sick. Oral herpes causes sores on your lips or around your mouth called cold sores or fever blisters. You can also get sores inside your mouth, but that usually only happens the first few times you have symptoms.
Cold sores last a few weeks and then go away on their own. They can pop up again in weeks, months, or years. Cold sores are annoying, but usually harmless in kids and adults , they can be really dangerous to newborn babies, though.
TREATMENT
Specific antiviral therapy is available which can decrease the severity of initial genital herpes infection, decrease the severity of recurrences and if taken continuously, reduce the likelihood of recurrences.
For severe infections, salt baths or ice packs may reduce discomfort. Iodine-containing antiseptics such as Betadine will dry out the blisters and may help prevent secondary infection.
PREVENTION
People should not have genital, oral or anal sex while sores or blisters are present. However, it is important to remember that it is possible to transmit infection even if there are no obvious blisters, sores or other symptoms.When blisters are not present, the spread of herpes simplex may be reduced by using condoms or dental dams (a small latex or polyurethrane sheet used during oral sex).
Testing to exclude other sexually transmitted infections (STI) is advisable.Since herpes in pregnant women may be transmitted to the baby at delivery, the obstetrician and midwife should be alerted to a history of past herpes infections so that this complication can be planned for and avoided.
HOME REMEDIES TO GENITAL HERPES
These tried-and-true home remedies may help ease outbreak-related swelling, itching, and stinging. You probably already have what you need for these remedies in your kitchen cabinet or medicine chest.
Warm compress
Preliminary researchTrusted Source suggests that it may be helpful to apply heat as soon as you feel a sore forming. If a sore has already formed, heat may help minimize pain and swelling. You can make a dry warm compress by filling a sock halfway with rice and microwaving it for just under a minute.
Cool compress
You can also use a cold compress to reduce swelling. Apply an ice pack or a clean, soft washcloth filled with ice to the affected area. Repeat as needed every four hours.
Baking soda paste
Applying a baking soda paste may help dry out lesions and relieve itching. To do this, dip a wet cotton ball or Q-tip into a small amount of pure baking soda, and dab it on the sore.
Cornstarch paste
Corn starch paste may also dry out lesions and relieve itching. Dip a wet cotton ball or Q-tip into a small amount of cornstarch, and apply it to the affected area.
Topical garlic
Older research suggests that garlic may have antiviral properties against both strains of herpes. Crush up a fresh clove of garlic and mix it with olive oil to dilute. You can apply this mixture to a sore up to three times per day.
Topical apple cider vinegar (ACV)
ACV is known for its anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. To reap some of these benefits, mix one-part ACV with three-parts warm water and apply to the affected area
Source: PLANNEDPERENTHOOD
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