{"id":2028,"date":"2019-09-18T08:05:00","date_gmt":"2019-09-18T08:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/?p=2028"},"modified":"2020-06-22T09:13:11","modified_gmt":"2020-06-22T09:13:11","slug":"genital-herpes-more-common-than-expected","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/index.php\/2019\/09\/18\/genital-herpes-more-common-than-expected\/","title":{"rendered":"Genital Herpes &#8211; More Common Than Expected"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;margin-bottom: 0px;margin-top: 0px;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><p>When it comes to a sexually-transmitted disease that is highly infectious, genital herpes is one to take note of. It cannot be cured, only controlled.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is genital herpes?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). There are two types of HSV, namely type I and type II.<\/p>\n<p>How does one get genital herpes?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Sexual intercourse with an infected person<\/li>\n<li>Mother-to-child transmission during childbirth<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2037\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-1-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-1-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-1-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-1-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-1-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-1.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Note that many people infected with herpes may not have any symptoms or visible sores or blisters. Many people who are infected with herpes may not even be aware that they are infected.<\/p>\n<p>What does the doctor mean when he says I have \u2018primary herpes\u2019?<\/p>\n<p>Primary herpes is the first episode of infection that occurs after a person has been exposed to the virus. Primary infection with HSV is usually more severe, causing significant pain. It lasts about 2 weeks before healing takes place.<\/p>\n<p>The following are consequential symptoms:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Groups of blisters appear<\/li>\n<li>These blisters can break down to form shallow raw areas or ulcers, which can be painful.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>What is recurrent herpes?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>HSV is a virus that can stay latent in your body. That means that after an episode of genital herpes, there will be some virus that \u2018hides\u2019 itself in certain locations in the body (usually in the nerve roots). When the virus is \u2018latent\u2019, it does not produce any active lesions on the body. However, the virus can reactivate and be present on the genital skin intermittently and this is how transmissions take place. It is important to take note that the skin can still look normal even if there is HSV present on it.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2038\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-2-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-2-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-2-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-2-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-2-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-2.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Recurrent herpes refers to the subsequent episodes of genital herpes that occurs after the primary infection. These attacks are usually less severe and last a shorter period, perhaps 3 to 5 days.<\/p>\n<p>It is also important to aware that:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Not everyone who is infected with HSV gets recurrent episodes<\/li>\n<li>There is no way of predicting how often the attacks will occur<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>How is the diagnosis made?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Cultures will be taken to confirm the infection. However, the culture may not be positive if the episode of herpes has lasted a few days, as there may be less virus on the site from which the swab was taken.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2039\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-3-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-3-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-3-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-3-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-3-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-3-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-3-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-3.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Blood tests \u2013 these have to be used in conjunction with expert medical advice as there are some limitations and situations where they may not be useful.The blood tests that can be done are called type-specific serological tests. They detect antibodies against HSV I and HSV II. Finding these antibodies indicates previous exposure but does not tell us if the infection is currently active.<\/p>\n<p>Antibodies may take 6 to 8 weeks to develop and hence may not be present if the blood test is done too soon after a first episode of infection. Many adults will have antibodies against HSV\u00a0 \u2013 this usually is from non-sexual transmission.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2040\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-4-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-4-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-4-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-4-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-4-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-4-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-4-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-4-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/spermfit-genital-herpes-4.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Can I be treated?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Antiviral drugs are available. These can control outbreaks and symptoms, but do not cure the disease.<\/p>\n<p>You should discuss with your doctor the various ways recurrent herpes can be managed &#8211;\u00a0 sometimes you can take medications to \u2018abort\u2019 an attack when you feel it coming on, while others may take the medications daily for up to 1 year to prevent frequent recurrences.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><a class=\"fusion-modal-text-link\" href=\"#\">\n<p><center><a style=\"cursor: pointer;\"><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"Articlesimageicon\" style=\"align: middle;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/spermfit-fertility-wellness-icon-en.png\" alt=\"Freshchat\" \/><\/a><\/center><\/a><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Do not assume that genital herpes is not your concern. Get tested, reduce risk behaviours and get vaccinated against HPV!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2036,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2028","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2028","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2028"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2028\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2423,"href":"https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2028\/revisions\/2423"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2036"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2028"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2028"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sperm.fit\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2028"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}