LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Herpes: People
built 651 days ago
Genital herpes is caused by a virus that invades the body through tiny breaks in the skin. After symptoms disappear, the virus retreats to the colon until it is reactivated. Diet, stress, travel and the sun play a large part in creating new outbreaks. People who are chronically ill, or under severe stress, seem to have the most attacks. Many kinds of stimuli or stress may reactivate the virus, including sexual intercourse and menstruation. Outbreaks may ... occur in response to certain foods or medications.
Source:
The long-term effects of herpes simplex are not well known, but the blisters may leave scars, and during the 1980s it was thought to contribute to the risk of cervical cancer in women. Subsequently, another virus, human papillomavirus (HPV), has been shown to be a primary cause of cervical cancer in women. Additionally, people who have unprotected sex with an HIV positve person when they have active sores are at a higher risk of HIV transmission because of open blisters. In newborns... herpes can cause serious damage: death, neurological damage, mental retardation, and blindness. Fortunately this is extremely rare.
Source:
Signs of herpes tend to develop within 3-7 days of skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. Herpes infections look like small blisters or ulcers (round areas of broken skin) on the genitals. Each blister or ulcer is typically only 1-3 millimeters in size, and the blisters or ulcers tend to be grouped into "crops." Usually the blisters form first then soon open to form ulcers. Herpes infections may be painless or slightly tender. In some people... the blisters or ulcers can be very tender and painful.
Source:
Although there is no cure for genital herpes, the antiviral medication Famvir® (famciclovir), when used for suppressive therapy can reduce the frequency and duration of outbreaks from 5 to 1 over a one-year period. In clinical trials, 29 percent of patients were recurrence free after one year versus 6 percent on placebo. Famvir has ... been shown to reduce all symptoms associated with episodic or individual outbreaks of genital herpes. Famvir is proven to abort viral shedding 47 percent sooner compared to placebo. In addition, genital herpes is one of the most common co-infections in HIV-infected people and Famvir is the only antiviral medication indicated to treat recurrent genital herpes in HIV-infected patients. Famvir was also shown to have a favorable safety profile in clinical trials.
Source:
Anyone who has not contracted genital herpes should avoid having sex or sharing personal items with anyone who is experiencing an outbreak. If a person touches a sore, wash with disinfectant soap immediately to avoid infection. Always use a condom, and keep in mind that a condom doesn’t cover everything. Infection can come from uncovered areas, too. Don’t assume you can tell if a person is infected by simply looking. Since many people have herpes without showing outward signs of disease, approach any new sexual partner as if he has the disease.
Source:
There is a vaccine to prevent herpes being tested, but it has not been approved by the FDA for general use. Several oral anti-viral medications (Zovirax, Famvir and Valtrex) have been developed for severe or frequently returning infections. Low doses are sometimes helpful in reducing the number of herpes attacks in people with frequent outbreaks. There is some evidence that taking these will make HSV less contagious. People who have taken Famvir with the initial attack seem to have fewer recurrences.
Source:
MORE ABOUT
People