Genital Herpes

By Amy, Rosa, Christina and Samantha

What is herpes?
Herpes is an infection or virus that can be transferred through
sexual intercourse or skin to skin contact. This contact involves the
mouth, vagina or the “genital skin.” Because the herpes viruses are
small tiny organisms, it spreads very easily with exchange of body
fluids, just like AIDS. Genital herpes is often just called "herpes."
Strains of the virus
There are 2 types of herpes simplex virus, one being HSV—1 and
HSV-2. HSV-1 Is the virus that usually causes cold sores on the lips
and face. It is usually transmitted in childhood through kissing, but
can be transmitted at any age. HSV-1 can also be transmitted to the
genitals through direct skin to skin contact, often by oral sex. About
80% of adults have HSV-1 by the time they are 25. HSV-2 is a virus
responsible for most genital herpes and is most commonly
transmitted through sexual contact. Approximately 1-8 adults
sexually active Australians has genital herpes. Of these, 20% are
aware that they have the virus, 60% are unaware but have the
symptoms while the last 20% have absolutely no symptoms and are
totally not aware. This is because when genital herpes are being
spread, they rarely show the symptoms or the symptoms that they
have are too minor and mistaken for something else.

What are the signs and symptoms?

It is only around two weeks after the virus is transmitted that the
first outbreaks appear. The signs and symptoms of herpes could
vary from one outbreak to the next.

Symptoms
~Itching or burning feeling in the genital area
~ Pain in the legs, buttocks or in the genital area.
~Discharge of fluid
~Feeling of pressure in the abdomen
~Mild fever, headaches, tingling, redness and flu
~Distinct rashes, cracks in the skin, sores and blisters that burst
and become painful ulcers

The first outbreak

The symptoms may also occur inside the genital areas. Firstly, red
bumps appear which then develop into blisters and then become
painful open sores. Over a few days, the sores will become crusty
and then heal without leaving scar.
 < ------------------Shingles

Ulcers
---------->

< ------ Rash

Open sores-
>

These outbreaks are more frequent and last longer if the patients
have suppressed immune systems, either through stress, disease,
or medications.
However, the symptoms may be mild and not usually noticed.
Who are the people at risk?
Anyone who is sexually active is capable of having .The risk of
getting it is higher depending on your age and the number of
partners you had or have.
This disease can also spread to newborn babies if their mother has
the virus while having the baby in her womb. This virus is
particularly dangerous to pregnant woman as a first time genital
herpes infection during any stage of pregnancy can result in
spontaneous abortion, low birth weight infants and premature
delivery .[ not sure wht tht means]. If the pregnant mother contracts
herpes during the third trimester of pregnancy, the baby will also
get the disease as well.
The complications include sight-threatening disease, encephalitis-
lymph cancer, all resulting in severe illness or death. [I cut the possibly
out]

MAYBES:
The Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2) enters the mucous membranes
through microscopic tears. When the virus becomes inactive, HSV-2
travels to nerve roots near the spinal cord and settles there
permanently. When an infected person has a herpes outbreak, the
virus travels down the nerve fibres to the site of the original
infection and when it reaches the skin, the classic redness and
blisters occur.

RISK FACTORS:

1 in 8 adult Australians have this sexually transmitted infection. It is

so common that you can catch it even if you've only had a few
sexual partners. In fact, it could take just one sexual partner to
catch it.

There are now advertisements that help those who do or may think
they have herpes. Advertisements like, ‘If you have recurring
symptoms like redness, tingling or itching anywhere inside your
underwear see a doctor and ask to get tested for genital herpes.’

Results of a nationally representative study show that genital

herpes infection is common in the United States. Nationwide, 16.2%,
or about one out of six, people 14 to 49 years of age have genital
HSV-2 infection. Over the past decade, the percentage of Americans
with genital herpes infection in the U.S. has remained stable.

Genital HSV-2 infection is more common in women (approximately

one out of five women 14 to 49 years of age could contract this
disease) than in men (about one out of nine men 14 to 49 years of
age). Transmission from an infected male to his female partner is
more likely than from an infected female to her male partner.

The risk factors of having herpes, makes the chances of getting a

condition higher but does not always lead to genital herpes. Also the
absence of any risk factors or having a protective factor does not
necessarily guard you from getting Genital herpes.

Can you get Herpes from a toilet seat or other everyday objects?

Type 2 of the herpes simplex virus, (genital herpes), live long on a non-living surface,
such as a toilet seat, hot tub, or bathtub this is because the virus that causes this
disease is very delicate and requires skin-to-skin contact or bodily fluid contact
through sexual encounters in order to live and multiply. Therefore, it is not possible
to contract herpes from any of those objects. However, even though the chances of
getting Herpes through a toilet seat or other things, there is still that tiny bit of chance
you could get infected.

PREVENTION:
In addition, sexually active people should know that safer sex
practices, such as the use of condoms, help prevent the acquisition
of HSV-2. The more you have sex with different people, the higher
the chance of getting genital herpes. To prevent this, go check out
with the doctor first before you have sex. Make sure your sex
partner have sex only with you. The use of condoms can reduce the
risk of getting the disease but can not guarantee full protection from
the virus. The herpes sore or lesion-an abnormal tissue that is found
in or on an organism, is not always located in an area covered by
the condom. Those who have genital herpes should avoid sex with
those who don’t have it. Even if the person does not have symptoms
occurring while having sex, he or she should not continue because
they can still infect their sex partners. Make sure your sex partner
sees a doctor before u do it with him/her.

How those this affects us

When people usually have herpes, they don’t usually tell others that
they have it. They would probably think, who I should tell, when
should I tell, and who can I trust. It is best to tell your doctor that
you have the disease or think you do because doctors can help you
and treat the disease. Telling your family is probably the most
important because they will be the one supporting you. Telling your
friends can be an option, your own opinion if you like. Outside in the
world, having herpes nowadays are really often so it’s ok to tell
someone you can trust.

A quick Summary: ~Herpes (genital) is incurable

~Herpes may be undetected-meaning if one
person
Has it, they may not even know it.
~It is very common, it’s everywhere
~Herpes can be diagnosed by a doctor, and can
be
treated
~Genital herpes can even be transmitted through
a
condom
~The risk of getting the virus increases
geometrically
With every sexual contact
Bibliography:
http://www.herpes-coldsores.com/herpes_information.htm

http://www.thefacts.com.au/what-is-herpes/genital-herpes-symptoms/

http://www.thefacts.com.au/

http://www.worsleyschool.net/science/files/herpes/facts.html

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/g/genital_herpes/prevent.htm

http://www.patientlinx.com/herpes/herpesprevent.cfm

http://www.micronutra.com/journal/herpes/can-you-get-herpes-from-a-toilet-seat