Genital herpes is a medical condition transmitted through sexual intercourse. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 3.7 billion people are infected with this virus globally. People suffering from this STD have herpetic sores and oozing blisters on their genital areas.
In this article, we will talk about what genital herpes is and everything one needs to know about them. You can also consult an online doctor to seek solutions in a discreet manner.
Causes of Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is caused by the presence of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) in the body. There are two types of HSV:
- HSV-1: Causes cold sores but sometimes is also responsible for genital herpes.
- HSV-2.
Symptoms of Genital Herpes
The virus that causes genital herpes leaves blisters all over the victim’s body. It typically takes about four days for the first outbreak, but it may sometimes take more or lesser time. For men, blisters often appear on the penis, buttocks, or scrotum. For women, the vagina, anus, and buttocks are primary infection points.
However, there are also a few common symptoms that anyone suffering from herpes will show. These include:
- itching or tingling in the area before blisters appear
- crustiness over the sores over a few weeks
- ulceration of blisters and oozing out of fluids
- blisters on the face, mouth, lips, and the genitals
- lymph glands swell as they fight off the infection in the body
- headaches, body aches, and fever
Babies may also contract herpes if the mother delivering is infected. Common symptoms for children born with herpes are blisters or ulcers on the face, body, and genitals. However, the infection is much more severe for infants as it can cause complications and damage to the baby’s organs, such as the brain, and can cause blindness. Severe cases can even be fatal.
If you feel like you have any of the symptoms mentioned above but might be unsure of what it is, contact an online doctor for help.
Diagnosis For Genital Herpes
When you visit a doctor, they will most likely ask you a series of questions, conduct a physical examination, and conduct laboratory tests before the diagnosis. Typical tests include:
1. PCR Test
A polymerase chain reaction test copies your DNA from a sample of blood, spinal fluid, or tissue from the sore. The DNA strand is then tested to identify the presence of HSV.
2. Blood Test
A blood test is carried out to detect the presence of HSV antibodies in the blood for a previous infection.
3. Viral Culture
This test works by taking a tissue sample or a scrape from the sore at the site of infection to examine at the laboratory.
Treatment For Herpes
The three common drugs used when treating genital herpes are famciclovir, acyclovir, and valacyclovir, all available as pills. However, in severe cases, doctors prescribe IVs to treat the virus. There are also many self-treatment hacks that relieve pain. However, professional medical treatment for herpes is given at three distinct intervals:
1. Initial treatment
This takes place when a patient is first diagnosed with genital herpes. Because genital herpes grows as outbursts in different stages, the first step is to control the growth of the microorganism. Initially, a medical practitioner will prescribe a 7-10 day anti-viral course of medication to keep the situation from getting worse.
2. Intermittent treatment
The patient will be prescribed drugs to keep handy in case the virus flares up. This treatment is called intermittent therapy. If moving is difficult at this stage, you can speak to a doctor online and explore your options. Your doctor will usually advise you to take your backup pill for two to five days to prevent another outbreak.
3. Suppressive treatment
If outbreaks are too frequent, your doctor will advise you to take medication much more frequently. This stage is called suppressive therapy, and for someone who has frequent outbreaks, suppressive therapy is effective in bringing down 70% of the sores and infection. Regular anti-viral drug users experience no outbreaks at all.
Conclusion
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease that is painful and manifests physically as blisters and painful sores. It can take months to manage, only if treatment is proper and careful. Daily suppressive medication and therapy reduce the chances of outbreaks and may even eliminate future outbreaks altogether.
If you are seeking an online doctor for your genital herpes consultation, TelMDCare is providing excellent digital services to people in several areas throughout The States. You can book an appointment with a virtual doctor to discuss your problems.
They have a panel of telemedicine doctors who are available for patients from all over the country. TelMDCare provides STD consultations, erectile dysfunction treatments, and even acute care for patients without an age limit. You can contact them for more information or book a consultation to seek treatment immediately.
The author of this blog is passionate about telemedicine and encourages people to participate in digital consultations. When they are not working with patients, they like to read and educate people of the benefits of online medical treatments and their potential.
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