Herpes Symptoms

Risk Factors

Written by Alice Johnson

Genital herpes is a disease that affects nearly a quarter of the population of the United States. It's transmitted primarily through sexual conduct, and as a result, transmission of the disease can largely be prevented by responsible sexual habits. Two variants of the herpes simplex virus, HSV-1 and HSV-2, can cause genital herpes, although HSV-2 is the culprit in the vast majority of cases and usually causes more severe symptoms. This disease is transmitted via direct skin to skin contact, meaning that its spread from the site of infection to a site of contact. For example, if you have gential herpes you can give your partner herpes through vaginal, oral or anal sex. Genital herpes infections cycle between periods when the disease is active, resulting in sores and blisters in the genital area that remain present for two to 21 days, and when the disease lies dormant and no symptoms are present. It's during the active period that the disease is most likely to be transmitted to another sexual partner, although the disease can also be transmitted when no symptoms are present. Because a sizable number of people who are infected with genital herpes don't know they have the disease because they are asymptomatic or because they've confused their symptoms with those of another illness, herpes is all too often unknowingly spread. The first line of defense from contracting herpes is knowing whether you or your partner have herpes. Sexually active individuals, particularly those who have multiple partners, should be tested annually for herpes. Knowing you and your partners' status regarding herpes can help you make the right decisions regarding precautions that may be needed to prevent the further spread of the illness.  Condoms can offer some protection against the transmission of genital herpes for both men and women. People who are consistent in their use of condoms report a reduced risk of contracting herpes of about 30 percent. HSV-2 is unable to pass through a latex condom, but because other parts of the genital area beside the penis may have herpes-related sores or, in the case of an uninfected male, may come into contact with areas with herpes-related sores  -- such as the scrotum, upper thighs, anus, buttocks, or the general area around the penis, herpes can be spread in spite of condom use. To further prevent the spread of herpes, the use of garments that cover infected areas during sex can be a valuable preventative tool. In oral sex, the use of dental dams can act much like condoms to help prevent transmitting herpes from the genital area of one partner to the mouth of the other. Another way infected persons can help prevent the transmission of herpes is by using antiviral suppressive therapy. Antiviral suppressive therapy uses drugs that work to inhibit the replication of the herpes virus. Because outbreaks are reduced, blisters and shedding, which greatly contribute to the spread of herpes are also reduced, thus decreasing the chances of spreading the disease. The drug valaciclovir has been found to be effective in preventing the transmission of genital herpes when used as a suppressive therapy. According to a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine, a once a day regimen of valaciclovir, commonly known as Valtrex, can help reduce herpes transmission rates by half. Risk factors Women are generally at greater risk of catching genital herpes than men. According to research, without the use of condoms or antiviral drugs, there's about an eight to 10 percent transmission risk of spreading HSV-2 from infected men to women. The transmission risk from infected women to men is about four to five percent per year. Studies show that using condoms is more effective in preventing male to female transmission of herpes than female to male transmission of herpes. Unborn children of mothers with herpes may be at risk of contracting herpes. The risk is more pronounced if the herpes infection was a recently acquired infection, with the first outbreak manifesting at or near the time of delivery. Antiviral drugs such as aciclovir can help reduce the risk of birth defects or herpes infection associated with the disease. Persons with HIV are more likely to become infected with herpes than non-infected persons. HIV weakens the immune system, and makes a herpes infection more likely. Because herpes can contribute to the progression of HIV to AIDS, persons with HIV should take appropriate action to avoid being infected with this disease. Herpes is a preventable disease if you're armed with the appropriate knowledge and understand the right steps to take to avoid contracting the illness.

 

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