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Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease that generally affects the genitals and rectum. This eMedTV Web page explains how genital herpes is transmitted, lists the treatments that are available, and describes the symptoms of the condition.
Genital herpes is caused by either the herpes simplex type 1 or herpes simplex type 2 virus. This page from the eMedTV Web site discusses these genital herpes causes in more detail and explains how the virus is transmitted.
You can transmit genital herpes by having direct skin-to-skin or mucous membrane contact with someone. This eMedTV page discusses genital herpes transmission in more detail and explains how the virus can be spread with or without symptoms.
The incubation period for genital herpes is typically six to eight days. As this eMedTV article explains, in some cases, the period between herpes transmission and the start of symptoms can be as short as one day or as long as 26 days.
Early symptoms of genital herpes may include flu-like symptoms, painful urination, and swollen glands. This eMedTV segment lists other early genital herpes symptoms and also describes symptoms of genital herpes recurrences.
Common genital herpes symptoms may include difficulty urinating, swollen glands, and flu-like symptoms. This eMedTV Web page lists other possible symptoms of genital herpes, including those that can appear during a recurrence of herpes.
A genital herpes diagnosis can be made by using a blood test or viral culture of a lesion. This page of the eMedTV Web site describes the tests that can be used for diagnosing genital herpes and lists other conditions that share similar symptoms.
Herpes blood tests are useful in detecting the virus in people with no visible symptoms. This page on the eMedTV Web site describes the various blood tests available for diagnosing herpes and compares the only two FDA-cleared blood tests in detail.
Genital herpes treatment usually involves antivirals, such as valacyclovir, famciclovir, or acyclovir. This eMedTV resource explains how genital herpes is treated during different stages of infection and offers pain relief suggestions for outbreaks.
Common drugs used to treat genital herpes include acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir. This eMedTV Web page describes each one of these genital herpes medication in more detail and explains the effects of the drugs.
Talking with your doctor, partner, and family can be helpful when living with genital herpes. This eMedTV page offers other suggestions for coping with genital herpes and explains the possible physical and emotional effects it may have on you.
Possible genital herpes complications include an increased risk for other STDs and newborn infections. This eMedTV segment offers a more detailed description of the potential complications that may occur in people with genital herpes.
Common genital herpes prevention strategies include abstaining from sex, using condoms, and being faithful. This eMedTV segment discusses other ways for preventing genital herpes and also explains how you can prevent spreading the disease to others.
In the United States, almost one in five adolescents and adults has had a genital herpes infection. This eMedTV article contains other genital herpes statistics and describes the dramatic increase of herpes cases from 1966 to 2005.
Women who contract genital herpes later in pregnancy may require a C-section. This eMedTV Web page offers more information on genital herpes and pregnancy, including the risks for neonatal herpes (herpes in the newborn) and how to prevent it.
This portion of the eMedTV archives provides a discussion on genital herpes and breastfeeding. It describes how a nursing woman can keep her baby from coming into contact with the dangerous herpes sores.
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