GENITAL HERPES - PREVENTION

Signs and Symptoms of Genital Herpes

An outbreak can occur a few days or weeks after sex. an outbreak begins with blisters on the penis, and in or around the vagina, mouth or rectum. After a few days, the blisters break and leave painful sore. These may take days or weeks to heal. The first outbreak is often the worst. Later outbreaks are also painful, but tend to heal faster.

Prevention and Treatment of Genital Herpes

Medication can help to reduce the frequency and severity of outbreaks. You can help sores heal faster by keeping them clean and dry. To avoid spreading the virus, do not have sex during an outbreak. Also avoid oral sex if you have a cold sore. Cold sores are another form of the herpes viral infection (oral herpes). Oral herpes can be passed from the mouth to the genitals and vice-versa. Don't kiss or have sex if you or your partner has a herpes sore. And use latex condoms everytime you have sex - even between outbreaks

Although herpes isn't deadly, you may face some risks if you don't get it treated. Herpes increases the chance of catching HIV( the virus that causes AIDS) as the sores make it easier for HIV to be passed during sex. If a woman has an outbreak during pregnancy, herpes can be passed tothe baby during delivery.

Some ways to soothe the pain of genital herpes are by painkillers, wearing cool cloths to cool the sore, keeping the infected area dry and clean to promote healing, wearing cotton underwear to reduce irritation and wearing loose-fitting clothes