Genital herpes, also called herpes, is a viral infection caused by herpes simplex viruses (HSV).
Two types of viruses are associated with genital herpes: HSV-1 and HSV-2.
It is found that one out of every five in the United States is infected with genital herpes.
More than 45 million Americans are affected with genital herpes.
Currently, you have no genital herpes treatment available to cure the disease.
However, home remedies can heal the herpes symptoms and improves your immune system to prevent the re-emergence of the disease.
On the other hand, there are antiviral medications to treat the disease. Zovirax (acyclovir), Famvir (famciclovir) and Valtrex (valacyclovir).
Therefore, the aim of genital herpes treatment is to reduce the symptoms. Moreover, it has no side effects.
Genital herpes is one of the most common sexual transmitted diseases (STD) that can spread from person-to-person through direct contact in the infected region, including unprotected sexual activity, kissing or skin-to-skin contact.
The other sexual transmitted diseases are gonorrhea [Gonorrhea Symptoms], chlamydia [Chlamydia Symptoms], HIV/AIDS, pelvic inflammatory disease and many more.
Generally, herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) causes fever blisters in and around the mouth and is acquired from person to person through kissing whereas herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) is the major cause for genital herpes that affects the genital area. HSV-1 causes genital herpes in rare cases.
HSV-2 causes pain, itching and herpes sores in your genital area. Sexual contact is the primary way that genital herpes simplex virus spreads. As the herpes virus cannot survive for long time outside your body, you cannot acquire this virus from any object used by an infected person.
Remember that genital herpes can reappear continuously until it is cured completely. Genital herpes treatment and prevention is essential to stop the virus transmission further.
For prevention, it is good to keep your hands clean by washing frequently, never rub or touch the infected area during an outbreak, and avoid sexual activities until your genital herpes symptoms are healed entirely.
For genital herpes treatment, it is always essential to keep the infected area clean and dry in order to stop developing other infections.
For this, always bath with hot water (according to your body temperature) in order to help reduce your itching and pain in the infected area. Always wear loose-fitting clothes to avoid skin rashes.
Add some amount of baking soda in the water and apply it on the infected area (using cotton) to reduce itching. Never make use of used cotton more than one time because it contaminates the water that contains baking soda.
On the other hand, make use of a cool tea bag and apply it on the infected area. Throw the bag out immediately after use.
Also, have a protected sex all the time. So, always make use of a latex condom during your sexual activity.
Have a healthy diet that includes all the nutrients, exercise regularly and take sufficient bed rest to enhance the immune system in order to reduce the itching and pain in the infected area.
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April 28th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Aloe vera gel feeds the skin with nutrients, including the amino acid Lysine, to help repair the infection and allows it to breathe naturally and to remain dry. Aloe vera is a common plant and may even be growing in your own garden. To prepare the fresh plant it is best to trim the thorny edges on both sides and cut the Aloe stick into chunks.Salt baths can clean, soothe and dry the sores. Wash areas below the waist in a warm, shallow bath and use Epsom salts (you can buy epsom salts from most supermarkets and drugstores). This will help to dry out and clean the sores.Take analgesics or pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen or paracetamol to relieve pain. If your outbreaks are very painful, you will need to talk to your doctor about this option.Local application of ice packs may alleviate the pain. Ice will soothe the area, as well as lower the temperature of the infection, helping to inhibit the virus.Application of cold tea bags to the infected area every hour may be beneficial. This is because tea bags contain tannic acid which is thought to have antiviral properties, best used at the first sign of an outbreak.