• Recognizing Herpes When an Outbreak Occurs

    Herpes

    Genital herpes is an infection that is transmitted through sexual encounters. It’s an infection that affects a man or woman’s genital area with sores, itching, and pain. Some people, however, experience no symptoms and have no idea that they are carriers of the genital herpes infection. These people are a danger to others because they are not being treated for their infection, which means they are more likely to spread the infection to their sexual partners than anyone else.

    Herpes Signs

    Herpes is not an infection that can be cured. Herpes symptoms are not always evident in all people, and this means that many people carry the disease and do not have it treated because they are not aware of the signs. Those who do notice the signs of genital herpes will typically notice a painful itching sensation in the beginning. This occurs within a few weeks of the onset of any infection. Itching will persist for a few days until the itching turns into small white blisters. The blisters will eventually begin to ooze and blister until they scab over.

    People with herpes may notice that they have frequent outbreaks or they may notice that they never have outbreaks. Some will notice that their outbreaks coincide with their level of stress, their menstrual cycle, and even illness. Herpes pictures often show the different looks and styles of herpes, which helps people make the determination whether or not they have the infection.

    Herpes Treatment

    Again, there is no cure for the herpes infection. However, there are treatments that make outbreaks less painful and less severe. Antiviral medications are prescribed by doctors to make an outbreak of the herpes infection easier on the body. These medications will make the itching less painful, it will help them heal sooner after the outbreak occurs, and it will even make outbreaks occur less frequently than usual. Additionally, antiviral medications make it less likely for those infected with the herpes virus to spread the disease to others.

    Some doctors recommend that patients take medication for herpes only when they are experiencing an outbreak. Others recommend that those infected with herpes take medication on a daily basis, even when they do not have any symptoms of the infection present. This helps to minimize the chance of frequent outbreaks. The best way to prevent the spread of herpes is to refrain from intercourse when the infection is present, and to always use protection.