 Herpes infects more then 25% of the world’s population and up to 100% of the population of some smaller, less developed areas. Learn to protect yourself early as there is no cure…
Most developed countries have herpes in some form or another with the occurrence being around 25% of the population. New Zealand is no different, with its occurrence rate being par with most other nations.
With such a high infection rate the most important question is how is it transmitted?
Type two Herpes is sexually transmitted
There are 2 different types of Herpes and that type 1 is relatively common in young children and infants, while type 2 is most commonly seen as a sexual transmitted disease. Herpes Type 1 is more commonly known as cold-sores, however the types cannot be defined as ‘oral’ or ‘genital’ Herpes – most people do not realise each type of the Herpes virus can and does affect either area.
The infection can be passed along from person to person, with or without symptoms, through contact with saliva and genital secretions. The concentration of the virus is between 100 to 1000 times greater when symptoms are visible.
It can also be received through minor injuries such as those in babies with mouth sores or damaged areas around the cuticles of nails.
What are the symptoms of herpes?
Herpetic gingivostomatitis or mouth infections are the most common symptom of Type 1. This includes things like cold sores and fever blisters. Most of these cases occur in children infancy to preschool age. The incubation period is 4-5 days, after which the infected individual will begin to develop a fever, they may be restless and have increase saliva flow or drooling. Blisters then develop as well as ulcers and a yellow coating of the tongue. It usually clears up within about 2 weeks.
Type 2 infection presents itself differently as it is most typically contracted from sexual activity. As a result genital Herpes develop. This can be ulcers on the penis that are very sore and painful, or in women, similar lesions will develop around the vagina or the anus and sometimes are even found as deep within the female as the cervix. This can cause severe ulcers upon the cervix, which can lead to permanent damage.
Recurrent breakouts will occur after first infection and are often much milder then the first outbreak. In type 1 it is typically nothing more than a few cold sore blisters upon the lip. Type 2 tends to appear in the same general region as original outbreaks, however a person with Herpes Type 1 (they get coldsores) can pass this type of Herpes to a partner through oral sex.
What are the tests for Herpes?
The most common method is a simple blood test, although this can only test a positive result for Herpes in general and not tell which type it is. Another method is a viral culture, where cells or fluid from a sore are collected with a swab.
How is Herpes treated?
The most common treatment is an oral antiviral agent. Unfortunately, 2 out of 3 of the most common treatments are not available within New Zealand, so it is Acyclovir that is prescribed. A major downside to Herpes is that fact that it is not curable. Medications can only minimize outbreaks and prevent attacks. Once Herpes has infected an individual, it can lay dormant within the nerve cells for the entire lifetime of the person.
If there is no cure, what is the prevention?
It is very hard to completely protect yourself from Herpes as the blisters are not always present, and a carrier may have Herpes and never suffer an outbreak, so they may not even know. The most important way to protect oneself against Herpes type 2 is to use condoms at all times. In addition to condom usage, sexual contact should minimized during periods of outbreak when the infection levels are at there highest. Limiting the number of sexual partners minimizes ones risk as well. For type one avoiding contact between someone with cold sores or other outbreaks can reduce the risk.
For further information:
www.sexfiles.co.nz
www.herpes.org.nz
The New Zealand Herpes Foundation also provides detailed booklets and other information about Herpes. Their contact number is: Tollfree 0508-11-12-13
Article by Rachel Goodchild
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1. Bad Luck :(
Written by AlphaDolphinz, on 04-11-2008 17:52
When I was diagnosed with having Genital Herpes, it was the worst news that I had ever had in my entire life. I have not had very many sexual partners in my 47yrs, and to receive this news and at my age, was devastating to me.
My husband was my first sexual partner and we were together for 23yrs. The only protection we used, was the birth control pill. After we separated, I was celibate for 8yrs, while I 'found myself' and pursued & realised a few dreams. Then three years ago, I decided it was time to get back into the dating scene.
Over the next year - 18mths, I had a few relationships, and condoms were used. Then I met someone who I've been with for over a year now, we initially used condoms, but don't any longer.
My current partner also married his 'first', and after they parted, he too had a few partners, and used condoms. He was very supportive when I found out the news, neither of us know where the herpes originated from, and we probably never will, we're still together, and very happy.
I first found the sex files site http://www.sexfiles.co.nz where I called my local branch and found out about the support meetings. These meetings are fantastic! Just listening to others was the first step, and hearing their stories, then sharing with one or two people, I have yet to share with the group, but it’s all very positive and healing, and something that I would most highly recommend to anyone who contracts this virus - or for your support person to attend.
Then I found the herpes website http://www.herpes.org.nz where I read everything I could and educated myself.
I discovered that: One in five people have the virus; You may have the virus without knowing it (and therefore not know that you’re passing it on); You don’t have to have symptoms to have the virus; The first outbreak is normally the worst; You may never have another outbreak, or you may have them every month (like I did); If you decide to have sex when you have no symptoms - you have a 50% chance of passing it on; If you’re on the medication you’re 90% ‘safe’; You will never by 100% safe again; There is NO cure.
I'm now on Aciclovir, and it has been a godsend. I was very depressed for a few months after I first found out, and if it wasn’t for my partner, the website, support group and the medication I don’t know how I would’ve coped.
It’s not the end of the world, but for a time, to me it was. I’ve come through & have learnt a lot in the process. It’s a rough road, but it doesn’t last forever. J
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2. Written by 1kiwicutie, on 24-11-2008 23:41
The infection can be passed along from person to person, with or without symptoms, via skin to skin contact. As far as I am aware you cannot contract it through contact with saliva and genital secretions. I am not sure where you got this information from...
And one more thing to add... Herpes type one in the genital area you would also obviously want to use condoms at all times too!
Adding some links to support and further informative websites would be awesome!
http://www.herpes-coldsores.com/herpes_and_self_esteem.htm
http://www.pamf.org/health/toyourhealth/genitalherpes.html
Thank you for making people aware of this. A friend of mine got genital herpes type 1 from her partner (who has oral herpes) through oral sex. Neither of them knew the risk. This should be known! Thank you again for writing this article :)
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3. Herpes Infection
Written by admin, on 25-11-2008 08:40
Hi ladies,
Great to see you are all commenting. Herpes is so common it's really important to educate people on the virus so they can best protect themselves.
1kiwicutie - I was also not aware that herpes could be transmitted through bodily fluids - either saliva or genital, but if you google this you will see it is in fact completely factual that "the virus is shed asymptomatically in saliva or genital secretions".
This is another little known fact "HSV infection is mostly spread by direct skin-to-skin contact. Transmission may occur directly, or through contact with infected razors, towels, dishes, and other shared articles. Sexual contact (including oro-genital contact) is the most common way to transmit genital HSV infection. The virus can be shed in saliva and genital secretions of patients, even if they have no symptoms." - so if you are flatting you need to be extra careful not to share towels, drinks etc etc
Herpes is in fact so common it is considered that it will reach almost epidemic proportions as it is spread so easily.
I will add some links for further info into the article to amend, and thank you for your comments.
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4. hi
Written by rachell32skeith, on 22-02-2010 12:53
thanks for sharing this informative post.
In order to show no particular ill effects, regular STD testing is a must. This can help you value your health.
http://www.simplestdtesting.com/resources
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