Top 10 Questions About Herpes Answered

Herpes could be quite a confusing condition, often accompanied and unaccompanied by a bunch of distinguishable symptoms. If you wish to understand if you have contracted it, or merely wish to learn of this ailment, take a look at the following questions and answers.

1. What is Herpes?

Herpes is a condition that is cause by the herpes simplex virus, seen as two types: oral herpes and genital herpes. The first type appears as sores or blisters around the mouth region, also known as HSV-1. The second type of herpes is also known as HSV-2, affecting the genital area. Know more about what is herpes from this post.

2. What Causes Herpes?

Herpes Questions and AnswersType 1 or oral herpes occurs due to a normal cold, often passed on when engaging in oral sex. Type 2 or genital herpes occurs due to any sexual contact, acting upon the genital regions. If you happen to share towels, cutlery, and similar materials, there is a chance of you spreading the virus to others.

3. How Common is Herpes?

Surprisingly, it is quite common, occurring in about one in six people in the United States of America. However, this is only for individuals that fall in the following age range: 15-50. Unfortunately, at least 80-90% of the people suffering from this condition do not know about it, especially because the symptoms are not always present.

4. How to Figure Out if I Have this Problem?

If you suspect yourself of having genital herpes, you could do well by visiting the doctor. If you have sores in your private region, your doctor could take samples for testing to confirm the presence or absence of the herpes simplex virus. Basically, this test is a blood test which detects the presence of antibodies for both HSV-1 and HSV-2 virus. The said antibodies are produced in the body only if you suffer from the condition.

5. Is there an Effective Cure for Herpes?

So far, no legitimate cure has been discovered for herpes. There are several entities, websites and companies that might claim to have a magical remedy or another. However, none of these claims are true. The only thing that could be done for the case of herpes is treatments for the control and prevention of outbreaks.

6. If Someone Has Herpes, Does that Mean They Also Suffer from AIDS?

That is not necessarily correct. However, people who have herpes have a higher chance of acquiring AIDS, rather than those who do not suffer from herpes. As a matter of fact, polls and surveys carried out in the United Kingdom have proved that at least 52% of the individuals suffering from herpes also happen to suffer from AIDS.

7. Can Genital Herpes Cause my Death?

No, genital herpes does not happen to be a deathly condition. However, if you happen to have contracted herpes, there are chances that you will also acquire the HIV virus, whose cure has still not been found.

8. Can Herpes Affect Me Emotionally and Socially?

You might get anxious or scared if you acquire herpes. However, these feelings are not the effects of the ailment. You could always speak to experts in the case of anxiety in order to feel at ease and to educate yourself about your condition.

9. Could I Donate Blood if I have Herpes?

According to researchers and experts, the virus is not found in the blood. Therefore, it is safe to assume that you could donate blood whenever you wish to. Click here to view the complete answer.

10. How Could I Protect Myself and my Partner from Herpes?

Probably the best method to prevent the development of genital herpes is by abstaining from sexual intercourse. Although you could delve in safe sex with the use of latex condoms, there are chances of still contracting the disease.

If you wish to prevent transmission then you would have to use separate towels and clothing. If you do wish to share materials, you could always use hot water and bleach to disinfect them first.

It is extremely important that you maintain good hygiene at all times, always remembering to wash hands and covering the sores and lesions.

Lastly, never forget that just because you cannot get involved with someone sexually, it does not mean that you cannot create a great, deep, lasting bond with him or her.