Did you know that there are about 80 million Americans infected with herpes? This is a sexually transmitted disease and every year, the number of infected individuals continues to increase and is not slowing down. Genital herpes is among the most common type of herpes and about 500,000 Americans every year are diagnosed with such infection. How can you tell if you have herpes? What is the first sign of herpes?

To start with, you must be aware that herpes is primarily transmitted through oral sex and or sexual intercourse. Two viruses are said to cause the infection – type 1 herpes simplex and the type 2 herpes simplex virus.

These viruses can affect different parts of the body. The type 1 virus is the primary cause of oral herpes while the type 2 virus is said to be the cause of genital herpes. These viruses are highly contagious and individuals with open sores are more prone to it.

The first signs of herpes are blisters, painful bumps, and itching. The signs or symptoms usually vary from one individual to another. Other individuals may experience burning sensations especially when urinating while others find open sores on their most private area. Sometimes, the symptoms can also be similar to that of having flu and so it’s quite hard to tell if you have the infection or not.

First time patients experience severe signs like chills, headaches, fatigue, and the lymph glands are usually swollen. Blisters that flare up typically lasts for about two weeks but if the individual’s immune system is affected, the signs or symptoms tend to last a lot longer.

So if you’re genital area itches and you experience symptoms similar to that of flu, you must not touch the infected area and seek medical help at once.

You can get herpes not only through sexual intercourse. You can also get the infection through physical interaction with people with cold sores or otherwise know as oral herpes. Those who were previously infected with herpes can have recurrence of the symptoms every now and then, so don’t be surprised if you notice any of the symptoms or signs coming back.

At present, there is no way to cure herpes. However, you can find available medications in the market that treats the symptoms. By taking any of the medications, you can stop the symptoms of herpes in just a couple of days. If you want to treat the symptoms or signs of herpes, you must be able to treat it at once.

There are also times when herpes is mistaken for vaginal boils or yeast infection. To avoid being misdiagnosed, it would help a lot if you conduct a search about herpes. There are lots of information resources online. Gather as much information about it so that you will know the first signs of the infection. That way, you can easily tell if you have the herpes virus or not.

If this is your first time to have this infection, you need to seek medical help at once so that your condition can be properly diagnosed. Consult a doctor immediately; that way, you will know what to do just in case you experience the first sign of herpes.

Charlene Nuble

Charlene J. Nuble is a healthcare professional who loves writing about women’s issues, parenting and other health related stuffs. Click on the link to learn more about First Sign of Herpes.

Additional Reading:

Stop Herpes Now and From Coming Back For Good by Dr David Hoggs

Positive Single – Support site for herpes member.

Cold Sore Freedom in 3 days by Grace Melgarejo

Toronto, Ontario (January 20, 2008)

POSITIVESINGLES.COM adds new feature: “Ask STD counselor” – adding more support for its members than just dating services.

Finding your match when you are suffering from an STD can be easier than you think. Since January 15, 2008, members at PositiveSingles.com can ask a STD counselor questions as well as continuing to enjoy updated information about all STDs, various STD forums, uploading pictures, sending e-mails or winks to other members and you can have a limited free membership.

Thousands of people get STDs and don’t realize it. Having an STD could lead to confusion, resentment, anger, and isolating of yourself. One might even be filled with many questions.

According to the CDC, there are over 65 million Americans currently living with an STD, 19 million new STD infections each year, one in three sexually active men and women living with Herpes, and about 50% of all sexually active Americans are affected by HPV.
With STD, many people are afraid to reach out to the people whom they are closest to. The stigma attached to people with infectious diseases suddenly becomes personal. They are afraid of losing friendships and family altogether. This fear can quickly become a reality due to a lack of education.

PositiveSingles.com recently added a STD counselor to the site that has accurate information about STDs. The information that the STD counselor provides covers the most updated information about STDs. The STD counselor can answer such questions as: where to get HPV shots, support group listings, counseling services, relationship questions or any other questions a STD sufferer might have. Information regarding STD testing are also provided when requested.

Members get quality information in addition to the core dating services. Thousands of people on PositiveSingles.com meet, date and get married. Before the members meet they can talk to someone who is facing the same issues that they are facing and share with someone who has the same concerns. By talking about these issues, members can learn new ways to approach a person and stay emotionally stable. Some of the members of PositiveSingles.com are learning how to deal an STD that changed their lives. Some people are looking for a local relationship or partner who lives nearby. The sharing and support of a problem creates a healthy and positive atmosphere.

About PositiveSingles.com

PositiveSingles.com was launched in 08-Aug-2002, and markets its services around the world. The founding team’s vision is to build a community for people with STDs, where they can find friendship, support, and love! It is ranked the #1 website for online dating for those with STDs. 3/5 of those members are living with HSV, 1/5 with HIV/AIDS, 1/10 with HPV. There are more STDs. Hundreds of members join every day. Beyond the networking of relationships, PositiveSingles.com has medical information and success stories. Those affected by a disease and those around them are staying positive and strong. The family and friends of an individual with an STD can be very supportive as well. For more information, visit http://www.PositiveSingles.com.

*Source: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/stds-hiv-safer-sex/herpes.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/expectmore/summary/10002162vositiveSingles.com

Herpes is a common infection – so common, in fact, that everyone with a sex life is susceptible to it. If you’re not careful enough, you can acquire the virus and experience all those nasty symptoms that come with it. And it’s not only common to ordinary people. Even high profile personalities and celebrities are prone to the infection. After all, you can never find a group as sexually active as those who are always in the limelight and gossip pages for some scandal or another.

David Beckham, reportedly, has herpes himself.  Yes, the hunky football player has the virus in his great body as well. So that translates to his wife, Posh Spice Victoria Beckham having it. And since David Beckham has the herpes, he has probably infected all those other girls that came before the former Spice Girls member. Given that he didn’t exactly lead a celibate life, who knows who else got to share the virus with him.

But that’s for the tabloids and gossip columns to ponder on. The point is, if David Beckham, rich and good-looking as he is, also has herpes, then that only means that you can really get the virus if you’re not careful enough. Herpes doesn’t know social or economic status. It will attack anyone who is unaware of it. So it’s best to take the necessary precautions to make sure that you’re free from the virus.

For starters, you get to minimize the risk of transmission by using condoms. They serve to cover the affected area and prevent skin-to-skin contact so they can be effective but only up to some extent. You should also avoid sexual intercourse during an active outbreak because this is when the virus can be easily transmitted.

Ilse Hagen

Additional Reading: Stop Herpes Now & From Coming Back for Good by Dr David Hogg

The herpes simplex virus has been aggravating the world since time immemorial. It is indeed a scourge because there is no known herpes cure. Because the virus retreats and hides in the nerves between outbreaks (it then lies dormant), your body has a very hard time dealing with it. Herpes announces itself in an outbreak of tiny blisters mainly around the genital area which later turn into open sores. After an attack the herpes virus retreats back to the nerve endings and hides, making it difficult to treat or to find a cure. A Cure For Herpes Studies We know there is no herpes cure available, there are prescription drugs that can help suppress the herpes virus and also natural creams and lotions that will kill the virus on contact The simple fact that herpes is a virus is what makes it difficult to find a herpes cure. As a rule the immune system will deal with and destroy any viruses it finds but that fact that the herpes virus retreats and hides so well in the nerves when in the dormant phase makes finding a cure for herpes a more difficult task. Herpes Cure Drugs There is not a herpes cure, but precautions do work… Just using some common sense can go a long way to ensure you don’t come into contact with this incurable virus. Always wear a condom. This is not infallible but will help in most cases. Also oral sex is another primary source of herpes infection. Oral infections on the inside of the mouth are occurring more and more every day. So when any oral sexual activity is being considered one must also use some form of protection as well. Again, the protection is not a cure for herpes but it greatly reduces the risk of becoming infected. Chastity is the only way to not get infected from any form of sexual intercourse.

John Currie

JJ Currie has written a series of excellent herpes cure reports with a view to helping sufferers of herpes stop herpes outbreaks without drugs, potions or lotions. The LIVE HERPES FREE REPORTS which may be downloaded from http://www.liveherpesfree.com/herpesreports.htm discuss important herpes questions such as herpes diet and nutrition, herpes transmission and you can also view the comprehensive list of herpes resources at the site.

Additional Reading:

Stop Herpes Now & From Coming Back for Good by Dr David Hogg