Symptoms and Treatments of Genital Herpes

People infected with genital herpes may feel painful, itchy and burning around your genitals. Genital herpes is a kind of sexually transmitted disease(STD) by herpes simplex virus(HSV) of the genitals, rectal area, anal areas, buttocks and thighs. Most people realize the symptoms within several weeks after they are infected by the virus. The early symptoms include small blisters that pop and leave oozing and bleeding sores. Gradually the small blisters may break open to form ulcers. Some can have flu-like symptoms and others can also have a fever or headache.

Any kind of sex-vaginal, oral or anal might spread the virus by direct genital contact with the skin surface. Herpes can also be spread during oral sex if you or your partner has cold sores. HSV is divided into two kinds, HSV-1 and HSV-2. Genital herpes often comes form HSV-2, while HSV-1 can result in cold sores. People can be infected by the virus from others whether they have symptoms or not. If you are not sure if you suffer from the disease, go to see the doctor. He can take small samples from your cold sores or take blood tests for diagnosis. You can get the results within a few days.

In the U.S., one in every five adults have the disease. Women are more likely to be infected by the virus than men.

Symptoms of Genital Herpes

Most people who have the disease might have no symptoms. While others may experience the following common symptoms including:

  • Painful sores around genitals, rectal area, anal areas, buttocks and thighs;
  • Itchy
  • Burning sensation
  • Discharge from the penis or vagina
  • Painful urination
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscular pain
  • Swollen and enlarged lymph nodes
  • Painful lumps in the groin

Treatments of Genital Herpes

Up till now, there is no cure for genital herpes. Once you get it, you can always havge it. When symptoms appear, it’s called having an outbreak. But there are some effective medications prescribed by the doctors that help patients feel better and shorten an outbreak including acyclovir, , and famciclovir. Avoid kissing or having sex with your partner even if you have no symptoms.

Acyclovir is an antiviral medicine that can reduce the pain and the number of lesions in the initial case of genital herpes.
is a prodrug that is converted to acyclovir once in the body. It can help to relieve the pain and discomfort and speeds healing of cold sores.
Famciclovir is another antiviral drug. It is a prodrug that is converted to penciclovir in the body. The latter is the one active against the viruses.

Take condom or dental dam every time when you have sex can reduce the chance to be infected by the virus. You and your partner can also have blood tests for STD diagnosis before sex. If you already have the disease, wear cotton underwear and avoid sun may help you feel better.

Posted on May 5, 2023