Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is an STI that causes painful sores on and around the genitals. The same family of viruses also causes "cold sores" around the mouth.

Genital herpes is most commonly spread by direct contact with open sores, usually during sex. If you touch herpes sores, wash your hands with soap and water to avoid spreading the infection.

Pregnant women can pass this infection to their baby during or after child birth. Herpes infection in infants can be life-threatening.

Herpes is not spread by toilet seats, bathtubs, swimming pools or hot tubs.

It is possible to pass the virus to your sex partners even when you have no sores, so safer sex using a condom is always important. However, remember that the areas of skin not covered by the condom are not protected.

You can get genital herpes through oral sex even from cold sores. To prevent spread during oral sex use a condom on the penis or a condom cut length-wise or a dental dam over the female genital area. After the sores from the first attack heal, the herpes sores may appear again from time to time.

There is no cure for genital herpes, but medication may shorten the attacks and make the sores less painful. Once you have herpes, you are infected for life.

The symptoms and signs:
Tingling or itching in the genital area may appear within a week of having sex with an infected person. A cluster of tiny blisters will likely appear. These blisters will burst and leave painful sores, which last from two to three weeks. A fever and headache may occur in the first attack.

What to look for

Females:

sores inside or near the vagina, on the genitals, near the anus, or on the thighs and buttocks
tender lumps in the groin

Males:

sores on the penis, around the testicles, near the anus, and on thighs and buttocks
tender lumps in the groin.

Both males and females can get sores in the mouth or in the genital area after oral sex with an infected person.

How genital herpes is treated:

If you think you may have genital herpes, see a doctor as soon as possible. The doctor can give you medication to help ease the pain of the attack and control further attacks.

-Keep the infected area clean and dry. Wash your towel before re-using.

-After bathing, use a hair dryer instead of a towel around the sores, or pat dry gently.

-Try to wear loose fitting clothing made of natural materials such as cotton.

-If urinating is painful, pouring warm water over the area may help, or urinate in the bathtub just before getting out.

My sister-in-law contracted herpes by kissing her step son, who was infected by his mother, on the check. She now has to deal with painful outbreaks on her face, neck, mouth and throat for the rest of her life. If you contract herpes you have no hope of having sex without a condom unless your partner is willing to deal with the consequences.

Genital Warts (HPV)

HPV is thought to be one of the most common viral STI. HPV is a virus that is spread through sex or close skin-to-skin, genital area contact with someone who is infected. There are different types of HPV that can cause different problems. Many people can be infected with HPV and not know it. Some kinds of HPV can cause genital warts. Other types can lead to cancer.

Genital Warts:

Genital warts are growths on or around the genitals or anal area in both males and females that are caused by HPV. The warts can be different sizes. They may look like a very small cauliflower or be flat and hard to see. They grow in moist areas such as the penis, the vagina, the cervix, the anus, the scrotum and the thighs. Warts may appear on the lips or in the mouth after oral sex with an infected person. The warts are not usually painful but can occasionally be itchy and may have a discharge or bleed - especially if they have been irritated.

For a woman who is pregnant, it's not certain what effect genital warts have on her baby. The baby may be at risk of getting an HPV infection in the throat, but experts don't believe that the warts are passed along to the baby very often.

If you think you may have genital warts you should see your doctor. If you do have genital warts, no treatment can guarantee that you will be cured of your HPV infection. However, treating your warts may lower your risk of passing them along to others. Your doctor may apply medication directly onto the warts. He or she may also give you medication that you apply to your warts yourself. Even when they are treated, warts often return. But over time many people eventually clear HPV from their bodies, and don't get any more warts.
The types of HPV that cause genital warts do not cause cancer. But, because you could have more than one type of HPV you could be at risk for both warts and cancer.

Genital Cancers(Cervical Cancer, Cancer of the Penis or Anus)
Some types of HPV can cause cancer, one of the most common being cervical cancer in women. The cervix is deep inside the vagina. It's the opening to the womb or uterus. The cervix is the most common place in females to be infected with HPV.
When the cervix is infected with HPV, changes can occur in the cells of the cervix. These changes can lead to cancer of the cervix if they are not found and treated. Almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV. A Pap test is the best way to check the cells of the cervix to see if they have any changes. If your cervix has precancerous or cancerous changes you may not have any symptoms – that is why it is so important to have regular Pap tests.
Some types of HPV can also lead to other cancers in the genital area in both males and females - like anal cancer, cancer of the penis and cancer of the vulva.
Using a condom every time you have sex may help to reduce your risk of getting HPV. But the virus can still be spread through skin that is not covered by a condom.'
Anyone who has had sex is at risk of having HPV, even if there are no symptoms. If you are concerned that you may be infected with HPV you should see your doctor. And if you are female, it's important that you see your doctor regularly for Pap testing.

Your hands can get warts!



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