An introduction to Genital herpes simplex

Genital herpes simplex virus is what causes genital herpes infection. The virus is called Herpes Simplex Virus or HSV and there are two strains of this virus namely type1 and type2. The type 1 virus is called HSV1 and type 2 virus is called HSV2.

Type 1 and associated infection

The HSV1 virus causes genital herpes simplex infection resulting in cold sores around the mouth. The HSV1 virus causes cold sores and genital herpes symptoms are produced from HSV2 virus. The genital herpes simplex type 1 virus is highly contagious and is largely spread from sexual contacts like oral sex. In this case, oral sex includes activities like cunnilingus, fellatio, analingus etc.

Type 2 and infection

The genital herpes simplex virus of Type 2 strains cause genital herpes infection. This kind of virus is spread through sexual contact such as anal sex, vaginal sex etc.

Thus, if one partner is already contracting genital herpes and engages in vaginal or anal sex with an uninfected person, the genital herpes simplex type2 virus can easily spread to the other person.

Typically, the visible symptoms only appear within two to ten days and hence detection of genital herpes outbreak is very difficult at this stage.

Symptoms to look for

The genital herpes simplex virus causes symptoms such as fever, flu symptoms, headaches, nausea, muscle aches and fatigue. These symptoms occur during the incubation period of genital herpes.

Once the incubation period ends, visible symptoms start developing. These include symptoms such as blisters or small red bumps appearing on the skin surface.

These blisters appear around the genitals such as penis tip or shaft, vagina, cervix, vulva as well as other areas like anus, buttocks, thighs etc. Once you start noticing any red blisters or bumps on the skin, you should immediately contact a professional health care practitioner for proper diagnosis and treatment.

These personnel have necessary equipment to test for genital herpes simplex virus and can correctly detect if you have genital herpes infection. Once these blisters burst, they form lesions, which eventually fill with fluid, burst and form scabs for healing. The entire process takes as long as two to four weeks.

During this period, the person will experience severe genital herpes pain, genital itch, as well as a host of other uncomfortable symptoms. Women can experience abnormal amounts of discharge from the vagina.

Treatments available

There are many different ways of treating genital herpes, both antibiotic as well as herbal. Antibiotic methods to treat genital herpes simplex virus involve antiviral medication, taken orally, applied topically through herpes creams as well as in other forms. Then there are alternative methods such as genital herbal herpes treatment modes involving natural herbs and supplements.

Many herbs and natural products such as tea tree oil, aloe vera gel as well as the Echinacea herb are powerful remedies to treat genetial herpes.

There are several herpes-natural remedies, which prove safe and effective compared to antiviral treatments, which often have side effects to them. Several herbal creams to treat genital herpes simplex virus contain aloe vera gel, which soothes and calms the red lesions on the skin as well as curtail genital herpes pain and genital itch.