These early symptoms can appear before any skin lesions develop. Skin lesions then develop within a few days of the initial symptoms and are characterized by raised, red, painful bumps or blisters at the site of viral infection (often on the penis or vagina). The lesions can also appear on the uterine cervix in women or in the urinary tract in men.

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Genital herpes symptoms eventually go away, but the virus responsible for the symptoms remains in nerve cells in the body throughout life. Outbreaks of genital herpes may occur at any time following the initial infection, and these produce similar skin lesions as seen in the initial infection. While the frequency of outbreaks of genital herpes tends to decrease over a period of years following the infection, some people still have many outbreaks per year. Doctors do not understand exactly why outbreaks occur, but many people report outbreaks at times of illness or psychological stress.

There is no cure for genital herpes, although prescription antiviral medications are available that may shorten or even prevent outbreaks and help prevent transmission of the virus to others.

OK, so there you have some important facts. But Herpes do not stop just there..oh no, there are many kinds and stages of Herpes. This is one nasty, never ending disease.

Herpes affects women and men differently. Here are some facts for Women

Bear in mind that there really is no such thing as “safe” sex. The only truly effective way to prevent STDs is abstinence. Sex in the context of a monogamous relationship wherein neither party is infected with a STD also is considered “safe.” Most people think that kissing is a safe activity. Unfortunately, syphilis, herpes, and other infections can be contracted through this relatively simple and apparently harmless act.

All other forms of sexual contact carry some risk.

Condoms are commonly thought to protect against STDs. Condoms are useful in decreasing the spread of certain infections, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea; however, they do not fully protect against other infections such as genital herpes, genital warts, syphilis, and HIV. Prevention of the spread of STDs is dependent upon the counseling of at~risk individuals and the early diagnosis and treatment of infections.

Natural Herpes Treatment…Click Here Now

Genital herpes, also commonly called “herpes,” is a viral infection by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) that is transmitted through intimate contact with the mucous~covered linings of the mouth or the vagina or the genital skin. The virus enters the linings or skin through microscopic tears. Once inside, the virus travels to the nerve roots near the spinal cord and settles there permanently.

When an infected person has a herpes outbreak, the virus travels down the nerve fibers to the site of the original infection. When it reaches the skin, the typical redness and blisters occur. After the initial outbreak, subsequent outbreaks tend to be sporadic. They may occur weekly or even years apart.

In many women, there are “atypical” outbreaks where the only symptom may be mild itching or minimal discomfort. Moreover, the longer the woman has had the virus, the fewer the symptoms they have with their outbreaks. Finally, the virus can shed from the cervix into the vagina in women who are not experiencing any symptoms.

Once exposed to the virus, there is an incubation period that generally lasts 3 to 7 days before a lesion develops. During this time, there are no symptoms and the virus cannot be transmitted to others. An outbreak usually begins within two weeks of initial infection and manifests as an itching or tingling sensation followed by redness of the skin. Finally, a blister forms.

The blisters and subsequent ulcers that form when the blisters break, are usually very painful to touch and may last from 7 days to 2 weeks. The infection is definitely contagious from the time of itching to the time of complete healing of the ulcer, usually within 2 to 4 weeks. However, as noted above, infected individuals can also transmit the virus to their sex partners in the absence of a recognized outbreak.

How are genital herpes diagnosed?

Genital herpes is suspected when multiple painful blisters occur in a sexually exposed area. During the initial outbreak, fluid from the blisters may be sent to the laboratory to try and culture the virus, but cultures only return a positive result in about 50% of those infected In other words, a negative test result from a blister is not as helpful as a positive test result, because the test may be a false/negative test.

However, if a sample of a fluid~filled blister (in the early stage before it dries up and crusts) tests positive for herpes, the test result is very reliable. Cultures taken during an initial outbreak of the condition are more likely to be positive for the presence of HSV than cultures from subsequent outbreaks.

There are also blood tests that can detect antibodies to the herpes viruses that can be useful in some situations. These tests are specific for HSV~1 or HSV~2 and are able to demonstrate that a person has been infected at some point in time with the virus, and they may be useful in identifying infection that does not produce characteristic symptoms. However, because false-positive results can occur and because the test results are not always clear cut, they are not recommended for routine use in screening low~risk populations for HSV infection.

Other diagnostic tests such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify the genetic material of the virus and rapid fluorescent antibody screening tests are used to identify HSV in some laboratories.

For those of you who would like to have some private testing done…I have looked those up for you as well. Sometimes peace of mind is priceless.

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What are the natural treatments for outbreaks?

As usual I take the high road and suggest that you find a Holistic approach to Herpes.
Supporting your immune system should be your first goal. A weakened immune system is more prone to outbreaks.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of studies done regarding the effectiveness of natural cures for herpes. The results have shed a lot of positive light on the wide variety of options available to those looking to cure their herpes symptoms without using chemically manufactured drugs.

The many negative side effects that tend to develop from the use of prescription medications in conjunction with the positive findings regarding natural treatment methods is causing more and more people to choose to treat the herpes virus naturally.

Some of the more recent studies to find a natural cure for herpes have involved research on a variety of antiviral herbs, bioflavonoids found in many fruits and vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A and C, zinc and sulfur. All of these compounds have been shown to positively affect the herpes virus.

Two of the most common herbs used as natural cures for herpes include thyme, and camellia sinensis, which is found in tea. Studies have shown that thyme often works as an internal antiseptic, and those who take thyme regularly have been able to greatly reduce the frequency of outbreaks.

Camellia sinensis is another effective natural cure for herpes. It is a natural immune system booster, which helps the body to fight off active viruses before outbreaks occur. Although it has been shown to greatly affect the herpes simplex 1 virus, unfortunately, it has little effect on the herpes simplex 2 virus.

Bioflavonoids, which are found in a wide variety of foods including onions, apples, berries, and spices, are found to decrease the activity of the herpes virus. When the virus becomes virtually inactive, fewer outbreaks will occur. The viral infection is capable of progressing from low activity rates into complete dormancy. During this time, no outbreaks occur, and these inactive periods can last for months and even years. Research has shown that over 5000 varieties of bioflavonoid naturally occur.

Omega~3 fatty acids have been proven to strengthen cell walls. In order for the herpes virus to reproduce effectively, it must be able to penetrate cell walls and reach the cell nucleus. If the viruses’ reproduction activity is made increasingly difficult as a result of a natural cure for herpes such as the omega~3 fatty acid, the number of outbreaks that occur decrease dramatically. The amount of omega~3’s that are included in ones diet can be increased by eating such foods as flaxseed, walnuts, and wild and farm raised fish.

When ingested simultaneously, vitamins A, C, and zinc have been shown to be an effective natural cure for herpes. All three of these boost the power of the immune system. In addition, zinc tends to increase T lymphocyte cell counts, which aid the body in fighting viral infections.

It is evident that natural cures for herpes are viable options when it comes to choosing how you want to treat your condition. Research on the natural aspects of herpes treatments continues to progress. In the future, it is likely that numerous additional options for natural treatment will be found to be effective treatment methods as well.

Echinacea and Acidophilus are both great supplements to take everyday to keep your immune system strong.

So, what can you do to make your life less complicated them it all ready is? Homeopathic Relief IS HERE! Scientists are still searching for a herpes cure, but now you can get natural homeopathic relief from the painful symptoms of herpes eruptions with Herpeset, a very special homeopathic blend of 9 ingredients, each known in the homeopathic community to safely reduce the discomfort caused by symptoms of Herpes Simplex Viru.

When you drink your teas…save the bag while it is warm and moist apply it to an affected area…it will make it fell better…then throw it away.
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Here are some impotant facts:

The study, which looked at 187 black African diabetics patients, found HHV~8 antibodies in nearly 88 percent of those in the group with ketosis-prone DM~2, while they were found in only 15 percent of those with non-ketotic DM~2 and 40 percent of the control participants.

“Our preliminary study shows a strong link between ketosis-prone DM~2 phenotype and markers of HHV~8 infection,” the authors wrote. “Patients with ketosis-prone DM~2 have a very high prevalence of HHV~8 infection, whereas patients with non~ketotic DM~2 have a much lower prevalence of HHV~8 infection when compared with the background population.”

The authors called for more studies to try to replicate the results in other populations and longitudinal studies to understand the significance of the findings.

And get this…Did you have ChickenPoxs as a child? If you have had chickenpox, you are at risk of developing Shingles. However, the virus doesn’t reactivate in everyone who has had chickenpox.

How does Shingles fit in to Herpes you ask…?

Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster or just zoster, occurs when a virus in nerve cells becomes active again later in life and causes a skin rash.

The virus that causes shingles, the varicella~zoster virus, is the same virus that causes chickenpox. It is a member of the herpes virus family. Once you have had chickenpox, varicella~zoster virus remains in your body’s nerve tissues and never really goes away. It is inactive, but it can be reactivated later in life. This causes shingles.

Doctors aren’t sure how or why the varicella~zoster virus reactivates, but they believe your immune system’s response to the virus weakens over the years after childhood chickenpox. When the virus reactivates, it travels through nerves, often causing a burning or tingling sensation in the affected areas. Two or three days later, when the virus reaches the skin, blisters appear grouped along the affected nerve. The skin may be very sensitive, and you may feel a lot of pain.

If you have had chickenpox, you are at risk of developing shingles. However, the virus doesn’t reactivate in everyone who has had chickenpox.

Shingles most often appears in people older than 50 and in people with weakened immune systems. If you are having treatment for cancer, for example, you are more likely to get shingles. People with HIV commonly get shingles, which is often one of the first signs that the immune system is in trouble.

Your chances of getting shingles increase as you get older, although the disease can occur at any age. When shingles appears in children, which is uncommon, it usually is very mild. Up to 20% of people in the United States develop the disease at some point.

Potential complications of shingles include:

Post~herpetic neuralgia About 10% of adults who get shingles experience long-term pain in the area of skin where blisters occurred, even after the rash has healed completely. This condition may last for months or, very rarely, years. Severe pain is most common in older patients and often is accompanied by extreme sensitivity to heat and cold in the affected area of skin.

Herpes affect the eye…

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus: This occurs when shingles involves the eye. Herpes zoster ophthalmicus can affect your vision, even causing blindness, and can be very painful.

Herpes affect the ears…

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus: Also called Ramsay Hunt syndrome or geniculate zoster, otic zoster occurs when shingles affects the ears. It can cause hearing loss.

Febrile herpes

Febrile herpes: A small sore situated on the face or in the mouth that causes pain, burning, or itching before bursting and crusting over. The favorite locations are on the lips (the labia), chin or cheeks and in the nostrils. Less frequented sites are the gums or roof of the mouth (the palate).

And last but not least…

Bell’s palsy Shingles can cause Bell’s palsy, in which a facial nerve is paralyzed.
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OK Baby Boomers, let’s look at Genital Herpes AGAIN…At A Quick Glance

• • • GENERAL DISCLAIMER: The Baby Boomer Advisor Club is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice. The information provided through Baby Boomer Advisor Club should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your health care provider. The authors, editors, producers, sponsors, and contributors shall have no liability, obligation or responsibility to any person or entity for any loss, damage, or adverse consequence alleged to have happened directly or indirectly as a consequence of this material.
      

  Sources: Centers for Disease Control
  Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
  Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
  http://www.revolutionhealth.com
  http://ultimatehealthresourceguide.info
  https://www.confidentialtestingcenters.com
  American Medical Association
  http://EzineArticles.com

I have not included genital or vaginal pictures of Herpes, since I have young adults that visit my site. but if you wish to see these and are of age to do so…these are the pictures that I found most graphic. Beware they are graphic and true.