How do I Know I Have Herpes.
Herpes is a common viral infection. In the uS one woman of every four, and one man out of five, are infected with the herpes virus, also known as Herpes Simplex.
It is estimated that each year one million americans will contract the disease. Not everyone infected will develop symptoms enough to realize they are infected. It is estimated that 80% of herpes carriers are asymptomatic. These people are unknowlingly putting their sexual partners at risk since the virus can be transmitted even on the absense of symptoms.
After the initial infection symptoms will usually develop within 2 weeks.
Typical symptoms are:one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum, a minor rash or itching, painful sores, fever, aching muscles, and a burning sensation with urination.
The blisters break, leaving tender ulcers (sores) that may take two to four weeks to heal the first time they occur. Typically, another outbreak can appear weeks or months after the first, but it almost always is less severe and shorter than the first outbreak. Although the infection can stay in the body indefinitely, the number of outbreaks tends to decrease over a period of years.
While the symptoms tent to be typical, as are photos of the charachteristic sores, a true diagnosis can only be made through testing. Other sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, may have similar symptoms, but do require a completely different tratment.
Seeking medical attention for not only a proper diagnosis, but for proper treatment, and precautions, is adviced.
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