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Herpes - One Of The Many STDs
Herpes is one of the many Sexually Transmitted Diseases known to man and unfortunately is also incurable. Like all other diseases, it has its own set of symptoms.
Spread of Herpes
Herpes spread primarily passed on from one individual to another through direct contact between the two. Contact can be at the vagina or the genital skin. Because it is a viral infection, this form of STD may also spread through mouth. Once the virus cells enter the body, they travel to the central nervous system to settle. With time, as they multiply, they start spreading to different parts of the body. However, as you might have guessed, it is the nervous system that gets affected the first.
Symptoms of Herpes
Biggest problem with herpes is that when the disease symptoms become visible, a lot of damage has already been done. Effectively it means that the virus cells have multiplied enough and have not left the nervous system to reach the point of infection. Common symptoms include the likes of blisters which soon tend to go red. In severe cases, these blisters may appear at more than one location. Taking medicines may keep it under control but they may reappear as frequently as a week.
The Herpes Virus
Herpes Virus is of two types i.e. HSV1 and HSV2 (Herpes Simplex Virus). Both of these have the potential to cause genital lesions and the difference between the two lies in the target area. HSV1 affects the mouth area while HSV2 affects the anus region. Depending upon the immunity strength that varies from one individual to another, the blisters may crop up after different time intervals.
Numbers Affected by Herpes
If one wishes to estimate the total number of people who get affected by Herpes, they can look at the American Stats. Approximately 45 million people in USA suffer from genital herpes, imagine the total number if we consider the whole world. In a majority of cases, people are not aware that they are affected by this STD and they unknowingly end up passing it over to others. There are little or no symptoms in a lot of cases which too is a cause of spread.
Diagnosis of Herpes
Diagnosis of Herpes can be done at any of the several STD clinics. One only needs to take an appointment in order to visit it. Tests that are conducted are usually pain free and the results are made available within a couple of days from the time the test is taken.
Treatment of Herpes
This is one sexually transmitted disease which is impossible to cure. There is no way to completely eradicate this disease from an infected person and they may experience repeated outbreaks for the rest of their lives. Not to forget that they would also have to keep taking medicines in order to stop them from spreading further. People infected with herpes should know that once they acquire this disease, their body becomes extremely contagious which is why they have to be careful so as to avoid spreading it to others.