Genital Herpes: Is it Contagious?
Yes, Genital Herpes is contagious. Genital Herpes is caused by the virus
Herpes Simplex 2 (HSV2) and sometimes by Herpes
Simplex 1 (HSV1).
HSV2 is usually transmitted via sexual activity. The risk
is highest when there is an outbreak of Genital Herpes. The outbreak
starts as a rash that turns into blisters which turns into a dry scab.
These symptoms lasts about a week and are usually found on or
around the genitals but can appear anywhere between the knees and
waist.
Unfortunately HSV2 is also contagious just before an
outbreak or in the viral shedding period.
You contract Genital Herpes from physical contact with
an affected area on another person. This is easiest via sexual
activity and this is not limited to traditional intercourse.
Oral sex is also a factor and may result in Oral Herpes. Using a
condom will not eliminate the risk of catching Herpes although
it does lower it considerably.
Precautions and Treatment of Genital Herpes
If you have Herpes Simplex you should take certain precautions
around the outbreak period:
- Avoid sexual activity
- Avoid touching the infected area
- Wash your hands regularly
- Take antiviral treatment.
- Do not share clothes, wash cloths or towels
You can not cure Herpes Simplex. Once you've caught the virus, it
stays in your body. But it is latent most of the time and the
outbreaks can be limited to
a minimum. Antiviral treatments should be taken. They are available
as a tablet with a prescription from your doctor. They contain:
It is very difficult to prevent Herpes as 50-80 % of the
world's population has a Herpes virus. But the virus rarely
has any complications and you should be able to lead a perfectly
normal life if you do catch it.
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Comments
outbreak
My husband has herpes and he just got an outbreak, but this time it was on his butt cheek?? why is that.. and we are not having sex until it goes away. But am I in danger of catching it, since we had sex when his outbreak was starting??
possibly
possibly, he could have been sheading, but the thing is, if your married , your chances are good at catching it, but even if you do, it's not the end of the world, I think it would be worse to be so afraid of catching it from your husband then to take precautions and just not worry about it beyond that. If you catch it , no big deal. If you were not married , I would think it was a bigger deal, but you can't live your life in fear of these little bumps that show up every so often. Granted they can be worse for some people then other, I get sores quite often, but I still think this way.
Do I have it? So scared...
I had protected sex with a sex worker and she gave me a pretty harsh hand job with lotion.
Two days later I felt some burning and tingling on the outer layer and foreskin of my penis (not circumsized). That went away after I used foot fungus cream.
3 weeks from that date the burning came back for a few days. There are no visible sores or anything. Except that my penis is a bit red and that I felt some pulling from my right testicle.
Are these symptoms of herpes?
Hello
You have a good point there!!!