AKIRA

YOU HAVE HERPES AND YOU WILL LIVE!!

“More than 50% of Americans have oral herpes.” Majority of them don’t even know that have it. Odds are you are one of them. There’s no reason to fret. More than 3 million people are diagnosed every year. I know that may be hard to believe, but most people don’t have symptoms or even know they carry it. Let me break it down for you. There are two types of herpes. HSV-1 (oral)  and HSV-2 (genital).

Oral herpes is contracted through skin to skin contact or sometimes saliva and is usually self-diagnosable. Ever since you’re a child, you are constantly kissed on and touched on, you are often kissed by family members, boyfriends/girlfriends and friends. This is a common way people contract the virus. If you have cold sores, you have the herpes virus in you, but there is no need to freak out. The worse thing about it is the stigma that comes with it. Although some people experience flare ups that leave cold sores or cause itching. Herpes does not attack the immune system like HIV and Aids. In fact, it is so common that it is considered abnormal to not have a strand of herpes in you.

Herpes is simply a skin condition, although it cannot be cured, it is treatable. Oral herpes is not commonly discussed because it is not viewed as “bad” compared to genital herpes, but they are both equally contractible. Most people that contract herpes virus 1 contract it from family members or friends when they are much younger. There has been an increase in herpes contractions due to the increase of sexual activity and the amount of younger people having intercourse.

Genital herpes occurs in 1 out of every 6 people. Just like oral herpes, Genital herpes may or may not show symptoms. This particular type of herpes is typically caused by HSV-2, whereas oral is HSV-1. b.

Genital Herpes can be contracted through oral, vaginal, and anal sex. Herpes can be transmitted with or without symptoms being present. If there are no symptoms present it is called asymptomatic shedding. According to the book, Understanding Herpes, if you have herpes type 1, your body has built up your immune system to provide limited protection against becoming infected with HSV-2. “This means that if you have sexual intercourse with a person who has genital herpes, you will be less likely to get the disease yourself if you have antibody to the type 1 virus.”

Testing is highly important when confirming herpes. Although it is usually self diagnosable, you want to get tested just to make sure, you actually have it and not something similar. Blood test are one of the best ways to determine if you have herpes. A quick fact is that recently, “Blood test surveys indicate that fewer young people are infected with HSV-1 today than 30 years ago.” It is important to know that you can also acquire herpes through inanimate objects. The virus can live up to hours on surfaces like a hot tub and toilet seats, but the likelihood of getting an infection from touching is extremely small. I know that testing can be a little nerve wracking, but just because you don’t do it, doesn’t make it go away.

Symptoms that might lead to a person wanting to get tested vary. One may be “first time painful small blisters (vesicles) or shallow erosions (ulcers) on their genitals, around their rectal opening, or on their buttocks or thighs.” Another symptom may be “genital itching or changes in the genital or rectal skin such as small red patches or tiny little cracks.” Some may not experience any of these symptoms so many people don’t get tested for this STD because they don’t feel as though they have it. This is why it is imperative to get tested every six months.

Herpes can affect pregnant woman. If you do have genital herpes and are pregnant, you can cause harm to the child if you do not take medication  Genital herpes during the first trimester has been associated with spontaneous abortions.”

Later trimesters, do increase the rate of premature labor and possible birth defects. Another issue that comes with being pregnant and being infected it that there is a chance that you could pass herpes on to your baby during delivery. It does not happen often but it is possible, so it is imperative that you know in advance what your status, so you can take the proper precautions. You can combat this by taking medicine and/or getting a C-section.

Medication can treat your condition, but not cure it. Medication is one of the ways to help lower your chance at contracting herpes and protect you from the virus. If you are a woman, the chance of you getting genital herpes through oral sex is 10%. If you are a man receiving oral, then you have a 4% chance of catching it, but these stats can be cut in half with the use of condoms and cut again with the use of medication. Medication like Valtrex can be prescribed by your doctor (Common Side Effects of Valtrex, 2017). Herpes does not affect your immune system, but it does make you more susceptible to HIV, so it is important to get tested.

All in all, herpes isn’t as dangerous as people believe. Oral and Genital Herpes is treatable, but not curable. It is easily contractible and it is possible to transmit the virus whether you see symptoms or not. Oral sex can cause genital herpes if your partner has oral herpes. Your risk of getting genital herpes reduces when you take the proper precautions and medications.

Sex is sex whether it is oral, vaginal, or anal. Be safe and get tested.