What
is Herpes?
How do I get Herpes?
What does Herpes do to my body?
Is there a cure for Herpes?
How do I find out if I have Herpes?
How can I reduce my risk of getting Herpes?
How do I learn more about Herpes?
What is Herpes?
Herpes is a
very common skin disease. It's caused
by a virus and can affect your mouth (oral) and/or area around
the penis or vagina (genital), upper thighs or buttocks. Most
of the time, it is hard to notice Herpes, so a lot of people
don't know they have it. Cold sores and fever blisters are
an example of Herpes in your mouth.
How do I get Herpes?
You can get Herpes
from touching someone else's skin that has Herpes, including:
- Kissing
- Oral, anal and vaginal sex
- Touching any
area infected with Herpes
You can get Herpes even if you can't see it. A mother can also
pass it to her baby.
What does Herpes do to my Body?
Most people
don't know they have Herpes. You can find out that you have Herpes
as soon as 3 days or as late as years after getting it. Herpes
usually affects the mouth and area around the penis or vagina,
buttocks or upper thighs. Some signs of Herpes are:
- Blisters, bumps, or pimples on the infected
area that crust over
- Fever
- Headache
- Pain while peeing
Herpes sometimes looks like bug bites, rash, jock itch, zipper
burn, razor burn, irritation from sex, or yeast infection. Get
tested if you are confused if you have Herpes.
Herpes signs may appear without warning. These "outbreaks" will
appear on average from 1-5 times per year when the virus "wakes
up". Stress, eating badly, not exercising, and scary events
may cause a Herpes outbreak in some people.
Is there a cure for Herpes?
No, Herpes
can't be cured. Once the virus enters
your body, you can't get rid of it. However,
medicines and therapy can lower the
number of visible Herpes outbreaks. Herpes is not very harmful,
but it can make it easier for you to spread or receive HIV.
How do I find out if I have Herpes?
You can get tested for Herpes
at your doctor's office anytime you want. You should definitely
go see your doctor no later than 48 hours after noticing Herpes
on your skin.
How can I reduce my risk of getting Herpes?
Don't Have Sex
Don't have oral, vaginal or anal sex,
especially if you can see that someone has Herpes or any sexually
transmitted infection (STI).
Protect Yourself
Use a latex condom, plastic wrap, dental
dam or any other
protective object throughout sex.
Get Tested
Remember that most people with an STI
don't know they have it.
A simple blood test or skin test at
your doctor's office can tell you if you have Herpes.
Talk with your partner
Ask your partner if he/she has any
STI. Do not have sex with him/her until you know for sure and
both of you are tested.
Limit the Number of Partners
The fewer people you have sex with,
the safer you will be. Limit yourself to one partner who you
know does not have an STI.
How do I learn more about Herpes?
|
