Genital Warts & Gentital Herpes (the facts)

AustinGemini · 12-04-2007, 12:16 PM

Genital warts are contagious, treatable, will not kill you, and for all intensive purposes can be "cured." The warts will appear as one or more painless, soft, fleshy growths. They are spread by sexual contact (genital-to-genital) with an infected partner and are very contagious. To prevent ease of contraction or spreading once obtained, you should keep your genital and rectal area clean and dry. When increased perspiration is anticipated (sweating), apply baby powder to your groin and rectal area. A warm and moist environment in the genital area seems to favor wart growth. If you have sexual contact with a partner that has genital warts, you have a 75% chance of being infected with symptoms appearing within three months. No single treatment is effective in eliminating warts and preventing them from coming back. However, if the warts are removed, the "cure" rates can be up to 91%.

Genital herpes is contagious and treatable, but there is no cure. It will not kill you, but you may be taking medicine for the rest of your life to control outbreaks and reduce risks of spreading the virus.

There are two types of Herpes Simplex Viruses, type-1 (HSV-1) and type-2 (HSV-2). Most genital herpes is caused by HSV-2. HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, but it more commonly causes infections of the mouth and lips ("fever blisters"); almost everyone has HSV-1 to a degree. HSV-1 infection of the genitals can be caused by oral-genital or genital-genital contact with a person who has HSV-1 infection. Genital HSV-1 outbreaks recur less regularly than genital HSV-2 outbreaks (which is the ?worse? of the two).

Genital herpes can be spread even if the infected partner does not show signs/symptoms or have knowledge that he has herpes. Condoms are little protection against herpes because the virus populates on and around the entire genital area. As many as 80% of those infected do not know they have herpes because they show no symptoms; however, they unknowingly spread the virus.

If there are to be outward signs of herpes on you, they tend to develop within 3-7 days of skin-to-skin contact from the affected area with an infected person. When signs do occur, they typically appear at the site of infection as one or more painful bumps or ?blisters? on or around the genitals or rectum. A tingling or itching in the development site is often a precursor to an outbreak. The sores usually start as one or more groups (clusters) of tiny clear or white blisters with a red base. After the blister(s) break, it will form a pink or red tender ulcer (sore) that will be slow to heal (two-to-four weeks).

During an outbreak, it is critical to not have skin-to-skin contact from the infected area with another person. Although this unique virus can spread without outward signs (blisters), it is highly contagious during a visible outbreak. During a visible outbreak, you can even spread the outbreak to other nearby areas on your own body; so, be cautious touching yourself in the affected area (wash your hands with soap), keep the area clean, change your underwear and bath towel daily.

Once you have the virus, there is no firm data on what will consistently trigger an outbreak. Typically, contributors can be stress, fatigue, sunburn, physical trauma, and sexual activity.

A HSV infection can be difficult to diagnose between outbreaks; however, there are blood tests that usually detect the infection. If you are sexually active, you should request the tests (HSV-1 and HSV-2) during your yearly physical (which everyone at any age should have).

As stated, unlike many other STDs that are curable, herpes is a life-long problem that cannot be cured. Typically, an infected person will have one-to-eight outbreaks every year. Although the virus will stay in your body forever, the number of outbreaks tends to decrease as the years pass. There are medications (pills) like once-a-day Valtrex that has success in reducing the frequency of outbreaks and speed recovery/healing.

If you obtain genital herpes, you may experience a range of emotions; guilt, embarrassment, or you may feel like your sex-life has been ruined forever. Those feelings are normal, and also know that you are one of millions of people (one in four) who have herpes and live active lives by overcoming the psychological baggage. They manage the problem, instead of vice-versa.

Because of the permanent significance of the problem, if you contract herpes it is your responsibility to be a MAN and inform your past sex partner(s) of your development so that they may recognize potential symptoms. It will not be pleasant to communicate the fact, but it is your responsibility on a human-level; you MUST tell them. And remember, you will be judged by how you treat others?so treat others how you would want to be treated

OK, education time is over; however, as a personal opinion, I believe that we should all enjoy life and LIVE! Yes, play and enjoy your body and time on this earth. That does NOT mean to act sexually without responsibility or reason, but enjoy yourself! If you are active, you should mentally prepare yourself that you will get an STD; it's just gonna happen! Hope that it is a "curable" STD, and always take precautions to reduce risks. Again, reduce/eliminate risks.

Should you any questions or concerns regarding an STD, please send me a message and I will reply confidentially. It is ridiculous that anyone should go around in fear or wonder about something they are concerned to discuss. I will be glad to provide confidential up-front information.

_XXL_ · 12-04-2007, 12:18 PM

Not trying to gross anyone out here, but I kind of got this lump on my balls after this girl I was in a relationship for 8 months with. But what are you gonna do?