What to Do When You Are Diagnosed As Herpes
The likelihood of rejection is extremely high when you have herpes and are interested in dating someone who are living with herpes. The social taboos accompanying this virus are too many to count. Herpes is criticized, and the vast majority of the population, even those suffering from the virus are regularly misinformed about what the virus is and how it is contracted. The truth is that regardless of how comfy you are with the herpes condition, there will be a group of users who will be totally unaccepting.
With that said, remember that herpes is a treatable condition. If you take medicines as prescribed by your doctor, the symptoms of this condition will start to lower.
What is Herpes?
Herpes is an infection caused by two closely related but different viruses, HSV-1 and HSV-2. You can easily get infected with the two viruses, and the bad thing is that they remain in your body for life where they produce symptoms now and then.
If you have oral herpes, you can easily give your partner genital herpes by engaging in oral sex. The reason for this is that both herpes viruses can live on either part of your body. Also, it is possible to be infected with herpes that affects the eyes.
How is Herpes Transmitted?
Herpes is majorly transmitted via skin-to-skin contact, which mostly occurs through sexual intimacy. However, it can also occur during kissing or touching of a totally non-sexual nature such as parent to a kid. Genital herpes can also be transmitted from a pregnant mum to her child during vaginal birth.
What are the Symptoms of Herpes?
When a person has oral herpes, 'fever blisters' or 'cold sores' can appear around the mouth or on the lips. Also, these sores may show up inside the mouth at the first instance when oral herpes symptoms appear.
Most singles with genital herpes, on the other hand, show no symptoms of the condition. Those suffering from genital herpes will experience symptoms that go unnoticed or have symptoms that they won’t identify as a symptom of infection.
Genital herpes symptoms include sharp pain, blisters, an itchy feeling when urine flows over sores, inability to urinate due to blockage of the urethra by extreme swelling of sores, pain in the infected area, as well as open wounds.
Is Herpes Treatable?
Although herpes treatment is useful, there is no proven cure. Nevertheless, in most scenarios, the outbreaks become less painful, weaker, and fewer over the years. You can take specific medications prescribed by medics to help you manage the herpes infection.
Using herpes medication is typically very effective in quickening the healing of sores as well as preventing them from reoccurring frequently.
How do you prevent the Spread of Herpes?
The first step is to avoid touching any sores you have around your mouth, eyes, or the genitals. If you touch the wounds, ensure that you wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. Also, avoid intimacy while you have sores and use condoms if you must have sex.
Herpes is majorly contracted during an outbreak, but it is also likely to transmit the disease when no symptoms are available. Sufficient sleep and rest, effective stress management, and a proper diet may help prevent and lower herpes occurrence.
Getting tested for STIs is a fundamental aspect of staying healthy and taking good care of your body. Consider exercising and brushing your teeth often. Knowing your status and getting tested shows that you care about your partner and yourself. STD testing and awareness is a standard part of staying healthy and taking good care of your body.
Dating With Herpes?
Dating can be a daunting event if you are infected with herpes. It is usual for people to experience insecurity and self-doubt when faced with the challenge of establishing a new intimate relationship. While this is very understandable and normal, there are few tips that you can consider to lower dating experience if you are suffering from HSV-1 or HSV-2.
If you are diagnosed with herpes simplex virus, honesty is generally the best policy. Ensure that you inform anyone that you intend to have intimacy with that you have herpes. There is no exception to this rule. Even if you use a condom, there are chances of transmission of HSV-2. Here are few tips for dating with HSV-1 and HSV-2.
Must Read: How to Do When Dating Someone With Herpes?
Communication is Vital
A herpes infection does not mean the end of your dating or intimacy life. However, it does need some responsible communication and maintenance with both your physician and sexual partners.
Never be scared to get Intimate Emotionally
An honest and open conversation regarding your diagnosis demands emotional intimacy that can be stressful to possess in a new relationship. Therapists say that it is essential to relax and communicate more about sex and other critical intimate topics with your partner.
Tips for Safe Relationship
With adequate protection and correct info, you can still enjoy a healthy intimacy relationship. Here are a several tips to consider to make sure that you and your partner stay safe during intimacy.
Consider Medication
You can overpower the virus and the asymptomatic shedding by taking daily antiviral medication. Taking antiviral daily is known to lower the transmission of this virus significantly.
Be aware of the risks
Although people carry the virus for a short period, you cannot eliminate the risk of the virus. For this reason, you need to use protection with new partners.
Know how to Use Condoms
If you use condoms consistently and correctly, you can significantly lower the spread of herpes. Besides, avoiding intimacy while one is experiencing active herpes can reduce the risk of spread.
Lastly, the treatments present for herpes are consumed to prevent outbreaks and relieve the symptoms. You can either take the pills and medication or seek natural remedies. For example, you can treat the cold sores by washing the affected areas with aloe vera gel or antibacterial soap to soothe your skin. Protect your loved ones by stopping the spread of the herpes virus!