Can You Have Herpes and Never Know It

Herpes is one of the almost stigmatized, feared, and misunderstood sexually transmitted infections (STI). Nosotros test many patients for herpes at our OBGYN offices in Queens and Long Island, and nosotros get lots of positive results, which understandably cause lots of anxiety for affected patients. In this blog, we'll break it down for you. Bottom line: In that location'southward no need to freak out nearly positive results.

There are two types of herpes simplex virus, which can crusade painful sores on the mouth and/or genitals.

• HSV-one primarily causes sores on the mouth. Information technology can be contracted by kissing a person with the virus, or sharing personal items (e.g., utensils, lipsticks, or toothbrushes).

• HSV-2 commonly causes genital lesions and is by and large transmitted by sexual contact.

Information technology used to be said that "HSV-1 causes lesions in a higher place the waist and HSV-2 causes lesions beneath the waist," but this an oversimplification: Oral HSV-1 can be communicated to the genitals by oral sex and genital HSV-2 can be similarly communicated to the rima oris. Both HSV-i and HSV-2 can cause lesions in the oral cavity, the genitals, and in other areas (around the anus, in the eyes, or in areas where skin has been traumatized).

At our OBGYN offices in Queens and Long Isle, we provide STI testing for hundreds (maybe thousands) of women each year, and diagnosis of genital herpes is incredibly common. Women are understandably shocked when they hear that they've tested positive, and we oftentimes have to "talk them off the ledge." At that place are a lot of myths and misconceptions almost herpes out at that place. Here are 4 reasons why a positive herpes test is not the end of the world.

• Exposure to HSV is very common. When we test for herpes, we do blood tests which tell us whether your immune system has e'er "seen" the herpes virus: Once you take been exposed to herpes, your body creates antibodies which will remain present for the remainder of your life. Exposure is incredibly common: According to the CDC, about 1 in 8 people ages 14 – 49 has been exposed to HSV-2, and half of people accept been exposed to HSV-1. That's right…that good-looking guy yous've been flirting with has virtually a l% chance of having HSV-1! Most people withal are unaware that they have been exposed, because they've never noticed an outbreak. Information technology's not until patients are tested that they acquire they have HSV. Many people accept been exposed to the virus, but are completely unaware.

• Symptoms of HSV are often short-lived and balmy. Many people who test positive for canker antibodies accept no symptoms; oft, they tin't recall fifty-fifty a single outbreak. Other individuals affected past the herpes virus have repetitive outbreaks of painful sores in or around the rima oris or vagina; some may detect only vaginal irritation or discharge (FYI, if you take any of these symptoms, you should be seen ASAP). By and large, the first exposure to the herpes virus causes the most astringent outbreak, during which skin lesions may be accompanied past systemic influenza-like symptoms. Recurrent outbreaks typically occur in the same location where the initial outbreak occurred, simply recurrences tend to be mild.

Many people who live with herpes outbreaks larn that they are decumbent to certain "triggers": One patient tells me that she gets outbreaks when she'south slumber-deprived, and another tells me she gets lesions when she eats a lot of chocolate. People with herpetic infections can thus learn to manage their triggers to minimize the risk of an outbreak.

For those who get frequent outbreaks—say, more than three or four per year—medications are available which shorten the duration of symptoms and subtract the likelihood of spreading the virus. If you get frequent outbreaks and are have not discussed the possibility of using medications to suppress the canker virus, you lot should call us for an appointment.

• HSV is NOT a catastrophe in pregnancy. Many of my patients who are diagnosed with genital herpes are understandably worried about the implications herpes infection in pregnancy: They fear that won't be "allowed" to conceive or will non exist able to deliver vaginally. These myths exaggerate the true risk of herpes in pregnancy. Infants are generally at chance only if they pass through a birth canal while their mother has an agile HSV lesion. We advisedly examine women in labor if they have a history of HSV, and if a lesion is seen, a C-section is advised. Medication is often used during the concluding few weeks of pregnancy to subtract viral shedding and reduce the take chances of an outbreak on the twenty-four hours of childbirth. While many, many people test positive for prior exposure to canker, it's rare for united states of america to have to do a c-section for this reason. For the vast majority of women, HSV infection has no consequences in pregnancy.

• You tin yet have sex. A diagnosis of genital herpes is non the end of your sex life. If one partner has a history of HSV infection, medication can be used to subtract viral shedding and reduce the take chances of sexual transmission of the virus. Condoms can drive this take a chance even lower. Of course, if yous have a history of herpes infection, nosotros would encourage you to be open and honest with your partner then that you can work together to discover satisfying solutions.

A diagnosis of herpes is not the end of the earth, simply women should know where they stand. We encourage testing for all sexually agile women. If y'all suspect y'all may take had exposure to the canker virus, you should come see united states of america for an evaluation. We're hither to respond your questions candidly and talk over a long-term management strategy.

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Source: https://www.ilovemygyn.com/blog/4-reasons-not-to-freak-out-about-your-positive-herpes-test/

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