Genital Herpes Research Paper

Genital Herpes is common in the United States affecting both men and women ages 14-49 years of age. It is a highly contagious disease that can be spread by having vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who is infected. It is a lifelong disease that can only be maintained with antiviral medications that will help lessen the severity of an outbreak. Different types of diagnosis will be tested along with physical examination. Staying in a monogamous relationship and practicing safe sex will decrease the chance of catching the disease. Genital Herpes Genital herpes is one of the common sexually transmitted disease in the United States that affects both men and women. This disease causes pain, itching, blisters and open sores on and around the genital area; however, a person with genital herpes may show no signs and symptoms that he/she is infected. It is a highly contagious disease that can be transmitted from one person to another through sexual and skin-to-skin contact. Unfortunately, genital herpes has no cure, but there are medications to treat the outbreaks, minimize symptoms and decrease recurrences.

When the infection is present, the symptoms of genital herpes include: pain or itching that starts within two to ten days after being exposed to an infected sexual partner, small red bumps or tiny white blisters which may occur several days later, ulcers that makes it painful to urinate, and scabs that form as the ulcers heal. During the outbreak, the infected person may experience a flu-like signs and symptoms including swollen lymph in the groin area, headache, muscle aches and fever. Recurrences are common and may recur off and on for years, though; the recurrences are generally less painful that the original outbreak and sores heal more