It also discusses ways to prevent the spread of the virus through sex and pregnancy.
Herpes Education
If you’ve been diagnosed with genital herpes, try not to panic.
You were probably diagnosed because you experienced a first outbreak, also known as theprimary infection.
Nusha Ashjaee / Verywell
It’s important to understand that the first outbreak is often the worst.
And, by experiencing an outbreak, you might recognize the early signs if another were to occur.
After your diagnosis, your healthcare provider will prescribeantiviral drugsto bring the virus under control.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
To begin normalizing herpes in your life, it is important to educate yourself.
This refers to diseases that healthcare providers are required to report to their state or local health department.
Examples of notifiable diseases include lead poisoning, hepatitis A, chlamydia, and syphilis.
With that said, not everyone with HSV-2 gets symptoms.
This is referred to as anasymptomatic infection, meaning that you have the virus without the outbreak.
Even so, they can still pass the virus to others through a process called asymptomatic viral shedding.
Asymptomatic shedding triggers when HSV-2 accumulates on the skin without any outward symptoms.
This can happen at any time, and there is no way to predict when shedding might start.
Most people get herpes through asymptomatic shedding.
Whether you’ve been together for years or the relationship is new, the conversation can be difficult.
Still, it is one you should probably have.
To prepare for the discussion, it’s important to be comfortable with all relevant information about herpes.
This includes knowing how herpes is transmitted and ways to reduce the risk of transmission.
give a shot to resist this impulse.
It is important to recognize that blame is at the heart ofherpes stigma.
By seeking to blame others, you are perpetuating the stigma.
In the end, herpes is a virus.
Preventing Herpes
A herpes diagnosis doesn’t mean the end of your sex life.
Some strategies can significantly reduce the risk of infection to your partner over the long term.
The consistent and proper use of barrier protection is a good place to start.
With that said, condoms and dental dams do not offer 100% protection against herpes.
You should also stop having sex as soon as you feel an outbreak coming on.
This is called theprodromal phaseand the virus is actively being shed.
Prodromal symptoms are non-specific and can develop hours or days before an outbreak.
By doing so, viral shedding is reduced.
Suppressive herpes therapy is recommended for couples where one partner has HSV-2 and the other does not.
Generally speaking, the risk of mother-to-children transmission of HSV-2 is relatively low.
This is because the mother’s immune system makes protective antibodies that are passed to the baby through theplacenta.
Keeping the news pent up may only add to the stress.
Learning to cope can reduce the stress that may actually contribute to a herpes outbreak.
Find someone who you know will protect your confidentiality and won’t be judgmental or an alarmist.
If needed, medications can be prescribed to treat extreme anxiety or depression.
If you are struggling to cope, seek support from loved ones, support groups, or healthcare professionals.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting tested for STIs.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About genital herpes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021.
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