Vaginal Herpes

The fact is herpes is more common in women than in men. Moreover, herpes affects one woman out of every four! It's estimated that over half a million new cases of the herpes simplex virus occur every year.

Some of the earliest symptoms can include:
· An itching or burning sensation
· Pain in the legs, buttocks, or genital area
· Vaginal discharge
· A feeling of pressure or fullness in the abdominal area
A few days following the initial symptoms, sores or lesions erupt at the site of the infection. These sores can occur inside the vagina or on the cervix in women, as well as in the urinary passage in both men and women.

Herpes lesions may first appear as small red bumps that develop into blisters which become painful, open sores. After several days these sores become crusted and then heal without scarring.

The first episode of genital herpes can also include symptoms such as:
· fever
· headache
· muscle aches
· urinary pain or difficulty
· swollen glands in the groin area.

After genital herpes invades the skin or mucous membranes, the virus travels to the sensory nerves at the end of the spinal cord where it remains inside the nerve cells in an inactive state. Most people experience a monthly recurrence of symptoms. During a recurrent episode of genital herpes the virus travels along the nerves to the skin where it multiplies at or near the site of the original herpes lesions, causing new sores to appear.

There are three drugs currently available to treat genital herpes. However, these medications are not cures. Pharmaceutical treatment of genital herpes may shorten the length of first episodes and reduce the severity and frequency of recurrent episodes. These drugs are:
· Zoviraz (acyclovir),
· Famvir (famciclovir),
· Valtrex (valacyclovir).

Zoviraz is useful for first and recurrent episodes of herpes, while Famvir and Valtrex are approved by the FDA to treat recurrent episodes.

Patients can help speed healing and avoid spreading the infection by following a few simple steps during periods of active herpes:

· Keep the infected area clean and dry.
· Don't touch the sores; if you do wash your hands immediately.
· Refrain from sex from the time you first notice symptoms until sores/lesions are completely healed and covered by new skin.

Recurrent episodes of herpes can be triggered by minor trauma, other infections including colds, menstruation, and stress.

http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/herpesgenital1/a/genitalherpes_3.htm

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