Herpes risk factors

There are some risk factors for herpes.

In general they are connected with sex and sexual partners.

Herpes risk factors include:

• unsafe sex
• having sex with more than one partner
• having sex with someone who has multiple sex partners.

So be careful having sex!

How can you protect yourself from getting herpes?

The chance of becoming infected with herpes can be reduced by avoiding risky sexual behaviors.

To reduce your risk:

• Use latex or polyurethane condoms during sex. While this may help reduce the risk of transmission, transmission may still occur if herpes lesions are on parts of the body not covered by the condom.

• Limit the number of your sex partners.

• Avoid any contact with a partner who has sores until the sores are completely healed.

• Avoid having sex until the sores are fully healed or use a male or female condom during anal, oral, or vaginal sex. However, transmission can still occur if the condom does not cover the sores.

• Avoid having sex just before or during an outbreak, since the risk for transmission is highest at that time. If possible, encourage your partner to let you know at the first sign(s) of an outbreak so that you both can avoid sex then.

• If possible, ask any potential sexual partners if they have ever had a herpes outbreak, and encourage them to see a health care provider or clinic for more information—even if they do not have any symptoms.

Be healthy and happy!

www.herpes.com

Photo: www.flickr.com

Herpes and pregnancy

But what to do if you are pregnant? How herpes influences pregnant woman? Let’s try to study this problem.

Unfortunately, it’s possible that an infected woman can pass herpes to her baby. The chance of giving herpes to the baby is highest if the initial infection occurs near the time of delivery.

The herpes virus can be transmitted to the baby in utero or during passage through an infected birth canal. First-time infection during pregnancy leads to an increased risk of miscarriage, decreased fetal growth, and preterm labor. About 30-50% of infants who are born vaginally to a mother with first-time infection become infected with the herpes virus. Of babies born to women experiencing recurrent herpes at the time of birth, 1-4% become infected with the virus.

If a woman is having an active outbreak of genital herpes at the time of delivery, the baby will usually be delivered by cesarean section to prevent transmission of herpes.

Of infants infected with herpes at birth, 30-60% die within the first month. Survivors may have long-term complications such as mental retardation and seizures.



To prevent transmission of herpes to their babies, pregnant women should discuss any past history of herpes with their health care providers and take adequate measures to prevent infection during pregnancy. The risk of herpes can be reduced during pregnancy by:

• Avoiding sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal, and oral) during the last three months of pregnancy if your partner is known to have or suspected of having genital herpes.

• Avoiding receptive oral sex during the last three months of pregnancy if your partner is known to have or suspected of having herpes sores on the mouth, tongue, gum, or lips.

http://www.herpes.com/
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/

More about Genital Herpes Spreading

Hi everybody! I’d like to add some words about genital herpes spreading because it’s very important point.

Unfortunately, genital herpes is spread very easily. Because of contact with an infected person the herpes virus can penetrate to your body through any break!

It could be break in your skin or the skin of your mouth, penis or vagina, urinary tract opening, cervix or anus. You can think that herpes is spread when it’s evident that the person is infected, e.g. the herpes symptoms are evident and obvious. Helas it’s not the case.

Of course herpes is most easily spread when it’s on the active stage of disease, when you can see blisters or sores on the body of infected individual. But the very bad news is that it can be spread at any time! Imagine, in any time! Even when there aren't any symptoms!

As I’ve mentioned already, genital herpes is usually spread from one person to another during sexual contact. It’s about any sex, including oral and anal sex. Herpes can also be spread from one place on your body to another: from your genitals to your fingers! Then it could be transmitted to other parts of your body! To your face, lips, eyes!

By the way, to the attention of pregnant women: remember that herpes virus can also be transmitted from a mother to her baby during delivery!

More about herpes and pregnancy read in my next post… To be continued.

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/