Saturday, June 6, 2009

How To Control Initial Genital Herpes Outbreaks?

By Sandra Griggs

Genital herpes outbreaks can happen as an initial attack or as a recurrent condition. Here are the common symptoms associated with first genital herpes outbreaks.

Initial genital herpes outbreaks are prevalent in people that have no previous exposure to the herpes simplex virus. Symptoms of initial attacks are generally the most dangerous because the body system has no protection against the virus.

When an initial genital herpes outbreak happens, the body sends out antibodies to fight the virus. Some cells of the immune system that are present in the body are capable of identifying and regulating the virus. However, the antibodies are powerless to remove the virus from the immune system, which is the reason why some people have learned to live with the virus when infected.

After the production of antibodies, genital herpes outbreaks are usually milder. As years go by, you would most likely experience fewer or no outbreaks.

After the first exposure, the symptoms of genital herpes outbreaks begin to show within 2 to 12 days. However, it may require days, weeks, months, or years for any symptom to show itself.

Because the extent and severity of genital herpes outbreaks may differ from one person to another, it can be challenging to predict when and who transmitted the virus. In some people, the manifestations of this STD may be mild. In others, they may experience severe or no manifestations at all.

During initial genital herpes outbreaks, you may be experiencing any of the following manifestations:

* Flu like symptoms, pain in the muscles, fever

* During an initial infection, blisters are more likely to be present, especially in women. They may come in various sizes and may be found in different locations, such as genitals, buttocks, thighs, and around the anus.

* There is also tenderness, itchiness, and pain in the affected part.

* Swelling in the affected region that is normal due to bodily reactions to the virus.

* Swollen lymph nodes in the groin region that is also a normal bodily reaction to the virus.

* Cervical infection and vaginal discharge in women, which is common in 80% to 90% of first outbreaks.

In the absence of treatment, initial genital herpes outbreaks can take up to 3 to 4 weeks but in most patients, the symptoms are gone in 2 to 12 days. If you think that there are symptoms of genital herpes outbreaks, see your doctor immediately.

Fortunately, new procedures have been developed for evaluating initial genital herpes outbreaks. At present, there is no evidence on the effectiveness of Famvir in treating genital herpes outbreaks.

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