Understanding herpes and what it is like for those who have it.
WHEN people hear the words ?genital herpes?, many of them react with disgust, fear or shame.
But do you realise that the woman sitting next to you on the LRT, or in front of you at the supermarket queue, could have herpes?
It doesn?t make her ?dirty? or promiscuous, and she doesn?t behave any differently ? she just has a virus, like you may have a cold virus.
different foods may act as triggers for some people. The most commonly reported food triggers are excessive amounts of alcohol and caffeine, chocolate or nuts.
Having herpes is just like having any other condition that you have to live with. unfortunately, there is a lot of social stigma surrounding the disease, mainly because it is a sexually transmitted disease. just like with HIV, people with herpes fear to tell their friends, family, and even partners that they have the infection.
Due to this stigma, there are women with herpes who do not seek treatment, may unwittingly pass on the infection to their partners, and cannot enjoy a full life.
This article is intended to help women understand herpes and what it is like for those who have it. Life doesn?t end when you have herpes.
The thing about herpes
Herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, and can manifest as cold sores around the mouth or face (oral herpes), or in the genitals, buttocks, or anal area (genital herpes).
Genital herpes is transmitted through sexual intercourse, even oral sex.
Herpes does not always produce symptoms, but when it does, the symptoms vary with each person. some people get very painful sores, about two to 10 days after they become infected with the virus. The sores are small, fluid-filled blisters that group in clusters.
The sores may be accompanied by flu-like symptoms, such as swollen glands, fever, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, and nausea. However, some people experience only mild symptoms.
Due to the wide range of symptoms, genital herpes may be wrongly diagnosed as other conditions, such as yeast infection, urinary tract infection, bladder dysfunction, inflammation of the cervix, or genital trauma.
For those with symptoms, they may experience outbreaks several times a year, where new sores or blisters appear.
While recurrent outbreaks are usually less severe, they can still cause a great deal of discomfort and frustration, sometimes during the worst times, like when something important is happening in your life.
What triggers the outbreaks
Stress ? both emotional and physical ? is believed to be the most significant trigger in herpes outbreaks. We may not realise it, but stress affects the body?s hormones and immune system, so that we become more vulnerable to illnesses and infections when we are stressed.
High levels of stress, caused by anger or fear over personal, work, and relationship problems, can trigger frequent recurring outbreaks. Physical stress, caused by other illnesses or lack of rest and exhaustion, can also lead to those nasty sores popping up.
It?s quite obvious that women with herpes need to control their stress levels and ensure that they get proper sleep. This may be easier said than done, but testimonies from other patients are evidence that it will bring some benefit in reducing the outbreaks.
Other triggers in your environment can be controlled quite easily, such as your clothing, your exposure to sunlight, and the food you eat. Tight clothing and undergarments can spark off an outbreak, so be sure to wear comfortable, cotton undergarments.
Women with herpes should also avoid exposure to UV light as much as possible by wearing protective clothing and hats, and staying indoors more often. always wear sunscreen with a high protective factor whenever you go outdoors.
Different foods may act as triggers for some people. The most commonly reported food triggers are excessive amounts of alcohol and caffeine, chocolate or nuts. anyone with herpes should keep a diary of their outbreaks and record what they were eating and drinking at the time, in order to rule out the possible food triggers.
There are anti-viral medications that are quite effective in controlling genital herpes, and some may even help the patient reduce the shedding of the virus and prevent transmission of herpes to the sexual partner.
Having a relationship
Most women with herpes feel terribly ashamed when they are diagnosed with the infection. they feel as if they are walking around with a scarlet sign on their foreheads, and that they will never have a relationship again.
One of the most difficult things after the diagnosis is confronting the partner who may have given you the virus. This is a natural, human reaction, although pointing the finger will not help resolve the situation. consider the fact that your partner may not have known that he had the herpes virus, because not everyone exhibits symptoms.
The other side of the coin may be that you have to break the news to your partner that you have herpes. it will be a difficult conversation, but if you want to be in a trusting, monogamous relationship, your partner has the right to know how he can protect himself.
Using latex condoms can reduce the risk of transmitting the virus, as long as the condom remains unbroken and completely protects all areas of the penis that is in contact with the vagina.
A condom must be used for all forms of sexual contact, including oral, anal and manual sex, as it is skin contact that transmits the virus, not the semen.
If one of you has oral herpes, be very cautious about performing oral sex on your partner, as that could transmit the virus. Using a dental dam, or a latex condom, to cover the vaginal area, could reduce the risk of transmission.
You also need not worry that having herpes will stop you from having children. Many women with genital herpes have perfectly normal pregnancies. However, you should talk to your obstetrician about how to minimise the risk of transmitting the virus to your unborn baby.
Living with herpes may not be easy. But you can either choose to let it control you, or choose to control it, so that you can live a normal life.
Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar is a consultant obstetrician & gynaecologist (FRCOG, UK). for further information, visit primanora.com. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader?s own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.