Herpes is one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases characterized by a flu-like symptom, muscle aches, excruciating urination, and a burning sensation where blisters erupt.
Although genital herpes can have a recurrent episode, the initial asymptomatic incident is usually not as severe as the succeeding ones and can also tend to heal faster. If genital herpes reappears after the first episode, it sometimes does not manifest noticeable signs and symptoms during the succeeding ones.
The Prevalence of Genital Herpes In the US and Among Women
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that genital herpes, type 2 is common among teens and young adults with a prevalence percentage of 15.7. Oral HSV-1 infection, on the other hand, can be acquired during childhood but since cases have shrunk over the last decade, susceptibility to genital herpes infection has reportedly increased.
Women are more prone to be infected with HSV-2 than men with a 20.3% prevalence as compared to 10.6%. The main reason for this is that the pathogen can easily be transmitted from men to women as opposed women to men during sexual contact.
Viral transmission can occur in many ways other than sexual contact. A person who has the virus can pass it to a partner just by being in contact with the herpes lesions. Genital and oral secretions are the most obvious ways to get infected and a sexual partner with an asymptomatic infection can surely transmit the virus to their partners without knowing it.
The initial reaction you might have from knowing that your girlfriend or your sexual partner has herpes may be to freak out. But maturely reacting to the situation can help you deal with the relationship easier.
Herpes Infection is More Prevalent Than You Might Think
Given the facts, herpes is much more common than you think. 1 in every 6 American have the HSV-2 virus and the numbers of people with the type 1 virus are even more. Infection may last for a couple of weeks, but it does not mean that it lasts a lifetime. Early detection and proper treatment allow an infected person to deal with the virus much quicker as compared to those who take their cases for granted.
In a similar way, even those who have been infected with the virus often does not experience having symptoms for a long time. This simply means that while the virus may be within your system, it lays dormant to cause any other aggravating conditions.
The Stigma Caused by the Virus is Harder to Treat
Being mature enough to be informed on what to do in case you find out that your girlfriend or partner has herpes can help save your relationship. As with any other sexually transmitted disease, the stigma, and dishonor caused by having the condition can be much harder to treat.
If your girlfriend confides her condition, reassuring her about your emotions and helping her deal with her condition will save your relationship. It is also important to act on your part as from a medical perspective, anti-herpes medications and preemptive drugs can help you manage infections.
The initial thing you should do is to get diagnosed yourself to help prevent the virus from spreading. Certain drugs can prevent the occurrence of outbreaks if not shorten them. Drugs like Famvir, Valtrex, and Zovirax have been commonly used to aid faster healing and recovery. Ask your doctor about the appropriate drugs to take to prevent viral drug resistance.
Don´t Think She Has Cheated You
Herpes infection can be undetected for a very long time. The early symptoms can even be mistaken for a simple outbreak that has healed quickly. If she has recently allowed herself to be diagnosed with the condition, it might not be helpful to think that she was cheating on you.
Remember that the virus can lay dormant for years without showing any signs and manifestations. She might have gotten it from previous relationships without her knowing it and it just so happened that the virus started to become active while she was in a relationship with you.
If you are deeply in love with her, your relationship does not have to end because of her condition. Staying together and having an active sex life can still be possible without making her feel much worse because she has the virus.
Knowing the right thing to do, supporting her, and being tested yourself will help you get through the rough times without breaking each other apart. Simply get tested, take the necessary medications, and continue loving each other and having a great time.
