For upon |Want to know how to get rid of herpes? You’re in the right place. We’ll equip you with some “must know” information in this article.

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What is Herpes?

According to the American Sexual Health Association, herpes is one of the most common STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), and affects one in eight people between the ages of 14 and 49.

Herpes is caused by the “herpes simplex virus” (HSV). The virus comes in two types. The first, HSV-2, causes genital herpes. The second, HSV-1, causes “fever blisters,” or “cold sores,” but can also cause genital herpes.

The HSV virus invades the body through the skin, travels along the nerve pathways and remains there for an indefinite period of time.

Symptoms of Herpes

According to WebMD, people who contract herpes might not show any symptoms for days, weeks, months or even years, after they’ve contracted it.
However, at times, the HSV virus will travel along the nerve path to the surface of the skin, causing an “outbreak.” When this happens, the symptoms can be severe, including:
• Itching or tingling in the affected area.
• Blisters that become painful sores.
• Flu-like symptoms.
• Swollen lymph nodes.
• Raw or cracked genital area.
• Headaches, backaches or fatigue.

The blisters will start small, grow into raw, painful sores and eventually scab over and heal. In some cases, they show up in the rectal area or (for women) inside the urethra. The latter can cause pain during urination.

Two things are important to remember about these symptoms:

First, many people who have the virus won’t show symptoms for days, weeks, months, even years after contracting it.

Second, the symptoms are often mistaken for other conditions such as yeast infections, bladder infections, and bacterial infections. The only way to know the difference is to talk to a doctor.

Those who do suffer outbreaks can expect to have four or five of them a year. However, the symptoms of these outbreaks are manageable with the right herpes treatment.

How to Get Rid of Herpes

Genital herpes is incurable. However, it is possible to treat the symptoms by either preventing them or mitigating their severity. Getting treated for herpes is also important if you want to prevent transmitting the virus to others.

According to the Mayo Clinic, herpes diagnosis involves a physical examination where blood or tissue samples are examined for HSV antibodies.

Doctors will typically prescribe antiviral medications which can reduce the pain and discomfort of herpes symptoms.

If you think you might have herpes, or if you’re sexually active with a partner who has it, book a PlushCare appointment now. We can answer any questions you have via phone, laptop or mobile device, and you don’t have to wait a long time to talk to one of our world-class doctors.

Book an appointment with a PlushCare doctor now.

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