Medical statistics suggest that between 20-25% of all U.S. sexually active persons are infected with HPv, genital herpes and other incurable viral STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). Worldwide totals are believed to be in excess of 500 million.Such statistics make it clear that you are surely at risk for infection any time you engage in casual, unprotected sex. This is a disturbing reality that cannot be ignored.
What are the steps that you can take to avoid contracting the disease yourself, or to avoid infecting others? What can you do about it?
The Genital Herpes STD
Anyone who has personally experienced one or more episodes of genital herpes can attest to the pain and prolonged discomfort associated with an eruption.Itching often precedes the eruptions of the small blister like sores. Often, there is neuralgia like pain in the groin area for a day or so as a precursor, which may abate during the actual eruption of sores.
When the blisters occur, the pain associated with them can be significant, particularly for severe attacks. Flu like symptoms often precede and accompany the attack. The eruptions usually persist for 7-10 days without treatment, though some topical and sublingual remedies for herpes are thought to lessen the length and severity of the attacks. Prescription antiviral medications have been proven to reduce the frequency and severity.
Unfortunately, there is no current cure, and attacks can reappear throughout your lifetime once you have acquired the infection.
The Human Pappillomavirus (HPV)
HPV is known to cause genital warts, and more disturbingly, cervical cancer.HPV cause genital warts appear as cauliflower like small bumps in the gential area.pain and itching are generally occur during attacks.
HPV, like herpes, is not curable at this time, but there are preventive vaccines now available for some variants, and in particular for those that are believed to cause cervical cancer. Some topical medications are thought to speed getting rid of genital warts when they do erupt.
STD Prevention and Transmission
Herpes and HPV are normally transmitted by sexual relations, whether genital, oral, or even through touching. The diseases can be transmitted whether physical symptoms are present or not, though unprotected sex during active infection has a very high likelyhood of resulting in transmission of the diseases to your uninfected partners.
A good degree of infection can be provided by using condoms, espesically when no active sypmtoms are apparent. However, absolute safety is by no means guaranteed, and particularly not when an active infection is present. Condoms can fail, foreplay can transmit the virus, and herpes sores may occur other places than on the penis or within the vagina or anus.
If you have become infected, your are unfortunately compelled to a lifetime very careful protected sex, especially with partners not already infected.If you have contracted the herpes virus, you should seriously consider getting a prescription from your physician for an anti viral medication. These have been availble now for a few years and seem to have good effect at reducing frequency and duration of infections.Doctors now strongly advise use of the preventive vaccine for HPV by young women before they become sexually acitve.
Emotional and Social Impact
Having an STD can be emotionally devastating, and to some extent, physically debilitating. You may question the morality or ethics of dating and engaging in sexual activities with others who are not infected.They may be understandly very reluctant to engage in a sexual relationship with you.There is still substantial stigma attached to STD infections despite the substantial prevalence of such diseases in our society.
What Should You Do About It
Importantly, you need to schedule a consultation with your doctor to determine suitability of any treatments our counseling from which you could benefit. Get prescriptions for the available anti virals.Try to control your symptoms and speed healing by using available over the counter topical remedies. RemediesForHerpes.Net provides candid reviews of available medications.
Importantly, if the guilt of your infection is subtantially limiting your social opportunities, you can find sympathetic and understanding dating partners or friends by joining an STD dating community. These communities also can be a source for the most up to date info about STDs and how other people deal with STD infections. Go to STDAmour.Org to register for free for the #1 STD dating community.
