|
|
Main > Specialty Areas > Venereology and STDs >
What is Herpes?
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted viral infection. The word herpes comes from a Greek word "herpein" which means "to crawl." That basically describes the condition: it begins with one single vesicle and then "crawls" or spreads around the body, creating more. In the past, people considered genital herpes to be the punishment for promiscuous behavior.
Genital herpes is caused by two distinct, but similar types of virus. Herpes simplex or HSV-1, which is mostly responsible for the cold sores, generally does not cause genital herpes, but can migrate from affected areas to other mucosal surfaces upon contact. Generally, Type 1 virus (or HSV-1) causes only about 10% of genital herpes. By far, the most common perpetrator is the Type 2 (or HSV-2), which causes 90% of genital herpes.
Genital intercourse, oral sex, anal sex or any direct contact with infected areas that involves transfer of bodily fluids can easily lead to infection. It is even possible (although, extremely not probable) to catch it from a dirty toilet seat. And even from an infected partner who is showing no symptoms.
|
| Random Useful Tip: |
Diabetes Containment To contain diabetes, it pays to do the following:
Pay attention to your diet - avoid sugar as well as saturated fats in any form.
Regular exercise is an important treatment for both types of diabetes.
Weight loss can also help to reverse insulin resistance and lower blood glucose if a person is overweight.
|
| Random Drug Info: |
Levothyroxine Levothyroxine is a pure synthetic form of T4 hormone that is made in a laboratory to be an exact replacement for the T4 that the human thyroid gland normally secretes. It comes in multiple strengths, which means that an appropriate dosage can almost always be found for each patient. |
|