Genital Herpes
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Genital Herpes key facts
Genital herpes is a common STI (sexually transmitted infection) caused by the herpes simplex virus. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reports over 40 million adults have genital herpes in the U.S.
Here, we will take a closer look at genital herpes, how it is transmitted, its symptoms, your treatment options, and how to prevent it.
Understanding Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is classed as an STD (sexually transmitted disease). It is highly contagious and is caused by 2 types of the virus: (HSV-1) Herpes simplex virus type 1, which is associated with oral herpes (cold sores), and (HSV-2) Herpes simplex virus type 2, which is the primary cause of genital herpes.
Both types of the virus remain in your body even when you do not have any symptoms, and even though your immune system will usually keep the virus in check, it can be reactivated occasionally.
Transmission
The virus will enter your body through skin abrasions and mucous membranes, such as those in the nose, mouth, and genital area. Transmission occurs through direct physical contact with bodily fluids infected with the virus. These include vaginal fluids, saliva and semen. The virus is transmitted even when there are no symptoms of genital herpes.
Symptoms and outbreaks
Symptoms will vary from person to person. While some may suffer with recurrent outbreaks, others may not experience any symptoms at all. Symptoms may include painful blisters, swelling, itching, or ulcers. Your first outbreak of genital herpes will occur within 2 to 12 days of being exposed to the virus. Your first episode of genital herpes will be more severe than any future outbreaks which will also not last as long as the first time.
Other symptoms of an outbreak, may include the formation of small blisters that erupt and form painful open sores, on or around the genitals, anus, thighs, buttocks, and mouth, pain when urinating, and flu-like symptoms such as a high temperature and body aches.
Many people with genital herpes mistake their symptoms for other conditions such as yeast infections, razor burns, or pimples. Some people may have very mild symptoms that are easily missed, making herpes more challenging to diagnose.
Diagnosis and testing
Diagnosis requires both a visual examination of the affected area and laboratory testing, using swabs taken from the sores or ulcers. Blood tests may also be taken to test for HSV antibodies, to check for past or current viral infections.
Testing for genital herpes may not be needed if symptoms are not present, but if you do have symptoms or think you have been exposed to the virus, you should seek a medical evaluation.
Managing Genital Herpes
There is no cure for genital herpes, but there are treatment options available to help manage your symptoms. These will help reduce the severity and how often outbreaks occur, as well as prevent the spread of the virus to sexual partners.
Treatment options
Antivirals are prescribed to help relieve genital herpes symptoms, speed up the healing process, and reduce the risk of transmission. Treatment is most effective at the first sign of an outbreak. Antiviral medicines include aciclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir.
How genital herpes is treated will vary depending on each individual and their circumstances. The two strategies are:
- Intermittent treatment, where the antiviral is taken when symptoms first appear or before symptoms develop fully. This will reduce the severity and how long symptoms persist
- Suppressive therapy, where the antiviral is taken daily to prevent further outbreaks. This type of treatment is recommended for those who have regular or severe outbreaks, to reduce their frequency and the risk of transmission
Alternative approaches and additional support
Some people may try alternative or complementary therapies to manage symptoms. However, there is limited evidence to support the effectiveness of alternative treatments.
Home care
Good hygiene and self-care can also help in the management of genital herpes. Keeping the affected area clean and dry, using mild cleansers, and cotton clothing can all help to reduce irritation. Ice packs or petroleum jelly to relieve any discomfort and practicing safe sex by using condoms, is also recommended.
Recurrences and triggers
Over time the severity and frequency of outbreaks tends to decrease and individuals may have long periods without any symptoms, but certain factors can trigger outbreaks. These include exposure to U.V. light, friction, illness, stress, and changes in hormone levels.
Pregnancy and Genital Herpes
Risk of complications for the baby are low if the infection was present before pregnancy, but there are precautions that should be taken to further reduce the risk, such as taking antivirals during pregnancy to manage symptoms and to reduce the risk of an outbreak during childbirth.
A cesarean section may be recommended if active genital herpes is present during childbirth to prevent transmission of the virus to the baby. Neonatal herpes can be life-threatening to a baby if exposed to the virus during childbirth.
Preventing the transmission of Genital Herpes
Preventing the transmission of genital herpes is crucial for individuals who are sexually active. Transmission can occur even when using barrier methods, such as condoms, however these tips can reduce the risk.
- Using barrier methods, such as condoms or dental dams, during sexual intercourse can reduce the risk of transmission. Condoms however, do not give 100% protection
- Having open and honest conversations with your partner are vital
- Daily use of antiviral medication can reduce the frequency of outbreaks and the risk of transmission
- Avoiding sexual contact and refraining from sexual activity during outbreaks will reduce the risk of transmission. But remember, herpes can still be spread when symptoms are not visible
- Regular testing for STIs, including genital herpes infections, is recommended for sexually active individuals. Early detection and treatment helps to prevent transmission
Living with Genital Herpes
Genital herpes can be a challenge, physically and emotionally. Some tips for managing genital herpes include:
- Educating yourself about genital herpes and its management to reduce anxiety and promote self-care
- Discussing your diagnosis with trusted friends, family, or healthcare professionals. This can provide you with emotional support and help with feelings of embarrassment
- Exercising to help relieve stress
- Getting enough sleep, eating a healthy balanced diet, and good hygiene
- Joining support groups or online communities to share experiences and advice
Frequently asked questions
How is Genital Herpes transmitted?
Genital herpes is transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact or direct contact or exchange of bodily fluids during sex. This includes vaginal sex, anal sex, and oral sex. Herpes can be spread even when there are no symptoms or herpes sores present. Contrary to belief, herpes cannot be spread through contact with objects such as toilet seats or towels.
How do I know I have Genital Herpes?
Diagnosis requires both a visual examination of the affected area by a healthcare provider and laboratory testing. Blood tests may also be taken to test for antibodies, to check for past or current viral infections.
Conclusion
Genital herpes is a common STI caused by the herpes simplex virus. There is no cure, but individuals can manage their conditions through medication, home care, and preventive measures.
If you think you have herpes or have concerns about your sexual health, speak to your doctor or a nurse for medical advice. Early diagnosis and treatment will help you manage your symptoms and reduce the risk of spreading the virus. Also, open communication with your sex partner and practising safe sex will help you deal with condition both physically and emotionally.
References
Service Guide
Everything you need to know about Getting Treated Privately
What does the Get Treated Privately service do?
The Get Treated Privately service is a private prescribing service which is designed for adults aged 18 years and over, who are experiencing health issues and who would like to receive a fast-track assessment and if applicable, a treatment plan from a qualified prescribing clinician. Treatments are dispensed and delivered to your home or workplace from our regulated online pharmacy.
Is this a safe service?
Yes. Our formulary of medications prescribed and conditions treated are controlled, governed, and continuously risk-assessed by our Medical Director, Dr. Aseel Hamoud. Unlike other prescribing services which operate using faceless questionnaires, our service is conducted through remote video consultations, also known as synchronous consultations. This builds patient safety and prescribing appropriateness into our service, ensuring our prescribing clinicians can be satisfied with who and what they are treating. There is no guarantee of supply of medications, and any prescriptions supplied are at the sole discretion of our clinician prescriber. There is no charge for the consultation.
What is a prescribing clinician and is it safe for me to use them on the NowPatient platform?
Our prescribing clinicians are board-certified pharmacists, nurses, or doctors who can also prescribe any medicine for any medical condition, subject to accepted accreditation and good clinical practice. They are all registered with their respective regulatory bodies. For example, a pharmacist independent prescriber is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Each prescribing clinician undergoes an extensive background check including a disclosure and barring service check (DBS). In addition, they undergo a rigorous license verification process. When you book an appointment with our prescribing clinicians you will see their full name, license number, and any specialized credentials they have.
Is the service available worldwide?
Yes, the Get Treated Privately service is available worldwide.
Do I need to pay for this service?
Yes. This is a private service. You do not need to pay for the consultation. You only pay for the cost of the medication you are prescribed.
How do I book a consultation?
Once you have logged into your account, you will need to navigate to the Get Treated Privately quick action widget which is located at the bottom of your dashboard. You can then select one of the following actions – ‘Search Treatments’ or ‘Search Conditions’.
Depending on the search type, you will be taken to a consultation booking screen. You will then need to select a date and time that is convenient for you, along with the preferred language of the prescribing clinician you wish to choose. You will then see a list of all available clinicians. From this list, you can filter clinicians by gender and then select the clinician you would like to confirm for your booking.
Once you have approved this, you will see a summary of the appointment including preliminary information about the consultation. At this point, you will also be able to add a reminder to your calendar. Always ensure your account health profile is up to date before any consultation. This ensures that our clinicians have the most up-to-date information about your current health status and anything that may influence their prescribing decisions. You will receive a push notification and email reminding you of your consultation, 30 minutes before it is due to start.
You can ‘star’ the Get Treated Privately quick action widget to have it display in the ‘My Favourite Widgets’ section of your dashboard, for ease of future booking or checking active or past orders.
What happens during the remote video consultation?
During the consultation, the clinician will ask you a series of questions that will allow the clinician to diagnose your health condition and consider possible treatment options. At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if a treatment plan is a safe and appropriate option for you.
If it is, the clinician will discuss the various treatment options that may be available, so that you can jointly agree on the option that is most suited to you. Once you have jointly agreed on a treatment plan, the clinician will issue a prescription order which will be available in your ‘shopping cart’ at the end of the consultation.
Also, with your consent, the clinician may wish to inform your GP of the treatment that was prescribed. We recommend that you agree to this since your GP is responsible for your overall care and they should have a record of this consultation and medication prescribed. In addition, our clinician may take the opportunity to advise you on your overall health including advice on healthy living or stop smoking.
What happens at the end of the consultation?
At the end of the consultation, you will receive a notification which will summarise the outcome. It will also advise if any referrals were made to your GP, along with any other advice that was given to you by the clinician.
If a GP referral letter was issued, you will be able to view a copy of this in the ‘My Documents’ section of your dashboard.
If you were prescribed a treatment plan, it will now be available in your shopping cart. When you go to your shopping cart, you will be able to checkout and make payment. Once the checkout is complete, your prescription order will be sent to our regulated online pharmacy for processing.
What if the prescriber does not prescribe what I want?
We operate a safe and effective service. This means that our prescribing clinicians always exercise their clinical judgment when prescribing. Unfortunately, we do not operate a service where you can demand a certain medication. If you are not prescribed anything, then you will not be charged.
Will I get status updates for my order?
Yes. When you place an order with NowPatient, we will keep you fully updated with the status of your order. Every time the status of your order changes, you will be notified immediately. These notifications will appear in your ‘My Notifications’ section on your dashboard. You can click the notification and it will take you to your active orders screen which will give you a timeline overview of the progress of your order. This can also be accessed using the ‘My Orders’ quick action widget which is on your dashboard. Here, you can access active and past orders.
How will my order be delivered?
All orders are shipped in discreet and unmarked packaging. This means it is suitable for delivery wherever you require (home, work, or a neighbour). For thermo-sensitive orders (e.g. Insulin or weight loss injections) we use cold chain-validated packaging. Your parcel will normally receive an estimated delivery window from the courier on the day of delivery.
For your protection and safety, your first order can only be delivered to the address that is registered with NowPatient. Future orders can be delivered to any other address, for example, your workplace.
Do you ship cold-chain or temperature sensitive products?
Yes. We use a specialist courier service for all thermo-sensitive deliveries. This is to ensure that cold chain integrity is always maintained and thus the product quality, safety and efficacy.
Learn more about how we handle the delivery of temperature sensitive products.
Where do you deliver?
We currently deliver to all postcodes/zipcodes worldwide. Some postcodes in rural areas may have a slightly longer delivery time.
When will my order arrive?
- UK – Royal Mail Tracked 24 & Signed for Delivery – Next day delivery
- Europe – Royal Mail Tracked – Typical delivery of 3-5 working days
- Worldwide – Royal Mail – Typical delivery of 5-7 working days. If a tracked option is available for your country via Royal Mail, this service will be applied.
What should I do if my order has not arrived?
Delivery is normally made promptly after your dispatch notification is received. You can check the tracking details of your order in the ‘My Notifications’ section of your dashboard, at any point after dispatch.
Unfortunately, packages can sometimes get lost in the delivery system, if after 10 days you have not received your delivery, please contact us and we will do all we can to resolve the problem.
Can you prescribe GLP-1 weight loss injections?
Yes. However, with GLP-1 weight loss medications, the license requires that there are support resources put in place as part of the plan including coaching for a healthy lifestyle, exercise, and diet. Our clinicians will discuss this with you, if you are prescribed this type of treatment.
You can learn more on our Weight Loss Programs feature page.
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In the UK, we are located at:
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Alternatively, if you need to speak to us, you can reach us on the following numbers:
UK telephone number – 020 388 51 500
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Who owns NowPatient?
NowPatient is owned and operated by Infohealth Ltd, a licensed online pharmacy with services spanning the UK, US and Rest of the World. Infohealth Ltd is registered in England and Wales under company number 04004930 and our registered office is at Lynwood House, 373 – 375 Station Road, Harrow, England, HA1 2AW.
Our website is www.nowpatient.com. Our App is called “NowPatient” and can be downloaded from the App Store (for Apple devices) or Google Play (for Android devices).
Can you tell me more about your NHS online pharmacy?
NowPatient’s Pharmaceutical services in the UK are provided by Infohealth Limited trading as ‘Infohealth Pharmacy’.
Our dispensing pharmacy is regulated and authorized for internet sales by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), registration number 1036487. You can view our license credentials on the General Pharmaceutical Council website. Our superintendent pharmacist who is responsible for the safe and effective oversight of medicines supplies is Mr Amish Patel (Registration Number 2042705).
Medicines are not ordinary items of commerce. All medicines or healthcare product sales are made under the supervision of a registered pharmacist who is licensed by the GPhC. At all times, we endeavour to provide a professional and transparent service whose primary goal is to ensure that the best interests of the patient are served.
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From time to time, we accept that our service levels may not be up to your expectations. NowPatient welcomes concerns, compliments and complaints as valuable feedback that will help us learn from your experiences and make improvements. Feedback can be provided via our clear and transparent Complaints Procedures.
Can you tell me more about NowPatient’s prescribing services for treatments offered?
Our prescribing services are regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). We provide the following regulated activity:
• treatment of disease, disorder, or injury
• transport services, triage, and medical advice are provided remotely
• caring for adults over 65 years old
• caring for adults under 65 years old
NowPatient prescribing services are run by Infohealth Limited. The Clinical Safety Officer and nominated individual is Mr Navin Khosla.
Can you tell me more about NowPatient’s US services?
Our head of US services is Dr. Jamie Winn.
You can lower the cost of your prescription medications using our various savings programs which include drug coupons, savings card and manufacturer-sponsored patient assistance programs.
We do not provide any prescribing services or dispensing services in the United States.
Is NowPatient legit and can I trust information from NowPatient?
Yes. NowPatient provides trustworthy and accessible clinical, health education and prescription services. We are also trusted by the NHS to deliver clinical and NHS repeat prescription dispensing across the whole of England. In the United States, we work with over 65,000 pharmacies to deliver considerable costs savings for our users.
NowPatient is operated by experienced licensed medical professionals in the United Kingdom and United States. Our Medical Team can be found here.
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Please note that we are closed at weekends.
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