Sex Ed: Genital herpes is no fun!

Genital herpes is caused by the Herpes Simplex virus (HSV). Once you are infected, you have it for life.

Herpes is transmitted sexually from direct skin to skin contact — usually when blisters are present. However, the virus can be passed along even between outbreaks when the skin looks normal.

The first outbreak of genital herpes can hurt like hell. The earliest symptoms are usually itching and a feeling of burning when you pee. Blisters and ulcers usually develop on or near the penis or vagina two days to two weeks after being infected. With the first infection you can also have fever, joint-pain, swollen glands and a general feeling of lousiness.

This initial attack is usually the worst and can last up to a month. Most people who have herpes will have occasional flares. Now for some good news: after the first one, they don’t last as long and are not nearly as painful.

Don’t have intercourse when you’ve got the sores — as if you’d feel like it anyway. At the first signs of an outbreak, such as tingling or redness in the area where the blisters usually form, avoid genital contact. No oral sex either — and wait a couple of days after the blisters are fully healed and the skin looks normal again.

So can it be treated? Alas, there ain’t no cure — but there are medications that can shorten the length of outbreaks and relieve the pain. If it hurts to pee, try pouring water over the rash while you do it. Wear cotton underwear and keep the area clean and dry. Add a tablespoon of baking soda to the bath and soak, or try a cold compresses on the blisters.

Cold sores are caused by a similar virus — the HSV that causes herpes below the belt sometimes causes cold sores around the mouth too. It is possible to spread the virus from one part of your body to another, so hand-washing is very important. Herpes virus in the eye can be especially problematic.

Unlike chlamydia, herpes doesn’t affect your ability to have babies. However, if a pregnant woman has an outbreak, it can cause serious problems in the baby — so be sure to let your doctor or nurse know if you’ve had herpes

There is evidence that you can reduce the number of herpes outbreaks by living the good life: avoid stress, sleep well, eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Some people get herpes flares when exposed to very hot, cold or sunny conditions. In folks who get many outbreaks each year, taking a regular medication may decrease the number of attacks too.

Wearing condoms every time you are naked with someone decreases the chances of spreading (or picking up) the Herpes virus. And as with all the STDs, let your partner know you’ve got it. That’s one of the rules of fair play.

Confidential questions or comments? Send an e-mail to nunatsiaqsexed@hotmail.com or drop a note by the news office.

Next week: HIV.

Madeleine Cole is a physician at Baffin Regional Hospital.