My Personal encounter with STD >>>>>. Herpes Genitalis

Sexually Transmitted Infections or Diseases (STI/STD) will always remain a challenge for us in this generation despite the availability of information and relative improved access to better healthcare. This could be attributed to over-estimating the power of science over simple common sense which tells us that our habits affects our health and simple life style changes can significantly improve our health.

 I am Pathologist with focus on infectious disease and I run a STD clinic on a part- time basis at a highbrow hospital in Victoria Island Lagos. Usually I spend the night at a friend’s place because I come from out of town to run my clinic.  On this particular day, I got to my friend’s house and my host had a female companion, during our conversation my friend told me he and his friend just had their HIV test, luckily they were both negative and he planned to engage the girl without protection that night, as he said he wanted to have a direct feel of the girls juice. About 45 minutes later, after the lady had prepared dinner, my friend showed me a picture of a blister around the vagina of a lady
on his phone which he claimed one of his old girlfriends sent to him and asked what it was. Immediately I saw the picture it was unmistakably the picture of Herpes Genitalis which is a STD that is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. While taking the picture he also took the picture of the finger which I also recognised as the finger of the same girl that was with us. The guy was very disturbed as this could be a premature end to his ambition for the night. As a result, he kept asking so many questions about the disease and I did my best in educating him about the condition. I went to sleep and left the two lovers to continue their play of death. If he had a direct taste of the juice despite the revelation is contentious but with STD there is always a payback day.

FACT WE MUST KNOW ABOUT HERPES GENITALIS  

What Is Genital Herpes?

Genital herpes is a chronic, lifelong viral infection caused by herpes simplex Virus.   Genital herpes infection affects the genitals, buttocks, or anal area. Most genital herpes is caused by HSV type 2. Yet as people begin to have sex at younger ages the herpes type 1 virus has increasingly been shown to also cause genital herpes. The genital sores caused by herpes can bleed easily. When the sores come into contact with the mouth, vagina, or rectum during sex, they increase the risk of HIV transmission if either partner is HIV-infected.

How do you prevent Herpes Genitalis Infection?

1. Use a condom every time you have sex.

A condom may protect you from the herpes virus if it covers the infected area.

2. Ask your partner if he or she has ever had a sexually transmitted disease.

Most people who have genital herpes don't know they're infected, so ask whether he or she has had any other sexually transmitted disease. People with a history of STDs are more likely to have genital herpes.

It may be awkward, but it's important to be honest with each other. Your partner may be afraid to tell you the truth if he or she fears a negative reaction. If your partner feels comfortable talking with you, you'll be more likely to get straight answers.

3. Ask your partner about his or her sexual history.

Someone who has had many sexual partners is more likely to be infected with the herpes virus.

4. Limit the number of sexual partners you have.

The fewer sexual partners you have in your lifetime, the less likely you are to be exposed to the herpes virus.

5. Don't have sex with a partner who has sores on his or her genitals.

If you know your partner has genital herpes, always abstain from sex when symptoms are present. Or, if you see a sore on someone's genitals, don't have sex with that person until you're sure he or she doesn't have genital herpes. Remember, not everyone with genital herpes has symptoms, and herpes sores can be very hard to spot.

6. Don't receive oral sex from somebody with a cold sore.

Oral herpes, which causes sores on the mouth (known as cold sores of fever blisters), can be passed to the genitals through oral sex.

7. Ask your partner to be tested for genital herpes.

If you think your partner is at high risk for genital herpes, you may consider asking him or her to be tested. In that case, you should be tested, too.

8. Don't have sex while intoxicated.

Alcohol and illicit drugs lower inhibitions and impair judgment. People tend to be less careful about practicing safer sex while intoxicated and they often regret it later.

9. Abstain from sex until you have a life-long monogamous partner.

The only way to be 100% certain you won't get a sexually transmitted disease is to have just one sex partner who has no STDs -- and only if both of you stay monogamous.

10. Try alternate forms of sexual intimacy.

If you don't want to be monogamous or totally celibate until you find a life partner, you could greatly reduce the risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease by doing things that don't involve genital-genital contact or oral-genital contact, such as mutual masturbation.

 Dr Tango is Consultant Physician with facts and Figures Email- caremed001@gmail.com Blackberry Pin -74282d21.Follow us on twitter @Care_Med