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DOCTOR QUESTIONS
20% of the population has or carries herpes simplex virus. But do you know what herpes is? Learn about causes and risk factors for herpes. ...
Do you know the less common signs and symptoms of herpes? Get the facts of herpes symptoms and outbreaks here....
Herpes diagnosis requires proper testing. Learn about the two simple tests that doctors use to confirm a herpes diagnosis....
Q: Herpes and HIV
asked by:
faith_10
New User
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Replies(2)
Muthoni
Supporter
This is what I read...
"Having genital herpes can increase the risk of being infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, and it can cause serious problems for people living with HIV.
People who have genital herpes sores are more likely to be infected with HIV during intercourse. When you develop a sore, your immune system tries to heal it, so there are many immune cells concentrated in that spot. Those are the cells that HIV infects. If HIV in semen, vaginal fluid, or blood comes in contact with a herpes sore, the risk for infection is high.
The Compound Effect of Genital Herpes and HIV
HIV and the herpes virus are a troublesome duo. One can worsen the effects of the other. Research shows that when the herpes virus is active, it may cause HIV to make more copies of itself (the process called replication) than it would otherwise. The more HIV replicates, the more of the body's infection-fighting cells it destroys, eventually leading to AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome).
People infected with both HIV and the herpes virus may have longer-lasting, more frequent, and more severe outbreaks of herpes symptoms, because a weakened immune system can't keep the herpes virus under control as well as a healthy immune system can.
Treatment Issues
It's more difficult to treat genital herpes if you also have HIV. Higher doses of antiviral drugs are often needed to treat herpes in people with HIV. Also, many people with HIV have strains of the herpes virus that are resistant to treatment with the standard antiviral drugs.
If you take antiviral drugs for genital herpes and the treatment isn't working, your doctor can test the virus you have for resistance. If the virus is resistant, there are other possible treatment alternatives, including the drugs Foscavir and Vistide. These drugs can be given through an IV, or a Vistide gel can be applied to the herpes sores.
If you have HIV, ask your doctor if you should be tested for genital herpes. If you already know that you have herpes and HIV, discuss treatment options with your doctor."
Always
Muthoni (Mson)
"Having genital herpes can increase the risk of being infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, and it can cause serious problems for people living with HIV.
People who have genital herpes sores are more likely to be infected with HIV during intercourse. When you develop a sore, your immune system tries to heal it, so there are many immune cells concentrated in that spot. Those are the cells that HIV infects. If HIV in semen, vaginal fluid, or blood comes in contact with a herpes sore, the risk for infection is high.
The Compound Effect of Genital Herpes and HIV
HIV and the herpes virus are a troublesome duo. One can worsen the effects of the other. Research shows that when the herpes virus is active, it may cause HIV to make more copies of itself (the process called replication) than it would otherwise. The more HIV replicates, the more of the body's infection-fighting cells it destroys, eventually leading to AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome).
People infected with both HIV and the herpes virus may have longer-lasting, more frequent, and more severe outbreaks of herpes symptoms, because a weakened immune system can't keep the herpes virus under control as well as a healthy immune system can.
Treatment Issues
It's more difficult to treat genital herpes if you also have HIV. Higher doses of antiviral drugs are often needed to treat herpes in people with HIV. Also, many people with HIV have strains of the herpes virus that are resistant to treatment with the standard antiviral drugs.
If you take antiviral drugs for genital herpes and the treatment isn't working, your doctor can test the virus you have for resistance. If the virus is resistant, there are other possible treatment alternatives, including the drugs Foscavir and Vistide. These drugs can be given through an IV, or a Vistide gel can be applied to the herpes sores.
If you have HIV, ask your doctor if you should be tested for genital herpes. If you already know that you have herpes and HIV, discuss treatment options with your doctor."
Always
Muthoni (Mson)
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Muthoni
Supporter
Genital Herpes Symptoms
The most common sign of herpes is red, sensitive skin that develops sores or blisters (often referred to as herpes bumps). These lesions usually show up in and around the genital area, although female symptoms of herpes may cause these blisters to develop inside the vagina. Other signs and symptoms of genital herpes include:
* Swollen lymph glands in the groin
* Headaches
* Muscle aches
* Fever
* Lower back pain
In women, herpes symptoms can also include vaginal discharge and pain or a burning sensation when urinating. About 25% of women will develop meningitis as a complication of their first herpes outbreak while another 10% to 15% will have troubles urinating because of their herpes.
Recurrent Herpes Outbreaks
Of those people who experienced an outbreak of herpes sores when they were first infected, 80% will go on to have recurrent outbreaks. Although these outbreaks tend to be less severe and shorter in duration than the first outbreak, they can still be just as uncomfortable. Additionally, a person is more likely to pass on the virus when they experience an outbreak.
Prior to the recurrent breakout, though, many individuals tend to experience "warning symptoms" that they are about to have another herpes episode. Often, an individual will have some pain or discomfort in the area that is infected before their herpes sores develop. During this time, you are considered to be very contagious despite the absence of herpes blisters.
Herpes Treatment
Although there is no herpes cure, there are various herpes medications available that can ease the discomfort of your symptoms and shorten the length of the herpes outbreak.
Muthoni (Mson)
The most common sign of herpes is red, sensitive skin that develops sores or blisters (often referred to as herpes bumps). These lesions usually show up in and around the genital area, although female symptoms of herpes may cause these blisters to develop inside the vagina. Other signs and symptoms of genital herpes include:
* Swollen lymph glands in the groin
* Headaches
* Muscle aches
* Fever
* Lower back pain
In women, herpes symptoms can also include vaginal discharge and pain or a burning sensation when urinating. About 25% of women will develop meningitis as a complication of their first herpes outbreak while another 10% to 15% will have troubles urinating because of their herpes.
Recurrent Herpes Outbreaks
Of those people who experienced an outbreak of herpes sores when they were first infected, 80% will go on to have recurrent outbreaks. Although these outbreaks tend to be less severe and shorter in duration than the first outbreak, they can still be just as uncomfortable. Additionally, a person is more likely to pass on the virus when they experience an outbreak.
Prior to the recurrent breakout, though, many individuals tend to experience "warning symptoms" that they are about to have another herpes episode. Often, an individual will have some pain or discomfort in the area that is infected before their herpes sores develop. During this time, you are considered to be very contagious despite the absence of herpes blisters.
Herpes Treatment
Although there is no herpes cure, there are various herpes medications available that can ease the discomfort of your symptoms and shorten the length of the herpes outbreak.
Muthoni (Mson)
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