Genital herpies, genetal warts, molluscum contagiousum
Genital herpies is a virus infection with one of two strains - either the HSV-2 (the "normal" genital herpes) or HSV-1 (the typical "cold sores" in your mouth but which can also affect genitals). As a comparison, genetal warts (genatal wharts) are caused by the HPV virus which is short for "human papillomavirus". Not all types of HPV are of the sort that will cause genital warts.
Genital herpies
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If you become infected by genetal herpes, you may notice some genitel herpies symptoms, but unfortunately there are also cases where no signs are seen at all - in fact most cases of HSV-2 have no symptoms at all. After the original herpees infection, there is a latency period and then there is a recurrance which is often milder than the original outbreak of the infection from the virus. During outbreaks (initial or recurrance) the typical signs of genital herpes are blisters that develop, burst open and then scab over during a 1-2 week period.
In some cases of a HSV-2 gential herpes infection, there can be a long symptom free period before the first outbreak and in these cases it is often significantly mild as the immune system will have created viral antibodies. This kind of late primary infections also tend to heal faster, result in less symptoms and be less contagious.
he HSV-1 primary infections can sometimes be quite severe but the recurring outbreaks tend to come less frequently and be less intense than in the case of a HSV-2 genitle herpies outbreak. Since as many as 1 in 4 female patients with the infection are able to transmit the condition during the first three months after the first outbreak, even once the blisters are gone - it is important to test female patients with vaginal discharge. After the three month period, the virus is less contagious.
Genital warts (genetal warts) infections signs
Genatal warts (genetal wharts) are small lumps of flesh color, that are often quite tiny. They reside in the genital area or the anus region. Genital warts can also affect the cervix of women and if left untreated it can be a risk factor for cervical cancer. Genetal wharts are very contagious and since it is possible to be infected and contagious without any symptoms at all - it is clear that this is a very well spread infection. This is in fact the most common of the STD's (sexualy transmitted diseases).
Using condoms can offer some protection but it is not any guarantee that the genetal warts will not transfer. The most common types of HPV causing geneatal wharts are the types 6 and 11 that fortunately also are the types less likely to trigger cervical cancer.
Removing genatal warts can be done with cryotherapy or laser therapy as well as with chemical methods. Removal of the warts does not mean removal of the virus though so just as with gential herpies, the virus is still present and likely to cause recurrent outbreaks so it is not unlikely that you may have to remove the warts more times later.
Molluscium (molluscum) contagiosum condition
Molluscum contagiosum (moluscum contagiousum) is a skin viral infection that appears as small spots, often pink in color and pearl-shaped. These may occur at all ages but the molluscium contagiosum is most frequent in children. This is not a serious condition and it normally heals by itself in a few months but in some cases the molluscum can be present for longer time.
The condition is a virus infection from the poxvirus. It can be transfered from any direct contact, sexual or non sexual, or by indirect contacts such as a towel or a common swimming pool. Molluscum conagiosum symptoms usually show up within 2-8 weeks from the molluscium infection.
Treatment of genital herpes virus infections
There is currently no real cure for genitile herpies but you can use antiviral drugs for treating the symptoms of genital herpies which will also help in prevention of future outbreaks or prolonging the period between outbreaks. Using antiviral medicine will also be helpful in preventing the transmission of genetal herpes to your sexual partner. Some of the most popular antiviral drugs are:
Acyclovir, Aciclovir, Geavir (Zovirax)
Prescription drug, to be taken 5 times a day for 5 days. For preventive use, 2 tablets a day.
Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
Prescription drug. These are taken twice a day for 5 days. For preventive use, one tablet a day is used.
Famciclovir (Famvir)
To be taken twice a day for five days. This is also a prescription drug.
Gential herpies phases
The initial outbreak is the first batch of symptoms following an infection. This can occur from a few days up to a few weeks after the contact with someonecontagious. After the outbreak there is generally a dormant period which in the early days of the infection can last a month or a few months, then there is a recurrent genitle herpes outbreak which is usually milder than the first outbreak (the initial outbreak).
Genitile herpes symptoms
Symptoms are typically the development of small blisters in the area of infection, usually in the genitals. The blisters can become quite painful but only for a short time - typically a week or two. Then they heal without leaving any scar.
During the symptoms (and just before), you will be contagious and you should avoid having sex. Once the healing is done, you are normally no longer contagious.
Genital herpies treatment
There is currently no cure that will remove the condition completely. There are however drugs that will treat the symptoms of genital herpes and make them easier to live with. The original virus infection will not be removed though and the virus will still be present in your body and it may become active again. Usually the recurrencies are more frequent in the first year/years after infection and then dies out to recur with very long intervals only.
Removing genital herpes
Genetal herpies can be removed with cryotherapy, where the doctor uses freezing to remove them. There is also a laser therapy method available. When genital herpies are removed, they can still recur and in fact that is not unlikely. The reason is that the virus is still there and may become active again at any time. Other methods of gential herpees removal are the LEEP (Loop Elecrosurgical Excicion procedure) and also different chemical options for genital herpies removal. Genetal (genital) warts and moluscum contagiosum (contagiousum) removal have similar methods.