What to put on herpes on buttocks

A sexually transmitted disease (STD), genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). This virus is generally found in infected people’s saliva, semen, and vaginal secretions.

In men, genital herpes causes blisters or sores on the penis, scrotum, or buttocks (near or around the anus). Women suffer from blisters or sores, around or near the vagina, anus, and buttocks.

It generally produces very mild symptoms, hence many people are not even aware that they have genital herpes.

How does genital herpes occur?

Genital herpes virus spreads through sexual contact. This occurs even if the person carrying the virus does not have symptoms or show signs of infection.

Once the virus enters through the skin, it travels along nerve paths. The first outbreak of genital herpes may appear as early as two days after you have contracted the virus, or even after 30 days.

The virus may also become dormant in the nerves and remain inactive there indefinitely.

In some patients, the virus may become active from time to time. Active viruses travel back along the nerve path to the surface of the skin, where some viruses are shed. When viruses are shed, in some cases there usually is an outbreak of symptoms such as the appearance of sores and blisters, while in others the condition may remain undetected.
In either case, since the virus is active it easily passes from one partner to another during sexual contact. A condom may also not be able to protect the uninfected partner, since the virus may be on a part of the skin which is uncovered.

The herpes simplex virus cannot survive outside the body, therefore, it's nearly impossible to contract the infection through contact with toilets, towels or other objects used by an infected person.

What are the symptoms of genital herpes? How is genital herpes diagnosed?

The common symptoms of genital herpes include:

blisters in the mouth, lips (this is known as herpes labialis), face, vagina, penis, in and around the anus, buttocks and any part of the body that comes into contact with the infected areas
itchiness or tingling in the infected areas
blisters can convert to open sores oozing fluid
crust over the sores
swollen lymph glands
headaches
body aches
fever
pain while urinating
meningitis
encephalitis
eczema herpetiform
eye infection

Diagnosis

An examination of the blisters or sores can reveal to the doctor if it is genital herpes.

He may suggest you to undergo some laboratory tests such as blood tests to confirm the diagnosis, although laboratory tests are not always necessary. Blood tests effectively diagnose herpes simplex virus even before the symptoms appear.

What are the complications of genital herpes?

The common complications that may stem from genital herpes include:

Encephalitis
Myelitis
Lumbosacral radiculitis
Pneumonitis (lung infection)
Spread of the virus to other organs
Incontinence
AIDS
Bladder problems
Rectal inflammation

If you are pregnant and have contracted genital herpes, chances are you will transmit herpes to your baby. Babies who contract genital herpes can suffer from serious complications such as:

blindness
brain damage due to herpes meningitis
chronic herpes skin infection
death

Who is prone to genital herpes?

People who are prone to genital herpes include:

people with a history of prior sexually transmitted diseases
those who are too young of age for first sexual intercourse
those who have a high number of sexual partners
those of poor socioeconomic status
those with compromised immune systems, notably patients with HIV
patients who have undergone transplants

What is the treatment of genital herpes?

To treat genital herpes your doctor may prescribe some anti-viral drugs. These drugs can reduce the duration and frequency of herpes outbreaks. They can also help reduce the risk of transmission of the virus to a susceptible partner. The treatment plan will depend on your general health condition. If other health complications such as, encephalitis or AIDS develop due to the genital herpes infection, the doctor will prepare a treatment plan for you accordingly.

It is necessary to describe your medical history and symptoms in detail to your doctor, so that he can perform the appropriate tests for the diagnosis.

What is herpes?

Herpes is the name of a group of viruses that cause painful blisters and sores. The most common viruses are:

Herpes zoster.This causes chickenpox and shingles.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and type 2. Type 1 usually causes cold sores or fever blisters around the mouth. Type 2 usually causes sores on the genitals (sexual organs).

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Once you’re infected, you have the virus for the rest of your life.

Symptoms of herpes

Many people who get herpes never have symptoms. Sometimes the symptoms are mild and are mistaken for another skin condition. Symptoms of genital herpes may include:

Painful sores in the genital area, anus, buttocks, or thighs
Itching
Painful urination
Vaginal discharge
Tender lumps in the groin

During the first outbreak (called primary herpes), you may experience flu-like symptoms. These include body aches, fever, and headache. Many people who have a herpes infection will have outbreaks of sores and symptoms from time to time. Symptoms are usually less severe than the primary outbreak. The frequency of outbreaks also tends to decrease over time.

Stages of infection

Once you have been infected with the virus, you’ll go through different stages of infection.

Primary stage

This stage starts 2 to 8 days after you’re infected. Usually, the infection causes groups of small, painful blisters. The fluid in the blisters may be clear or cloudy. The area under the blisters will be red. The blisters break open and become open sores. You may not notice the blisters, or they may be painful. It may hurt to urinate during this stage.

While most people have a painful primary stage of infection, some don’t have any symptoms. They may not even know they’re infected.

Latent stage

During this stage, there are no blisters, sores, or other symptoms. The virus is traveling from your skin into the nerves near your spine.

Shedding stage

In the shedding stage, the virus starts multiplying in the nerve endings. If these nerve endings are in areas of the body that make or are in contact with body fluids, the virus can get into those body fluids. This could include saliva, semen, or vaginal fluids. There are no symptoms during this stage, but the virus can be spread during this time. This means that herpes is very contagious during this stage.

Recurrences

Many people have blisters and sores that come back after the first herpes attack goes away. This is called a recurrence. Usually, the symptoms aren’t as bad as they were during the first attack.

Stress, being sick, or being tired may start a recurrence. Being in the sun or having your menstrual period may also cause a recurrence. You may know a recurrence is about to happen if you feel itching, tingling, or pain in the places where you were first infected.

What causes herpes?

The virus that causes genital herpes is usually spread from one person to another during vaginal, oral, or anal sex. The virus can enter your body through a break in your skin. It can also enter through the skin of your mouth, penis, vagina, urinary tract opening, or anus.

Herpes is most easily spread when blisters or sores can be seen on the infected person. But it can be spread at any time, even when the person who has herpes isn’t experiencing any symptoms. Herpes can also be spread from one place on your body to another. If you touch sores on your genitals, you can carry the virus on your fingers. Then you can pass it onto other parts of your body, including your mouth or eyes.

How is herpes diagnosed?

Your doctor will do a physical exam and look at the sores. He or she can do a culture of the fluid from a sore and test it for herpes. Blood tests or other tests on the fluid from a blister can also be done.

Can herpes be prevented or avoided?

The best way to prevent getting herpes is to not have sex with anyone who has the virus. It can be spread even when the person who has it isn’t showing any symptoms. If your partner has herpes, there is no way of knowing for sure that you won’t get it.

If you are infected, there is no time that is completely safe to have sex and not spread herpes. If you have herpes, you must tell your sex partner. You should avoid having sex if you have any sores. Herpes can spread from one person to another very easily when sores are present.

You should use condoms every time you have sex. They can help reduce the risk of spreading herpes. But it’s still possible to spread or get herpes if you’re using a condom.

Herpes treatment

If you think you have herpes, see your doctor as soon as possible. It’s easier to diagnose when there are sores. You can start treatment sooner and perhaps have less pain with the infection.

There’s no cure for herpes. But medicines can help. They may be provided as a pill, cream, or a shot. Medicines such as acyclovir and valacyclovir fight the herpes virus. They can speed up healing and lessen the pain of herpes for many people. They can be used to treat a primary outbreak or a recurrent one.

If the medicines are being used to treat a recurrence, they should be started as soon as you feel tingling, burning, or itching. They can also be taken every day to prevent recurrences.

Herpes and pregnancy

It’s important to avoid getting herpes during pregnancy. If your partner has herpes and you don’t have it, be sure to always use condoms during sexual intercourse. Your partner could pass the infection to you even if they are not currently experiencing an outbreak. If there are visible sores, avoid having sex completely until the sores have healed.

If you’re pregnant and have genital herpes, or if you have ever had sex with someone who had it, tell her doctor. The doctor will give you an antiviral medicine to start taking toward the end of your pregnancy. This will make it less likely that you will have an outbreak at or near the time you deliver your baby.

If you have an active genital herpes infection at or near the time of delivery, you can pass it to your baby. When the baby passes through the birth canal, it may come in contact with sores and become infected with the virus. This can cause brain damage, blindness, or even death in newborns.

If you do have an outbreak of genital herpes at the time of delivery, your doctor will most likely deliver your baby by C-section. With a C-section, the baby won’t go through the birth canal and be exposed to the virus. This lessens the risk of giving herpes to your baby.

Living with herpes

It’s common to feel guilty or ashamed when you are diagnosed with herpes. You may feel your sex life is ruined or that someone you thought you could trust has hurt you. You may feel sad or upset. Talk to your family doctor about how you’re feeling.

Keep in mind that herpes is very common. About 1 in 6 adults have it. Herpes may get less severe as time goes by. You can help protect your sex partner by not having sex during outbreaks and by using condoms at other times.

What cream can you put on herpes sores?

Acyclovir ointment is used to treat first outbreaks of genital herpes (a herpes virus infection that causes sores to form around the genitals and rectum from time to time) and to treat certain types of sores caused by the herpes simplex virus in people with weak immune systems.

What causes herpes outbreaks on buttocks?

The most common cause is having anal sex with someone who has a cold sore or genital herpes. This can transmit the virus to you. The symptoms of an infection include pain, itching and inflammation in your rectum area.

What helps heal a herpes outbreak fast?

Antivirals that Require a Prescription -Valacyclovir (Valtrex) is another antiviral prescription drug used to treat genital herpes and shingles. Taken twice a day for five days, Valtrex may decrease uncomfortable symptoms and help sores heal faster. In some cases, this antiviral can also prevent new sores from forming.