Medical statistics show that about 1 in 5 of all U.S. adults are infected with genital herpes, HPV or other incurable sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).  Worldwide totals are believed to be in excess of 500 million.Such statistics make it clear that you are surely at risk for infection any time you engage in casual, unprotected sex.   This is a disturbing reality that cannot be ignored.  

What can you do avoid infection personally, or help your loved ones to avoid infection as well?What is there to do about it?

The Genital Herpes STD

Anyone who has personally experienced one or more episodes of genital herpes can attest to the pain and prolonged discomfort associated with an eruption.   Generally, the actual eruptions of the blister like sores are preceded by itching where the sores are about to erupt.Many times, a neuralgia like pain in or about the groin area is experienced a day or so in advance of the appearance of the sores, which may abate when eruption happens.  

At eruption, this pain is replaced by very localized pain at the site of the sores, which can be substantial depending on the severity of attack.Many experience flu like symptoms before, and especially during an attack.The herpes sores can persist for as much as seven to ten days without treatment. Many users find that the length and severity can be lessened by using available topical and sublingual remedies.There are anti viral prescription drus that have been shown to reduce the severity an frequency.  

It is unfortunate that no cure currently exists, and that once you have acquired the disease, periodic attacks can persist for the rest of your life.  


The Human Pappillomavirus (HPV)

HPV is known to cause genital warts, and more disturbingly, cervical Cancer.  Genital warts manifest themselves as small bumps or cauliflower like protrusions in the genital area.   Itching and pain often accompany periodic attacks.

HPV, like herpes, is not curable at this time, but there are preventive vaccines now available for some variants, and in particular for those that are believed to cause cervical cancer. Some topical medications are thought to speed getting rid of genital warts when they do erupt.


Transmissibility and Prevention

Herpes and HPV are normally transmitted by sexual relations, whether genital, oral, or even through touching.  The diseases can be transmitted whether physical symptoms are present or not, though unprotected sex during active infection has a very high likelyhood of resulting in transmission of the diseases to your uninfected partners.

A good degree of infection can be provided by using condoms, espesically when no active sypmtoms are apparent.Unfortunately, total safety cannot be a sure thing, particularly when and active outbreak is occurring.Condoms can break, the virus can be passed on during foreplay, and the sores can be present in other places that are not protected by the condom barrier.

Once you are infected, you are destined to a lifetime of having only protected sex, particularly with uninfected partners.  If you have herpes, you are strongly advised to take the prescription anti viral medications that have been availble for the past 3-4 years to reduce frequency of active infection.  Young women are strongly encouraged to take the preventive HPV vaccine before becoming sexually active.


Emotional and Social Impact

There can be subtantial emotional devastation associated with having and STD, in addition to the physical effects. You may question the morality or ethics of dating and engaging in sexual activities with others who are not infected.   They may well find it abhorrent to enter a sexual relationship with you.There is still substantial stigma attached to STD infections despite the substantial prevalence of such diseases in our society.


What to Do About It

Importantly, you need to schedule a consultation with your doctor to determine suitability of any treatments our counseling from which you could benefit.  Get prescriptions for the available anti virals.Try to control your symptoms and speed healing by using available over the counter topical remedies.  RemediesForHerpes.Net provides candid reviews of available medications.

Finally, if you are severely troubled by your infection and it is limiting you socially, you should seriously consider joining an STD dating community to find sympathetic and understanding friends, potential life partners, and to just get the most up to date information about the diseases and how other people are dealing with them.   Go to STDAmour.Org to register for free for the #1 STD dating community.