Herpes

Herpes is a STD spread through sexual contact such as kissing or sexual intercourse. There is oral herpes and genital herpes. Genital herpes is where there is discomfort and red blistering sores in the genital region and oral herpes is similar, but it is only affected around the mouth. Herpes goes through periods of being dormant and an outbreak is often signposted by other illnesses or stress.

Symptoms can range from small red sores and rashes without pain or itchiness near genital area, itching around genitals, burning sensation when passing urine, swollen lymph glands and headaches.

There are a few ways you can be diagnosed with genital herpes. If you are experiencing symptoms, you should go see your GP or visit a sexual health clinic so a professional can view the sores. You could send a sample of your urine to get tested using one of the free kits provided by the NHS or your nearest sexual health clinic. You could also get a blood test done by a GP or sexual health nurse to determine if you have the virus.

Some herpes treatments do require a prescription, at e-Surgery our UK based prescribers can provide you with a private prescription online for your herpes treatment. You can use e-Surgery’s free to use ‘ask a pharmacist’ service online to speak directly with a medical professional.

Your herpes treatment will be sent from our UK based private pharmacy and sent via the Royal Mail to a delivery location of your choice in plain, discreet packaging.

Cold sores are a symptom of the Herpes simplex virus. You can get cold sores without having Herpes though, so if you are experiencing cold sores try not to assume you have Herpes. Contact your GP or pharmacist straight away if you believe you have either of these conditions.

Yes, if a pregnant woman has herpes at the point of birth and has a flare up, this could lead to serious consequences for their baby. They could pass the virus on, which can lead to brain damage or stillbirth. If the woman contracts herpes in the early stages of the pregnancy, then it is less likely they will pass on the virus to their child due to them building up the antibodies to protect their baby from the virus.

While the virus is not usually life-threatening, it can be very dangerous if pregnant women were to contract the virus or have a flare up. Some complications with the virus can include encephalitis and keratitis.

You can never truly heal from herpes as the virus stays dormant in your body once you have been infected. There are treatment options to help you manage the symptoms which can be prescribed by your GP or pharmacist.

Herpes never leaves your body once you are infected. The virus can lay dormant for long periods of time not showing visible symptoms. If it is managed correctly by professional medical intervention, the symptoms can be managed when they surface.

No, there are currently no vaccines that work against the HSV virus. There are only treatments that can help reduce the symptoms, which can be prescribed by a GP or pharmacist.

Yes, herpes is a sexually transmitted infection. It is mainly spread by sexual intercourse, such as with an someone who is infected. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) are the two main herpes viral types that cause illnesses. HSV-1 is frequently linked to oral herpes (cold sores), whereas HSV-2 is primarily connected to genital herpes. However, either place can become infected by either kind of herpes. Even when there are no symptoms, the virus can still be spread through skin-to-skin contact, even with the use of condoms and other barrier measures.

Herpes can be unpleasant, especially when an outbreak is active. Herpes in both the vaginal and oral areas can be painful and uncomfortable.

The herpes virus induces the development of blisters or sores on the afflicted area during an active outbreak. These fluid-filled blisters can be uncomfortable, sensitive, and itchy. When they rupture and heal, they might leave behind open sores that are especially sensitive and may be uncomfortable when one is eating or talking (for genital herpes) or walking (for oral herpes).

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is the source of both genital and oral herpes; however, they affect the body in distinct ways. HSV-2 primarily causes genital herpes, whereas HSV-1 primarily causes oral herpes, though both viral types can infect either site.