Author Archives: Josh

Herpes and your baby

Herpes is an infection caused by a virus. If you have genital herpes, you can pass the infection to your baby during pregnancy, labour or birth. It’s not that common but yes, it happens. Some babies also get herpes from others after birth. If not treated, herpes can cause serious health problems, including deadly infection. Herpes affects about 1 in 3,500 babies in the USA every year.

How can babies get herpes?
Babies can get herpes in three ways:
1.Before birth (also called intrauterine herpes). Women can pass the virus to the baby in the uterus (also called the womb). This kind of herpes is rare.
2.During labour and birth (also called birth-acquired herpes). This usually happens when a baby passes through an infected vagina. It’s the most common way babies get infected with herpes.
3.After birth. Mother or another person can pass the virus to the baby after birth. For example, if an adult person has herpes sore on lip and kisses baby’s skin, the virus can be passed to the child.

How to recognise if the baby has herpes?
There are several symptoms which might indicate that baby has herpes:
Bleeding easily and all of sudden
Small and red sores or blisters on the skin
Fast breathing, short periods without breathing
Baby skin looks blue
Fatigue, feeling very tired or exhausted
White parts of baby’s eyes look yellow
Poor feeding and no appetite
Seizures

If your baby has herpes that isn’t treated, he can go into shock. This means organs in his body don’t get enough blood flow. If not treated, shock can cause a baby to go into a coma and die.

Herpes viruses also can cause a number of health problems in newborns, including:

Brain infection
If the herpes infection spreads to the brain, it can be deadly.

Eye disease
This is inflammation of the retina. It might cause blindness.

Multiple organ infections
This is when the herpes infection spreads to and affects several internal organs, like the liver, lungs and kidneys. This might be deadly.

Skin, eye and mouth infection
Small, fluid-filled blisters can appear on the skin and around the eyes and mouth. Blisters will heal leaving small scars behind.

How are newborns treated when they have herpes?
Acyclovir (also called as Zovirax® Injection) is an antiviral medicine used to treat herpes infections in babies. Early treatment with acyclovir can stop the spread of the infection to the brain and other organs. Baby may need to take acyclovir for several weeks depending on herpes condition. Some babies need serious treatment in hospital.

How to keep your baby safe?
Tell your health care provider you have genital herpes. This is obvious but needs to be repeated several times since adults are likely to hide such fact an even upfront doctor. If you are pregnant you might need to have C-section instead of natural birth to protect child. You might need Acyclovir treatment during pregnancy when it’s close to birth date.

If you have a herpes sore, keep you baby away from it. Do not kiss your baby if you have an outbreak. If you have herpes sore on your breast nipple or areola (the dark area around the nipple), stop breastfeeding on that breast and use breast’s milk pump instead and feed the baby through a bottle.

Is it crucial to keep the baby away from herpes, since having STDs from the first moment of being born, might have a deep influence on adulthood.

Older people with herpes. How to make love life better?

There’s no age limitation when it comes to herpes. That sexual disease might affect both young and sexually free people same as older folks who are not that active anymore when it comes to sex adventures. Recent studies have shown that in the past years, the number of patients over 50 years old with herpes increased. It means that whenever your age is if you are sexually active, proper actions shall be done to avoid STDs.

There are few reasons why herpes is still an active topic among older people. Most of the guys over 50 years old and menopause thinks that using condoms, especially with the partners they know, is not a necessary thing. The truth is rather different since STDs has no limitations to be spread especially without protection. Another reason is the stereotype that herpes might occur only young and sexually free people, not an older person who is having sex few times in a year. Both statements are false, and it seems like young people and teens have much better knowledge in this field than older folks.

As the body gets older is getting harder to find out if the patient has herpes or not. For example, HIV virus can cause lack of memory and fatigue. Those are common symptoms for older people just because of their age. Herpes are hard to recognize for patients themselves because they think blisters or problems with memory are natural due to age. Mostly, such symptoms are just ignored by patients and their families and eventually, they find out to have herpes years later when it’s literally too late to get any medical and professional help. This is the reason why older people shall be educated about STDs as well. They have some stigma that herpes can be a problem among young people only.

There’s still a chance for herpes patients if they find out this disease on a proper timing. Doctor’s consultation and proper medical treatment can make a life quality higher, without problems, pain and shame. However, it’s good to mention that once an older person starts herpes treatment, she or he needs to continue this till rest of life. If a patient is really mature, it’s good to keep in touch with close family and remind them about taking pills on a regular basis.

Patients can make their love life better if they keep proper precautions and stay away from sexual activity while sores outbreaks. What’s more unprotected sex is a big no. Doesn’t matter if a person is infected or having sex with someone who might be, a condom is a must in this case. Older people have a tendency not to use condoms because there’s no risk of pregnancy. However, there’s still a risk of herpes as long as you keep sexual activity. Being honest, loving yourself and keep talking openly with a partner are another good remedies to deal with STDs. There’s no shame for having herpes because it might happen to anyone, no matter of age, gender, and religion.

Having herpes as an older person might be more challenging because more precautions need to be made to increase life’s quality. As soon as STDs are being discovered in particular patient’s case, then the chance for having satisfaction love life is better. Older people need to be educated about herpes and there shouldn’t be any excuse for that.

Five Things You Can to Protect Your Privacy While Using Online Dating Sites

Online dating can be a great way to meet people, but you have to be careful with the information you provide. There are a lot of unscrupulous people around that will use your information for their own dark purposes. Fortunately, you have a lot of control over the information you provide an online dating site. It’s always best practice to provide the minimum amount of information you need to become a member of the site, and to gain peoples interest so that you can actually meet people. Here are five things you can do to protect your privacy while using online dating sites.

#1 You should always limit the amount of information you provide when you sign up for membership on online herpes dating sites. Only provide what’s necessary, don’t offer extra information about yourself that you don’t have to. We’re not suggesting that you should lie about yourself, just that you should withhold information that isn’t required by the site. If there is a field that asks for your phone number, but it’s not required don’t provide it. Any information you provide to an online source potentially exposes you to having your information stolen by unscrupulous people.

#2 when giving detailed descriptions of yourself always speak in general terms. Don’t provide details such as your address or your favorite places to go. Talk about what you like and dislike, and perhaps where you see yourself in 10 years from now. You can make yourself sound interesting to potential matches without providing information that jeopardizes your privacy. It’s enough to say I live in Buffalo – you don’t have to say I live in Buffalo at the corner of first and second. Once you’ve met someone and decided that they’re the perfect match for you, it’s at that point that you might want to divulge further information-not until.

#3 Don’t ever send someone you’ve never met money or gifts. When you do this you have to provide a return address, and they now know where you live. No reasonable person would expect you to do this, and if someone insists on this it’s probably best to cut your ties with them. There’s no way you can know that a person is the one you want to spend the rest of your life with if you’ve never met them before, and if they really are the one for you they won’t have a problem waiting to receive gifts from you until you’ve met.

#4 When you’re ready to meet someone for the first time do it in a public place. Remember, unfortunately there are people that represent themselves online as someone they’re not. If you meet them in a public place you can decide if you want to take the relationship further, and there is little chance of your safety being compromised. If a person you’ve met online insists upon meeting in a private place alarm bells should automatically go off. They should be just as willing as you to meet in a public place.

#5 If someone’s asking you questions that make you uncomfortable there’s probably a good reason for that. Always trust your instincts and recognize them for the warning they are. If that person continues to insist on asking the questions and gets belligerent when you’re not willing to provide the answers they’re looking for end the conversation. It’s also a good idea to report them to the website’s administrators. If they’re doing this to you they might be doing it with others as well and you can help to prevent this.
Verdict

Protecting your privacy is your own responsibility. It’s something you should take very seriously as unfortunately there are unscrupulous people that you will come across online. A person that seems like the perfect match may be misrepresenting themselves. Protect your information and wait till you meet someone in person before you decide if they are really the match for you and then you can decide if you want to divulge more personal information about yourself with them.

Also read: Don’t let your privacy breaches when dating online

Four Things to Keep in Mind When Teaching Children about Herpes

As difficult as it may be to teach children about STDs like herpes, it is best to teach them about these things at an early age. The appropriate age may vary depending on the maturity of the child, but usually it will fall somewhere between their ninth and 11th year. By teaching a child about the issues associated with herpes before they start teen dating, you may be able to help minimize the risk that they will become infected at a later point in time. Here are four tips on how to educate children about herpes.

#1 It’s important to remember these are children, so be gentle with them. You don’t have to be overly graphic to get your point across, but you do have to be honest with them. Explain it to them in terms of they can understand, and don’t try to scare them too much. Emphasize to them that having herpes doesn’t make someone a bad person or someone they should be scared of, but it does mean you have to be more careful about skin to skin contact. You want to educate the child – you don’t want to give them nightmares.

#2 Always explain things in terms that they’ll understand. If you’re not sure how to do this consult with a professional before teaching your child about herpes. Chances are they can provide you with materials that guide you through the process. After all, they’ve had to deal with these types of situations a lot more than you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and reach out to someone that has knowledge you don’t have yourself. You want your child to be armed with accurate information, so if you’re not sure of something do your homework rather than providing them with misinformation.

#3 Keep in mind that if you don’t have the conversation with your child about STDs, they’re going to find the information somewhere else. They’ll find out about herpes by talking to a friend, or by watching a movie or TV show. The problem with this is that these can often be uneducated sources of information. If you take control of the situation your child will be much better informed, and if they ever do have the misfortune of becoming infected with herpes they’ll be better able to deal with it.

#4 If you know your child is getting to an age where they’re going to start to ask questions make sure you educate yourself first. Chances are you may never have been told about herpes as a child yourself, so you’re not sure how it should be approached with a child. There’s a lot of information available to you either through medical professionals, health clinics, or reputable sites online. Take advantage of other people’s knowledge so that you’re ready when the time comes. As we’ve suggested above the right time to speak to a child won’t to be the same for everybody. Be aware of the signs your child is starting to be curious, and when they start to ask questions be open and honest with them.
Verdict

Teaching a child about STDs such as herpes is difficult. You have to treat them gently, but you should be honest with them. Provide them with the information they need so that when they reach their teenage years they’ll be better able to deal with these types of things. You should never ignore the situation, but instead tackle it head-on.

Also read: STD Month: Listen or Lose

Why People with Herpes Should Consider Dating People with Different STDs

When you’re living with an STD there is definitely a certain stigma attached to it. So-called healthy people will inevitably view you differently and may even treat you differently. It won’t necessarily be a conscious thing, but it may be something you personally notice very clearly. It doesn’t matter whether you have herpes, HIV, gonorrhea, or some other type of STD-you’re going to have similar experiences. That’s because society doesn’t necessarily distinguish between one STD or another – for many people an STD is an STD. It stands to reason that you’ll have a lot in common with someone with another STD even if they don’t have herpes like you. Here are three reasons that a person living with herpes should consider dating someone with a different type of STD.

#1 They are going through a lot of the same emotions as you. Just like you, a person with a different type of STD was likely devastated when they first found out they’re living with it. They asked the same sort of questions such as how did I get this infection, why did this happen to me, and will I ever be able to date again? They’ll go through the heart ache of having to explain their condition to friends and love ones, and they’ll face the inevitable journey to the doctor to learn how to treat their infection. Chances are they’ll spend a lot of time on the Internet learning about their disease, or they might join support groups to help them cope with living with an STD. These are all things that someone with herpes will also go through. When you’re living through something like this, why would you limit your dating possibilities to exclude people you clearly have a lot in common with?

#2 Perhaps you considered dating someone with a different type of STD other than herpes, but then shied away from this because you were concerned she might catch the second STD. Let’s face it, living with herpes is hard enough, you don’t want to compound your problems by adding another STD on top of it. This is a valid concern, but with proper precautions the chances of this happening are minimal. Practice safe sex, use a condom and avoid high-risk sexual types of behavior. Always maintain good hygiene as well. If you follow these guidelines the chances of you contracting a second STD is very small, but the potential gain from expanding your horizons has the potential to be very rewarding.

#3 When you allow yourself to consider people with different STDs you’re expanding your possibilities exponentially. Even on online dating sites dedicated to people with herpes it may be difficult to find someone that is living in your area. Niche dating sites are great, but they don’t guarantee that you’ll find someone that lives near you. You may have to travel quite far to find the correct match, and for many of us this simply isn’t an option. When you’re willing to consider people with different types of STDs other than herpes the chances that you’ll find a match living nearby you increased significantly. If you want to find happiness you may have to become a little more open-minded.

Verdict
There’s no doubt that consciously deciding to date someone with an STD that you don’t have takes a little bit of courage. It’s your choice, but if you are willing to consider dating someone with a different type of STD you expand your horizons considerably. Remember, they’re going through a similar journey to you, and they may be able to help you with yours. Make sure you always use proper precautions and safe sex practices and you’ll be alright. Living with an STD is just another hurdle in life that you have to learn to live with. Why not share it with someone that’s on a similar journey?

Also read: How to Date with Non H Partner (People without STDs)

What kind of herpes infection is cause by HSV – 1?

An infection caused by the herpes simplex virus – 1 leads to oral herpes. According to statistics, this is one of the most common STDs in the United States, affecting about 50 percent of the adult population. Herpes is known to be an asymptomatic condition that barely shows any symptoms. This is exactly why people tend to spread herpes unknowingly.

Incubation Period

The time between contact of the virus and the appearance of the initial symptoms in case of the HSV – 1 virus usually ranges between 2 and 12 days. However, HSV is a kind of virus that may not show any symptoms for several months.

Duration of illness

The herpes simplex virus usually shows its presence in the body in the form of outbreaks that last two or three weeks, and differ from one individual to another. The symptoms are accompanied with fever, tiredness, muscle ache and irritability.

Infected individuals may also experience a burning sensation, tingling, or itching prior to the appearance of sores and blisters. These clusters of painful blisters ooze with a yellow fluid that later develops into a yellowish crust.

Another symptom associated with the HSV – 1 are oral sores. These occur at the onset of the virus and can make drinking or eating very difficult. The sores may occur on lips, gums, and throat or on sides of the cheeks. You may experience swollen gums that may bleed too.

Getting diagnosed with HSV – 1

Based on the information provided, the healthcare provider would suggest a physical examination. HSV – 1 is associated with a characteristic appearance that leaves little doubt about the diagnosis. It is this appearance that helps in distinguishing oral herpes from oral thrush, gonorrhea and syphilis, among others. The doctor may conduct any one of the below mentioned testes:

·A tissue or liquid sample from the sores to identify the variant of herpes.
·A viral culture analysis.
·Antigen and antibody studies. A PCR test that can be employed to differentiate between HSV – 1 and HSV – 2.

Risk Factors

Everyone is at the risk of contracting herpes. Unfortunately, a lot of children aged 6 months to 3 years are at the risk of coming in contact with the herpes simplex virus simply by coming in contact with humans. As a result, 60 percent of individuals in the age bracket of 14 – 49 end up carrying the herpes virus.

Treatment

It is worth mentioning that there is no cure for herpes. A topical anesthetic such as Dilocaine and Nervocaine can be effective in reliving the pain caused as a result of symptoms of the virus. People with a weakened immune system are advised to take oral or IV medication.

Oral herpes or cold sores – what are you living with?

Herpes, a sexually transmitted infection cause by the herpes simplex virus affects 1 in 5 persons in the United States. With no cure in sight, once you’re affected with the virus, you have it forever. However, there are multitudinous ways by which you can control the frequency and severity of the outbreaks.

Oral Herpes

According to official figures, more than 50 percent of the American adult population is living with oral herpes, a sexually transmitted infection that is incurable. The infection is caused by the herpes simplex virus – 1, popularly termed HSV – 1. While it has been claimed that HSV – 1 is transmitted through oral sex, most people get it on coming in physical contact with the virus, such as in the event of getting a kiss from a friend or relative.

The condition is also referred to as “cold sores” or “fever blisters”. The symptoms associated with this variant of herpes usually appear around or on the lips but it isn’t limited to this area. Some people have also experienced such symptoms inside the nose. It is due to such instances that oral herpes has been renamed as oral – facial herpes. HSV – 1 is asymptomatic in nature, which means the virus has the tendency of spreading even when there are no visible symptoms. This is referred to as viral shedding, asymptomatic shedding or asymptomatic reactivation.

Cold Sores

Cold sores are little blisters that appear on the surface of the skin, caused as a result of infection by the herpes simplex virus. Cold sores are painful and usually clear up without treatment in about a week to 10 days. People affected with the herpes simplex virus may or may not experience any major symptoms. However, it is worth mentioning that the individual is still prone to spreading the infection even when there are no visible symptoms.

What cause them to happen? Cold sores occur due to a specific strain of the herpes simplex virus known as the HSV – 1. In some cases, cold sores may also happen as a result of infection cause due to the HSV – 2 strain of the virus. Having oral sex with someone already living with genital herpes may make you prone to this condition.

Who is more likely to get herpes?

Persons who are sexually active are likely to get oral herpes or cold sores. Given the fact that body fluids such as semen or vaginal liquids aren’t the only cause behind the spread of the virus, contacting herpes is fairly easy. It is always advised to get tasted for the virus, especially when you have multiple partners or you’re experience some symptoms associated with the condition as mentioned above.

How to stay safe when dating someone with oral herpes?

Oral herpes is one of the most common STIs in the United States, affective over 50 percent of the adult population. The condition caused due to the herpes simplex virus currently has no cure but you do have antiviral drugs that would help you deal with its symptoms. Given the fact that herpes affects more than half the number of adults in the United States of America alone, it is likely that either you or your partner is already affected with herpes.

In case you’ve recently discovered about your partner’s diagnosis and wondering as to what your next step should be, this article should be of great help.

Understand the condition

While most people think that STIs have a greater physical impact, in reality they tear a person emotionally. It is essential that you understand what your partner has been through in the past and make every possible effort to help him overcome the trauma. There are chances your partner might still not be able to accept the fact that he’s in a relationship and someone accepted him the way he is. Learn more about the condition and make sure you lend support.

Take every possible precaution

Unlike other sexually transmitted diseases that transmit through exchange of body fluids, herpes can be spread through direct physical contact with the infected part of the body. For instance, if your partner has blisters on the lips, kissing him would make you vulnerable to getting infected. Get acquainted with the symptoms associated with herpes and what happens in the event of an outbreak. Equip yourself with all the critical resources that would help you keep herpes at bay.

Don’t shy away from using contraceptives

A lot of people feel that the use of condoms and diaphragms reduce the pleasure of sex. It is worth mentioning that this is a worthy trade off as it reduces the risk of coming in contact with the herpes simplex virus. Regardless of what your partner feels about it, insist on using condoms. In addition, people with herpes are also advised to take antiviral drugs in order to diminish the chances of transmitting the virus. However, it is recommended you consult your healthcare provider to learn the requisite dosage that would keep you safe.

There is nothing wrong in dating someone with herpes, provided you are equipped with all the critical information that would keep you safe. Although medical experts advise people with herpes to date individuals having the same variant of the virus, in some case this isn’t possible. There are chances when you’re dating someone and get to know that he’s affected with herpes. Leaving someone high and dry when you’re already in love with him seems to be bad idea.

Also read: Life and dating tips for young girls living with HSV – 1

The Rise of herpes dating apps

The smartphone revolution has paved way to development of dedicated apps for every purpose. As penetration of the internet continues to grow, more and more people prefer using apps as opposed to websites. It can be said that apps made for iOS and Android platforms have gained greater traction in the recent past. As a matter of fact, older and more conventional dating sites for people living with herpes have introduced dedicated apps to match the pace with this smartphone revolution.

Here are some of the leading herpes dating apps that have grown in popularity over the years:

Positive Singles: Regarded as a leader in the online herpes dating segment, Positive Singles has a dedicated app for users that prefer to access its services on their iOS and Android Smartphones. The app boasts of all the features that can be found on the website. With a staggering subscriber base of over a million users from across the globe, it has established itself as one of the largest communities for herpes singles. Check the reviews of Positivesingles.com to learn more.

Hope: Despite the fact that Hope is very new to the online herpes dating segment, it has managed to make some news in the recent past. The website introduces the idea of online herpes in a completely new fashion, which has certainly appealed to the Generation Z. The dating service, which is barely 2 years old boasts of all the features you’d find on a conventional dating site in addition to a few cutting edge options that help users find interested members in their vicinity.

Hift: This is another specialist herpes dating service that is relatively new on the market. It can be noted that although the subscriber base of Hift is relatively smaller in comparison to segment leader Positive Singles, it has managed to draw attention of users thanks to their unique marketing campaigns and affordable subscription plans. While you’d find all the conventional features here too, where it manages to stand out is the kind of information it incorporates.

Mpwh: Although Mpwh.com has been out there for a while now, it didn’t manage to grab the attention of the world. However, with the recent cosmetic changes as well as vital improvements to its feature – set, the site is said to be back with a bang. In addition, the makers of this dating service have also launched a dedicated app to allow users find someone interesting while on the move. The dating service isn’t very light on the pocket but given the stuff it offers, it can be regarded as a cost – effective solution to your dating needs.

Out of the aforementioned herpes dating apps, Hift and Hope mark the beginning of a new era in the world of online herpes dating. With more users switching to smartphones, this seems to be the perfect way to grab the attention of more users.

Dating Tips for Lesbians with herpes

According to statistics, homosexuals are at a greater risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection such as herpes or HIV. It has been observed that sexual interactions between gays and lesbians are risky in comparison with encounters that take place between people of different sexes. It has also been observed that gays and gay girls dating are less likely to use contraception.

There is also a myth that says women who have sex with women aren’t required to test for sexually transmitted infection as the chances of exchange of body fluids is very less. Dating as a lesbian with herpes is tough not because of the fact that you’re a homosexual but due to your STD status. Getting into a relationship involves getting intimate and this is where things tend to get complicated.

Tips for safer sex with a woman

If you’re a woman living with herpes and wish to get into a physical relationship with another woman, the below mentioned tips would certainly help you:

·If you’re using a sex toy, make sure you use a new condom for each partner. It is advised you wash sex toys with a cleansing agent and soap between sessions.

·If either partner has any sores or cuts in the mouth, avoid oral sex altogether. Also read: sex tips for people with oral herpes. Alternatively, you may consider using dental dams. These are made of latex and square in shape. These can be used to cover the genitals while having oral sex.

·Herpes is a kind of infection that spreads through direct physical contact. It is suggested you wash hands before and after sex.

·If you’re a fan of fisting, wear latex gloves and use plenty of lube.

More tips for herpes dating as lesbian.

Vaginal Health

According to research, the vagina is self – cleansing so there is no need to wash inside the vagina. Vaginal soreness and irritation of a vulva is usually caused when you tend to overuse perfumed soaps and shower gels. Nevertheless, the discomfort wouldn’t last for long. In case you feel the irritation for several days, it is advised you visit a doctor and get tested for a sexually transmitted infection.

Dating a girl who doesn’t have herpes

While experts recommend you date a person who is already living with herpes, love often sees no restrictions. When you fall in love with someone who doesn’t have herpes, there is certainly no looking back after this. Leaving your partner would make no sense either. Furthermore, you wouldn’t want to gift the STI to your partner, would you? It is essential that you take the first step forward and follow every precaution to ensure she doesn’t get infected.

Following the aforementioned points would certainly help. In addition to that you’d also have to educate your companion about herpes and the health risks that it poses. A lot of people in the world are living a happy and fulfilled life despite having a companion who doesn’t have herpes.