I Use Condom Every Time but Still Caught Herpes?

No doubt, Herpes is primarily transmitted through unprotected sex. It is among the most common Sexually Transmitted Infections. The mild symptoms and slow effect of the sexual disease infection attribute to its fast and widespread. You might take a year or two before you know you contracted the disease. By this time, you might have transmitted to your dating partner.

Unprotected sex is the sure way to contract Herpes. However, using a condom does not guarantee you protection from the virus. All manner of sexual engagement; oral, anal, as well as kissing pose you at risk of contracting Herpes. Yes, there are multiple ways you can contract the virus; of course, one has to have sores in the mouth or in any of the parts involved in contact and share of fluids.

A condom is an ultimate protection to STIs; however, it only covers a man’s penis. During intercourse, the genital area is still exposed to direct skin contact. If there are any sores or infection on either of the sex partners, the virus can easily be transmitted. It only requires few minutes or even seconds of direct contact on sored areas around the genitals and you will be living with the virus for the rest of your life. Yes, Herpes is incurable. You will have to learn ways of managing your condition and live with the virus.

Mouth to mouth

You might be wearing a condom on a hookup dating but the virus was transmitted earlier than you think. The virus causing Herpes can be transmitted through kissing. While deep kissing exposes you to more risks, a mere contact with an infected person and sharing of saliva transmits the virus. It may not necessarily be a deep infection on the mouth; a pimple or any opening that exposes soft tissues and blood vessels is an entry point for the virus. The infected person may not necessarily have sores, the virus exists in fluids, and exposure to saliva of an infected person increases infection risks.

Besides, sharing cutlery exposes you to risk of contracting the virus. You might want to be keen when quickly tasting a friend’s food. You never know! As mentioned, the virus effect is mild, the infected individual may also be ignorant. You will be safe if you are exclusive with spoons and forks. HSV1 is the specific virus transmitted through the mouth.

Mouth to genital

A blowjob exposes you to Herpes infection risk. Both parties involved in the mouth to genital are at risk of being infected with the virus. If a man has Herpes, the virus can easily go through a mouth with sores. The vice versa is also true because in both cases, there is a sharing of fluids.

While HSV2 that goes through genital to genital contact is more prevalent, HSV1 also causes Herpes. Both of these viruses lie dormant for weeks depending on body immunity and activity of an individual. Certain environments in the body might trigger an outbreak; the period between infection and outbreak differs from one person to another. It is possible to stay with the virus and live a healthy life because there might not be symptoms. Herpes signs can also be mistaken for simple allergy because they will subside after a few days. The best way to ascertain if you are infected or free from the virus causing Herpes is through the blood test.

Herpes Prevention

Always ensure you use a condom. However, this is no guarantee of being free from the virus. You need to integrate basic safety tips into your lifestyle. Avoid skin-to-skin contact. Avoid kissing anyone you are not sure about health status. Avoid sharing utensils.

People with Herpes often engage in regular exercise and strict diet plans that involve light meals and vegetables. Also, avoiding nervous system stressors with strong drinks and hard to digest foods are some of the lifestyle tips on living with herpes.

It is a common disease, which most people are coming to terms and embracing affected people. The stigmatization in society because of the link to careless living is fading.

NBA YoungBoy, an up-and-coming American rapper who first came to limelight in 2016 as one of the promising stars of the current generation, has recently released a new single and video "Can't Be Saved."  This post of the blog will take you on a fast tour through the hot song which described the state of living with herpes. From the recent news from website, NBA Young Boy has been dating Jania for over 8 months.

"Can't Be Saved," as of today, has had some over 10 million views, and over 14 thousand positive and encouraging comments on the Youtube website.

The song has been regarded as the artist's way of publicly confessing he's got "herpes in my blood"- a reality he claimed has "got me cryin'," according to the lyrics of "Can't Be Saved".

Following the release of the song, the artist's girlfriend, Jania, declared on her Instagram she too has the STD. "The same thing that's in his (Young Boy's) blood is the same thing that's in my blood," she admitted on the website. Jania has been dating with NBA Young Boy  8 months since the herpes song released.

According to the online comments, the song's name and lyrical content spoke directly to the stigma that has been unfortunately attached to this altogether benign herpes, dating and love. While living with herpes sure does seem to freak some folks out, the stigma surrounding people with herpes is severe enough to shame people into staying quiet about their diagnoses, both on and offline. Especially on the mainstream websites, single people with herpes would possibly be isolated even not a bit real contact would be made there. 

In admitting he has got "herpes" in his blood from a news site, Young Boy points to the fact that "without science" coming up with a permanent cure, people with herpes really "ain't real.

Now, when the artist sings about "'m a cut my alliance," what he really means may lies on a relationship while dating with herpes. Somehow, it gives the sense that the stigma of being herpes positive is like a dark cloud hanging over his head, as folks, he considers close and dear to him, keep on bringing the matter up, when there is no cause to. So, he's about, if not already severed such negative ties.

In response, this is how he speaks to the matter, lyrically:

“I been through this s***, now they tryna rewind it

“I bury my dirt now they tryna go find it.”

According to the artist, why focus on him on the lifestyle of herpes positive, when the focus should rightfully be the on the “children out hear dyin'.” And while persons accuse him of promoting “it (herpes), he is sure of one thing, and that is, he “cannot change his time, especially of what's left.” And while he goes on a date with his girlfriend, Young Boy said he has given “her everything… (explaining that everybody changed, and (he doesn't care anymore about what all those "niggas (who) ain't true to the game."

PositiveSingles also posted a press release commenting the song

PositiveSingles: herpes can't be cured, but "can be saved"

The 15 Cities With the Most Herpes Rates in US

General Information About Herpes

Numerous scientific studies have shown that HSV infected up to 90% of the population of the globe. Besides, according to the official statistics, diseases caused by herpes viruses occupy the second place in the structure of mortality from viral diseases and which is 15.8%. The most common types of HSV are 1 and 2 type herpes simplex virus (HSV). It is known that HSV-1 happens earlier and more often than HSV-2. Antibodies to HSV-1 type, is found in almost 90% of the population aged 40 years. Antibodies to HSV-2 are usually discovered only in people who have reached puberty. In addition, the presence and tighter of antibodies to HSV-type 2 is correlated with sexual activity in the past. Antibodies thereto are isolated in 60% of adults who belong to the lowest microeconomics class and in 20-40% of adult middle and upper classes. Among all the infected with HSV-2 only 30% of people have clinical manifestations of infection of the genital organs, accompanied by rash.

Previously it was thought that the lesions of the skin and mucous membranes on the face can be often detected antibodies to HSV-1 while genital lesions - HSV-2. Today, it is established that genital herpes caused by HSV-1 began to appear more frequently, although the role of HSV-2 still predominates in the incidence of genital herpes. The proportion of genital herpes due to HSV-1 is higher among the female population. Moreover, HSV-1 is often detected in women, aching genital herpes in the age group of 16-20 years.

15 Cities with the Highest Level of Herpes

Here is a list of 15 cities in the US where the level  is quite high. They are Richmond, Baltimore, New Orleans, St. Louis, Newark, Milwaukee, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Detroit, Memphis, Nashville, Oklahoma City, Norfolk, and Birmingham.

Atlanta

According to statistics, more than one-third of the citizens of Atlanta suffer from genital herpes. Moreover, Atlanta has a higher rate that the national average herpes infection rate. The researchers tested that one in four citizens has this disease.

Richmond

This city is one of the most popular among the tourists. However, it is famous not only for remarkable places but also for the diseases which are spread around. One of such diseases is genital herpes. Richmond is ranked as the seventh city with sexual diseases.

Baltimore

The current population is 621,445. In 2015, this city was ranked as the 24^th worst state for inflectional diseases. Now, this city is on the 18^th place. That is to say that the rate of herpes is quite high.

New Orleans

This city is in the second place of the most infected diseases. All the diseases are connected with sexual life. That is to say that transmission of it may be quite frequent and may increase dramatically.

St. Louis

St. Louis is considered to be the capital of sexually transmitted diseases.  It drops to the second place, according to the annual statistics. The diseases are transmitted sexually as well as with antibiotics. Currently, the city is trying to solve the problem and decreases the level of illness.

Newark

This city is among the most dangerous cities in the USA where the rate of genital herpes and other infectious disease is very high. According to statistics, the rate for 1000 people is 15, 2.

Milwaukee

According to statistics, there is a high percentage of citizens in Milwaukee who suffer from herpes, especially genital ones. This disease can also be observed in teens aged 15-19.

Chicago

The Chicago rate for infectious disease was about 308 per 100,000 people. However, during the last years, the number of people with herpes has dramatically increased. The reason for it may be unprotected sexual connections.

Washington, D.C.

The official reports say that for the last 15 years the level of herpes infections has dramatically decreased. People have become more aware of their health and control any connections to prevent the infectious disease.

Detroit

Although this city is on the list of those with high rate of the infectious disease, the situation is currently improving.  There are a lot of treatment programs which enables to prevent the transmission of the infectious disease.

Memphis

The rate in Memphis remains still high. It is estimated that women have a higher rate of herpes than men, especially African-American women (48%).

Nashville

The rates in Nashville are climbing fast. In accordance with statistics, herpes has increased by 19 percent between 2014 and 2015. Currently, the situation remains the same.

Oklahoma City

The level in Oklahoma City remains quite high. It can rich up to 40% among sexually active people. It means that the disease will continue to grow causing a lot of negative consequences.

Birmingham

The data shows that Birmingham has the highest rate of infectious disease. In 2015 every ninth person can have herpes. The most widely spread form among Birmingham citizens is genital herpes.

HSV 101: How Is Genital Herpes Spread?

Herpes is a common disease of the body, which is caused by a virus and manifests itself in different forms.  Herpes simplex (simple) is a virus type I, known as "cold sores" or "fever" on the lips. Herpes on the lips can be dangerous upon direct contact. Next, we will talk about genital herpes, as it is called a type II virus and is sexually transmitted.

How the virus infects the human body

Genital herpes is one of the most common infections that affect the skin or genital mucosa.

The incidence of herpes occurs through contact with an infected person. Most often infection occurs through kissing, sexual contact, use of shared towels, bedding or underwear.

It is worth noting that the herpes virus is only active in the aquatic environment. The infection is spread by airborne droplets. Genital herpes is spread by genital and anal sexual contact.

Viral particles after infection penetrate into the nerve trunks. Thus, the area in which the virus has already been, changes. Upon reaching the nerve cells of the virus DNA integrates into the genetic machinery of the affected cells. With the weakening of immunity of the herpes virus activates and causes the cell to synthesize the rest nervous particles. With the flow of blood, these particles can be spread throughout the human body. When the bubbles are opened, the infection may be released into the environment and infect others. 

Issues caused by the herpes virus

The herpes virus can cause a number of issues:

· The duration of symptoms without treatment, which causes severe impact on the mental state affects the normal sexual life.

· Problems with urination in urinary retention and dysuria as a result of neuropathy

· High probability of infection of a sex partner.

· Extragenital dissemination of lesions for the next fabric, the eyes, and the mouth may be observed.

· Together with HPV promotes the development of uterine cervical tumors.

Especially dangerous is the combination of herpes simplex with pregnancy. The probability of infection of the fetus in the womb exceeds 50%. Infection of the child may lead to serious consequences – disorders of the nervous system, damage to eyes and skin.

Therapeutic Measures against herpes virus

Treatment of herpes should be carried out as early as possible. Completely withdraw the virus from the human body is almost impossible, but to stop its active life in terms of lesions of the genital organs is necessary.

Before the beginning of intensive therapy, the disease must be differentiated from other diseases of the genitourinary system. Diagnostic methods should be based on gene diagnostics as well.  Basic and reliable is PCR, which can detect DNA of herpes. In addition, modern methods allow distinguishing HSV-1 from HSV-2, which is particularly important when determining the etiology of the disease.

The main objectives of treatment are the destructing of the virus in the urogenital system, stopping inflammation, eliminating symptoms, regenerating of damaged tissue, eliminating of recurrence of the disease. The mainstay of treatment is antiviral chemotherapy. The effectiveness of antiviral therapy increases with reduction of the period from infection to the start of the medication.

The intake of drugs should be strictly by prescription. In a chronic disease, with frequent relapses, the treatment will take a lot of time.  In this case, the person should use drugs to improve the immune protection. For the relief of pain and other symptoms are recommended mild analgesics.

What should we do against herpes virus?

All in all, genital herpes is one of the most common diseases of the genitourinary system affecting both men and women. High prevalence of the pathology is associated with a unique persistence of the pathogen, which is almost impossible to completely withdraw from the human body. Of course, the human immune system is able to fight with its life, but by reducing the immunity, the person becomes vulnerable to this dangerous disease. Herpes on the genitals requires timely identification and effective treatment to eliminate the risk of serious complications. This disease may seem not serious, but you should know all the consequences it can have. Be careful during sexual contact and regularly control the state of your health. Everything depends on you and your attitude to the health. Be responsive and attentive.