Herpes Question & AnswerⅡ

Q:What is the chance of passing herpes to a partner?

A:The chance of passing genital herpes to a partner varies depending how often a person gets herpes outbreaks, what strain of herpes a person has, if medication is taken, if protective sex take place and other variables. The herpes virus could go undetected seem the body often weakens the virus. Seem the herpes virus often isn’t detected there is no real way to know the chance of passing herpes to a partner.

The chance of spreading herpes to a partner orally by oral sex is low. HSV-1 is genital herpes 5-10% of all herpes cases. If a partner has genital HSV-1 (less common type of genital herpes) the chance of the virus spreading orally is high seem HSV-1 is usually oral herpes. If oral sex is performed on a partner with genital HSV-2 (more common type of genital herpes) the virus won’t be likely to spread orally.

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Q: My wife started to get herpes outbreaks. Does that mean she cheated on me?

A:The human body weakens the herpes virus. If the herpes virus is weak the virus could go undetected for any period of time. It is possible your wife carried the herpes virus for years. Most people who carry the herpes antibodies show very mild symptoms of the virus or no symptoms at all.

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Q: How are “Crabs” treated and diagnosed?

A:Crabs are diagnosed by seeing eggs on the pubic hair. A small percent of the time crabs could be found on the eyebrows, beards or mustache, armpits and other certain body parts. It some case pubic lice may be difficult to detect. Crabs will cause itching around the genital area.

Pubic lice is treated with a lotion that contains 1% permethrin. Lindane shampoo kills head lice. There are different types of lotions that a doctor could prescribe to treat crabs or lice. Once crabs are cured the virus won’t spread to a partner.

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Q: How can a person catch crabs?

A:Crabs are generally spread by sexual intercourse. In less common cases crabs is spread by sharing personal items or bed linens. The chance of crabs spreading by toilet use is almost non existent. Crabs wouldn’t be likely to survive on the surface of a toilet.

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Q: After being married for 36 years I got genital warts. Does that mean by husband cheated on me?

A: HPV is a virus of the skin and the virus is spread by sexual contact. HPV could hide in the skin for years. A person with HPV may not get a genital wart outbreak for days or years. Keep in mind an abnormal pap smear doesn't always mean a person has HPV. HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer. If a person hasn't had a genital wart outbreak for two or more years there is a 90% chance the human body completely cleared the virus.

HPV could spread even if a partner doesn't have an active genital wart outbreak. Being diagnosed with HPV doesn't always mean a partner cheated. Genital wart outbreaks often appear within the first few weeks to three months after a person caught the virus. It isn't common, but possible one of you carried the virus for years and never showed symptoms of the virus.

I understand it can be a hurtful experience when someone feels a loved one may have cheated.

You may find the information from the following article helpful.

http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm

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Q:I have had HSV 2 for 2 years now. I have gone to a dermatologist and ruled out HPV or cancer. They come back and I get them frozen off. Do I have HPV or herpes.


A: Herpes could cause a bump, lump or a tear in the skin. Some doctor will take a swab sample of active herpes sore and test it. The herpes swab test in only done in certain situations and as needed. If you feel you may have HPV I would suggest getting a second opinion. There are cases where HPV is mistaken for herpes vice versa. The only real way to tell if you have HPV or herpes is to have a doctor see the virus while it is active.

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Q: I read a man was cured completely from HIV. Is this really true?
A:According to CBS news, other new companies and articles Timothy Ray Brown tested positive for HIV in 1995 and now is the worlds first known man to completely clear HIV from his body. CBSnews.com stated “Scientist gave him bone marrow, stem cell transplant that had astounding results”. Brown reported that he stopped taking HIV medication the day the transplant took place. A highly respected HIV research by the name of Dr. Jay Levy gave his professional medical opinion about this manner. Refer to the following website to read more about Dr. Jay Levy medical opinion and this topic.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/06/05/eveningnews/main20069146.shtml

http://nymag.com/health/features/aids-cure-2011-6/

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Q: What is the history of genital warts?

A:Genital warts were around since ancient times. In fact the Greeks and Romans wrote about genital warts. During this time no one knew HPV caused genital warts. Researchers and articles often give credit to Harald Zur Hausen for discovering HPV can cause cervical cancer. Harald shares the Nobile Prize for Medicine with Sinoussi and Montagnier. Harald was given 50% credit for this discovery. One quarter (25% credit) of the credit was given to Rancoise Barre- Sinoussi . One quarter credit was given to Luc Montagnier. Refer to the web sites to read more about this topic.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harald_zur_Hausen

http://homoeconomicusnet.wordpress.com/2008/10/06/nobel-prize-for-hiv-discovery-and-hpv-link/

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Q:What is the history of HIV?

A:Some researchers debate when HIV was first discovered. HIV was discovered around 1981. When HIV was first discovered scientist believed that the virus affected gay men. According to the Center of Disease Control in December of 1981 many scientist were convinced that the virus affected other groups. In July of 1981 over 450 cases of HIV were reported. It may of 1983 doctor report they discovered a new virus. It wasn’t until several years later scientist and doctor had a well understanding of how HIV is spread.


Francoise Barre- Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier earned the Nobel Prize for medicine in 2008 for their 1983 discover of HIV. The prize included 1.2 million USA dollars. Barre-Sinoussi also was credited for discovering the human papilloma virus.

http://www.poz.com/articles/nobel_discover_hiv_1_15763.shtml

http://www.avert.org/aids-history-86.htm

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Q: What should I do if I think I have been exposed to hepatitis A?

A:You should contact your health provide or state health department as soon as possible. If you weren’t vaccinated for the virus a immune globulin or Hepatitis A vaccine could be given within two week of coming in contact with the virus. The sooner a person seeks medical attention the better. A health care professional will determine what is the best think to do based on a person’s health status and age.

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Q: What should I do if I think I have been exposed to hepatitis B?
A:You should call the local health department or your health care provider. If the hepatitis B vaccine is given within 24 hours the virus might be preventable. The hepatitis B vaccine is also known as “HBIG”. Don’t wait to seek medical attention.

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Q: Can someone with HIV become a US citizen?
A:According to worldlawdirect.com (an article written on June 30, 2011) you’re ineligible for a permanent visa if you have HIV. Before applying for a permanent visa you muss submit a medical exam by US Citizenship and Immigration Services. This examine includes HIV screening. You can still become a US citizen if you overcome this ineligibly and apply for a “discretionary waiver”. If someone is already a USA citizen he/she can’t be deported for HIV status. The following article has detailed information about this topic.

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Q: Is it a criminal offense hot disclosing HIV to a partner?

A:If a person knowingly has HIV and didn’t disclose that information to a partner criminal charges could be pressed if that person caught HIV. Thirty four state prosecuted HIV positive individuals for not disclosing HIV status to a sexual partner. The web site below list all those state along with some counties that prosecuted individuals for not disclosing their HIV status. In fact a person could be brought up on felony charges and go to jail for years for passing HIV to some and not disclosing their HIV status.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criminal_transmission_of_HIV

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Q: How do I know if I have HIV?
A:The symptoms of HIV could be mistaken for other illness. Some of the symptoms of HIV include rapid weight loss, dry cough, extreme tiredness, night sweat, diarrhea along with other possible symptoms. The only way a person can be certain he/she has HIV is to get tested. A person could have HIV for years and not show symptoms of the virus. If a person knows he/she has HIV the spread of HIV can reduce.

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/qa/definitions.htm

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Q: How do I tell a potential partner I have herpes?
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A: There is no right way to tell a partner about herpes. You may find a different approach that works better for you. Here is a list of things to do in order and how to have the talk. Ideally you don’t want to tell a person too soon or wait too long to have “the talk”. You want to tell someone about your situation you trust.


- Do research about herpes. By doing research you will be prepared to answer a question the other person has. Many people don't really know how herpes is spread.

- Think of a set of words that sounds nice. Remember to make eye contact, speak in a normal tone of voice and remain calm. A positive attitude is more likely to lead to positive results.

- Find a quiet place where you and your parent are alone. Don't tell a partner about your situation during the heat of the moment.

- After you have the talk allow a partner to talk, ask a partner if she has any questions and allow her time to think of her choice if needed.

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Q: How do I tell if I have herpes or genital warts?

A:Herpes could be mistaken for genital warts vice versa. Herpes could cause a bump, lump or tear in the skin. If a doctor isn’t certain a person has herpes a swab sample could be taken from an active bump or lump and be tested for herpes. Only some doctor offer the herpes swab test. Genital warts generally form in cluster and grow in size if it isn’t treated.

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Q: Why are circumcised men less likely to catch HIV?

A:Circumcision reduces the amount of mucosal tissue exposed to vaginal secretions during heterosexual intercourse and thus may reduce the potential interactions between the virus and its target immune cells.

Circumcision results in a process called keratinization, whereby the top layer of the inner foreskin becomes thicker, which may provide additional protection for the underlying target immune cells.

Circumcision-associated physiological changes of the penis -- including lower moisture and oxygen availability around the head of the penis -- may reduce the number of pro-inflammatory anaerobic bacteria that could make the target immune cells more vulnerable to HIV infection.

The following information was taken from the following article.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100106003617.htm

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Q: Are health care workers likely to get HIV?

A: A very small never of health care workers are exposed to HIV while performing job duties. There are universal precautions that health workers should follow. Being around a person with HIV doesn’t increase a person’s chance of catching HIV. The main risk of HIV transmission is through injuries such as getting stuck with a needles or sharp object. Many researches believe the chance of catching HIV from a needle stick is less than one percent. If you want to read more about HIV transmission go to the following web site.

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/qa/transmission.htm

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Q: What should I do if I think I have been exposed to HIV?

A:If you think you have been exposed to HIV go to an emergency room right away. With medical treatment HIV could be prevented about 8 out of 10 cases where person were “just” infected by HIV within the last 36 hours. If a person has been exposed to HIV and seeks medical care right away medication could prevent an HIV infection. A person may be asked to take an HIV test. The HIV test will tell a person if they already have HIV. The following web site provides information on what can be done if a person has just been exposed to HIV

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Q: What is best way to prevent STD’s?

A:The only way to prevent an STD is not to have sex. Limiting the amount of sex partners a person has sex with reduces the chance of catching an STD. Using a condom, avoiding sex if a partner has a herpes outbreak or a genital wart outbreak will reduce the chance of catching an STD. Taking medication as needed using a latex condom, having safe oral, anal and vaginal sex also helps reduce the chance of passing an STD to a partner.

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Q: Can STD’s spread by giving blood?

A: Any blood that is donated is tested for diseases and STD’s. There are certain guidelines that a person who donates blood must follow. If a person donates blood that has HIV or another disease the blood won’t be used. It is 99.999% safe receiving a blood transfusion. In third world counties receiving a blood transfusion may not be as safe as it is in the USA.