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A Herbalist takes down a full case history, listening to all the physical, mental and emotional symptoms the patient relates in order to evaluate the overall picture and understand the root cause of the patient’s  disease. Practitioners of Herbal Medicine are not only trained  in the same non-invasive diagnostic skills as   ordinary  doctors; but also use the benefits of a holistic viewpoint, traditional knowledge and additional forms of   diagnosis such as Tongue, Pulse or Iris diagnosis to elicit the  root of the health problems is aimed at restoring true health; not at  suppressing the symptoms.

 Genital herpes symptoms 

The first time you are infected with genital herpes simplex it is called the primary infection. This may, or may not, cause symptoms (described below). Following a primary infection, the virus is not cleared from the body but lies inactive (dormant) in a nearby nerve. In some people, the virus 'activates' from time to time and travels down the nerve to the nearby skin. This causes recurrent symptoms of genital herpes if the primary infection was in the genitals, or recurrent cold sores if the primary infection was around the mouth.

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 It is common not to develop any symptoms

Most people never develop any symptoms when they are infected with the virus. At least 8 in 10 people with genital herpes simplex virus do not know that they are infected. (Or, they only have a short bout of very mild symptoms which is not recognised as genital herpes. For example, just a slight area of itch or a small red area which soon goes.) In such people, the virus stays inactive in the root of a nerve that supplies the genitals, but never causes recurrent episodes of symptoms. However, even people who do not develop symptoms may, on occasions, have virus in their genital area and therefore be infectious to sexual partners. In fact, this is how many genital herpes simplex infections are passed on.

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A first episode of symptoms

At first you may feel generally unwell with a mild fever and aches and pains. Groups of small, painful blisters then appear around your genitals and/or back passage (anus). They tend to erupt in crops over 1-2 weeks. The blisters soon burst and turn to shallow, sore ulcers.

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  How do you get genital herpes?

Genital herpes is an infection of the genitals (penis in men, vulva and vagina in women) and surrounding area of skin. It is caused by the herpes simplex virus. The buttocks and anus may also be affected. There are two types of herpes simplex virus:

• Type 1 herpes simplex virus is the usual cause of cold sores around the mouth. It also causes around half of cases of genital herpes

• Type 2 herpes simplex virus usually only causes genital herpes. It can sometimes cause cold sore

Genital herpes is usually passed on by skin-to-skin contact with the affected area of someone who is already infected with the virus. The moist skin that lines the mouth, genitals and back passage (anus) is the most susceptible to infection. This means that the virus is most commonly passed on by having vaginal, anal or oral sex, or just close genital contact with an infected person. For example, if you have a cold sore around your mouth, by having oral sex, you may pass on the virus that causes genital herpes.

Herpes simplex virus can also enter through a cut or break in the ordinary skin on other parts of the body. In this way the virus can sometimes affect fingers, hands, knees, etc, if they are in contact with another person's infected area. It is called a whitlow when it is on the fingers.

You are not likely to re-infect yourself with your own virus through accidental touching, or to catch back your own virus from an infected partner, on a different part of your own body.

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Do I need any tests?

Yes. A blister can be swabbed by a doctor or nurse to obtain a small sample to send to the laboratory. This can confirm the infection is due to the herpes simplex virus. It may also find out which type of herpes virus has caused the infection. Tests to look for other STIs may also be done at the same time. These swab tests are best carried out in a GUM clinic. Your GP may sometimes do the tests but will normally advise you to attend a GUM clinic as soon as possible. You can make an appointment at most GUM clinics yourself without needing a referral from your GP. Sometimes a blood test is done as well. This determines whether you have had a herpes infection in the past, or whether this is the first time. It can also tell which type of herpes simplex virus it is.

General measures that may help to ease symptoms when they occur

• Painkillers such as paracetamol may help to ease pain.

• If it is painful when you pass urine, it is often less painful if you pass urine whilst sitting in a warm bath or with water flowing over the area.

• A numbing (anaesthetic) ointment that you can buy at pharmacies, called lidocaine 5% gel, may relieve itching or pain. Some people also apply ointment about five minutes before passing urine if this is painful. Note: some people are sensitive (allergic) to anaesthetic ointments, and the ointment then makes skin symptoms worse. Applying Vaseline® before passing urine may be a helpful alternative to anaesthetic ointment.

• Ice wrapped in a tea towel (an ice pack) placed over the sores for 5-10 minutes may be soothing. Do not put ice directly on to skin, as this may cause an 'ice burn'.

• Have plenty to drink. This can help to make your urine less strong and less concentrated. This may make passing urine less painful.

• Do not use scented soaps, bubble bath, etc, as these may irritate. Gentle cleaning of the sores with just cotton wool and plain or salt water is best. Gentle drying with a hairdryer on its lowest setting may be more comfortable than with a towel.

• When you resume sexual activity after an episode has cleared, a lubricant may help, as some people find the friction of having sex may trigger a recurrence.

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Other points:

• You should avoid having sex until the sores and blisters have cleared and/or you have seen a doctor for follow-up.

• It is best to be honest and tell your sexual partner if you have been diagnosed with genital herpes. If they have not got the infection, the doctor or nurse at the GUM clinic will explain ways to reduce the chances of passing it on to them. The doctor or nurse will also help explain that because of the way the virus works, it is not possible to tell how long ago you acquired the infection. Sometimes people are scared to tell their partners in case their partner thinks they have been unfaithful. Or it may be that they are worried their partner has been unfaithful and given them the infection. 

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