One of the more widespread sexually transmitted diseases out there today is herpes. Twenty percent of adult Americans currently have this disease and there is currently no cure for it. Despite this, in recent years, the FDA has approved some medication that can fight off the virus and help prevent or reduce the severity of outbreaks. These are acyclovir, famciclovir and valacylovir. These drugs are called antivirals are also useful for reducing the length and discomforts of initial outbreaks.
By using these FDA-approved medications early, an outbreak can actually be prevented. Taken during the middle of an outbreak, the antivirals are capable of reducing the extreme discomfort of outbreaks and speeding up the healing process. Sometimes, however, these do not work in preventing an outbreak.
To test for the presence of a herpes infection, doctors use two methods. The first method is called a viral test and involves the analysis of virus cells that are swabbed from lesions that occur during an outbreak. The second method is called a serology or blood test.
During a viral culture, the doctor takes a swab and wipes it against a lesion so to gather virus cells. He places this in a special solution and sends the sample out to a lab that will do the analyzing of the culture. This will determine whether the virus was caused by the HSV-1 or the HSV-2 virus and this can help the person know how often they can expect an outbreak to happen.
Another way to diagnose the presence of a herpes infection is thru a blood test. These are also done to know whether or not there is a herpes infection even when there are no symptoms yet. This method works because soon after a person is infected, the body will start to produce antibodies to fight off the herpes virus. This is also a good way to determine whether the virus is from the herpes simplex 1 or the herpes simplex 2 although this will not tell you if the infection is of the oral or genital kind.
Although newer blood tests have become inexpensive and very accurate, there is no way to know what kind of test is being given. There are already several FDA-approved blood tests and the older ones are not very accurate. It is important to ask so that you can know what test is being given to you.
By using these FDA-approved medications early, an outbreak can actually be prevented. Taken during the middle of an outbreak, the antivirals are capable of reducing the extreme discomfort of outbreaks and speeding up the healing process. Sometimes, however, these do not work in preventing an outbreak.
To test for the presence of a herpes infection, doctors use two methods. The first method is called a viral test and involves the analysis of virus cells that are swabbed from lesions that occur during an outbreak. The second method is called a serology or blood test.
During a viral culture, the doctor takes a swab and wipes it against a lesion so to gather virus cells. He places this in a special solution and sends the sample out to a lab that will do the analyzing of the culture. This will determine whether the virus was caused by the HSV-1 or the HSV-2 virus and this can help the person know how often they can expect an outbreak to happen.
Another way to diagnose the presence of a herpes infection is thru a blood test. These are also done to know whether or not there is a herpes infection even when there are no symptoms yet. This method works because soon after a person is infected, the body will start to produce antibodies to fight off the herpes virus. This is also a good way to determine whether the virus is from the herpes simplex 1 or the herpes simplex 2 although this will not tell you if the infection is of the oral or genital kind.
Although newer blood tests have become inexpensive and very accurate, there is no way to know what kind of test is being given. There are already several FDA-approved blood tests and the older ones are not very accurate. It is important to ask so that you can know what test is being given to you.
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