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Herpes

Herpes viruses cause small fluid-filled blisters on the skin. There are different types of the herpes virus. Type 1 causes cold sores around the nose and mouth while Type 2 affects the cock, balls and arsehole. Herpes can also affect the eyes and the passage between the mouth and the stomach (oesophagus), particularly in those with weakened immune systems. Herpes is passed on through unprotected fucking, oral sex, kissing or physical contact with the affected areas, particularly when someone has an attack of herpes at the time and the blisters are open and weeping. Symptoms include tingling or burning on the skin (prior to the blisters appearing), discomfort or pain when urinating or shitting and flu-like symptoms. These are often called ‘attacks’ or ‘episodes’.

During an attack the virus moves from the root of the nerve to the surface of the skin where the blisters occur. They are often very painful and take several weeks to heal, forming dry, flaky scabs that eventually disappear. When the attack is over the virus travels back to the nerve root where it ‘rests’ until the next time. As far as we know, you will remain infected for life and, from time to time, the virus will travel back along the nerve reactivating the sores on the skin surface.

You are more prone to attacks if you are ill, stressed, or feeling run-down. Regular rest and relaxation, and de-stressing techniques combined with a healthy diet will reduce the likelihood of attacks.

Acyclovir is thought by many to help prevent attacks in the first place or shorten attacks when they happen. However, it’s expensive and some clinics don’t like giving it out or will make you jump through hoops before they give it to you. For example, you have to prove you have regular attacks and that they are bad (well, you can’t get more subjective than that). Bathing sores can relieve symptoms and shorten episodes. Staying out of bright sunlight (which aggravates them) can help. For some guys, herpes is particularly depressing and debilitating and clinics can fail to take this into account when providing treatment.

If you choose to have sex while having a herpes attack, make sure that neither of you come into contact with a sore. You should also wash your hands after touching a sore to prevent it spreading. There is also a low risk of the virus being transmitted by sharing towels or face flannels. To stop the virus being spread from mouth to the genital area, you should not have oral sex if you’ve got cold sores. Also, be careful of transferring the virus from one area to another (fiddling with herpes sores or aggravating scabs while wanking for instance). Always wash your hands after coming into contact with them.

www.herpes.org.uk