"H"-Talk!

Most sexually transmitted diseases are dangerous in nature…not because of their affect on human beings, but because of the social stigma associated with them, and the barriers one might face throughout their life even after they are cured completely.

Herpes is a sexually transmitted infection which is very contagious. If you are a person who has experienced their first signs or symptoms of this virus it may come to you as a bit of shock. Most people who have gone through this phase realize the immense fear and sorrow that one might face. But the fact is that this initial phase also proves that the worst is behind you. From here you can only be better. Fortunately, there is plenty of medical help and counseling available for people in almost all cities. The Herpes Simplex Virus causes these symptoms. It is passed from person to person by kissing, or by having saliva-to-skin contact, skin-to-skin contact, or skin-to-lesion contact. There are various strains of the virus.

A person can have oral herpes on the lips, and mouth, genital herpes or non-genital herpes. Non-genital herpes is called ‘shingles’ and is highly contagious. Oral herpes (HSV-1) is spread by kissing or having oral sex with an infected person. Unprotected sex can also cause genital herpes (HSV-2) in the vagina or the anus. Doctors can minimize the symptoms and prevent further episodes in the future with medication. The virus however stays inside the body through life in an inactive form.

Another sexual disease is called HPV or Human Papilloma Virus. It is a common cause of sexually transmitted infections. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention around 6.2 million new cases of sexually transmitted HPV infections are reported every year. 20 million people in this country alone are already infected. There are various types of HPV such as 6, 11, 16, and 18. Some of them like 6 and 11 cause genital warts; whereas 16 and 18 cause pre-cancerous changes on the cervix, which may later form into cancerous growths. It some cases it can affect the penis, vulva, vagina, and anus. Genital warts are the most recognizable symptom of this illness. These warts are soft and cauliflower-shaped. They can also be flat or with bumps. In women it can be found in the areas adjoining the vagina and anus. In men it is found on scrotum, penis, groin, thighs, or anus.

The people affected with HPV, Herpes or any other sexually transmitted diseases need our complete help and support. There are many reliable social networking websites that aim to provide their services to whoever may need it while helping to promote their cause. People here at “H”-Talk! can share their stories, ask for advice, provide solutions, search for friends, and find dating partners. “H”-Talk! is also a place for partners, families, support groups, managers, counselors, and medical professionals of people living with this virus. Please do your part and help create great relationships and provide awareness about these viruses and more.

You can contribute tax deductible donations for treatment and research on Herpes and HPV as well.

Monti Robinson
CEO/Website Owner
Love, H Style
www.lovehstyle.com

Wear Your Condoms

There are several strains of the Herpes virus. The two most common strains are known as HSV-1 (Oral Herpes) and HSV-2 (Genital Herpes). You can have Oral Herpes (HSV-1) on the lips, which is most often called fever blisters, or cold sores. Oral Herpes is transmitted from person-to-person by kissing, oral sex, or sharing things like a drinking glass, a toothbrush, or eating utensils. Genital Herpes (HSV-2) is most commonly transmitted by vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Non-genital herpes (herpes on other parts of the body; is most often called shingles). Shingles is not sexually transmitted. It is a secondary event long after the initial infection with common ‘chicken pox’. Shingles usually shows up as an on-off occurrence.

Genital warts can appear at any portion of the body. In the case of sores and blisters that happen in the genital area, they are caused by HPV or the human papillomavirus. HPV is caused by sexual contact. The HPV infection is a common STD or sexually transmitted disease in North America. If the virus is dangerous it can also cause penile or cervical cancer.

According to a survey done by Center for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 50% of the people who are termed as sexually active have been affected by HPV at some time or the other. After the person is infected, the warts may appear within a month or three months after the infection. Although warts are common in this disease, there are some who might not have warts at all. If you feel that you are infected by warts, you should consult the doctor immediately. Genital warts can look like red growths or bumps, or they can take the color of flesh. The bumps generally appear around the vagina or anus, and at times on the cervix. Sometimes they can be extremely painful if the bumps appear on groin, thigh, penis and scrotum.

Sometimes the warts can look like a cauliflower, and at times that are so tiny, that they can be hardly noticed. There can be multiple blisters or a single blister. At times they can appear in clusters. If the person had oral sex with his or her partner, the genital warts can appear inside the throat or the mouth of a person. The main reason behind the spread of HPV is oral, anal or genital sex with an infected partner. At times it is difficult to know if you are affected or not, because like most of the STDs you will never find any visible symptoms. In most women warts are found either on the cervix or inside the vagina. In case of men, they are found on the tip of the penis.

Although genital warts are common, they are perfectly curable and there are some viruses that may lead to cervical cancer. Women should have annual pap tests in order to know if there are any abnormalities. During pregnancy genital warts can become prominent. If they are near the vaginal opening, they may cause complications during childbirth. There are people who can shun themselves from any contact with the outside world if they are detected with HPV. It is better not to stigmatize yourself away from society and to create opportunities for dialogue and dating. There are millions of people living with HPV and Herpes looking to meet other people living with the virus.

Monti Robinson
CEO/Website Owner
Love, H Style
www.lovehstyle.com