Parties are usually the hot and tempting time in Oklahoma, people's lifestyle visibly around Oklahoma is carefree. I just turned 18, and you know the usual thing - "wanting to get the experience I wasn't allowed to get under 18".

Earlier on I went to OKC MALLS and got everything under 18 wasn't allowed to get. I devoured the cigarette, movie and drinks. Yes, this was the new phase of my life.
I was invited to this after prom party at the just-made prom Queen's house, and I felt like one of the top girls in school since it wasn't everyone that was invited anyways. Plus, the hottest guys were surely gonna be there.

I had a crush on Bryan from the very first day I saw him at the school hallway. And even though I didn't actually feel like i looked his type, I wanted him with everything. There's no way on earth I was gonna miss that party for anything. Not to mention that on several events, I had missed out on classes to attend some really boring events just to get close to him. He was really hot, plus i voted him for prom king, who knows, maybe that's why he won anyways, i guess. (wink)

Image source: Wikihow

The after-prom party was gonna be a pool get-away party. I got my bikini from OKC MALLS, Oklahoma. It was the very seducing and enticing one at that, I was just getting prepared. Whatever made me have contraceptive was really the devil himself, trying to be a friend. I did fantasize about the party already.

My parents? well, as far as they understood, it was an innocent party, and since i didn't have a date for the night, they decided to drop me off. whixh of course was great news to them since it was part of their safety code. Within a few minutes, I was in the best party of the year, so I thought. Surprisingly, I met Bryan at the gate., he passionately asked me in to the party.

Timelines...

I was already intoxicated, still chattering with Bryan. At this point we were laughing with our voices high in the air, the music was loud enough to drain our voices low. We made our way to the lounge, and I handed him my bouquet of roses on prom night. Good thing was, I was 18, an adult!

Bryan obviously was in a drunken state, same as I, but I was the only one who had something in mind about the after-prom night party, he didn't even realize what happened. Turns out i noticed i started having this really weird fever that felt life-threatening, I had some blisters with a tingling sensation. I wasn't sure what it was, but i was pretty confident it couldn't have been Bryan, he looked really clean and handsome. I felt maybe I was reacting to the toilet seat or something else.

So, soon enough, mom noticed my uneasiness and asked to take me to see a gynaecologist. I screamed how can she not trust me. But she explained that it's not what I think, and to be on the safe side, it was better if i was checked. Samples of my body fluid was gotten and I had to wait for the result.

HIV IS NOT THE ONLY BIG THING OUT THERE.

Herpes is one, with over 1.5 million cases per year. It's rare among babies from age 0-2 years, which is usually gotten from parents. It's still rare among that classes of teenagers na dids below the age of 18. It is very common among young adults and adults. In fact, more than two out of every six persons have been diagnosed of herpes, especially genital herpes. Herpes is more common than what we think. Herpes is not a death sentence to any one's love life.

WHAT IS HERPES?

Image source: Youtube.

Herpes is a long-term disease. The outbreaks can only be treated, but the herpes simplex virus can not be cured. Herpes is caused by a virus. Even though most people don't have the symptoms, they carry it around and keep spreading the virus. it causes sores in the mouth and genital area and can actually affects the nervous system. Generally, the term 'Herpes' refers to a group of diseases that cause blisters, sores and severe swollen lymph nodes.

There are two particular herpes that affect humans; simplex 1 and 2. They are ubiquitous and contagious.

TYPES OF HERPES

HUMAN HERPES VIRUS 1.

Human herpes virus 1 (HHV1) is also known as herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1). It is typically the cause of cold sores around the mouth. HHV1 can also lead to infection in the genital area causing genital herpes usually through oral-genital contact, such as during oral sex. HHV1 infections are contagious and are usually spread from skin-to-skin contact with an infected person through small breaks in the skin or mucous membrane. The HHV1 virus is more likely to be spread through things like sharing eating utensils, razors, and towels from a person who has an active lesion.

HUMAN HERPES VIRUS 2.

Human herpesvirus 2 (HHV2) is also called herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2). It typically causes genital herpes, a sexually transmitted infection. However, it can also cause cold sores in the facial area. Like HHV1, the HHV2 infection is contagious and is spread by skin-to-skin contact. The main route of transmission is through sexual contact, as the virus does not survive very long outside the body.

HUMAN HERPES VIRUS 3.

Human herpes virus 3 (HHV3) is also called varicella-zoster virus. HHV3 causes chickenpox. It can also cause a recurrent virus infection of the skin, which is called herpes zoster or shingles. Shingles occurs when dormant varicella-zoster virus from an initial bout of chickenpox becomes reactivated. Like its close relative, HHV1, herpes zoster likes to infect skin cells and nerve cells. This virus may also recur along nerve fibre pathways, causing multiple sores where nerve fibres end on skin cells. Because an entire group of nerve cells is often affected, shingles is generally much more severe than a recurrence of herpes simplex. The lesions generally appear in a band-like or belt-like pattern occurring on one side of the body and are often accompanied by itching, tingling, or even severe pain. Healing usually occurs in 2 to 4 weeks, and scars may remain. Postherpetic neuralgia is a complication of shingles where the pain associated with the infection can persist for months and even years. Most people who experience shingles once do not experience it again.

HUMAN HERPES VIRUS 4.

Human herpes virus 4 (HHV4) is also known as the Epstein-Barr virus. It is the major cause of infectious mononucleosis, or "mono" - the "kissing disease." It is a contagious infection and is transmitted through saliva. Coughing, sneezing, or sharing eating utensils with an infected person can pass the virus from one person to another.

HUMAN HERPES VIRUS 5.

Human herpes virus 5 (HHV5) is the official name of cytomegalovirus (CMV). CMV is also a cause of mononucleosis. In people with healthy immune systems, the virus may not even cause any symptoms. It can be sexually transmitted, can cause problems to newborns, and can cause hepatitis. CMV can be transmitted through sexual contact, breast-feeding, blood transfusions, and organ transplants. CMV infection is one of the most difficult complications of AIDS. It may lead to diarrhea, severe vision problems including blindness, infections of the stomach and intestines, and even death. For a virus that barely causes a problem in most people with healthy immune systems, it can be amazingly nasty in people with damaged immune systems, such as people with AIDS.

HUMAN HERPES VIRUS 6.

Human herpes virus 6 (HHV6) is a recently observed agent found in the blood cells of a few patients with a variety of diseases. It causes roseola (a viral disease causing high fever and a skin rash in small children) and a variety of other illnesses associated with fever in that age group. This infection accounts for many of the cases of convulsions associated with fever in infancy (febrile seizures).

HUMAN HERPES VIRUS 7.

Human herpes virus 7 (HHV7) is even more recently observed and is closely related to HHV6. Like other human herpes viruses, HHV6 and HHV7 are so common that most of humankind has been infected at some point, usually early in life. HHV7 can also cause roseola, but it is not clear what other clinical effects that this virus causes.

HUMAN HERPES VIRUS 8.

Human herpes virus 8 (HHV8) was recently discovered in the tumours called Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS). These tumours are found in people with AIDS and are otherwise very rare. KS forms purplish tumours in the skin and other tissues of some people with AIDS. It is very difficult to treat with medication. HHV8 may also cause other cancers, including certain lymphomas (lymph node cancers) associated with AIDS. The fact that these cancers are caused by a virus may explain why they tend to occur in people with AIDS when their immune systems begin to fail. The discovery also provides new hope that specific treatments for these tumours will be developed that target the virus.

CAUSES AND PREVENTION OF HERPES SIMPLEX

Direct contact with herpes simplex virus through body contact or sexual activity. Do not come in contact with body fluids from an herpes patient, either genital fluid or any body fluid from the blister, this it passes through kissing.

MEDICATION:

Acyclovir, Valaciclovir, Paracetamol, Topical lidocaine. Most of these drugs have serious drug interaction with food and drug substances. Don't self medicate, meet a pharmacist for prescription.

HERPES BREAK OUT PROTECTION :

• UIse soft, loose cloth
• Have a warm clean bath.
• You can try urinating in a tub of water.
• Icepacks can be used.
• Take a pain-reliever

WHAT HAPPENS TO ME WHEN I DON'T TREAT HERPES?

Some people don't care about the breakout, maybe they are not having sex and there's really no body to think about. Babies born with HPV can cause brain damage, death and blindness. As such, treatment of herpes is totally your decision to make.

RISK FACTOR:

• Sunlight.
• Poor immune system.
• Stress.

TREATMENT OF HERPES OUTBREAK:

There's really no cure for herpes but they are ways to manage the situation. Herpes medicine can actually prevent outbreaks.

SYMPTOMS

• Burning sensation during urinating.
• Feeling tired and achy.
• Headache.
• Blisters causing serious swollen lymph nodes. It generally affects the nervous system. The outbreaks last for 2-4 weeks, there's recurrence as it's viral.

QUICK QUESTIONS AND ANSWER:

Q. Now that I have been tested positive for herpes simplex. What next?

A: Get to a counselor, treat and protect yourself and you'll be fine.

Q: I have genital herpes, are there times I can do without protection?

A: If there's no recurrent outbreak and you are taking medication against recurrent outbreak you are good to go.

Q: Why is there a need to talk about Herpes?

A: The more we talk about it, the less it affects. Most people are just scared of HIV. But herpes can lead to HIV, and it can cause imbecility to the baby when the mother has Herpes. Truth is, as time travels the situation get worst.

Q: Is oral herpes different from genital herpes?

A: At times yes, at times no.

Q: How do I know if I have genital herpes:

A: If symptoms are already obvious, it's okay for your doctor to just check the outbreaks of soresto be sure you're infected, but no sample blood test is needed.

Q: I don't understand, how does the story relate to herpes:

A: The girl in the story, got involved with a stranger whom she thought was clean, and she contracted herpes.

Q: Who can I talk to about herpes ?
A: Your doctor.

Q: My body count is high, am I on a risk of getting infected ?
A: Yes, you are. The earlier the better for you and the world.

Q: I have herpes, how can i make sure i don't give this to my partner?

A:

• Using condoms during Vaginal and Anal Sex and dental Dams for Oral sex.
• Go for counselling, talk to your doctor about herpes and get appropriate medications.
• Do not go intimate during an outbreak even with condoms.
• Do not touch your herpes sores,it would spread further. Be conscious of yourself during the outbreaks.
• Dont wet glasses and lens with saliva, it might spread herpes to Your eyes.

Finally, Talk to your partner about herpes. It surely is not the end to your relationship.

REFERENCES:

PATIENTS INFO

CONSULT BLOGS

PLANNED PARENTHOOD

All pictures are gotten from goggle.com, Pinterest.com.

Blog contributor: @yhubie

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