Genital Herpes Expert Charlotte Grayson, M.D. shares Genital Herpes management news and commentary at HerpesConnection.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/genital-herpes/c/86 en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/genital-herpes/ http://www.healthcentral.com/genital-herpes/c/86/30107/outbreaks Wed Jun 18 09:17:00 -0400 2008 Charlotte Grayson, M.D. OK, you're in the middle of an outbreak and you‘re in pain! How do you manage the uncomfortable and painful symptoms?   First, get medical treatment. Antiviral therapy reduces the severity of the symptoms and duration of the symptoms when started early in an outbreak. Beyond that, most people are on their own. Here are some ideas on things you can try at home to minimize the symptoms:   Keep your genital herpes... http://www.healthcentral.com/genital-herpes/c/86/30107/outbreaks http://www.healthcentral.com/genital-herpes/c/86/30039/medication Thu Jun 05 15:41:00 -0400 2008 Charlotte Grayson, M.D. Herpes medications are generally safe, whether you are taking herpes antiviral medication to treat an outbreak or you're taking daily suppressive therapy. But like all medications, the herpes antiviral DO have side effects. And you should know the difference between different herpes medicines so you can make the best decision for you and minimize any side effects.   Here's what you need to know:   The major drugs that doctors... http://www.healthcentral.com/genital-herpes/c/86/30039/medication http://www.healthcentral.com/genital-herpes/c/86/29033/outbreaks Tue May 27 10:50:00 -0400 2008 Charlotte Grayson, M.D. Manage Your Genital Herpes Symptoms and Outbreaks   Ok, you're in the middle of an outbreak and you‘re in pain! How do you manage the uncomfortable and painful symptoms?   First, get medical treatment. Antiviral therapy reduces the severity of the symptoms and duration of the symptoms when started early in an outbreak. Beyond that, most people are on their own. Here are some ideas on things you can try at home to minimize... http://www.healthcentral.com/genital-herpes/c/86/29033/outbreaks http://www.healthcentral.com/genital-herpes/c/86/29032/medications Tue May 27 10:46:00 -0400 2008 Charlotte Grayson, M.D. Herpes medications are generally safe, whether you are taking herpes antiviral medication to treat an outbreak or you're taking daily suppressive therapy.   But like all medications, the herpes antiviral DO have side effects. Here's what you need to know about Zovirax, Valtrex and Famvir. You should know the difference between these different herpes medicines so you can make the best decision for you and minimize any side... http://www.healthcentral.com/genital-herpes/c/86/29032/medications http://www.healthcentral.com/genital-herpes/c/86/29029/genital-ulcers Tue May 27 10:42:00 -0400 2008 Charlotte Grayson, M.D. About once or twice a month, I see a young male in his late teens or early 20s who come to me to evaluate a bump or lesion on his penis. Interestingly, many of these men have sought evaluation before and STILL don't know what they have.   Here are the most common causes of this symptom:   Have multiple grouped lesions on the penis that are painful? Think about genital herpes as the cause. These lesions can also occur on the... http://www.healthcentral.com/genital-herpes/c/86/29029/genital-ulcers http://www.healthcentral.com/genital-herpes/c/86/26797/tested-genital Tue May 20 12:48:00 -0400 2008 Charlotte Grayson, M.D. Wondering if you should be tested for herpes?  Well, it's a controversial question, but here's a partial list of those who might be a good candidate for the blood test.  1.  First of all, if you are asking the question, you should get the test.  Put those concerns to rest.   2. If you've had any sexual partners in the past and you wonder if you may have gotten herpes without developing symptoms.   3. If... http://www.healthcentral.com/genital-herpes/c/86/26797/tested-genital http://www.healthcentral.com/genital-herpes/c/86/2198/andor-horizon Sun May 11 08:02:00 -0400 2008 Charlotte Grayson, M.D. In a word: Yes! There are many areas of research of herpes that promise to one day improve the quality of life for those affected, better treat the disease, prevent it and potentially cure it. A couple of areas may impact herpes treatment and prevention within the next decade:Topical microbicides:These are topical drugs containing compounds that can kill the herpes virus are in various stages of development and testing. These include gels,... http://www.healthcentral.com/genital-herpes/c/86/2198/andor-horizon http://www.healthcentral.com/genital-herpes/c/86/25491/understanding Fri May 09 06:29:00 -0400 2008 Charlotte Grayson, M.D. Understanding Herpes Testing   The most important fact to know in terms of Herpes testing is that blood testing with an IgG test is the BEST test for diagnosing the disease.   When you first see the doctor for a suspicious genital ulcer, your health care provider may ask a lot of really personal and embarrassing questions. Know that having an accurate sexual history as well as a description of your symptoms is very important... http://www.healthcentral.com/genital-herpes/c/86/25491/understanding http://www.healthcentral.com/genital-herpes/c/86/25389/hpv-pap Thu Apr 17 09:58:00 -0400 2008 Charlotte Grayson, M.D. HPV and the Abnormal Pap   Abnormal Pap smears always make women anxious and make us wonder if we have cancer. Over the past decade, a new anxiety provoking term has slipped into the GYN lexicon : human papilloma virus or HPV infection. Studies show that around 90% of cervical cancer is caused by HPV infection. Most precancerous cervical changes are caused by HPV.  Currently experts recommend that HPV testing be part of... http://www.healthcentral.com/genital-herpes/c/86/25389/hpv-pap http://www.healthcentral.com/genital-herpes/c/86/19536/herpes-std Tue Apr 15 17:30:00 -0400 2008 Charlotte Grayson, M.D. Once you've had a symptomatic outbreak of herpes, you often can tell when another one is coming on. And, many, aware of the warning signs - burning, pain, itching - start therapy with an antiviral drug. After this prodrome, a person with genital herpes often has an outbreak of ulcers or blisters in the genital area.  However, how many of you have treated what you thought was a herpes outbreak for a month or two and it STILL... http://www.healthcentral.com/genital-herpes/c/86/19536/herpes-std