Is There a Connection Between Herpes, HIV, and AIDS?
People dwelling with herpes simplex virus (HSV) often are inclined to contract HIV. Similarly, of us dwelling with HIV often are inclined to contract HSV. But one does not set off the alternative.
HSV is a virus that will set off ulcerative pores and pores and skin sickness, says reproductive properly being specialist Felice Gersh, MD, creator of “PCOS SOS: A Gynecologist’s Lifeline To Naturally Restore Your Rhythms, Hormones, and Happiness.”
HSV may trigger episodic outbreaks of blisters. Open sores or breaks throughout the pores and pores and skin make it less complicated for various viruses to enter the physique.
“Herpes can also alter the microbiome of the vagina and anus, which make them less adept at fighting off foreign invaders and pathogens,” says Gersh.
HIV is a virus that assaults your immune system. This impacts your physique’s potential to defend in the direction of completely different sicknesses.
“Both HIV and HSV are sexually transmitted diseases, so having one does increase your risk of acquiring the other if you’re exposed,” explains Dr. Kimberly Langdon, a retired OB-GYN with 19 years of scientific experience.
Undiagnosed or untreated HIV can progress to AIDS, which is often known as late-stage HIV, says Langdon.
Other causes and hazard parts to ponder
Other causes and hazard parts to ponder
Anything that can improve your hazard of coming into contact with a sexually transmitted an an infection (STI) or sickness (STD) will enhance your hazard of contracting HSV or HIV.
While herpes is primarily transmitted by means of skin-to-skin contact, HIV can be transmitted by means of bodily fluids, says Gersh. “That means you can increase your risk of contracting HIV if you use or share needles, syringes, or other [unsterilized] drug equipment.”
These days, it’s unusual for an individual who checks constructive for HIV to ever develop AIDS, in step with Gersh. “Modern HIV medicine is extraordinarily effective at managing the virus so that it doesn’t become AIDS,” she says.
As such, your hazard of making AIDS will improve for those who occur to contract HIV and do not acquire quick medical remedy, says Monte Swarup, MD, OB-GYN, founding father of the principle properly being information web site Vaginal Health Hub.
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Living with one state of affairs and lowering your hazard of making the alternative
Living with one state of affairs and lowering your hazard of making the alternative
If you’re dwelling with HSV, taking antiviral remedy — akin to acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir — will assist forestall or shorten outbreaks.
There are moreover loads of residence remedies and life-style modifications which you’ll be able to adapt that can help ease your indicators and reduce your hazard of an outbreak.
When your pores and pores and skin is free of lesions, you’re a lot much less vulnerable to contract HIV do you must come into contact with it.
“Another option for reducing the risk of contracting HIV, whether you have HSV or not, is to talk with your doctor about PrEP,” says Langdon.
Preexposure prophylaxis or PrEP is a every day oral remedy that helps reduce your hazard of contracting HIV, she explains.
If you’re dwelling with HIV, antiretroviral treatment (ART) will assist. “ART can make the virus undetectable and restore immune function,” explains Gersh.
When HIV is undetectable, it might probably’t progress to AIDS, she says. You’re moreover a lot much less vulnerable to contract HSV or one different illness when your immune system is restored.
Reducing your hazard of HIV and HSV
Reducing your hazard of HIV and HSV
The smartest factor you’ll be able to do to reduce your hazard of HSV and HIV is to comply with safer intercourse, says Swarup.
Common safer intercourse practices embrace:
Using condoms and completely different barrier methods all through all sexual train.
Staying up to date in your STI standing.
Talking with potential or current companions about their STI standing.
Abstaining from sexual train with individuals who discover themselves at current experiencing an outbreak or who often are usually not adhering to remedy for an STI or STD
Discussing PrEP with a healthcare expert and beginning preventive remedy.
You might reduce your hazard of HIV by using sterile instruments to arrange or inject subcutaneous medicine and intravenous (IV) substances.
When to contact a well being care supplier or get examined
When to contact a well being care supplier or get examined
If there’s any chance that you simply simply’ve been uncovered to HIV or one different sexually transmitted state of affairs, contact a healthcare expert to get examined.
This is particularly vital for those who occur to develop any new or unusual indicators associated to HIV, along with:
rash
fever
chills
headache
fatigue
sore throat
night sweats
lack of urge for meals
If it’s been decrease than 72 hours (3 days) since potential HIV publicity, focus on with a healthcare expert immediately.
They can prescribe postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) to help reduce the possibility of an an infection. PEP needs to be started inside 72 hours (3 days) to be environment friendly. PEP medicine are taken every day for 28 days.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) solely recommends testing for HSV for those who occur to’re experiencing genital lesions or sores. Increased discharge, painful urination, and completely different genital indicators might very properly be a sign of a definite STI.
The bottom line
The bottom line
People dwelling with HSV often are inclined to contract HIV and vice versa. However, there are a selection of sexual properly being precautions you could take to help reduce the possibility of coming into contact with each virus.
If you assume you’ve been uncovered to HSV or HIV, contact a healthcare expert to check additional.
Gabrielle Kassel (she/her) is a queer intercourse educator and wellness journalist who’s devoted to serving to of us actually really feel the proper they will of their our our bodies. In addition to expert, her work has appeared in publications akin to Shape, Cosmopolitan, Well+Good, Health, Self, Women’s Health, Greatist, and additional! In her free time, Gabrielle can be found educating CrossFit, reviewing pleasure merchandise, climbing collectively along with her border collie, or recording episodes of the podcast she co-hosts known as Bad In Bed. Follow her on Instagram @Gabriellekassel.
