Genital Herpes Dictionary

abdominal pressure: A feeling of fullness that is a common symptom during an initial outbreak of genital herpes.

abstinence: Refraining from any activity and often used in reference to sexual encounters, especially with regard to a herpes outbreak.

active phase: During this time, the herpes virus is highly contagious, beginning with signs of redness and tender skin, then ending when sores have healed.

acyclovir: Generic name for Zovirax, which is one of the antiviral medications used to treat herpes, working to reduce symptoms and length of time the virus is active.

antiviral medications: A group of drugs, including acyclovir, famciclovir and valacyclovir, that directly affect herpes viruses and shingles by attacking specific cellular structures to keep them from multiplying, thus reducing the severity of an outbreak.

aseptic meningitis: A non-bacterial related form sometimes caused by the herpes virus when the infection is in proximity to the spinal cord and then travels to the brain's meninges, or lining.

blister: A fluid-filled bleb that arises for several reasons, including oral or genital herpes, in which case it is often painful during the active phase before weeping and crusting over.

cold sore: Also called fever blister, and a result of the Herpes Simplex 1 virus, which is contagious when active and can be also be transmitted to the genitals and other body parts.

contraceptive foam: A spermicide in applicator form that when inserted in the vagina actively eliminates sperm and forms a protective barrier to the cervical canal, which in conjunction with condom use may also be an effective agent in helping prevent sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS and herpes viruses.

culture: A swab is used to collect viral cells from a blister and then observed for certain behavior patterns in a laboratory.

disseminated infection: An often life-threatening spread of the herpes virus to other parts of the body, specifically attacking internal organs including the brain, kidneys, liver and lungs.

DNA viruses: Including the Herpesviridae family, which depends on replication of certain cellular structures that once activated during a primary infection establish a dormant period within the nervous system.

dental dam: Commonly used for dental procedures, but often to protect from infection during oral contact with the vagina or anus, this is a sheet of latex or silicone that is placed over the area as a barrier, but leaves sensations intact.

dormancy: The period in which a virus may be inactive and in the case of genital herpes may be clustered at the base of the spine where it can avoid an attack from the immune system.

edema: A building up of fluid, often resulting in swelling of the extremities, and also referring to the beginning of an active herpes attack that leads to blister formation.