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Highlights from this article:
- Herpes is a viral infection transmitted primarily through sex, either through skin-to-skin contact or secretions from a sore.
- Yeast infections are fungal infections that can be spread through sex, but can also develop when the vagina experiences a change in pH such as after wearing tight clothing for a long time or taking a course of antibiotics.
- Both yeast infections and genital herpes can cause pain during sex and while you pee as well as itchiness, which is why they’re sometimes confused for one another.
- There is a lot of stigma around herpes, but it’s actually a very manageable condition. While it can’t be completely cured, doctors can prescribe antivirals that help the virus remain undetectable and minimize outbreaks.
- Yeast infections can be treated with antifungals, and in some cases, boric acid. An Evvy test can help determine the presence and strain of Candida (yeast) in your vaginal microbiome so you can work with your doctor to find the most effective treatment.
Some things become very clear when you’re experiencing itchiness, pain, and discomfort around your vulva or in your vagina: how close the nearest bathroom is, whether the people around you can see you itching your vagina in public, the sacrifices you would make to get some, ANY relief, and that the scratching you’re doing is not a great antidote for itchiness in sensitive areas (ouch).
But sometimes, one thing remains unclear: the cause of all of that discomfort. Unfortunately, there are a lot of yeast infection symptoms that overlap with other conditions, including herpes.
Bạn đang xem: Yeast Infection vs Herpes: Key Differences and Information
Here’s a quick run down on the similarities and differences between genital herpes and a vaginal yeast infection.
What is genital herpes?
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two virus strains that can cause genital herpes: HSV-1 and HSV-2. These are the same viruses that cause oral herpes, aka cold sores.
How is genital herpes diagnosed?
Doctor’s office: Detection of HSV virus genetic material (PCR) from a swab of the genital area. Herpes can also be diagnosed with a blood test. Finally, herpes can be diagnosed clinically, without a PCR swab, especially for patients with a prior history of HSV who has a recurrent outbreak.
At home: You can purchase kits online to prepare and mail in your own sample, which a lab will receive and perform the same method done in a doctor’s office.
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Note: When you ask to get tested for “all STIs,” herpes may or may not be included, depending on your risk for having a possible infection. Be sure to talk with your doctor specifically about herpes if you’re interested in being tested.
What is a yeast infection?
A yeast infection is a vaginal infection caused by an overgrowth of Candida, a type of fungi. A small amount of Candida is common in a healthy vaginal microbiome, but too much can cause unpleasant symptoms.
How is a yeast infection diagnosed?
Doctor’s office: A swab of vaginal discharge is examined under the microscope for visible signs of yeast. A PCR test that looks for the presence of yeast will be the most accurate test available at the doctor’s office.
At home: You can purchase mail-in kits online to assess your vaginal pH, and the presence of yeast which is not an official diagnosis, but can help you figure out if you are on the right track.
An Evvy test will not only tell you if yeast are present, but the exact type of yeast present in your sample and their abundance relative to other microbes, which you can then bring to your doctor. (An Evvy test cannot diagnose you with a yeast infection, nor can it diagnose you with herpes). Need the Cliff Notes version? Check out this table to learn more about herpes and yeast infections, and how they might overlap:
What does genital herpes feel like for people with vaginas?
In a 2013 study monitoring over 3,000 women for genital herpes, most of the women who tested positive for herpes exposure never experienced any symptoms. Believe it or not, having no symptoms or mild symptoms is common in many STIs, not just herpes!
Those who did have symptoms experienced lesions on the skin, pain, burning or itching, redness, and pain with urination (71-62%). People with genital herpes usually experience these symptoms on and off. Most people report their first outbreak (aka when someone is experiencing symptoms) as the longest and most severe, with future outbreaks being shorter and having milder symptoms. Stress and infections can sometimes trigger outbreaks.
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Herpes infections can also cause symptoms in other parts of the body, such as headaches, fever, and swollen glands. There were no significant differences in the symptoms experienced by people with genital HSV-1 or HSV-2 infections.
And how is that different from a yeast infection?
Yeast infections can cause vaginal and vulvar itching, redness, and soreness; white vaginal discharge with a curd-like consistency (think cottage cheese); and pain during sex and/or when you pee. Some people with yeast infections have a red and/or scaly rash.
The skin irritation can sometimes be confused for herpes sores, which is why these two conditions are confused for one another.
If abnormal vaginal discharge or a smell are on the list of your vaginal complaints, you’re probably dealing with a vaginal infection and not herpes. Some people with yeast infections do not experience any smell, but when they do it usually resembles bread or beer (remember, yeast!)
Yeast infections generally do not cause red bumps, blisters, or other lesions on the skin. A fever or swollen glands also aren’t usual parts of the (ahem, delightful) yeast infection package.
If what you are experiencing is mainly limited to the skin on the vulva, and you’ve ruled out herpes, you might want to talk to your doctor about dermatological conditions like vulvar lichen planus and vulvar lichen sclerosus.
One way to know if something is vulvar vs vaginal is by taking a vaginal microbiome test, like Evvy. If your results come back showing an overgrowth of pathogens in your vaginal microbiome, it’s likely that the origin of your discomfort is in your vagina rather than the vulva.
Nguồn: https://vuihoctienghan.edu.vn
Danh mục: Info