Herpes
The majority of cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), while rarer cold sores in the genital area are usually caused by herpes simplex virus type 2.
What is Herpes?
Cold sores are a common and contagious skin infection caused by the Herpes simplex virus. If you’ve ever had a cold sore or fever blister, you’ve probably been infected with the herpes simplex virus. The majority of cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), while rarer cold sores in the genital area are usually caused by herpes simplex virus type 2.
In the same place after the first herpes attack has healed Herpes may recur in or near the affected area. Recurrent attacks tend to have a milder course than the first attack.
How is herpes transmitted?
Herpes simplex viruses are transmitted from person to person through close contact. You can get herpes simplex virus by touching a herpes sore. However, most people get herpes simplex from an infected person without sores. This is called ‘asymptomatic viral transmission’.
How is Oral Herpes Transmitted?
A person with HSV-1 (herpes simplex type 1) can transmit it to another person by
- Kissing
- Touching someone else’s face after touching a cold sore (such as pinching a baby’s cheek )
- Oral herpes can be transmitted by the common use of items such as lipstick, lip balm and razor.
Genital Herpes; How is it transmitted?
You can get genital herpes after contact with HSV-1 or HSV-2. Most people get genital herpes from HSV-2, which they get during sexual intercourse. If someone has herpes and has oral sex, This can spread HSV-1 to the genitals and cause herpes sores on the genitals.
Mothers can give the herpes virus to their babies during birth. If the baby is born during the mother’s first episode of genital herpes, the baby can have serious problems.
What happens after a herpes infection?
When a person is infected with a herpes virus, the virus never leaves the body. After the first outbreak , the virus passes from the skin cells to the nerve cells. The virus stays in the nerve cells forever. But it usually stays there. At this stage, the virus is said to be dormant or asleep. However, it can become active again.
Some of the things that can trigger (awaken)the virus are:
How to treat herpes?
Is Herpes Painful? How to Treat Herpes?
Many people who get the herpes virus do not see or feel anything. If signs (what you see) or symptoms (what you feel) occur, the person may experience
Tingling, itching or burning: The skin may tingle, itch or burn for up to a day beforethe blisters appear.
Sores: One or more painful, fluid-filled blisters may appear. The blisters open and often leak fluid and form a crust before healing. When sores first appear, they appear 2 to 20 days after a person has been in contact with an infected person. The sores can last between 7 and 10 days. Where the wounds often appear depends on the species:
Oral herpes (HSV-1): Most blisters appear on the lips or around the mouth. Sometimes blisters form on the face or tongue. Althoughthese are the most common sites of oral herpes, sores can appear on any part of the skin.
Genital herpes (HSV-2): sores typically occur on the penis, vagina, buttocks or anus. Women may have sores inside the vagina. Like oral herpes, these sores can appear anywhere on the skin.
Flu-like symptoms: Fever, muscle aches or swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck (oral herpes) or groin (genital herpes)
Pain, burning when urinating: People with genital herpes (mostly women) have problems with urination or may experience a burning sensation when urinating.
Eye infection (herpes keratitis): Sometimes the herpes simplex virus can spread to one or both eyes. If this happens, there may be pain, light sensitivity, discharge and a sandy feeling in the eye. Without prompt treatment, scarring of the eye may occur. Scarring can cause blurred vision and even loss of vision.
