Herpes

What is Herpes?

Herpes is a common and contagious skin infection caused by the Herpes Simplex virus It is a common viral infection. If you’ve ever had herpes or fever blisters, you’ve contracted the herpes simplex virus. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) causes most herpes, while rarer herpes located in the genital area is usually caused by herpes simplex virus type 2.

After the first herpes attack has healed, herpes may recur in the same place or in a nearby area. Recurrent attacks tend to be milder than the first attack.

Is Herpes Painful? How is Herpes Treated?

Many people who get herpes virus don’t 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 before blisters appear.

Wounds: One or more painful, fluid-filled blisters may appear. The blisters open and often ooze fluid and form a crust before they heal. When sores first appear, they appear 2 to 20 days after a person has come into contact with an infected person. Wounds can last from 7 to 10 days. Where sores often appear varies by type:

Oral herpes (HSV-1): Most blisters appear on the lips or around the mouth. Sometimes blisters form on the face or tongue. While these are the most common sites for oral herpes, sores can appear anywhere on the skin.

Genital herpes (HSV-2): Sores typically occur on the penis, vagina, buttocks, or anus. Women can 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) may have trouble urinating or have 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 eye pain, light sensitivity, discharge, and a gritty feeling. Without prompt treatment, scarring may occur in the eye. Scarring can cause blurred vision or even vision loss.

How Many Days Does Herpes Heal?

Oral (mouth-lip) herpes: usually within two to three weeks on average

Genital herpes: usually heals in two to six weeks (first attack may take a long time to heal)

How is Herpes Transmitted?

Herpes simplex viruses are transmitted from person to person through close contact. You can catch the herpes simplex virus by touching the herpes sore. However, most people get herpes simplex from an infected person who doesn’t have sores. This situation 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 the herpes (like 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 coming into contact with HSV-1 or HSV-2. Most people get genital herpes from HSV-2, which they get during sex. If someone has herpes and they have oral sex, this can spread HSV-1 to the genitals and cause herpes sores on the genitals.

Mothers can pass the herpes virus to their babies at birth. If the baby is born during the mother’s first episode of genital herpes, the baby may have serious problems.

What Happens After Herpes Is Contagious?

Once a person is infected with a herpes virus, the virus never leaves the body. After the first outbreak, the virus moves from skin cells to nerve cells. The virus stays in nerve cells forever. But it usually stays there. At this stage, the virus is said to be dormant or dormant. However, it can become active again.

Some things that can trigger (wake up) the virus include:

Stress

Illness

High Temprature

Intense Sun Exposure

Sunburn

menstrual periods

Herpes may recur after surgery.

Herpes Treatment

Your doctor may prescribe cream or oral medications to help you get over herpes in a shorter time, depending on the area where the herpes is located, the prevalence and severity of the disease. In cases that recur frequently, your doctor may plan preventive treatments.

You can contact us to make an examination appointment and to consult your questions.