Herpes Simplex Virus

Herpes is a very serious issue and a virus that is very easily spread. More than fifty million people in the United States have the virus. This means one in five adults has a form of Simplex 1 or Simplex 2 virus. The symptoms of herpes are often dismissed as a yeast infection or a bladder infection. It may be years down the road before the person realizes they have herpes.

Infection with the herpes virus is categorized into one of several distinct disorders based on the site of infection.

Oral Herpes - Simplex virus 1 (HSV-1)

Herpes Simplex is also known as the common cold sore or fever blister. It is caused by Herpes Simplex virus type 1. This illness occurs when type 1 virus enters the tissue of the susceptible person; then, later manifestations are caused by the reactivation of the virus which remained latent in the person's tissues since the time it first entered.

Oral Herpes may be localized or generalized. If localized, the first sign of herpes may appear on the mouth and gums. Though cold sores tend to heal within 7 to 10 days without any cold sore treatment, the fact remains that the duration can seem like a lifetime to sufferers.

If you have repeated outbreaks of cold sores your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication to help with these occurrences. Although antiviral drugs can not cure cold sores, they certainly can help to curb the symptoms and shorten the duration of outbreaks. Many patients also report a decrease in size of the blisters and a reduction in the number of blisters experienced during an outbreak.

Docosanol is the only over the counter cold sore medication that has shown proven results in shortening the duration of cold sore outbreaks. It is especially effective if taken at the first sign of an outbreak, during the tingling stage.

Benzocaine and lidocaine are two common numbing agents that work to relieve not only pain, but also burning and itching that is associated with this disease. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen can also be taken to ease the pain associated with cold sore blisters.

Genital Herpes - Simplex virus 2 (HSV-2)

Infection of the genitals, commonly known as herpes, is the second most common form of herpes. Other disorders such as herpetic whitlow, herpes gladiatorum, ocular herpes (keratitis), cerebral herpes infection encephalitis, Mollaret's meningitis, neonatal herpes, and possibly Bell's palsy are all caused by herpes simplex viruses.

The genital herpes incubation period is the time between contracting the virus and the first signs of symptoms. This period can be anywhere from two to twenty days. About half of all individuals who contract herpes do not actually show symptoms, which is why so many people are not aware they have the virus.

Following the incubation period, it is common to feel a tingling, itching, burning sensation and pain in the genital area. This stage is often followed by an outbreak of pimple-like sores that will turn into single or multiple blisters. These blisters typically burst around the fifth day to form wet ulcerations that are extremely painful to the touch. This is the most contagious stage of a herpes outbreak and sexual activity is discouraged.

The key to stopping the spread of HSV 2 is understanding genital herpes prevention. The herpes simplex virus is spread only through skin-to-skin contact or mucous membrane contact. Common occurrences of skin-to-skin contact that result in the spread of the virus include penile-vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse, oral-genital sex, and other sexual body-to-body contact.

To reduce the risk of transmitting genital herpes, people who have the virus should avoid sexual contact from the time they first feel any symptoms until their lesions are completely healed. During periods when there are no signs of an outbreak, genital herpes prevention is still advisable. Latex condoms offer significant protection against the spread of HSV 2 to women.

Genital herpes is not transmitted through the air, and there are no documented cases of a person getting genital herpes from an inanimate object such as a toilet seat, body towel, or hot tub.

Herpes Treatment

There is no known cure for herpes but there are a couple of good quality medications on the market to select from. Acyclovir, Famciclovir, and Valacyclovir are the most common ones. These drugs will suppress the virus and prevent future outbreaks. If taken on a daily basis, the risk of spreading the infections is greatly reduced.

Some individuals turn to herbal medicine because they don't want to cover the cost of prescription drugs to treat herpes. There are various plants said to heal the symptoms of herpes including lemon balm, rosemary, sage, and thyme.

Wash your hands and clean your face as often as possible. Don't share drinks, razors or cigarettes with other people, and use a clean glass or cup every time you have a drink.

If you have Herpes, you should contact a physician to learn more about your options.

Further Information Regarding Herpes Simplex Virus

Herpes and Pregnancy
While the chances of a woman with herpes passing the virus onto her baby are slim, there is still a possibility that the child could become infected with herpes at the time of birth. Talking openly with your doctor and educating yourself on herpes and pregnancy and how it can affect your pregnancy and baby are your best tools to protect yourself and your child.

Lip Herpes
Cold sore, fever blister, herpes. The first two are generally thought to be typical conditions, benign, a part of life. The third condition has a darker reputation: a dreaded disease and one often linked to sexual behavior.

Herpes 101 - The Herpes Simplex Virus
There is often great confusion when it comes to herpes. Just the word "herpes" often conjures up images of a particularly nasty sexually transmitted disease.

Cold Sore Cures and Facts
We've all seen them, and more than seven million of us suffer from them - but few of us know the truth about cold sores, those unsightly, painful and embarrassing sores that always seem to appear at the worst possible times.