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What is herpes?
Herpes is an infection
caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus
(HSV), which resides in the nerve ganglia after
initial exposure to the herpes virus. Because the
herpes virus remains dormant in the ganglia, the
body is never able to completely eliminate the
herpes virus.
Herpes remains one of the most prevalent
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
However, the sexual behavioral characteristics of
those infected with herpes have not been well
characterized.
If you have herpes, please be
aware you are not alone. It is estimated that
over 90% of Americans have herpes. More than
40,000 new cases of herpes are diagnosed
each day in America alone that is over 15,000,000
new herpes infections per year!
The number of people infected with herpes has
reached epidemic proportions.
Therefore, whether or not you have been diagnosed
with the herpes virus, learning
about herpes is very important. On this page you
will find further information regarding herpes.
What are the different types of herpes?
There are several different
strains of the herpes virus. However, the most
common types of herpes are oral herpes (usually
caused by herpes simplex 1), and genital herpes
(usually caused by herpes simplex 2).
Oral herpes infections are often
referred to as "cold sores" or "fever
blisters." Oral herpes most often occurs
on the lips, nose, and the surrounding areas, but
can also be transmitted to the genitals
through oral sex.
Initially, a herpes outbreak may appear as an
irritated area. This can be accompanied by
burning, itching,
or tingling in the region where
the herpes sore will eventually appear. In the
next phase of a herpes outbreak,
the appearance of a sore or cluster of very small
fluid filled blisters is usually what occurs next
when a herpes outbreak is left untreated.
Genital herpes is usually caused
by herpes simplex virus 2. However, genital
herpes is also caused by herpes simplex 1, but is
not as common.
If you have been diagnosed with genital herpes,
the herpes virus remains dormant in your system
when you are not experiencing a genital herpes
outbreak. During this time, genital herpes
resides in the nerve cells at the base of the
spinal column.
What is genital herpes?
The genital
herpes virus is highly contagious. Anyone
experiencing symptoms of a genital herpes outbreak
must be very cautious when being intimate with
another person, abstinence is recommended as this
is the best method to avoid transmission of the
herpes virus. If the virus has been transmitted,
the infection is permanent.
If a person has oral herpes (cold sores), and
performs oral sex on his/her partner, it is
possible for that person to transmit the virus to
the genitals from this action, and vice versa.
The symptoms of oral herpes and genital herpes are
almost identical.
When a person with herpes is not experiencing an
outbreak, the herpes virus remains dormant in the
system at either end of the spinal column.
Genital herpes resides in the nerve cells at the
base of the spinal column. Oral herpes infects the
nerves at the top of the spinal column and base of
the brain.
The herpes virus, both genital herpes and oral
herpes, is highly contagious. Anyone experiencing
symptoms of a herpes outbreak must be very
cautious when being intimate with another person.
Those who have symptoms of herpes infections,
either on their face or in the genitals, should
refrain from contact with another person to help
avoid transmission of the herpes virus. If the
herpes virus has been transmitted, the herpes
infection is permanent.
The herpes virus is very distinct. A herpes
outbreak starts with one or a few small blisters.
Without treatment, the herpes blisters generally
last several days and then form scabs indicating
the end of the outbreak.
Recent studies indicate that people with
herpes may be contagious at any time even without
visible signs of an outbreak (estimated at 1-5% of
the time). This is symptom is called “viral
shedding.”
How are cold sores related?
Ninety percent of
all people will have at least one cold sore, (herpes
simplex outbreak) sometime in their
life. Some children who are affected with cold
sores may become seriously ill. However, after the
first cold sore infection, many people develop
antibodies to the cold sore virus and never have
another cold sore. About 40% of American adults,
however, have repeated cold sores.
Cold sores are highly contagious
when a flare up is present, and a cold sore can be
transmitted even when there is no
visible signs of a cold sore, this is called viral
shedding. Children often become infected with the
cold sore virus by contact with parents, siblings
or other close relatives who have cold sores.
The cold sore virus is highly
contagious. Anyone experiencing symptoms of a cold
sore must be very cautious when being
intimate with another person so as not to
transmit the cold sore virus. Those who have
symptoms of a cold sore should refrain from
contact with another person to help avoid
transmission of cold sores. If the cold sore
virus has been transmitted, the infection is
permanent.
Cold sores can be either a one time event or
reoccur. Possible causes of a cold sore
reactivating may include stress, fever,
menstruation, cold, fatigue and sunlight.
Recurrent cold sores usually occur as lesions in
or around the mouth.
About Herpes
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