What is Herpes?
Herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease that occurs in both men and women. Often herpes outbreaks are centered around the mouth and genital areas. What we know as herpes, is actually two different viruses, simplex 1 and simplex 2.
Herpes simplex 1, sometimes referred to as “oral” herpes, will generally cause outbreaks around the mouth, including what is commonly known as cold sores. This virus is most often transmitted through oral secretions or sores, and usually contracted when kissing or sharing objects like toothbrushes or eating utensils with an infected person.
Herpes simplex 2, or “genital” herpes, is most commonly the cause of outbreaks below the waist. In general this type is spread through sexual contact with an infected individual. Symptoms associated with genital herpes are usually more severe then those experienced with oral herpes.
Initial Exposure and Outbreaks
In many cases when an individual becomes infected with the herpes virus for the first time symptoms appear between 2 and 10 days, and the first outbreak can last between 2 and 3 weeks.
After the initial exposure to herpes, some may experience what they believe to be flu-like symptoms; headache, achiness and muscle pain, fever, swollen lymph nodes in the throat and groin areas, and even upset stomach. Other symptoms may include a burning sensation in the genitals, difficulty urinating, and in women an unusual vaginal discharge.
Red bumps or blisters may appear around the infected areas. The blisters can burst causing painful open sores that may bleed or ooze fluid. This fluid is highly contagious and the sores can make any movement or contact with the affected area extremely painful.
In some these symptoms are so mild during the initial outbreak that they do not notice them, or mistake them for something else, like bug bites.
Dormant Period
Once infected with either type of the Herpes virus you will always carry it. However the virus is not constantly attacking and will become dormant, or “hibernate” for some time within your body until it is triggered to re-emerge. Stress, infection, and some types of medications can lower the immune system and trigger the virus to become active and cause another outbreak.
Spread of the Disease
During what is called the “shedding stage,” the herpes virus multiplies, getting into saliva, vaginal fluids, and semen. This is a symptomless period so you will not be aware of what is happening within your body. Even without the presence of sores or blisters you can still spread the disease and infect another person.
Prevention and Protection
Take steps to protect yourself from becoming infected with this disease or infecting other healthy individuals that you may come in contact with. Using condoms to reduce the transmission of fluids as well as knowing the history of your sexual partners will help. Avoid sharing items with those that you do not know or who have visible lesions on or around their mouths.
Always remember, even when there are no active sores, you can still be contagious and potentially spread this virus to others.
Treatment
While there is no cure for the Herpes Simplex 1 or 2 viruses, there are treatments, and medications available to help you manage symptoms and help prevent or minimize outbreaks and pain. Warm baths may also relieve the pain that some experience with an outbreak of genital sores.