Learn about Herpes

  herpes pics
 
This picture depicts a common lesion when the HSV-2 infects a region on vulva of the female genitalia.
Natural Herpes Treatment

What is Herpes?

Herpes is a virus that lives in the nervous system of the body and shows up commonly as a mild infection periodically. It causes fever blisters, cold sores on the face (including mouth),  commonly known as oral herpes and similar symptoms in the genital area which is  referred to as genital herpes.

How can I get Herpes?

Herpes virus is usually transmitted through sexual contact through the moist, soft and susceptible skin. Any person who indulges in any form of sexually activity, which includes oral, anal or vaginal contact, is susceptible to genital herpes.

What are the causes of Herpes?

Of the various types of Herpes viruses there are two types of herpes viruses: Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV 1) and Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV 2), which most commonly cause herpes symptoms. Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV 1) causes herpes in or around the mouth and Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV 2) causes herpes  in the genital area, however, both the virus types can be present on alternate locations also.

How does one get Herpes?

The majority of oral herpes infections are caused by HSV-1, and most people contract oral herpes when they are young. This may occur when a child receives a kiss from a person who has a cold sore or from other childhood physical contact (daycare, etc.).

Generally transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact, a person gets infected with herpes through direct contact with the live virus, that is present in the fluid of blisters or the moist base of sores. However, herpes can also be transmitted even when there are no visible genital lesions. As the skin of the  mouth and genitals is soft and susceptible it is a common channel of getting the infection.

herpes pics


 

What are Herpes Symptoms?

Symptoms can range from mild to severe with different individuals and depending upon whether this is the first outbreak or a subsequent one. The most common symptom is the formation of a single classic blister or cluster of blisters (also known as cold sores),  on the lips, cheeks, chin, nose or in the genital area. The majority of noticeable and severe symptoms occur during the first episode. Upon subsequent outbreaks the symptoms tend to be milder.

How is Herpes diagnosed?

The most common way of diagnosing herpes viruses is by physical examination of herpes symptoms. Other diagnosing methods include: having a blood test or a herpes culture,  a positive culture identifies whether the infection is of HSV-1 virus or HSV-2 virus. But test have some limitations. Herpes culture may show negative results even when HSV virus is present.

Is there any cure for Herpes?

Currently, there is no treatment or herpes cure. However, there are natural preparations and FDA approved drugs available like: Acyclovir, Valtrex and Famvir which can be used during each outbreak or on a daily basis to prevent any recurrences. Importantly, these medications are effective if taken early.

Pictures of genital herpes

Does herpes interferes with fertility?

Although Herpes Virus remains in the body for the lifetime there's no evidence of any herpes virus types interfering with the fertility of a male or female. Herpes has no negative impact on your fertility.

Is there any risk of having herpes during pregnancy?

Women who have genital herpes during pregnancy pose a risk of transmitting the infection to the baby. Those acquiring herpes virus for the first time and are in the final stages of pregnancy are at highest risk of passing the infection to the new born baby. The chances of transmission increase if the mother has herpes symptoms in the birth canal. Herpes in the newborn is very serious and because of that many obstetricians recommend a caesarean section to women with genital herpes.

Are there any herpes vaccines available?

No. At present there is no approved vaccine available. Research is in progress worldwide to develop a herpes vaccine but a vaccine doesn't seem to available in the near future.

How can herpes be prevented?

Have safe sex for preventing herpes transmission. Abstain from any type of kissing or unprotected sexual contact. Any activity in the form of genital to genital or oral to genital is capable of transmitting the virus. Don't touch the lesions. A person having the lesions should wash hands before and after touching them. Proper suppressive antiviral herpes medications can also be used to prevent any viral shedding which leads to herpes virus transmission.