Introduction and definition
Herpes simplex is the skin disease that features rashes, papules and many times oozing materials. Studies reveal that genital herpes simplex virus is quite common. Figure says that only in the US, one out of five of the total adolescents and adults’ population are suffering from herpes simplex virus one or the other way.
Many health experts believe that herpes can be tackled but cannot be cured fully. Symptoms come out briefly and then disappear; the disease lies down in nerve cells, but they might be reactivated by some distresses or illnesses. It is believed to be more contagious throughout its active periods while blisters are present, nevertheless, it can be transmitted person-to-person without having any active lesion.
The people who take the drugs suppressing the body's immunity or immune system (for instance, cancerous growth or people with organ transplants) are at higher risks of getting herpes since their bodies are in weakened states. There are also some evidences that link genital herpes with higher rates of cancer of the cervix in the women.
Types of Herpes
Basically, there are two types of Herpes Simplex Virus. Both types can give raise to the genital herpes and oral herpes. HSV type I generally infects the lips. When the lips are infected sores known as fever blisters or cold sores appear. Still, HSV type 1 can infect the genital areas and produce sore there. Researches have shown that between 50-80% of all Americans carry the antibodies to HSV-I.
Herpes Simplex Virus type II is the common cause for genital herpes. However, it also can affect the mouth if person performs oral sex. A person having genital herpes can pass or transmit such viruses to an uninfected person during sexual activities.
Both HSV I and II can produce sores (also known as lesions) in and around the women’s genital areas, on male’s genital organs, around the anus’ opening, and onto the buttocks or inner thighs. Sometimes, sores also come out on other sites of the body where the virus has entered by broken skins. HSV corpse in certain nerve cells of the body and can produce signs off and on in some infected patients.
Herpes Simplex Virus type I and type II look typical under the microscope, and either type can produce infection in the mouth or genitals. Howsoever, HSV-I appears above the waist, and HSV-II below – as common man’s rule.
The etiology of Herpes simplex
Most of the people get herpes when they have sex or direct skin to skin contact with someone having cold sores or blisters in active states. When the sores are present, this means that herpes simplex viruses are active. Sometimes a person has a herpes outbreak and has no visible sore at all. A person usually gets herpes by having sexual contact with others who do not know that they have infection or who have outbreaks of herpes without any sores. A person having genital herpes also can transmit it to sexual partner during having oral sex. The virus usually doesn’t spread by touching objects such as toilet seating or being in bathtub.
Herpes doesn’t spread through the air but it is spread through direct contact of the site of infections. If one has a cold sore and kisses someone, one might transfer the virus to his or her mouth. If one has a cold sore and has anal or vaginal intercourses, one might give the partner genital herpes.
What are the symptoms and treatment of Herpes?
Most of the people who have herpes are unaware of this fact since they never have any symptom before or they don’t recognize any symptom they might have. When any symptom is present, it can be different in every person. Generally, when a person gets infected with herpes for the first time, the symptoms appear within 2-10 days, however, the first episode of evidences of herpes generally last 2-3 weeks.
Symptoms of the genital herpes outbreak admit itching or burning sensation in the genital or anal areas, pains in the legs, buttocks, or genital areas. Discharge of fluid from the vagina and experiencing pressure in the abdomen are quite common. Other symptoms include fever, headaches, muscle pains, difficulty in urination, vaginal discharges, and swollen glands in the groin regions. Unlike other sexually transmitted diseases, herpes can’t be cured since medications that attack the viruses while it lies dormant in the nervous cells also damage the nerve cells. However, there is treatment available for an acute outbreak that involves using some anti-viral drugs such as Acyclovir and Famcyclovir.
