Herpes is a viral disease that is contagious. The Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) causes this infection which is contracted through sexual intercourse or exposure to an infected individual's body fluids.
Once a person has been infected, the virus can lie dormant in the body for years or days before it gets activated. It can get also reactivate multiple times in a year.
There are two types of Herpes: type 1 and type 2.
- Type 1 causes sores around the mouth (oral infections).
- Type 2 causes sores around the genital areas. This is a sexually transmitted infection and is called genital herpes.
Herpes simplex type 1 is transmitted through oral secretions or sores on the skin. It can be spread through kissing or sharing objects such as toothbrushes or eating utensils.
Herpes type 2 is when a person has sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection.
Symptoms
Symptoms of herpes do not show as they are very mild. When they are there, they present themselves the following way:
- You may feel pain or itching that begins within two to ten days after exposure to an infected (sexual) partner, or individual
- You may see small red bumps or tiny white blisters, which may appear several days later
- You may see ulcers that form when the blisters rupture and bleed
- You may see scabs that form as the ulcers heal
Ulcers will make it very painful to urinate and you will also feel that your genitals are very tender and warm.
Sores usually appear where the virus enters the body. These may include the following sites:
- Men and women may have ulcers on the buttocks, anus and mouth
- Women may also have ulcers inside the vagina, cervix and genital areas
- Men may also have ulcers on the penis, scrotum, thighs and urethra.
Recurrence is very common with herpes. If you have been infected once, it is very common that you may be infected again. If recurrence occurs, you will feel a burning, tingling and itching sensation at the place where the infection had previously started from. You may also feel pain in your buttocks, back and legs.
For people who had been infected previously, but symptoms hadn’t showed, the signs may start showing if you go through the following:
- General illness (from mild illnesses to serious conditions)
- Trauma to the affected area, including sexual activity
- Fatigue
- Physical or emotional stress
- Menstruation
Diagnosis
Usually symptoms of herpes are clearly visible and hence your doctor can physically examine you to understand the problem that you have. Additionally, the following tests may be conducted by the doctor:
- Viral culture: scraping the sore with a tissue and sending it in for laboratory testing
- Blood tests: blood tests will be conducted to see the presence of HSV antibodies in your blood
- Polymerase chain reaction: this will be used to copy your DNA from a sample of your blood, tissue from a sore or spinal fluid. The DNA will then be tested to establish the presence of HSV. This will determine the type of HSV you have.
Treatment
There is no treatment for herpes. It goes away with time. Your doctor may prescribe medications to aid in healing sores sooner than normal. It will also lessen the severity and symptoms in current outbreak. This will also obstruct you from transferring it to someone else.
