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Herpes
Drugs >> Valtrex
Acyclovir Famvir
Herpes
What Is Herpes
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Herpes simplex is a
common and usually mild recurrent skin condition.
It can cause "cold sores" or "fever blisters" on the
mouth or face. This is known as "oral herpes".
Herpes Simplex can also cause similar symptoms in the genital area. This
is known as "genital herpes".
A virus causes herpes - either
herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) or herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2). As with
all viruses, there is no cure for herpes. It is different from other
common viral infections because once it is introduced it lives in the
body over a lifetime, often without symptoms or with periodic symptoms.
This is called "latency." The virus can travel the nerve
pathways in a part of the body and hide away, sleeping, in the nerve
roots for long periods of time. Even though HSV may not cause "cold
sores" or genital signs or symptoms at the moment, it can still
cause symptoms later.
More Information
If you have additional questions about herpes, call the National Herpes
Hotline at (919) 361-8488. Trained Health Communication Specialists are
available to take calls from 9 am to 7 pm, EST, Monday through Friday.
Find information on the National Herpes Resource Center (HRC) by
clicking here.
The National Herpes Hotline (NHH) is operated by ASHA as part of the
Herpes Resource Center (HRC). The hotline, which receives over 60,000
calls a year, provides accurate information and appropriate referrals to
anyone concerned about herpes. Trained Health Communication Specialists
are available to address questions related to transmission, prevention
and treatment of herpes simplex virus (HSV). The NHH also provides
support for emotional issues surrounding herpes such as self-esteem and
partner communication. The hotline is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., ET,
Monday through Friday.
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How Often Do Herpes Outbreaks Occur
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How often a person gets a herpes outbreak
depends upon the HSV type and how long the infection has resided in the
body. Herpes triggers are poorly understood by scientists and appear to
be highly individual. Research shows that lengthy exposure to strong
sunlight can trigger oral herpes. Triggers for genital herpes include
surgical trauma and excessive friction in the genital area. With time,
people begin to recognize what will trigger an outbreak in their own
bodies.
HSV-2: People who have a strong
first episode usually can expect to have several recurrences a year with
typical symptoms. The average number of recurrences or outbreaks is four
to five. People with HSV-2 can also expect to have unrecognized
outbreaks. These unrecognized outbreaks probably occur less often than
symptomatic outbreaks, but account for about one-third of all
reactivation. Usually, the first year has the most viral activity.
HSV-1: With type 1 infection, people
may have a marked first episode in the genital area, but they are much
less likely to have outbreaks in the first year. Recurrences are usually
once a year and the rates of unrecognized herpes reactivation are lower,
too.
- The average number of outbreaks per year is four to five.
- The first outbreak may be the most extreme outbreak a person will
have.
- Usually, there are more outbreaks during the first year.
- Many people find that recurrences tend to lessen in severity and
frequency with time.
- Illness, poor diet, emotional or physical stress, friction,
surgical trauma and steroidal medication (such as asthma treatment)
may trigger a herpes outbreak.
- The frequency of outbreaks can often be managed through effective
stress management, and getting adequate rest, nutrition and exercise
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About 50% to 80% of the adult population in the United
States has oral herpes.
Most people contract oral herpes when they are children by receiving a kiss from
a friend or relative.
About one in five adults in the United States has genital herpes,
however as many as 90% are unaware that they have the virus.
This is because many people have very mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.
Anyone who is sexually active can contract genital herpes.
Because symptoms can vary a great deal, we recommend that an individual see a
health care provider to obtain a culture of the symptom.
Where Do Herpes Symtoms Appear
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When a person has genital herpes, the virus
lies dormant (sleeps) in the bundle of nerves at the base of the spine.
When the virus reactivates (wakes up), it travels nerve paths to the
surface of the skin, sometimes causing an outbreak.
The nerves in the genitals, upper thighs and buttocks are connected;
therefore, a person can experience outbreaks in any of these areas.
Such areas include:
- Vagina
- Vulva
- Anus
- Buttocks
- Penis
- Scrotum or Testicles
- Thighs
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How Do You Get Genital Herpes
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Any person who is sexually active can get
genital herpes.
Herpes is transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact. This occurs
when a contagious area comes into contact with a mucous membrane,
primarily the mouth and genitals.
Most skin on the body is too thick for the virus to go through.
If a person with oral herpes performs oral sex, it is possible for the
partner to get genital herpes.
If a person with genital herpes has sex, it is possible for his or her
partner to get genital herpes.
Herpes can be transmitted when there are no symptoms present.
There are several days throughout the year (called asymptomatic
reactivation, asymptomatic shedding or subclinical shedding) when a
person can be contagious without having a symptom.
There are no documented cases of a person getting genital herpes from an
inanimate object such as a toilet seat, bathtub or towel. Herpes is a
very fragile virus and does not live long on surfaces. |
When Do Herpes Symptoms Appear
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Outbreaks of genital herpes can vary greatly
from person to person - and from one episode to the next.
They can be mild for one individual and severe for another.
Symptoms may last for up to 3 to 4 weeks, but they usually heal within 2
to 12 days.
Symptoms may include the following:
One or more sores, blisters, cuts, pimples, bumps or a rash
- Itching, burning or tingling in the genital area ?Aches or pains
in the genital area
- Flu-like symptoms (headache, fever, swollen glands in lymph nodes
near groin)
- Painful urination and a discharge (vaginal or penile) are
possible, but uncommon, symptoms for genital herpes
Many people have outbreaks that heal quickly, cause no pain or occur in
an unnoticeable spot.
People sometimes mistake herpes outbreaks for:
- Insect bites
- Jock itch
- Yeast infections
- Ingrown hair follicles
- Abrasions or razor burn
- Hemorrhoids
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What Are The Symptoms of Herpes
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Genital Herpes Symptoms:
The First Episode
When a person is first infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2 the immune system is
not well developed and the virus can multiply more quickly and spread to
more places than it might later. First symptoms can be uncomfortable and
usually happen within two weeks after the virus is transmitted. However,
some people have a first episode so mild they don抰 notice it.
Some people have no symptoms. When a symptom does occur, it could be a
later episode or "reactivation" of an episode which occurred
months or even years later.
First Episodes:
- Can take 4-6 weeks to heal fully
- May be the most extreme outbreak a person will ever have
- May cause small pimples or blisters (lesions), which will crust
over and scab like a cut
- Can have a second crop of lesions that appear
- May cause flu-like symptoms: fever, swollen glands in lymph nodes
near groin
- Vary with each person: may be obvious or hard to see, painful or
unrecognized
- Frequent Genital Herpes Symptoms
Signs and symptoms will vary person by person, and from one episode to
the next.
Some people who have latent herpes infection never experience signs or
symptoms.
Some people have such mild symptoms that they may not recognize the
infection for many years.
For others, outbreaks can be repeated often and cause extreme
discomfort.
These are some common signs of recurrent
outbreaks.
Recurrent Outbreaks:
- Breaks or irregularities in the skin, such as a cut, red bump or
rash
- Small sores or classic blisters that form a crust
- May occur anywhere in the region between the legs, thigh,
buttocks, anus, or pubis
- Healing occurs in half the time as the first outbreak
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How To Find Out If You Have Herpes
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If symptoms of genital herpes appear, they can
vary widely from person to person. If a person does experience visible
symptoms, we recommend obtaining a culture test within the first 48
hours after symptoms appear. Beyond 48 hours, there is a risk of
receiving a false negative test result because symptoms may have begun
to heal.
Blood tests can be used when a person has no symptoms but has concerns
about having herpes. There are many blood tests available, but many are
not always accurate. Many standard blood tests cannot accurately
distinguish between type-1 and type-2 herpes and can sometimes mistake
other herpes viruses (such as chicken pox) for the herpes simplex virus.
There are several blood tests that can give accurate results for herpes.
Like commercial tests, these tests cannot determine whether the
infection is oral or genital. However, since most cases of genital
herpes are type 2, a positive type 2 result most likely indicates
genital herpes.
These accurate tests are:
- HSV-1 and HSV-2 tests from Focus Technologies (formerly MRL
Diagnostics).
- Herpes Western Blot
- POCkit?HSV 2 Rapid Test
The test from Focus Technologies is HerpeSelect? and is a laboratory
test that requires blood to be drawn and sent off for results. The
accuracy of these tests is very good. If you are interested in
HerpeSelect?you can log on to www.focusanswers.com or call (800)
445-4032.
The Herpes Western Blot can accurately distinguish between type-1 and
type-2. If you are interested in the Herpes Western Blot, you can have
your doctor call the University of Washington at Seattle at
1-206-598-6066.
The POC in Diagnology's POCkit?stands for "Point Of Care",
which means the test can be done in a doctor's office. It can provide
results HSV-2 in less than 10 minutes. If you are interested in POCkit?
you can log onto www.pockit.com, or you can have your doctor call
Diagnology, the manufacturer of POCkit? at 1-877-776-2548.
Blood Test Quick Reference Guide
How can someone reduce the risk of contracting genital herpes?
Any sexually active person may contract genital herpes. Ways to reduce
risk include:
- If someone has a symptom around the mouth (oral herpes), she or he
should not perform oral sex until all signs have healed.
- If someone has signs or symptoms around the genital region
(genital herpes), he or she should not have sexual activity until
all signs have healed.
- When there are no symptoms present, using latex condoms for
genital-to-genital contact reduces the risk of transmission.
- Microbicides/Spermicides have not been proven to reduce the risk
of transmission. If used, they should be used with a condom, not in
place of one.
- Partner communication. It is important for both partners to become
educated about herpes and to make decisions together about which
precautions are best.
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Herpes
Drugs >> Valtrex
Acyclovir Famvir
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