Herpes is a common virus that causes sores on the genitals and mouth. A sexually-transmitted infection, herpes is spread through skin-to-skin contact including oral and vaginal sex. In this article we discuss oral herpes and genital herpes and symptoms of herpes. We also answer the questions what is herpes, how is herpes spread, and how is herpes diagnosed?
Herpes is a very common virus that produces sores on the genitals and mouth. Herpes is caused by infection from the herpes-simplex virus (HSV). More than half of Americans have oral herpes, and roughly one in six have genital herpes. While it can be annoying and sometimes painful, herpes does not usually cause serious or long-term health complications.
There are two types of herpes virus: herpes-simplex virus type 1, commonly referred to as oral herpes, and herpes-simplex virus type 2, or genital herpes.
Oral herpes is a common infection of the mouth area caused by herpes-simplex virus type 1. It is often referred to as cold sores or fever blisters. Experts estimate that between 50 and 80 percent of adults in the United States have been infected with oral herpes. Once infected, a person will live with oral herpes for the rest of their life. However, the virus may remain dormant for extended periods of time. Some people with oral herpes will never experience any noticeable symptoms. Others will have occasional outbreaks accompanied by mild physical symptoms.
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause sores around the rectum and on the buttocks, genitals, and thighs. It can be spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who carries the virus. Genital herpes is an incredibly prevalent infection. The World Health Organization estimates that in 2016, about half the global population was infected with genital herpes.
Genital herpes enters the body through skin abrasions, thin openings of skin tissue on the body, or mucus membranes. Once it has entered the body, herpes-simplex virus 2 can reside in the body for the rest of a person’s life. Like oral herpes, genital herpes may be dormant at some times and more active at others.
Herpes is spread via skin-to-skin contact with infected areas of the body. Sexual activities that may spread herpes include kissing, vaginal sex, oral sex, and anal sex.
Herpes virus lives in the nerves, and sometimes lies dormant for long periods of time. When it is active, the virus travels to the surface of the infected area and makes copies of itself in a process known as shedding. After the shedding phase, the herpes virus continues to reside on the surface of the skin where it is easily transmittable and infectious. Then, the virus travels back down to a mass of nerve tissue at the base of the spine where it becomes dormant again for a while.
Most people infected with herpes-simplex virus are asymptomatic; they show no noticeable symptoms on the body, but are still infectious. In others, herpes-simplex virus causes visible physical symptoms on the surface of the skin. One of the most common symptoms of the herpes virus is the appearance of sores on the skin. These sores appear as small blisters filled with fluid. An outbreak of herpes may cause a single sore, clusters of sores, or an outbreak of sores across the body. Herpes sores usually appear in one or both of two places: the mouth and lips or genital area.
Herpes zoster, more commonly referred to as shingles, is a viral infection of the nerves. It causes painful rashes and small blisters on the skin. Herpes zoster is caused by a reactivation of the chicken pox virus, which can lie dormant in nerves for years after initial infection.
Herpes zoster most often occurs in those with a depressed immune system who are over the age of 50. The most common symptoms of herpes zoster include hypersensitive skin, mild rash, and blisters on the skin. Herpes zoster is not the same as herpes. They share similar names because they are caused by viruses from the same family.
Herpes and chlamydia are common sexually transmitted infections often mistaken for each other. There are, however, major differences between the two including side effects and long-term conditions.
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection. Unlike herpes, chlamydia infection may occur without any noticeable side effects. It is transmitted via unprotected sex with a person who is carrying the disease. Chlamydia shows no noticeable side effects in more than 70% of carriers. Symptoms of chlamydia include a burning sensation while peeing, pain during sex, and lower belly pain.
Herpes is also a prevelant sexually transmitted infection, but unlike chlamydia, it causes noticeable side effects in the majority of cases. The most common side effects of herpes are sores and genital pain. Herpes is more likely to have long-term consequences than chlamydia.
Common herpes symptoms include ulcers, blisters, scabs, pain, and itching. Most symptoms are not serious and do not require medical attention. The symptoms of herpes usually differ depending on where the virus resides. The symptoms of genital herpes may be different from those of oral herpes.
Genital herpes infection can occur with or without noticeable symptoms. After infection, symptoms may begin to appear within two to twelve days. Common symptoms of genital herpes include pain or itching of the genital area, small red bumps, tiny white blisters, ulcers, and scabs.
During an initial outbreak of genital herpes, one may also experience flu-like symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes in the groin, headache, muscle ache, and fever.
Oral herpes infection is often accompanied by the appearance of sores on the lips, gums, front of the tongue, inside of the cheek, throat, and roof of the mouth. Itching or burning of the skin around the mouth is also a common side effect. Additionally, the gums may become swollen and red, and in more serious cases, may begin to bleed.
Both oral and genital herpes are usually diagnosed through a physical exam conducted by a doctor. Because herpes can often be mistaken for other infections, an examination by a licensed doctor is an important step in herpes diagnosis. Herpes is diagnosed through one or multiple of three methods: viral culture, blood test, or PCR test.
A viral culture test involves taking tissue samples or scraping herpes sores on the body. The doctor then takes the skin sample and runs it through a laboratory test to determine if the herpes virus is present.
A blood test can be a useful procedure for those who believe they may have been infected with the herpes virus, but have no physical symptoms. Blood tests do not usually detect the virus, but rather detect the presence of herpes virus antibodies in the blood.
The PCR test takes samples of cells or fluid from the urinary tract or from a genital sore. It is useful because it can detect the presence of genital herpes even if there are no symptoms present. The PCR test is the most accurate test for herpes.
There is no permanent cure for herpes, but there are plenty of ways to manage infection and mitigate symptoms. Medications such as acyclovir are designed to eliminate cold sores and help heal herpes. Changes in your lifestyle and habits can also help mitigate symptoms. Taking daily warm baths, wearing loose clothes, and keeping the genital area dry can help bring healing and prevent outbreaks of sores. Common herpes medications include acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir.
Acyclovir
Acyclovir is a medication used to treat and weaken symptoms of herpes, shingles, and chickenpox. It does not destroy or remove the herpes virus and cold sores, but helps to stop them from spreading to different parts of the body.
Valacyclovir
Valacyclovir is an antiviral drug used to treat oral herpes and genetial herpes. Herpes simplex virus spreads around your body by multiplying quickly. Valacyclovir helps heal cold sores by stopping the spread of herpes simplex virus.
Famciclovir
Famciclovir is used to treat shingles and cold sores caused by the herpes virus. Famciclovir can help reduce the number and intensity of future outbreaks in those who carry the herpes virus.
While most treatment options for herpes are accessible and easy to use, opting to not receive treatment is also a possibility. Most cases of herpes are not deadly or dangerous. Those who decide not to pursue treatment may have occasional outbreaks of herpes, but their overall health will not be affected in most cases.
Summary
Herpes is a common sexually-transmitted infection that can infect the genitals and area around and inside the mouth. It can be an asymptomatic disease, or cause the appearance of sores after infection.
It is estimated that between 50 and 80 percent of adults in the United States carry some form of the herpes virus. Treatment for herpes is often optional, as most cases of herpes are not dangerous.
The most popular treatments for herpes include acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir.
