Almost 90 percent of Americans will have the most common form of herpes – Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) or oral herpes (“cold sores”) at some time in their life. Genital herpes (HSV-2) is more common among women than men. About 1 in 5 women are infected with the herpes virus, however many don’t know they are infected because they have never had or noticed the symptoms.

Here how is herpes spread

Herpes is spread through contact with infected skin or mucosa and the secretions from vagina, penis, or anus and oral fluid with someone who is infected with the virus. This includes touching, kissing, and sexual contact (vaginal, anal, penile, and oral). Moist areas of the mouth, throat, anus, vulva, vagina, and eyes are very easily infected. Herpes can be passed from one partner to another or from one part of your own body to another part. If one partner has oral cold sores, he/she can pass on the virus during oral sex and cause genital herpes.

Herpes is most easily spread when there are open sores, but it can also be spread before the blisters actually form or even from people with no symptoms. It’s very unlikely that herpes is spread by toilet seats, swimming pools, bathtubs, whirlpools, or moist towels. An infected mother can pass the virus to her baby during or after childbirth. Women who get infected for the first time close to the time of delivery are particularly likely to pass the virus to their baby. Pregnant women should always let their doctor know if they have had herpes or been exposed to herpes.

Symptoms of oral herpes

The first oral contact with herpes often causes no symptoms, but it may cause sores in the mouth around the teeth and gums (“gingivostomatitis”). Typically the infection shows up later as small blisters on the lips (“cold sores” or “fever blisters”), a flare-up of an earlier infection. The flare-ups are more common during colds, fevers, and sun exposure. Oral herpes can be spread through contact such as kissing, or though oral sex. Direct contact for a short amount of time is enough to spread the virus. Cold sores can cause genital herpes through oral sex. If you have oral herpes, you should avoid contact with newborn babies.

Symptoms of genital herpes

Genital infection with herpes may not cause any symptoms and the person may not know they have the virus until they pass it on to another person or get symptoms when the virus is “reactivated.” If symptoms are present, they often include painful bumps or sores. The first outbreak is usually the worst and most painful and occurs within 2-20 days after contact with the virus. The sores usually will go away within 2-3 weeks

The first time a person becomes infected with the virus is called “primary herpes.

Symptoms may include:

1. Tingling in the genital area at first
2. Small, painful red bumps that turn into small blisters in about 24-72 hours. They can appear on the labia, clitoris, vagina, vulva, cervix, anus, thighs, or buttocks in girls and penis, scrotum, anus, or buttocks in boys.

Other symptoms of primary herpes infection can include:

• Burning, painful feeling if urine passes over the sores; unable to urinate (pee) if the vulva is swollen (because of the many sores)
• Swollen, tender lymph glands in the groin, neck, and under the arms (can remain swollen for up to 6 weeks)
• Muscle aches
• Headache
• Fever
• Nausea
• Headache
• “Run-down” feeling
• Achy, flu-like feeling

Symptoms usually go away within 2-3 weeks; even faster if you are treated with medication.

The sores usually scab over and heal without scars. But after going away, the virus stays in the body, even with treatment The infection can flare up and cause sores again days, weeks, months, or even years later (“outbreaks”). Symptoms are usually worse during primary herpes, and are milder with “outbreaks”.

Originally posted 2018-06-20 01:53:36.