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Herpes Simplex

Basic Information

Herpes simplex is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) that often is sexually transmitted. There are 6 common herpes viruses that may infect humans but HSV-1 and HSV-2 (known as type 1 and type 2) are the major offenders in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). These infect then affect the genital tracts as well as the oral mucosa. HSV-1 is usually associated with oral infections while HSV-2 is associated with genital infections yet both types can infect any site. For instance, if a person infected with HSV-1 performs oral sex on his or her partner, he or she can infect the genital area of that partner with the oral infection HSV-1. Likewise a person with HSV-2 can infect the mouth and lips of their partner with HSV-2 or genital herpes when that partner is engaged in oral sex with the infected genital area. 15% of genital herpes cases come from oral herpes.

Herpes simplex is a virus. And there is no cure for a virus -- just think of the common cold! Yet certain medications are very helpful in keeping the chronic infection under control and can help reduce the number of recurrences, allowing millions to go about their normal lives with this disease.

Herpes has reached epidemic proportions with half a million new cases per year being diagnosed in the U.S. It is from the same family of viruses that cause chickenpox, cold sores and shingles. In fact herpes simplex type 1 causes cold sores and fever blisters around the mouth and it is thought that most adults have been exposed to the virus, usually when they were children. About one third of the population are thought to have recurring cold sores. This virus can be passed through a kiss on the mouth for instance where it passes through a break or tear in the skin. Small blisters emerge at the site of the outbreak, after a period of tingling, usually healing in about 2 weeks.

Genital herpes or HSV2 (type 2) is usually more severe. Herpes can exist in the skin, lying dormant, without the infected person even realizing he/she is infected but still having the ability to transmit the virus to others. The primary lesion from the first infection is more severe than the recurring episodes. The virus lies dormant until re-activated spontaneously through such factors as exposure to sunlight, stress or perhaps fever.

Symptoms

HSV-1 (type 1) oral symptoms can include:

  • low-grade fever
  • itching, burning sensation
  • headache
  • malaise
  • some difficulty eating because of the location on the lips or inside the mouth

HSV-2 (type 2) genital symptoms can include:

  • fever
  • painful genital ulcers
  • malaise
  • burning before lesions appear
  • flu-like symptoms

[HERPIES ON PENIS]

Diagnosis/Treatment

There are several types of blood tests available for herpes, though diagnoses by blood test only is of very limited value. The best way to diagnose active herpes infection is with a culture. Sometimes your health care provider can diagnose this by sight.

There is no cure for herpes. But anti-viral medication as directed by your health care provider can be effective in treating and mitigating symptoms. Avoiding stress, using sunscreen for sunlight and not scratching the infected areas is important. In addition to antiviral drugs, aspirin and warm baths can also help relieve the pain of outbreaks.

Intercourse should be avoided at all costs until your symptoms are cleared up.

There is some thought that a woman with a herpes infection is more likely to develop pap smears and even cancer of the cervix. This is especially true when combined with the human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. Sometimes, there can be a secondary infection from these sites. During an outbreak cotton underwear can help with a secondary infection. Some patients will need to go on suppressive therapy with an anti-viral if they have repeated outbreaks, but this should be evaluated by your health care provider who treated the primary outbreak. For women, the herpes sores can appear on the vaginal opening, clitoris, cervix, labia, buttocks, anus and thighs. For men, the herpes sores can appear on the head and base of the penis, scrotum, anus and thighs.

If you have been previously diagnosed, your gynecologist should be informed. A mother can transmit the disease to her baby and if an outbreak is occurring at the time of delivery, usually a cesarean section is performed to protect the baby from the herpes virus.

In addition, people infected with the virus that causes AIDS emit big amounts of the virus through genital herpes sores so that appears to be a factor in the spread of AIDS. There is a link between AIDS and herpes as well as other STDs. It is thought that if you are able to treat and alleviate symptoms of lesional diseases, such as herpes and syphilis, you can decrease the amount of transmission of HIV.

If you are diagnosed with this disease it is important that you notify your sexual partners so that they may seek treatment.

A case of genital herpes in a child is usually due to sexual abuse by an infected adult, most often a relative of the child's. The child diagnosed with genital herpes must be further investigated for the presence of other STDs.

If you are diagnosed with herpes, your health care provider will want to check for the presence of other sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and hepatitis B. Also, if you are diagnosed with genital herpes, a discussion about HIV testing and counseling is very important and indicated. When a person has at least one STD, studies have shown that the risk for HIV transmission is much more likely. This is thought to be due to the body's altered defense mechanism when it is infected with an STD.

Should you even suspect that you have a STD (sexually transmitted disease) please see your health care provider promptly.

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