Herpes Simplex

Herpes is caused by herpes simplex virus. This is a medical health condition, which causes lesions and sores almost anywhere in the body. The most common affected areas of herpes may include:

• Nose
• Mouth
• Genitals
• Buttocks

The sores and lesions brought by herpes simplex virus can have an initial attack and recurring outbreaks any time and season of the year. The sores are generally painful and very unsightly to look at.

For infants and those who already have poor health and existing medical condition, herpes simplex may be chronic and serious.

At present, there are two known types of herpes simplex virus. The herpes simplex virus type 1 and the herpes simplex type 2.

Herpes simplex virus normally affects the mouth and nose area, it may also affect some parts of the face.

In herpes simples virus type 1, there are two kinds of infections, primary and recurrent infections. Most people may be infected with the infections even without developing any blisters or lesions.

Primary infection immediately may appear after a direct contact with herpes infected person. The symptoms are blisters, lesions, burning sensation in the skin and in other severe cases, fever and flu like symptoms may also be observed.

Recurrent infection is expected after the primary infection this is because though the sores may be healed but the virus can silently replicate inside the body. Considerably, recurrent infection is milder in form compared to the initial attack. There are various factors, which trigger the recurring infection. It is recommended that you avoid the triggering factors to manage effectively the disease.

Meanwhile, herpes simplex virus type 2 affects the genitals, buttocks and cervix. The symptoms appear two to twenty days after having a direct contact with a person who have herpes. The symptoms of herpes simplex virus type 2 may include rash, painful blisters, flu like muscles and pain while urinating.

HSV type 2 may also affect other areas of the body but generally, it affects areas, which are below the waist.

Diagnosis of Herpes Simplex Virus

There are various ways to diagnose herpes simplex virus. The most common are blood tests, which undergo testing in laboratories wherein the results can be released for a week. If the diagnosis is still uncertain, a viral culture can be taken also to the laboratory for more accurate results.

Special microscopic examinations may also be needed to test the presence of antibodies. These tests are very important for proper diagnosis of herpes because oftentimes, herpes is transmitted because the patient does not know that he or she is already infected with the virus.

Accordingly, it is easier to diagnose herpes in men than in women because herpes symptoms may appear in the groin area of men compared to women in which even the cervix are infected with the herpes simplex virus.

Complications of Herpes Simplex

Herpes may not really fatal but it is chronic disease and can lead to complications later on if left untreated.

Some of the serious complications of herpes simplex may include:

Serious infections in the eyes

Herpes simplex can lead to serious infections in the eyes like herpes keratitis. This condition causes sensitivity to light, discharge and pain in the eyes. Without proper medication, this condition may cause scarring and damage to cornea of the eyes.

Infections during pregnancy

Pregnant women should avoid contracting genital herpes as she can spread the virus to her unborn child. Pregnant mothers, who suspect that they may have direct contact with a person with herpes, should immediately tell her doctor to avoid damage to the child.

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Understanding Herpes Simplex Recommended Resources:

University of Maryland Medical Center

University of Illinois