HERPES
What is Herpes?
Herpes is an infection caused by Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) typically associated with oral herpes and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2), typically associated with genital herpes.
Between 50-80% of adults in the U.S. have HSV-1 and about 25% have HSV-2. Many do not know they have herpes because they don’t have any symptoms or didn’t notice symptoms when they appeared.
How do I get Herpes?
Herpes can be transmitted by vaginal, oral, and anal sex, and by kissing or touching. Brief skin-to-skin contact is all that is needed to pass the virus to others.
What are the symptoms of Herpes?
Symptoms for HSV-1 or Oral Herpes are cold sores or fever blisters on the lips and mouth. Symptoms may last a few weeks and return within weeks, months, or years. Most people with Oral Herpes were infected as children.
Most people infected with HSV-2 or Genital Herpes have no symptoms or mild symptoms that aren’t noticed as such. If symptoms appear or are noticed, they are usually a cluster of blistery sores on the vagina, vulva, cervix, penis, buttocks or anus.
Symptoms for Herpes usually appear 2-20 days after the initial infection, though sometimes it takes years for symptoms to appear. Herpes is most contagious when sores are open, though it can also spread when no sores are present (called asymptomatic shedding).
Oral Herpes is most often caused by HSV-1 and Genital Herpes is most often caused by HSV-2, though HSV-1 can also cause Genital Herpes through oral-genital contact or genital-genital contact with a person who has HSV-1. Genital HSV-1 outbreaks recur less often that Genital HSV-2 outbreaks.
The first Herpes outbreak tends to be more severe than later ones, and there will typically be 4-5 more outbreaks within the first year after infection. Over time, these recurrent outbreaks will usually decrease in frequency.
Early warning signs of an outbreak might include tingling, burning, or itching where sores were before. Sores usually heal within 2-4 weeks, but the virus stays in the body.
How is Herpes diagnosed?
Herpes can be diagnosed by your Medical Provider by testing fluids taken from a sore. Blood tests are available to detect HSV-1 and HSV-2, though results are not always clear cut.
How is Herpes treated?
There is no treatment that can cure Herpes, but antiviral medications can shorten and prevent outbreaks. Daily suppressive therapy (taking medication daily) can also reduce outbreaks and possible transmission to partners.
A good diet, getting enough rest, and managing stress may help prevent Herpes recurrences.
How do I prevent Herpes?
Correct and consistent use of condoms during sexual activity can reduce the risk of getting Genital Herpes, though a condom may not cover all infected areas. Herpes can also been transmitted even if no symptoms are present.
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