Herpes is a viral infection caused by herpes simplex virus. There are two types of herpes simplex virus, HSV-1 and HSV-2. Oral herpes is usually caused by HSV-1 and its symptoms are cold sores and fever blisters around the mouth. Genital herpes is caused by the second type of herpes simplex virus, HSV-2. It is a disease that affects the area around the genitals and anus and appears as painful blisters, redness, burning, and itching around the skin. It is basically transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. Roughly, every 1 in 4 adults in the UK has genital herpes. But unfortunately, 90% of the people don't even realize that they are infected by the herpes simplex virus and could be spreading the infection without knowing about it.
Genital herpes - The silent disease
Herpes simplex virus (HSV-2) can remain dormant in your body for many years without causing any symptoms. According to Herpes Guide, the herpes virus injects its DNA into a nerve cell within 24 hours of its infection and remains there in its latent form. When a trigger re-activates the HSV-2, it replicates itself and spreads along the nerve pathways to the skin where it causes symptoms.
Warning signs of herpes
People often wonder about various triggers that can cause an outbreak of herpes. Some of the common triggers are exposure to the sun, friction or injury to the genitals, stress or anxiety, fatigue, and excessive alcohol consumption. Many people can experience warning signs indicating the onset of herpes outbreak. These signs can occur at the site where the outbreak will occur or in other parts of the body. As these warning signs and symptoms vary from person to person, it is important to identify what your body is signaling you. That way, you can manage the outbreak of symptoms better.
Herpes can be non-sexually transmitted
It is assumed that genital herpes is transmitted by sexual activities. But as it is known that direct skin-to-skin contacts are the obvious ways which allow the virus to pass from one person to another, an infected person can shed the virus from his/her skin even when there are no visible symptoms. Though, herpes virus cannot enter the body unless there is a cut or open wound on the skin and simply touching isn't likely to cause a herpes infection.
What many people don't know is that a simple act of kissing can transmit herpes infection. If the parts of the body that are shedding the virus get rubbed off against another person's mouth, the virus can get transmitted to that person. So kissing can not only cause cold sores, but genital herpes also.
Antiviral treatment
Antiviral medications are proven to control and treat herpes symptoms if taken as directed by doctors. Famvir is an antiviral prescription medication for the treatment or suppression of genital herpes and treatment of cold sores. This medication cannot cure herpes, but if taken at the first signs or symptoms, it can prevent recurrent herpes outbreaks. Valtrex is another antiviral medication which is effective in treating full-blown outbreak of herpes. It can also be taken for cold sores treatment for three days. Similarly, Valtrex can be taken for zoster treatment for seven days. You should consult a doctor for the appropriate dosage of these medications so that you can get an effective genital herpes treatment.
Herpes is often spread by people who are unaware of their infection. Many people don't know that they have herpes because of the asymptomatic nature of herpes infection. This article explores warning signs of an outbreak and various triggers that can cause an outbreak of herpes.
