Does Herpes Cause Back Pain

A Collection Of Herpes Manifestations And Herpes

Herpes Zoster

Dee Wee Lim, MD

A 50-year-old woman had visited several healthcare providers seeking relief from lower back pain. The patient likened the pain to an electric shock that started at the left side of the lower back and radiated to the front of the left leg. The area was also numb. X-ray films had revealed no abnormalities.

History. Low back pain with sciatica and disk disease was previously diagnosed, and she had been prescribed hydrocodone bitartrate, acetaminophen tablets, and methylprednisolone. Despite medical therapy, the patients pain did not abate. Eight weeks after the onset of pain, she again sought medical attention.

Physical examination. After close examining the unclothed patient under good lighting, a healing, deep-seated cluster of tiny blisters was observed on the left side of her lower back . Additional groups of healing blisters were seen on the left leg along dermatomes L1 to L5 . Herpes zoster was diagnosed.

Discussion. Herpes zoster on the lower back can be easily missed if the skin is not searched thoroughly it is unusual for this disease to affect more than 1 dermatome.

Outcome of the case. Oral acyclovir was prescribed. Antiviral agents are most effective when given in the early stages of disease however, the therapy appeared to hasten the patients recovery. The blisters healed, and the pain subsided.

Koebner Phenomenon

Adam A. Martin, MD, Julia K. Padgett, MD, and Kira B. Mayo, BS

References:

Herpes Simplex

Joe Monroe, PA-C

What Causes Or Triggers A Recurrence

You may not always be able to tell when youre having a herpes outbreak. However, some common early warning signs that signal an impending attack, can include tingling, itching, and pain. This can happen 1 or 2 days before blisters start to show.

If you have HSV-2, you might have four or five outbreaks a year. How often outbreaks occur varies a lot from person to person. Outbreaks may also decrease over time.

People with HSV-1 tend to have fewer outbreaks.

In time, some people can pinpoint things that trigger an outbreak, such as:

What Causes Symptoms To Come Back

When symptoms recur, they usually come on during times of emotional stress or illness. Thats because, during these times, your bodys immune system may be less able to suppress the virus and keep it from becoming active.

Symptom triggers can include:

• Interfere with a persons sense of security and intimacy

In some cases, though, complications from genital herpes can be serious, even life-threatening.

Although its rare, pregnant women can pass on the herpes infection to their child. This can result in a serious and sometimes deadly infection in the baby. Thats why taking steps to prevent an outbreak at time of delivery is recommended starting at 34 weeks into the pregnancy. If you have signs of an active viral infection when its time to deliver, your doctor will likely recommend a cesarean section for delivery.

Continued

People with genital herpes have a higher risk of an HIV infection. One reason is that cracks and breaks in the skin that result from an outbreak create openings through which HIV can enter the body.

If you have any reason to believe you may have an HSV infection as the result of a sexual encounter either genital or oral contact your health care provider.

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How To Avoid Herpes

As long as youre sexually active, theres a chance you could get herpes. Youll make it a lot less likely if you use a latex or polyurethane condom or dental dam every time, for every activity. The dam or condom only protects the area it covers. If you donât have herpes, you and your partner should get tested for STDs before sex. If youâre both disease-free and arenât having sex with other people, you should be safe.

How Do I Know If I Tore My Meniscus

If your meniscus has been broken, you can experience the following signs and symptoms in your knee:

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Reducing The Risk Of Genital Herpes

The herpes virus cant pass through a condom. However, if the virus is present and active on the skin in areas around the genitals not covered by the condom , infection may still occur. Therefore condoms are not 100% protective against the herpes virus.

If your partner has herpes, avoiding sex when they have visible sores reduces your risk of getting herpes.

Treatment If The Blisters Come Back

Go to a GP or sexual health clinic if you have been diagnosed with genital herpes and need treatment for an outbreak.

Antiviral medicine may help shorten an outbreak by 1 or 2 days if you start taking it as soon as symptoms appear.

But outbreaks usually settle by themselves, so you may not need treatment.

Recurrent outbreaks are usually milder than the first episode of genital herpes.

Over time, outbreaks tend to happen less often and be less severe. Some people never have outbreaks.

Some people who have more than 6 outbreaks in a year may benefit from taking antiviral medicine for 6 to 12 months.

If you still have outbreaks of genital herpes during this time, you may be referred to a specialist.

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Symptoms Of Herpes On Stomach: Causes And How To Get Rid Of It

Herpes zoster or shingles is a painful skin condition caused by a virus called herpes simplex virus or HSV-1. Herpes infection is painful blister forming rash which can affect any part of skin, but it predominantly affects back, chest, stomach, face and neck. It is the same virus from family of varicella virus which is responsible for chickenpox in children.

In fact chickenpox is a primary exogenous varicella zoster virus infection. It means after an attack of chickenpox some of the viruses survive and lie dormant in the sensory nerve ganglia for long time.

The lesions of herpes zoster are very painful and it may take seven to ten days to heal in natural course. However, with anti viral medications the course of infection and its virality can be shortened.

Are Canker Sores Caused By The Herpes Virus

Canker sores are not caused by the herpes virus or by any other virus. In fact, the cause of canker sores is unknown, although they may be triggered by a minor injury in your mouth from dental work or brushing too hard, an allergy, a vitamin B deficiency, stress, or a food intolerance. Some medical conditions, such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease, may also cause canker sores, and they often occur in families, so it’s possible genetics or environment play a part, too.

Canker sores typically appear as small, round, or oval whitish sores with a red border, according to the Mayo Clinic. They typically occur on the tongue, inside the cheeks, inside the lips, or on the gums. The medical term for a canker sore is aphthous ulcer. Canker sores can be quite painful, but they usually heal within about two weeks without leaving any scarring.

Unlike cold sores, which usually occur outside the mouth, canker sores occur only inside the mouth. Like cold sores, canker sores are recurrent, but they are not contagious: You cant give a canker sore to another person. Canker sores occur more often in teenagers and young adults, and they are more common in women than men.

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How Does Herpes Simplex Spread

Herpes spreads through close contact with a person who has the infection. The virus can be found in skin and saliva. If you have herpes simplex, you are most likely to pass the virus to another person when you have sores. But you can infect someone else even if you have no symptoms. Healthcare providers call this asymptomatic viral shedding.

People may get HSV-1 through

• Touching a persons skin near the mouth.
• Sharing food utensils, lip balm or razors.
• If you receive oral sex from someone who has a cold sore, it may spread a herpes infection to your genitals.

People may get HSV-2 through

• Oral sex with someone whos infected.
• Skin-to-skin contact without ejaculation.
• Touching open sores, including while breastfeeding.
• Childbirth by a mother or gestational parent who has an active infection.

You cant get genital herpes from objects like toilet seats. But you could pass genital herpes through shared sex toys.

Cool It Herpes And Lower Back Pain

Ice is best in the very first 24 to 48 hours after an injury since it lowers swelling. Despite the fact that the heat feels good since it helps cover up the pain as well as it does help relax the muscles, the heat really irritates the inflammatory processes. After 2 days, you can switch to heat if you choose. Whether you make use of warmth or ice take it off after around 20 mins to give your skin a remainder. If pain persists, talk with a medical professional.

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Who Might Get Herpes Simplex

People of any age can contract herpes simplex. You are more likely to get the virus if you:

• Were assigned female at birth.
• Have had multiple sex partners.
• Started having sex at a young age.
• Have a history of any sexually transmitted infection .
• Have a weakened immune system.
• Dont use condoms for intercourse and dental dams for oral sex.

Who gets HSV-1, commonly known as oral herpes?

Anyone can get HSV-1. Most people contract HSV-1 during childhood. It spreads when an adult who has the virus has close contact with a child, such as when a family member kisses a child.

Who gets HSV-2, commonly known as genital herpes?

Genital herpes affects sexually active teens and adults of all genders and races. It can spread if you have multiple sexual partners and dont use condoms or dental dams.

People assigned female at birth are more at risk. Delicate vaginal tissue can tear, making it easier for the infection to get in. Black people who were AFAB are especially vulnerable, with an estimated 1 in 2 people AFAB between the ages of 14 and 49 infected with HSV-2.

Ask About Sexual History

Ask all partners whether theyâve been tested recently for STIs before sexual contact. Limiting the number of sexual partners you are exposed to will also decrease your risk of contracting genital herpes and other STIs.

If youve had unprotected sex, or if you experience symptoms of genital herpes, visit your healthcare provider or local STI clinic for an STI screenings.

If you have genital herpes, be open with your partner and talk about the risks of transmission.

Douching should be avoided, as this may actually increase chances of contracting an STI .

Researchers are working towards the development of other preventative strategies, such as an HSV vaccine and topical microbicides to help prevent the spread of herpes .

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What Are Some Of The Common Emotions People With Herpes Experience

Fear, shock, worry and guilt are common reactions of people who discover they have herpes. This shock sometimes makes it hard to recall any advice given by a doctor or others when first learning about the infection. Doctors understand this, so it may be worthwhile revisiting your doctor to further discuss measures for managing your herpes. Your local sexual health clinic can also provide you with information about support groups and counsellors in your local area.

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What Can Be Done About Pain Or Tingling In The Feet

While there is no known cure for herpes, there are a few different medications used to treat it. Over-the-counter Tylenol or Advil can be taken to alleviate any body aches associated with herpes. Always ask your doctor before taking any over-the-counter drugs in conjunction with prescribed herpes medication.

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How Long Do Sores From Herpes Simplex Last

If youre infected with HSV-1, commonly known as oral herpes, you may notice tingling or burning around your mouth in the days before a cold sore appears. These blisters break open and ooze fluid before forming a crust. Usually, sores last for seven to 10 days.

If youre infected with HSV-2, commonly known as genital herpes, your first outbreak may last between two to four weeks. Recurrent outbreaks usually last between three to seven days.

Open Access License / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer

This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License . Usage and distribution for commercial purposes requires written permission. Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug. Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor. The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.

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When To Seek Care

Home remedies may be enough to help you get through an outbreak before it heals and goes away.

But seek immediate medical attention if herpes symptoms are disruptive to your daily life or if youre experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Sores or blisters dont go away on their own after 2 weeks or get worse over time.
• Pain or discomfort becomes severe and distracting, even with home treatment.
• You have severe symptoms like a fever that dont get any better for more than a week.
• You have severe pain or discomfort when you urinate or have a bowel movement.
• You feel any hardness or lumps under the skin around the infected area or in your genital area.
• You have trouble passing urine or stool or cant do either without severe pain or obstruction.

When To Call The Doctor

Even though HSV sores can hurt and be unsightly, most cases of herpes do not cause serious illness. The sores go away in a few days. Contact the health provider if:

• Sores are present and you think it might be a first herpes infection. The diagnosis is usually made by examining the sores. If the sores have not healed, sometimes a laboratory test is done.
• Sores do not heal by themselves or show signs of infection such as pus, spreading redness or fever.
• Sores are near the eyes.
• You have another health condition with a weakened immune system.

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When To Seek Medical Care

If you develop tender, painful sores on the lower back or buttocks, see a physician as soon as possible, since treatment is much more effective if started early.Recurrent outbreaks rarely require immediate medical attention. However, because some people have milder forms of genital herpes, you should also see a doctor for any recurring rash on the lower back or buttocks, even if you think it is from bug bites, ingrown hairs, or any other condition.If you have an underlying medical condition such as cancer or HIV, if you have undergone organ transplantation, or if you are pregnant, you are at higher risk for more serious complications. Seek medical advice as soon as possible, especially if you are at high risk for complications.

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• 1Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
• 2Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile

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Who Is At Risk For Developing Herpes Simplex Infections

Anyone can contract HSV, regardless of age. If youre exposed to HSV, youre likely to contract the virus.

Remember, HSV is very common. But because its often asymptomatic, plenty of people living with the virus never have an episode or realize theyve contracted HSV.

You may have a higher chance of contracting the virus if you:

• have a sexual partner who lives with HSV
• were assigned female at birth . suggests more AFAB folks than people assigned male at birth develop HSV, but this could also mean AFAB folks are more likely to experience symptoms.
• are immunocompromised

Some older research suggests HSV-1 antibodies may offer AFAB folks some protection against contracting HSV-2. Still, many people living with one type of the virus do contract the other type later on. You wont contract the same type of the virus again, though, since it remains dormant in your body once you acquire it.

You may have a slightly higher chance of contracting genital HSV if you have sex without using condoms or other barrier methods. Keep in mind, though, that condoms and other barrier methods wont always cover the infection site, since sores can appear on the buttocks or inner thighs.