How To Know Of You Have Herpes

Is Herpes Simplex Related To Herpes Zoster

How Common Is Herpes Really? | Report Card | RIOT

Herpes simplex and the varicella-zoster virus are related, but they arent the same. VZV causes chickenpox and shingles.

Like HSV-1 and HSV-2, shingles can cause a painful, blistering rash. The shingles rash usually shows up on the back, side, abdomen , neck and face. It is often only on half of your body, following the pattern of your nerves. See your healthcare provider if you have a new rash and suspect you may have shingles.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Herpes simplex is a virus. Once you have herpes, its a lifelong condition. A herpes infection can lead to outbreaks , but youll also have times when you have no symptoms. The main sign of herpes is sores that appear on the infected skin. Some people choose not to treat herpes, especially if symptoms are mild. Others take antiviral medications to reduce the severity and frequency of outbreaks.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 05/17/2022.

References

There Are 2 Herpes Simplex Viruses That Can Cause Infection

One causes most genital herpes.
The other virus can also cause genital herpes but more often causes blisters of the mouth and lips.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that about 1 out of 6 people ages 14 to 49have genital herpes.

Women are more easily infected with herpes than men.

What You Need To Know

Fifty percent to 80 percent of U.S. adults have oral herpes.
Oral herpes can be spread through intimate contact with someone who is infected.
Oral herpes can be difficult to diagnose. Often confused with many other infections, it can only be confirmed with a virus culture called PCR, blood test or biopsy. PCR is the preferred test for diagnosing herpes infections.
The best treatment for oral herpes is antiviral oral medication. Symptomatic treatment may include antiviral ointment, over-the-counter topical anesthetics or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory agents.

Whether you call it a cold sore or a fever blister, oral herpes is a common infection of the mouth area that is caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 . Fifty percent to 80 percent of U.S. adults have oral herpes. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 90 percent of adults have been exposed to the virus by age 50.

Once infected, a person will have herpes simplex virus for the rest of his or her life. When inactive, the virus lies dormant in a group of nerve cells. While some people never develop any symptoms from the virus, others will have periodic outbreaks of infections.

How Often Do Outbreaks Occur

The number of outbreaks someone has varies from person to person. The average number of outbreaks for a person with genital HSV-2 is four to five per year. The average for genital HSV-1 is less than one outbreak per year.

Usually, there are more outbreaks during the first year, and many people find that outbreaks become less severe and less frequent with time.

Herpes triggers are highly individual, but with time, many people learn to recognize, and sometimes avoid, factors that seem to reactivate HSV in their own bodies. Illness, poor diet, emotional or physical stress, friction in the genital area, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light , surgical trauma, and steroidal medication may trigger a herpes outbreak.

The frequency of outbreaks can often be managed through effective stress management, and getting adequate rest, nutrition, and exercise. For people with frequent outbreaks, suppressive therapy with any one of the antiviral treatments can reduce outbreaks by as much as 80%.

What Can Disqualify You From Donating Plasma

If youre interested in donating plasma, requirements exist for a rigorous screening as part of the plasma donation process. Part of the reason that the screening process exists is to protect those receiving the donations, many of whom have compromised health. It also ensures that the donors themselves are in good enough physical health to avoid the side effects of donating plasma.

The requirements for donating plasma are fairly consistent. You must be at least 16 years old, weigh over 110 pounds, and have a valid ID. Do they drug test you before donating plasma? Not generally people who take certain prescription drugs, show signs of injectable drug use, or are visibly intoxicated are not allowed to donate plasma.

Part of the reason that the screening process exists is to protect those receiving the donations, many of whom have compromised health.

Certain health conditions also prevent you from donating, such as pregnancy or recent childbirth. If youve had dental work in the past 72 hours, youll be deferred. Also, if youve received the MMR vaccine or had chickenpox in the past month or taken antibiotics orally in the past 2448 hours or by injection in the past 72 hours, youre also deferred.

Also Check: How Do I Have Chlamydia And My Partner Doesn T

Recommended Reading: Percentage Of Americans With Herpes

Areas Of Fungal Infection Or Herpes Outbreaks

Herpes and fungal infection have similarities and differences depending on the area of the body that both diseases affect.

The areas of the body most affected by herpes simplex are the genitals and nearby areas, mouth, lips and eye area. Of all these areas, the genitals and mouth are the most affected.

Herpes simplex does not infect the blood, whereas some species of fungi such as Candida albicans can. The presence of fungi in the blood is called fungemia.

Another difference between herpes and fungal infection is that fungi can infect nails and hair, whereas herpes cannot.

The species of fungi that infect nails and hair belong to the group of dermatophytes. This is why the infection is called dermatophytosis or ringworm. The ringworm of the nails is called onychomycosis.

General And Local Anaesthesia

Depending on the scope of the procedure, type of surgery and your recovery speed, procedures performed under general anaesthesia or epidural anaesthesia prevent you from donating blood for one to six months.

Minor procedures performed under local anaesthesia prevent blood donation for one to four weeks.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on +358 800 0 5801 .

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Recommended Reading: What To Take For Herpes Outbreak

Choose The Right Moment

Its good to initiate this conversation when you and your partner are alone and free from distractions. There may not be a perfect time, but some moments are better than others. Avoid times when other major conflicts or stressors are occurring.

Once youre alone and comfortable, broach the subject with your partner. Stay focused and use the following techniques to help you share the information clearly and succinctly.

How Do You Know If You Have Genital Herpes

How Contagious is Herpes?

The only way to know if you have genital herpes is by amedical exam. Your health care provider can examineyou and test for it. Lab samples are taken from a sore,blister, or blood. Your health care provider may ask totest you for other infections at the same time.

Tell current and most recent sex partners of your herpes infection.

Read Also: Can You Treat Herpes At Home

Telling A Current Partner About An Std

Being diagnosed with an STD while in a relationship can bring up lots of emotions. You may question your trust in your partner or feel ashamed if you cheated. But keep in mind that some STDs dont always show up right away. Its possible that you or your partner got the STD in a previous relationship without even knowing it.

If you find out that you have an STD while youre in a relationship, talk to your partner as soon as possible. Be honest even if you havent been in the past. Your partner may be upset, even angry, and that can be hard to deal with.

The most helpful thing you can do is listen to your partners concerns and fears and offer information about the STD. Give your partner time to take in the information.

If you and your partner have already had sex, stop having sex until you can both get tested, even if your partner doesnt have any symptoms. You and your partner will probably need treatment. Take any medicine exactly as your doctor prescribes. If you have an STD, like herpes or HIV, treatments can lower the chance of passing the infection to your partner.

If you or your partner have multiple sex partners, its important they all get tested and treated. If you think youve had an STD for a while, you need to let past sex partners know. They should get tested too.

Recommended Reading: If My Partner Has Chlamydia Do I Have It

What Are Effective Treatments For Mouth Herpes

While there is no cure for herpes, home remedies and medication can help a painful outbreak of mouth herpes. Home remedies include:

Applying ice or a warm washcloth to the sores to help ease pain.
Washing the blisters gently with germ-fighting soap and water. This helps prevent spreading the virus to other body areas.
Avoiding hot beverages, spicy and salty foods, and citrus.
Gargling with cool water or eating popsicles.
Rinsing with salt water.
Taking a pain reliever such as acetaminophen .

If you need to seek medical treatment or want answers to the question, How do I know if I have mouth herpes? come to FastMed. Our friendly medical professionals can help you determine if you have mouth herpes and recommend a treatment plan to have you feeling better fast in no time.

Also Check: How To Tell If You Have Oral Herpes

Also Check: How To Heal Genital Herpes Sores

How Do You Know If You Have Herpes

Herpes, a viral and highly contagious disease, it can present itself in a number of ways. But how do you know if you have herpes? There are many things that you need to look for to see if you have it.

First, you can see the signs make themselves apparent on your skin. Oral herpes is usually present on your lip and you will find it there on the top or bottom of your lips. It will begin to grow slowly, and start off as a sort of reddish rash lesion. Then it will develop into a larger infection that will begin to crack, peel, and you will see a lot of inflammation around the lesion area, it could be very painful.

It might even take on a greenish tint and will be very uncomfortable. But how do you know if you have herpes when this sort of sore comes up on your mouth? If all these symptoms are accompanied with pain and fevers, then you can pretty much be certain that that is what it is.

Sometimes herpes can affect your fingers or thumbs, or even on your toes. In this case, how do you know if you have herpes when your finger or toes begin to hurt? Check your cuticles, if you see a spreading, greenish blister, then chances is you have herpes and need to seek treatment.

Herpes on your eyes can be a very dangerous kind and needs immediate attention. If your eye starts to swell and your eyelids also become swollen and you begin to see itchy white bumps around your cornea, you certainly have it and need to get it checked fast.

Whats The Outlook For Someone With Either Condition

You can easily treat genital pimples at home. But if they dont go away in a week or more, see your doctor in case another condition is causing your pimples to appear.

Herpes cant be cured, but it can be successfully managed with prescription antibiotics and OTC pain relievers. Researchers are working to find a cure or vaccine.

Pimples can appear suddenly for a number of reasons, so its hard to fully prevent them. Keeping the area clean with a gentle cleanser is usually sufficient.

You can take quick, easy action each time you have sex to prevent yourself from getting herpes.

Also Check: Can You Date Someone With Herpes And Not Get It

Read Also: How Long Is Herpes Outbreak

Myth #: Your Sex Life Is Over

While theres no cure, herpes treatment is simple and can shorten or prevent outbreaks, so you can still have a love life.

People have a disproportionate fear of herpes in relation to any other STI, Grimes says. They feel like their sex lives are ruined forever and thats in no way the case.

If you have the virus, your doctor may prescribe a medication like Zovirax or Valtrex to keep on hand in case of a flare-up. And if you experience outbreaks often, your provider may recommend daily dosing. However you treat it, its worth remembering that herpes is a condition to manage it doesnt define you.

If you have to be perfect for your new partner, that partner will be looking a very, very long time to find a match! Grimes says. Everyone has something, and since one in six Americans between 14-49 have HSV-2, odds are very high that your next partner is in the same boat. The main issue is to have productive conversations around these issues.

So theres no reason for all the stigma and secrecy surrounding herpes, since its safe to assume more people have it than you think. And if youre diagnosed with the virus, your provider will help you find a treatment plan thats easy, effective, and fit for your lifestyle.

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How Is An At Home Genital Herpes Test Performed

While there are a few different ways to test for herpes, the one thats usually used for home testing is a blood test. Sometimes known as a herpes rapid test, this is a blood test that looks for antibodies against the herpes virus. Antibodies are produced by your body in response to an infection. Having antibodies against the herpes virus means that youve been exposed to the virus.

You simply order a herpes rapid test kit online, and its sent to your home in discreet packaging that doesnt show whats inside. You take your blood sample yourself at home, using a fingerprick. After you send your sample back to the lab, herpes test online results will be available within a few days.

One benefit of doing the test at home is that it helps to maintain your privacy. Your results wont be reported to your insurance company, nor will they show up on a document called an explanation of benefits , which insurance companies routinely send after paying for something. Anyone who shares your insurance may be able to see the fact that you were tested on the EOB, even if they cant see your results. Testing at home helps to prevent this situation and keep your testing entirely private.

Can Genital Herpes Cause Other Problems

For most women, genital herpes does not usually cause serious health problems.

Women with HIV can have severe herpes outbreaks that are long-lasting. Herpes also may play a role in the spread of HIV. Herpes sores can make it easier for HIV to get into your body. Also, herpes can make people who are HIV-positive more likely to spread the infection to someone else.

Duration Of Fungal Infection And Herpes

What You Need to Know About Genital Herpes

A significant difference between herpes and yeast infection is the duration of the infection. Fungal infection is temporary, but the herpes virus infects us permanently for a lifetime.

Permanent infection is one of the reasons why herpes is such a dreaded disease. Many people find it difficult to accept that they will have herpes throughout their lives.

The herpes simplex virus infects the host and at certain periods produces a visible infection known as a herpes outbreak that can last 10 to 12 days.

Herpes is a recurrent disease because the virus reactivates causing repeated outbreaks. Recurrences vary from person to person and outbreaks occur in the same area as the initial outbreak.

Onychomycosis is not a permanent disease, but it is not cured by treatments that work against fungal infections in other parts of the body. If proper treatment is not used, it can infect us for life just like herpes.

Also Check: How To Treat Herpes Without Medication

How Can I Prevent Genital Herpes

If you are sexually active, you can do the following things to lower your chances of getting genital herpes:

Being in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who does not have herpes.
Using condoms the right way every time you have sex.

Be aware that not all herpes sores occur in areas that a condom can cover. Also, the skin can release the virus from areas that do not have a visible herpes sore. For these reasons, condoms may not fully protect you from getting herpes.

If your sex partner has/have genital herpes, you can lower your risk of getting it if:

Your partner takes an anti-herpes medicine every day. This is something your partner should discuss with his or her healthcare provider.

Pimples Test Negative For All These Tests

What do I do now?

Once you successfully identify the nature of your sores, which should be an easy task now that you know what herpes looks like, the management is not that complex either. Since pimples are a hygiene issue, it only means a more thorough cleaning with effective products such as acne ointments, antibacterial soap and creams, oil ointments for inflammation, and patting with a warm, wet cloth a few times a day.

On the contrary, if you have even a little doubt that your sores may be herpes, you should visit your primary care physician and get an anti-viral prescription. Herpes may be incurable but anti-viral is more than enough to stop it from affecting your quality of life at all. Early identification is the key to a better life.

I am Jeannette, the medical writing specialist here at Family Medicine Austin. I have over five years of experience working with a range of medical and healthcare across the U.S.