What Are The Two Types Of Herpes

Diseases Caused By Herpes Simplex Virus

Diseases include

• Central nervous system infection

• Neonatal herpes Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infection Neonatal herpes simplex virus infection is usually transmitted during delivery. A typical sign is vesicular eruption, which may be accompanied by or progress to disseminated disease. Diagnosis… read more

HSV rarely causes fulminant hepatitis in the absence of cutaneous lesions.

In patients with HIV infection Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Human immunodeficiency virus infection results from 1 of 2 similar retroviruses that destroy CD4+ lymphocytes and impair cell-mediated immunity, increasing risk of certain… read more , herpetic infections can be particularly severe. Progressive and persistent esophagitis, colitis, perianal ulcers, pneumonia, encephalitis, and meningitis may occur.

HSV outbreaks may be followed by erythema multiforme Erythema Multiforme Erythema multiforme is an inflammatory reaction, characterized by target or iris skin lesions. Oral mucosa may be involved. Diagnosis is clinical. Lesions spontaneously resolve but frequently… read more , possibly caused by an immune reaction to the virus.

is a complication of HSV infection in which severe herpetic disease develops in skin regions with eczema.

How Can Herpes Be Prevented

To stop the spread of the virus from the affected part to other parts of the body, the following options can be helpful:

• Cleaning the hands: Washing the hands upon contact with the sore
• No-touch method: Using a cotton-tip swab to apply an antiviral cream to the cold sore

When a person has oral herpes, they can prevent the virus from spreading to others by following a few precautionary tips:

• The person should avoid kissing anyone.
• The person should refrain from oral sex.
• The person should not share personal items such as cups, towels, and lip balms.
• If there is tingling, burning, itching, or pain in the area of the body where the person had a herpes sore, they should keep that area from coming in contact with others directly or through articles such as towels or cosmetics.

If a person has genital herpes and they want to prevent the spread of the virus, what they can do is:

• Not to have sex with healthy partners until the sores clear up
• Use a latex condom to reduce the risk of spreading the virus
• If a woman is pregnant and she or her partner is having genital herpes, they need to inform the doctor. The pregnant lady might need to take medicines so that she does not pass the virus to her baby.

Myth #: People Cannot Spread Herpes To Others Unless They Have Sores Or Blisters

Fact: People can spread herpes to others at any time, including when they do not have any symptoms.

People with herpes may experience outbreaks and remissions. During an outbreak, a person has active sores or blisters, but in remission, they may have no symptoms at all.

The virus is usually more contagious when a person has an outbreak, but it can also spread when it is in remission.

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Facts About Herpes Simplex 2

Herpes simplex 2 causes a chronic viral infection. Practically, the virus is transmitted from one person to another upon sexual and even nonsexual but physical contact, thereby undergoing incubation and causing an outbreak followed by a subsiding of the symptoms only to cause a remission and then several outbreaks but with reducing severity.

It may seem that the symptoms have completely subsided over a period of time and one may feel cured of herpes. But the virus continues to live on in the human body and can get triggered through incubation in the future. Hence, it is medically known as a chronic infection or condition. It is hard to say if someone is completely cured of herpes without any treatment.

The virus may live for the entire lifetime of the host and not cause any further outbreak if there is no incubation. With no vaccine for herpes simplex 2 and no medicine having any effect on the elimination of the virus, it remains a chronic condition without any cure in traditional medicine.

How Will You Know If You Have Hsv

In most cases, you wont know unless you develop blisters or sores on the mouth or genitals. These sores usually have a burning, tingling sensation.

If you think youve been exposed to HSV-2 or would like to know if you carry the virus, talk to a doctor or other healthcare provider about testing.

Yes, you can still have sex if you have HSV-1 or HSV-2.

However, you should avoid intimate contact if youre experiencing an active outbreak. This will reduce the risk for transmission to your partner.

For example, if you have a cold sore you should avoid kissing your partner or performing oral sex.

If you have an active genital outbreak, you should avoid any below-the-belt activity until it clears.

Although the virus is less likely to spread when no symptoms are present, practicing sex with a condom or another barrier method, such as a dental dam, can help reduce the overall risk for transmission.

You may also consider talking to your healthcare provider about prescription antiviral medication, such as:

• acyclovir

These medications can help suppress the virus and reduce the risk of transmission.

In rare cases, herpes can be transmitted during pregnancy or childbirth. Reassurances about genital herpes during pregnancy and birth. . herpes.org.nz/patient-info/herpes-pregnancy/

If youre pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, talk to an obstetrician or other healthcare provider about the steps you can take to reduce the risk for transmission.

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Is Genital Herpes Infection Related To Hiv

Herpes and HIV are caused by different viruses. But patients infected with these viruses are more likely to transmit either disease to their sexual partners. Patients with herpes are more vulnerable to HIV infection. People newly diagnosed with herpes should be tested for HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections.

Patients who are infected with both herpes and HIV also may have a higher concentration of HIV viruses in their body because of the interaction between the herpes virus and the HIV virus. When HIV damages a persons immune system, the person may be more likely to shed herpes simplex virus asymptomatically.

Genital Herpes Cdc Fact Sheet

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease that any sexually active person can get. Most people with the virus dont have symptoms. Even without signs of the disease, herpes can still be spread to sex partners.

Basic Fact Sheet | Detailed Version

Basic fact sheets are presented in plain language for individuals with general questions about sexually transmitted diseases. The content here can be syndicated .

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Risk Of Transmission To The Baby

The overall risk is low that a mother with herpes will transmit the virus to their child via childbirth, as long as they are not experiencing an active outbreak at the time of delivery. In fact, research shows that only 1% of babies born to carries of herpes will get infected during childbirth. Additionally, genital herpes causes more risk than oral herpes.

The specific risk of transmitting the herpes simplex virus to a baby depends on several factors:

• Exposure of the infant to herpes lesions during delivery
• Whether the mother has antibodies to the herpes simplex virus
• Whether the infant has time to acquire these antibodies before delivery

To illustrate how an infants risk changes based on the above factors, consider the following example:

A person who experiences their first outbreak of genital herpes during the third trimester of pregnancy and who has not yet developed antibodies to the virus by the onset of labor has a 33% chance of transmitting the virus to their infant during vaginal birth.

On the other hand, a woman who experiences a recurrent outbreak of genital herpes has just a 3% chance of transmitting the virus to their infant. The risk is reduced in this scenario primarily because the mother already has antibodies to the herpes virus and has passed them to their unborn child.

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Understanding All Types Of Herpes Tests Know Which One Is More Accurate Than The Other

All types of Herpes tests explained with the one efficient than the other, the conditions to go for anti-bodies test, blood test and DNA test for Herpes. It is essential to know the type of Herpes test required, to avoid false positive test results.

When thinking about herpes testing, its important to make a distinction in two types of testing. One is testing a person who presents in a clinic or witha doctor that actually has genital lesions. We can test those lesions with very specific testing to see if that lesion is caused by herpes. So the different types of herpes tests are as follows.

Read Also: How To Check If I Have Genital Herpes

Can I Be Tested For Herpes

There are different tests available for herpes. Some tests can be done if you are experiencing symptoms. Blood tests are available for people who may not have had symptoms or if the signs have already healed. Not all tests are accurate, however, and many healthcare providers are unclear on which tests to perform. To find out more about getting an accurate diagnosis, visit our section on testing.

Symptoms Of Genital Herpes

Many people who have genital herpes may not be aware they have the infection, because they may not have any symptoms.

The first episode of herpes can cause considerable pain and distress. Symptoms of the first episode may include:

• flu-like symptoms such as feeling unwell, headaches and pains in the back and legs, with or without enlarged glands in the groin
• small blisters around the genitals these break open to form shallow, painful ulcers, which scab over and heal after one to two weeks
• small cracks in the skin with or without an itch or tingling
• redness or a distinct rash
• some people also have considerable pain and swelling in the genital area, and hence may have additional pain and difficulty passing urine.

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Can Herpes Be Prevented Or Avoided

The best way to prevent getting herpes is to not have sex with anyone who has the virus. It can be spread even when the person who has it isnt showing any symptoms. If your partner has herpes, there is no way of knowing for sure that you wont get it.

There is no time that is completely safe to have sex and not spread herpes. If you have herpes, you must tell your sex partner. You should avoid having sex if you have any sores. Herpes can spread from one person to another very easily when sores are present.

You should use condoms every time you have sex. They can help reduce the risk of spreading herpes. But its still possible to spread or get herpes if youre using a condom.

How Herpes Is Treated

There is no cure for herpes.

• The health care provider may prescribe antiviral medicine to help speed up the healing process. It also shortens the time when the virus can spread from the herpes sores.
• Pain may be treated with medicine such as Tylenol or Motrin or by applying an ice pack wrapped in a towel to the affected area.
• If sores are in the mouth, avoid foods high in acid, like citrus fruits and juices.
• The infected area should be kept clean and dry.
• Wash hands often and avoid touching the sores to prevent spreading the virus.
• It is important to stay healthy by getting enough rest, having proper nutrition and exercise and managing stress well.

Read Also: What Causes Herpes Outbreaks To Get Worse

Wider Impact Of Hz And Phn On Qol

A survey by Weinke et al. was designed to capture the full course of HZ episodes from rash onset to pain resolution. The findings demonstrate the major and wide-ranging impact that HZ, and in particular PHN, have on patients QoL . Eleven thousand interviews were conducted in Germany to evaluate patient-rated pain in historic HZ episodes and interference with ADL. Screening questions identified 280 patients 50 years old with painful HZ diagnosed during the previous 5 years, of whom 32 patients developed PHN. Patients with PHN scored significantly worse across all outcomes related to pain and QoL than those with HZ . The mean interference of pain on different aspects of QoL was highest for sleep, mood and work . Three-quarters of patients experienced problems in carrying out daily activities, including work, studies, housework, family and leisure activities . Approximately 60% of employed interviewees had to stop work at some point during the active disease period .

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When Did You Get Tested

If today you had sex without a barrier with a person who has an STI and subsequently contracted the STI and then got tested tomorrow, that test would be negative.

Thats because when you first contract an STI your body, needs time to recognize it, then produce antibodies to help fight it.

This is known as the incubation period, and it can vary for each STI.

Gersh says that the general recommendation is for folks to get tested 2 weeks after potential exposure and then again 3 months after.

If you or your partner were tested too soon after initial contraction, the results may not be accurate.

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Is One Virus Better Than The Other

Although incurable, both viruses are treatable and manageable in day-to-day life. Beyond this fact, each persons body chemistry and immune system are unique, and although the virus strains have their preferences, they are not set in stone. Developing awareness of your own body and becoming educated about the herpes simplex virus strains can help you make more sensible decisions and help defeat the stigma of a member of the herpesviridae family.

What Is Genital Herpes Tell Me More About Cold Sores

Genital herpes is an extremely common infection caused by the herpes simplex virus .

There are two types of herpes simplex virus oral or facial and genital . Oral herpes can infect the genitals and genital herpes can affect the mouth.

Facial herpes and genital herpes have the same symptoms and are managed in the same way.

Herpes is spread by skin-to-skin contact, through kissing and oral to genital and genital-to-genital sex. This means you don’t need to have sex with penetration to pass the infection on.

Recommended Reading: Are You Born With Herpes

What Is The Herpes Simplex Virus

The Herpes Simplex Virus is a kind ofvirus which affects the skin and nervous system. It is best known for creatingoutbreaks of sores which can range from mild and uncomfortable, to extremelypainful.

Liquid-filled sores typically appear nearmucous membranes on the skin then, after a few days, the sores break, leaving ayellowish crust on the skin. Outbreaks typically last for around two weeks.

The first herpes outbreak is typicallythe most painful and is often accompanied by headaches, flu-like symptoms andpainful sores. Subsequent outbreaks tend to be less severe and appear lessfrequently over time. These outbreaks are most likely to happen when yourimmune system is down for some reason .

Causes And Risk Factors Of Genital Herpes

Two types of viruses cause genital herpes herpes simplex type 1 and herpes simplex type 2 .

Usually, HSV-1 causes oral herpes, which becomes visible in the form of cold sores, or fever blisters, on the face, close to the mouth. Most people contract an oral herpes infection during their childhood or young adult years from nonsexual contact with the saliva of an infected person.

HSV-1 mainly spreads through direct contact with cold sores or saliva. Having oral herpes, or cold sores, does not mean that you have genital herpes. But if you have oral herpes, you can spread it from your mouth to another persons genitals if you perform oral sex on them.

Also Check: How Do You Get Oral Herpes

Difference Between Igm Vs Igg Herpes Testing

There are some older tests out there that dont accurately distinguish type HSV 1 from type 2 in terms of blood tests. So those people who are getting tested their physicians and clinics who are ordering those tests need to be sure that they are requesting a type specific test. The other thing to bring into your notice is about antibody testing. Many labs automatically offer, whats called IgM testing. as opposed to in any club in type G or IgG testing. In theory IgM becomes positive sooner than IgG. So an IgM test for some infections can help detect early, thus increasing the chances of test to be false positive. As opposed to late infection the problem is that often it doesnt work that well with herpes. The IgM testing often doesnt proceed IgM antibody. But the test also has a lot of false positive results. The labs offer these tests because quite frankly, they are very cheap, to do they have a high profit margin and there is just an assumption that its a good thing to do.

Not all docs knowing the difference, they just order what the lab shows on its panel and they check off the box. The advice is to and this is going to be in the upcoming revision of the CDCs STD management guidelines that are going to be released soon. That IgM testing for HSV has no role whatsoever, doctors ordering tests, please do not request the IgM test patients who are perhaps going to an online site and arranging your own ages retesting ignore the IgM.