Herpes Virus

HERPES VIRUS
INFECTION
What is Herpes?
Herpes is a sexually transmitted

disease (STD) caused by the herpes
simplex virus (HSV). There are two
types of HSV; Herpes Simplex 1
(HSV1) and Herpes Simplex 2
(HSV2).
HSV1 or mouth herpes are commonly in the
form of cold sores on and around the
mouth.
HSV2 or genital herpes is a much more
intense strand commonly found on the
genitals. However BOTH types can be found
on the mouth or genital areas. It is possible
to be infected by both HSV 1 and 2. Being
infected by one particular strand does not
make you immune to another.
Sunlight is known to trigger cold
sore outbreaks, along with stress
and other factors. Genital herpes
on the other hand is generally
considered to be sexually
transmitted
Herpes can be spread by
the following situations:
• Kissing, touching and caressing infected
areas
• Sexual contact with the infected area
(vaginal, oral, or anal sex)
• Skin-to-skin contact with the infected area
can transmit HSV-1 and HSV-2
• Kissing someone if you have a cold sore can
transfer the virus and the person you kiss
can then contract herpes in the area kissed
• The virus can be transmitted to your partner if you
have active genital herpes and have vaginal or anal
intercourse
• If you have a cold sore and put your mouth on a
partner's genitals (oral sex), the partner can be
infected with genital herpes. Consequently, oral sex
should be avoided if one partner has a facial herpes
attack.
• People who experience an episode of herpes, either
facial or genital, should consider themselves infectious
from the start of the episode up until the healing of
the last ulcer
• Occasionally, one partner in a long-term
relationship may develop symptoms of herpes
for the first time. Often this is due to one or
both of the partners being carriers of HSV and
not knowing it
• From mother to baby during pregnancy or at
birth
The spreading of genital herpes through
inanimate objects, such as soap, towels,
clothing, bed sheets, toilet seats, and spa
surfaces is highly unlikely because the genital
herpes virus cannot live very long outside of
the body. Herpes is not spread through
vaginal fluids, blood or semen, or like a flu
virus that you can get through the air. Herpes
is generally spread by direct contact.
Many people who are infected with
genital herpes (HSV2) are sometimes
not aware of being infected.
Symptoms of the primary episode,
however, can be quite pronounced,
the first primary episode usually
occurs within two weeks after the
virus is transmitted.
• Lesions usually heal within two to four weeks
of the outbreak. Other symptoms may include
a second occurrence of lesions, or flu-like
symptoms including:
• fever
• swollen glands
• some people infected with HSV-2, however, do
not have lesions, or may suffer only very mild,
almost unnoticeable symptoms which are
sometimes mistaken for a rash or insect bites.
Symptoms
• Blisters or ulcers -- most often on the mouth,
lips and gums, or genitals
• Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin
(usually only at the time of the initial
infection)
• Fever blisters
• Fever -- especially during the first episode
• Genital lesions -- there may first be a burning
or tingling sensation
• Mouth sores
Exams and Tests
• Blood test for antibodies of HSV
(serology)
• Direct fluorescent antibody (DFA)
test of cells taken from a lesion
• Viral culture of the lesion
Treatment
• Some cases are mild and may not need
treatment.
• People who have severe or prolonged
outbreaks (especially if it is the first episode),
people with immune system problems, or
those with frequent recurrences will benefit
from antiviral medications such as acyclovir
(Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), and
valacyclovir (Valtrex).
People who have frequent or severe
recurrences of oral or genital herpes
may choose to continue taking
antiviral medications to reduce the
frequency and severity of
recurrences.
Outlook (Prognosis)
• The oral or genital lesions usually heal on their own in 7
to 10 days. The infection may be more severe and last
longer in people who have a condition that weakens the
immune system.
• Once an infection occurs, the virus spreads to nerve cells
and stays in the body for the rest of a person's life. It
may come back from time to time and cause symptoms,
or flares. Recurrences may be triggered by excess
sunlight, fever, stress, acute illness, and medications or
conditions that weaken the immune system (such as
cancer, HIV/AIDS, or the use of corticosteroids).
Possible Complications
• Eczema herpetiform (widespread herpes
across the skin)
• Encephalitis
• Infection of the eye -- keratoconjunctivitis
• Infection of the trachea
• Meningitis
• Pneumonia
• Prolonged, severe infection in
immunosuppressed individuals
Prevention
• Preventing HSV infection is difficult because
people can spread the virus even when they
don't have any symptoms of an active outbreak.
• Avoiding direct contact with an open lesion will
lower the risk of infection.
• People with genital herpes should avoid sexual
contact when they have active lesions. Safer sex
behaviors, including the use of condoms, may
also lower the risk of infection.
• People with active HSV lesions should also
avoid contact with newborns, children with
eczema, or people with suppressed immune
systems, because these groups are at higher
risk for more severe disease.
• To decrease the risk of infecting newborns, a
cesarean delivery (C-section) is recommended
for pregnant women who have an active HSV
infection at the time of delivery.

Herpes Virus

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HERPES VIRUS

Herpes is a sexually transmitted

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