Herpes

Herpes simplex infections are common, unsightly, and embarrassing. When they appear in their most common location, around the mouth and lips, people often refer to them as "cold sores" and "fever blisters." The herpes virus has two forms called HSV-1 and HSV-2. In general, type I infections occur above the waist, while type II infections occur below the waist. Type II infections are associated with genital herpes.

Signs and Symptoms

Small grouped blisters in the infected area like the genitals (namely, penis scrotum, vagina, cervix, or labia), around the genitals (such as anus or inner thighs) mouth, lips, tongue, gums, or throat; the blisters can then become ulcers (raw sores) and later crust over
Burning, itching, pain, or tingling sensations often precedes the appearance of the blisters
Enlarged lymph nodes near the infected area
Fever, headache, and flu-like symptoms (such as muscle aches and malaise [generally feeling bad]), particularly when you first contract the virus
Vaginal or penile discharge
Pain with urination

More about Herpes

Causes

HSV-1 is transmitted through saliva; therefore, kissing someone with HSV-1, drinking from the same instrument, or participating in oral-genital sex with someone who has HSV-1 can cause you to contract the virus.
HSV-2 is a sexually transmitted disease meaning that it is transferred from one sexual partner to another through genital secretions.
Herpes simplex may be transmitted even if the infected person does not have active symptoms or visible lesions.
Also, a mother can pass the infection to her baby during vaginal birth, especially if there are active lesions around the vagina at the time of delivery.

Various factors may trigger outbreaks, including:

• Stress
• Menstruation
• Poor nutrition
• Illness
• Surgery
• Friction, such as that caused by vigorous sexual intercourse
• In some cases, the infection can be active and contagious even when lesions aren't present.

 

Risk Factors
The tendency of this virus to establish itself in the nerve collections (called ganglia) under the skin is responsible for the recurrences. Repeated episodes occur when the virus is reactivated by:
Fever; Systemic (body-wide) infection;Ultraviolet radiation (like a sunburn); Stress; Changes in the immune system;
Trauma or Unidentified causes. Diagnosis
Diagnosis is made from physical appearance of the lesions or test of a sample from the blisters.Treatment Approach
Herpes cannot be cured, so the goals of treatment include reducing the number of recurrences and lessening your symptoms when you have an outbreak. Even without any intervention, oral herpes lesions generally subside in no more than 1 to 2 weeks. Using medications may shorten the course and decrease the discomfort. Pregnancy
Herpes viruses can be transmitted to a newborn during vaginal delivery in mothers infected with herpes viruses, especially if the mother has active lesions in the vagina at the time of delivery. If you do have active lesions at that time, delivery by cesarean section (often called C-section) will be recommended to avoid infecting the baby.

Medications

Herpes Medications

• Acyclovir
• Valtrex