Herpes has existed for thousands of years. Old texts discovered by the ancient Greeks described herpes as being present as early as the 5th century, but it's only been more recently (the past 100 years or so) that it's been understood.
HSV~1 is commonly known as cold sores. Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are contagious and are usually transmitted to others through kissing. More than half of the population in the United States has HSV-1. Most people are infected with HSV-1 during childhood from a non-sexual kiss from a relative or friend having kissed them during an active breakout of oral HSV-1. You need only come into contact with a cold sore one time to contract HSV-1.
Herpes Simplex Virus 2 or HSV-2 is commonly known as genital herpes. Initial genital herpes symptoms can cause genital aches, pain, burning, tingling, sciatica (ache down one leg), and flu-like symptoms.
The types of Herpes are..." Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, human herpesvirus 6 (variants A and B), human herpesvirus 7, and Kaposi's sarcoma virus or human herpesvirus 8. A simian virus, called B virus, occasionally infects humans (NCBI)."
Each year, at least 1 million people in the United States break out in Shingles. Shingles is Herpes Zoster, caused by the Varicella Zoster Virus, which causes Chickenpox.
Canker sores aren't related to the Herpes Simplex Virus. Still, like herpes, they are ulcers (one or more) that appear on the inner cheek, gums, tongue, or inside the lips of the mouth. Canker sores are caused by stress and eating too acidic foods, such as strawberries, tomatoes, pineapple, tomato sauce, and salsa. with many of the same natural remedies as for herpes breakouts.
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is very contagious, but it is not air-born like cold or flu viruses are. You could be in a room full of people with herpes and walk right through without a hitch.
Opening a book or a website and, without warning, seeing gruesome photographs of what a herpes breakout looks like can be extremely upsetting, so you'll see no shocking photos of herpes here.This not-so-unpleasant photograph of the Herpes Simplex Virus should be more than enough to help you identify whether what you are experiencing is herpes or not. It shows the various stages of how blistering might take place.You'll see a firm-looking nodule at the very top of the lip. This nodule appears after the shedding stage (tingling, pain, or itch). To the very right of the upper lip, you'll see a nodule beginning to fill with fluid. The whiter patches represent a cluster of blisters starting to break open. The crusty-looking spot is a broken lesion drying and beginning to heal. Of course, to be sure, you should always visit your care provider for a proper diagnosis.Genital herpes (HSV-2) doesn't look any different than cold sores or Shingles. You can click on the image to enlarge it.
Herpes is diagnosed by looking at visible sores or taking a sample for lab testing. Blood tests can detect antibodies toward HSV-1 or HSV-2, even between breakouts. Your care provider can help you arrange an examination under your health insurance plan.
HSV triggers are those things that adversely affect your immune system and increase the chances of a herpes breakout. Many HSV triggers are universal. However, herpes triggers are also very personal. We are all unique and have individual strengths and weaknesses depending on our physical and emotional states of health previous to a breakout. Some common triggers can trigger breakouts in just about everyone, at some time or other, living with Herpes Simplex Virus, while others are as unique as your fingerprints.
Medical doctors often treat herpes with antiviral drugs and steroids. While antiviral prescription drugs should be reserved for acute infections, they are available and prescribed by medical doctors to just about anyone who wants to try them. Antiviral prescription drugs are believed to lower the ability of the virus to multiply in your body, thereby reducing your symptoms, but there can be terrible side effects.
When diagnosed with herpes, there are certain things your doctor, clinic, or lab may never tell you about herpes, which aren't necessarily secrets or a result of negligence or an uncaring attitude. They are things that, more or less, go unsaid.
There can be many complications from the Herpes Simplex Virus, including everything from feeling more emotional during a breakout to experiencing severe symptoms, even death. Complications include the following symptoms and conditions.
Unless you are a medical student or serious geek, data you run across while researching how herpes hides from the immune system will probably make your brain spin and put your emotional nerves on edge. The following is just one example.
Viral shedding is a term used to describe the process of the virus traveling up the nerves to the skin right before causing blisters to erupt. Shedding is also called the prodromal phase. This prodromal phase (viral shedding) can happen without ever showing signs of an active breakout, known as asymptomatic shedding.
Have your bottom, thigh, or leg ever started hurting before, during, or after a genital herpes breakout? Leg pain is more common than you think when living with genital herpes (HSV-2). Other sensations include numbness, tingling, skin sensitivity, overall leg weakness, and shooting pains. For example, when you have skin sensitivity, it can hurt the back of your thighs to sit on a cold toilet. These sensations are much the same as symptoms caused by sciatica and can spread as far as your feet. It's caused by irritated nerves that have become sensitized as the herpes virus travels through your nerve ganglia. When these symptoms persist, it is called Postherpetic Neuralgia and is considered a complication of the Herpes Simplex Virus.
Rashes can appear anywhere on the body, and when you live with herpes, an anal rash or a rash inside your gluteal crack can be unnerving. Yes, you can have anal herpes, which leads to itching and blistering around the anus and, sometimes, a rash in the crack of your buttocks. However, even when you live with herpes, not all rashes are herpes-related. The following conditions can cause inflammation in these areas. Of course, inflammation can bring on a herpes breakout, so you'll want to deal with these problems promptly.
Prescription medicines often cause allergic Pruritus, which is all-over itching that can drive one insane relatively quickly. What does allergic itching feel like? Pruritus might feel like tiny, invisible bugs biting you simultaneously or spider webs dragging across your skin, making you itch just enough to scratch or rub your skin. Only nothing is there. If you're taking medication and experience itching, contact your doctor or call 911. Itching is an allergic reaction that could become worse.
The social stigma surrounding HSV is alive and well. No other virus is treated with as much prejudice as the herpes virus, so it can be intimidating to tell someone you have herpes.
Stress is a significant cause of herpes breakouts, and understanding why is essential in putting the virus in remission. Why? Because stress triggers inflammation, which wakes the Herpes Simplex Virus from its dormant state. How so? Well, for one thing, stress shuts down your digestive tract until the stress passes. If a vicious dog were chasing you, your body would need energy to run like hell, pulling energy away from less essential functions until the danger passes. But this can happen when you're in a state of chronic stress, which is easy to be in these days. What does this have to do with herpes, and why is this so detrimental to your health? Because your immune system is mostly in your gut. No optimal digestion. No optimal immunity.
By definition, depression means to depress is to "sadden, make less active, and lower in value". Depression is defined as a hollow or low place, a lowly spirit, and less activity (not as busy).
When you and your partner have both contracted the Herpes Simplex Virus, it may seem as though you won't have to worry about passing it on to each other. Sorry. From a psychological and emotional point of view, you may be comforted in knowing your "stories" are shared and that you are loved regardless. However, there is still much to consider.
Becoming pregnant is a significant concern for every woman with herpes because it's possible to transmit herpes to the newborn infant causing neonatal herpes. Here's what you need to know.
The History of the Condom
Most of us love and treasure our pets as friends and part of the family. To some of us, they are our family. The last thing we'd ever want to do is pass on a herpes virus to them. But is this even possible? Can pets contract HSV?
Back to Herpes Simplex Virus.