Herpes is the common name for infection with one or both types of the herpes simplex virus. The American Social Health Association reports that up to 90 percent of people with herpes are unaware that they have the disease, usually because they fail to recognize the symptoms. There is no cure for herpes, and infected people suffer from lifelong, periodic recurrences.
Prevalence
According to the American Social Health Association, 50 to 80 percent of American adults have oral herpes. Genital herpes is less common; it affects about 20 percent of American adults.
Transmission
The disease is usually acquired through intimate contact, such as kissing or sexual intercourse. It is also possible to contract the disease from other kinds of activities, such as sharing cosmetics or glassware.
Symptoms
The symptoms of herpes depend on the age and immune status of the infected person, the anatomic location of the infection and the type of virus that is involved. The most recognizable symptom is a 1mm or 2mm skin blister—commonly called a "lesion"—that is filled with straw-colored fluid and features a central depression or dimple. Lesions may develop in clusters and are commonly confused with pimples, ingrown hair, yeast infections, "jock itch," abrasions and other kinds of skin problems.
Onset
Symptoms of herpes appear one to 20 days after exposure to the virus, advises the American Academy of Dermatology. Six to eight days is the median.
Duration
Herpes skin lesions usually heal without scarring within seven days for recurrent outbreaks and two to four weeks during the first outbreak, according to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine." People who have previously been infected with one type of the herpes simplex virus usually recover faster when they are exposed to the other than people without such histories.
References
- American Social Health Association: Learn About Herpes - Oral Herpes
- “Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 17th edition"; Herpes Simplex Viruses (Chapter), by L. Corey; A.S. Fauci, E. Braunwald, D.L. Kasper, S.L. Hauser, D.L. Longer, J.L. Jameson and J. Loscalzo (editors); 2008
- American Academy of Dermatology: Herpes Simplex
- MedlinePlus: Herpes Simplex
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Herpes
