Herpes diseases are caused by two different forms of the herpes simplex virus, known as HSV-1 and HSV-2, both of which are ubiquitous and contagious. Herpes is categorized according to the site of infection by the virus, and common forms include oral and genital herpes, which both cause infectious lesions on the skin through which the virus can be transmitted to others via skin to skin contact.
Oral Herpes
Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can cause oral herpes, although infection by HSV-1 is much more common. Between 30 to 60 percent of children under ten are infected with HSV-1, and by the age of 50 between 80 and 90 percent of adults harbor HSV-1. Herpes viruses are frequently transmitted through skin contact, perhaps via kissing or due to sharing of tooth brushes and utensils, according to the University of Wisconsin.
Symptoms
An outbreak of oral herpes typically causes sores on and around the mouth and small blisters, commonly referred to as cold sores. Although sores typically heal within a matter of days to weeks, the virus can remain dormant in facial nerves, becoming active periodically, causing re-infection of the same area. Most sufferers experience one to three outbreaks of this kind every year.
Treatment
Application of the drug Penciclovir to affected areas in a cream form has been shown to reduce healing rates by approximately one day. The drug acts by inhibiting an enzyme required for normal functioning of the herpes virus, according to Netdoctor.
Genital Herpes
Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 cause genital herpes, leading to genital sores consisting of raised skin lesions which usually appear four to seven days after sexual contact with an infected person, during which the virus is transmitted through skin contact. Genital herpes caused by HSV-1 has been shown to recur at one sixth the rate of HSV-2 induced genital herpes, according to a June 1987 article published in the "New England Journal of Medicine."
Symptoms
Outbreaks in males occur in the shaft of the penis, glans, inner thigh, buttocks and anus. In females, outbreaks occur on or near the labia, clitoris, vulva, buttocks or anus. Other common symptoms include pain, burning and itching, with less common symptoms including discharge from the vagina or penis, fever headache and muscle pain, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Treatment
Genital herpes cannot be cured, but treatments with antiviral medicines such as acyclovir and valacyclovir can shorten outbreak duration and reduce the number of lesions and general severity of this condition, according to Genital Herpes Symptoms.
References
- The University of Wisconsin: University Health Services
- Net Doctor: Vectavir
- Genetal Herpes Symptoms: Genital Herpes Treatment
- PubMed; "New England Journal of Medicine"; Recurrences After Oral and Genital Herpes Simplex Virus Infection; W. Lafferty; June 1987
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Genital Herpes
