1. Not So Simple Herpes
Although the formal name of herpes is herpes simplex virus (HSV), there's not much simple about the disorder. Several forms of the virus can affect a patient. With oral herpes, you'll get cold sores around your mouth possibly spreading to other areas of the face. When you have genital herpes, you'll get blisters and sores on the genitals or buttocks. With oral herpes, you have the HSV-1 virus while genital herpes emerges due to HSV-2. However, depending on transmission, oral and genital herpes sores can appear in both the oral or genital areas.
2. It's More Common than You Think
Many people never even realize that they have contracted the herpes virus. If you never have an outbreak or the outbreak goes unnoticed, you may not realize you have either type of herpes virus. It's estimated that over half of the U.S. population has the oral herpes virus. For genital herpes, statistics show roughly 20 percent diagnosed in the U.S. with the disorder. Blood tests and viral cultures are the current methods used to diagnose herpes.
3. How Do You Get Herpes?
Herpes transmission occurs in a variety of ways. Genital herpes is categorized as a STD and transmission can happen during oral, anal or vaginal sex. When you experience a herpes outbreak, sores appear on the skin. If skin-to-skin contact is made during sex, the person can get herpes. Also, if a person with HSV-1 performs an oral sex act on an unaffected person, they can get genital herpes. In some cases, infection can occur even if the person is not in the midst of an outbreak. Kissing will likely cause oral herpes to pass between parties.
4. Herpes: It's More Than Sores
Most people believe the only symptoms of oral and genital herpes involves the outbreak of sores in the affected area. A herpes sore may resemble a pimple before crusting over and falling off the body. The sores may appear for several weeks before going away. After the sores disappear, you may get another outbreak of the virus. Along with the sores, you could feel as though you're suffering from a cold or flu. Many patients complain of fatigue, low grade fever and headaches.
5. No Cure, but Help
Although the herpes virus does not have a cure, you can treat herpes and control your outbreak symptoms. With genital herpes, you can take oral medications, like Valtrex, to reduce the number of outbreaks. Valtrex also has the ability to protect your partner from getting herpes during sex. With oral herpes, you can use cold sore creams, like Novitra, to reduce the blisters, itching and pain caused by the sores.
