Info about Herpes
Herpes Simplex
Usually when people make a reference to herpes, they are speaking of an infection of genital herpes. There are a variety of types of the herpes virus, but the most common is the herpes simplex. Herpes simplex, or HSV, has two different strains called herpes simplex one and herpes simplex two.
Oral herpes is usually caused by herpes simplex one, and in some rare cases this strain of the virus can affect the genital area. However, genital herpes is most commonly caused by herpes simplex two. Oral herpes can be caused by herpes simplex two in very rare cases.
Herpes is an exceptional virus. Only the virus that causes the common cold exceeds it. Researchers estimate that probably eighty to ninety percent of adults are infected with herpes simplex one. Although herpes simplex two is not nearly as common, it is estimated that about twenty percent of adults are infected with this strain of the virus.
Herpes does not always cause symptoms. About ninety percent of the people infected with herpes simplex two do not know it because there are no symptoms or the symptoms are not unique enough to be recognized as being caused by the virus. If the herpes virus does show symptoms, it is usually an outbreak of lesions or blisters.
Herpes is most contagious during an outbreak of the symptoms. It used to be believed that the virus was not contagious unless there were symptoms, but research has shown that the virus can be present on the skin’s surface so it can be transferred to another person even if there are not any visible symptoms. The presence of herpes on the surface of the skin without a visible outbreak is called asymptomatic shedding.
Herpes is most commonly transferred to others by kissing and other types of intimate physical contact. Objects like toilet seats or other public facilities are not a common way to transfer herpes. It is almost always transferred by direct skin to skin contact, and it is usually when there is an outbreak of symptoms.
Herpes is not considered a serious health risk although the symptoms can be physically uncomfortable and they can be a nuisance. The person’s overall health condition is not affected by the herpes infection. The only exceptions to this rule are infants who are usually infected from a mother with genital herpes, or people with seriously weak immune systems.
When the symptoms of herpes do occur, they stay in the area of the body that the infection first took place. They do not move around.
If you think that you could have herpes, you can be checked at your doctor’s office. You could have been exposed without even knowing it because some people do not want to reveal that they are infected with herpes. However, the appropriate thing to do is let anyone with whom you might have close physical contact know of your condition. That way, they can better prepare themselves to avoid contacting it. You should always use protection during sexual activity to prevent any sexual transmitted disease. This is true for herpes as well as other diseases and viruses such as AIDS.