Understanding Herpes
Herpes is a highly contagious viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two main types:
HSV-1 (Oral Herpes): Causes cold sores around the mouth but can also spread to the genitals.
HSV-2 (Genital Herpes): Primarily affects the genital and anal regions.
Herpes spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact, including kissing, oral sex, vaginal or anal intercourse. Once infected, the virus remains in the body for life and can cause recurring outbreaks, triggered by stress, illness, or other factors that weaken the immune system. Despite its prevalence, proper management and antiviral medications can help control outbreaks and minimize symptoms.
Common Causes & Risk Factors of Herpes
Herpes spreads through:
- Unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
- Skin-to-skin contact with an infected area, even without visible sores.
- Kissing or sharing utensils/lip products (for HSV-1).
- Weakened immune system, increasing susceptibility to outbreaks.
- Multiple sexual partners or a new partner without recent STI testing.
- Childbirth transmission, where an infected mother can pass herpes to her baby.
- Asymptomatic shedding, where the virus spreads even when symptoms are not present.
Symptoms & Recognition
Herpes symptoms vary from mild to severe and may not appear immediately. Initial outbreaks usually occur within 2-12 days after exposure and can be more intense than recurring episodes.
Common Symptoms:
- Small, painful blisters or open sores on the genitals, anus, mouth, or surrounding skin.
- Tingling, itching, or burning before sores develop.
- Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes.
- Painful urination (if sores are near the genitals or urethra).
- Herpes can also cause internal outbreaks (e.g: inside the urethra or cervix) that may not be visibly noticeable but still cause discomfort or pain
Recurrent Outbreaks:
- Often less severe than the first outbreak.
- Sores appear in the same area but heal faster.
- Triggered by stress, fatigue, illness, hormonal changes, or sun exposure.
Since herpes symptoms can be mistaken for other conditions, testing is the best way to confirm an infection.
How Is Herpes Diagnosed?
Diagnosis is based on:
- Physical examination of sores and symptoms.
- Swab test from an active sore to detect HSV.
- Blood tests (serologic testing) to check for HSV antibodies.
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, a highly accurate way to detect the virus.
Best Treatment Options for Herpes
There is no cure for herpes, but antiviral medications help manage symptoms and reduce transmission risk. Common treatments include:
- Aciclovir (Acyclovir): Available in pill and topical cream form, helps shorten outbreaks.
- Valaciclovir (Valtrex): Reduces outbreak severity and lowers the risk of passing the virus.
- Aciclovir cream: Eases discomfort from cold sores and speeds up healing.
- Suppressive therapy: Daily antiviral medication for those with frequent outbreaks to prevent recurrences and reduce transmission risk.
Antiviral medications are most effective when started within 48-72 hours of the first signs of an outbreak. After this window, antiviral medications are unlikely to have a significant effect on the outbreak.
