Herpes has existed for thousands of years. Old texts discovered by the ancient Greeks described herpes as being present as early as the 5th century, but it's only been understood more recently (in the past 100 years or so). The Herpes Simplex Virus was first formally recognized by Hippocrates (460 to 370 BCE), who wrote about the symptoms of herpes, particularly the lesions.
HSV~1 is commonly known as cold sores. Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are contagious and are usually transmitted to others through kissing. More than half of the population in the United States has HSV-1. Most people are infected with HSV-1 during childhood from a non-sexual kiss from a relative or friend having kissed them during an active outbreak of oral HSV-1. You only need to come into contact with a cold sore once to contract HSV-1.
Herpes Simplex Virus 2 or HSV-2 is commonly known as genital herpes.
Canker sores aren't related to the Herpes Simplex Virus. Still, like herpes, they're ulcers (one or more) that appear on the inner cheek, gums, tongue, or inside the lips of the mouth.
At least 1 million people in the United States have an outbreak of Shingles each year. Shingles is Herpes Zoster, caused by the Varicella Zoster Virus, which causes Chickenpox.
Opening a book or a website and, without warning, seeing gruesome photographs of what a herpes outbreak looks like can be highly upsetting and make you want to slap your hands over your eyes, so you'll see no shocking photos of herpes lesions here.
The types of Herpes are..." Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, human herpesvirus 6 (variants A and B), human herpesvirus 7, and Kaposi's sarcoma virus or human herpesvirus 8. A simian virus, called B virus, occasionally infects humans (NCBI)."
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is highly contagious but not air-borne like cold or flu viruses. You could be in a room full of people with herpes and walk right through without a hitch.
Viral shedding is a term used to describe the process of the virus traveling through the nerves to the skin right before causing blisters to erupt. Shedding is also called the prodromal phase.
Unless you are a medical student or serious geek, data you run across while researching how herpes hides from the immune system will probably make your brain spin and put your emotional nerves on edge. The following is just one example.
Herpes is diagnosed by looking at visible sores or taking a sample for lab testing. Blood tests can detect antibodies toward HSV-1 or HSV-2, even between outbreaks. Your care provider can help you arrange an examination under your health insurance plan.
Medical doctors often treat herpes viruses with antiviral drugs and steroids.
When diagnosed with herpes, there are certain things your doctor may never tell you about herpes, which aren't necessarily secrets or a result of negligence or even an uncaring attitude. Medical professionals tend to provide the least information up front rather than lay everything on you immediately. It could be a way of lining their pockets with money (knowing you'll be back with more symptoms or questions), but it's also possible that certain information is omitted due to a lack of knowledge or the desire not to frighten you.
There can be many complications from the Herpes Simplex Virus, including everything from feeling more emotional during an outbreak to experiencing severe symptoms, even death. Complications include the following symptoms and conditions.
By definition, depression means to depress is to "sadden, make less active, and lower in value". Depression is defined as a hollow or low place, a lowly spirit, and less activity (not as busy).
When you live with herpes, it's essential to understand that "everyday" stress isn't an HSV trigger. There's no need to worry that you will never be able to have a single emotion without breaking out in a rash of blisters, even though it may seem that way at times. Going to work every day, picking kids up from practice, and having to run to the store in the middle of the night aren't what triggers an outbreak. No. It's ongoing stress or traumatic stress that triggers emotions long after situations and events have come and gone that trigger outbreaks.
Becoming pregnant is a significant concern for every woman living with herpes because it's possible to transmit herpes to the newborn infant, causing neonatal herpes. Here's what you need to know.
Rashes can appear anywhere on the body, and when you live with herpes, an anal rash or a rash inside your gluteal crack can be unnerving. Yes, you can have anal herpes, which leads to itching and blistering around the anus and, sometimes, a rash in the crack of your buttocks. However, even when you live with herpes, not all rashes are herpes-related. The following conditions can cause inflammation and sores in these areas. Of course, inflammation can cause a herpes outbreak, so you'll want to deal with these problems promptly.
Prescription medicines often cause allergic Pruritus, which is all-over itching that can drive one insane relatively quickly. What does allergic itching feel like? Pruritus might feel like tiny, invisible bugs biting you simultaneously or spider webs dragging across your skin, making you itch just enough to scratch or rub your skin. Only nothing is there. If you're taking medication and experience itching, contact your doctor or call 911. Itching is an allergic reaction that could become worse.
Have your bottom, thigh, or leg ever started hurting before, during, or after a genital herpes outbreak? Buttock, thigh, and leg pain are more common than you think when living with genital herpes (HSV-2). Other sensations include numbness, tingling, skin sensitivity, overall leg weakness, and shooting pains. For example, when you have skin sensitivity, it can hurt the back of your thighs to sit on a cold toilet. These sensations are much the same as symptoms caused by Sciatica and can spread as far as your feet. It's caused by irritated nerves that have become sensitized as the herpes virus travels through your nerve ganglia. When these symptoms persist, it is called Postherpetic Neuralgia and is considered a complication of the Herpes Simplex Virus.
Telling a potential new partner that you have herpes can be terrifying because there's no way to know how they will respond. The social stigma surrounding HSV is alive and well. No other virus is treated with as much prejudice as the herpes virus. The fear of being humiliated, rejected, or worse, can make you feel like quitting. Bringing up the subject can be scary, but it has to be done. Think of how you would feel if someone knew they had herpes and didn't tell you and you contracted HSV. Maybe this has happened to you already. I'll let you in on a secret. It's illegal. Lawsuits are filed against those who purposely transmit the herpes virus to others. I mention this so that if you contracted HSV this way, you have the right to file a lawsuit against the person who gave it to you on purpose.
When you and your partner both live with the Herpes Simplex Virus, it may seem you won't have to worry about passing it on to each other. Sorry. From a psychological and emotional point of view, you may be comforted in knowing your "stories" are shared and that you are loved regardless. However, there is still much to consider.
There is very little by way of history through the ages when it comes to the use of condoms, but here's what is known, as well as which condoms work best.
Most of us love and treasure our pets as friends and part of the family. To us, they are our family. The last thing we'd ever want to do is pass on a herpes virus to them. But is this even possible? Can pets contract HSV?
