Symptoms of Herpes

Patients suffering from horrible and embarrassing symptoms of Herpes are shattered and are the victim of heartbreak and depression. They need not only right advice and information but also a loving care of their families.

Herpes is a viral disease and Herpes Simplex Virus HSV-1 and HSV-2 are responsible for it. Most common form of herpes is "cold sores/oral herpes". It is an infection of face/mouth/nose/chin/cheeks and is generally caused by HSV-1. While infection of the genitals commonly known as herpes, is the second most common form of herpes and is generally caused by HSV-2. Other types of herpes, depending upon area of infection, are herpetic whitlow, herpes gladiatorum, ocular herpes (keratitis), cerebral herpes infection encephalitis, Mollaret's meningitis, neonatal herpes, and Bell's palsy. All types of herpes are painful but it makes life difficult/miserable when virus infects/damages the eye (herpes keratitis) or moves to central nervous system and damages the brain (herpes encephalitis). Married life becomes critical due to genital herpes.

Patients with weak immune systems are more prone to severe complications from HSV infections. Stress, menstruation, sunlight, sunburn, fever, or local skin trauma plays a significant role in the outbreak of cold sores.

Herpes spreads on the body (autoinoculation) if patient rubs hands on uninfected areas of the body without washing them. "Asymptomatic Shedding", where it spreads on the skin even in the absence of a blister, is also responsible for its spread. HSV virus spreads from family and friends through sharing of utensils or clothes or toothbrushes, and from kissing. Oral sex with a partner with a cold sore can infect genital areas. Skin-to-skin contact and/or direct contact with a lesion or the blister fluid of the patient are responsible for its spread.

Herpes appears on the body as blisters. Keeping hands clean can reduce spread of virus to other areas of the body. Suitable drugs taken at initial/prodromal stage (burning feeling, redness, itching, or pain around lips or mouth) can be helpful for faster healing/relief. Generally it lasts for 2-21 days. Thereafter sores tend to reduce/disappear but virus moves to sensory nerves and stays there life-long as latent viruses and may cause recurrence.

Immune system of the patient can't control HSV. No cure or vaccine is presently available to permanently treat herpes. Only its painful symptoms and severity can be reduced/controlled through a suitable treatment strategy which will reduce virus reproduction. Products based on acyclovir or docosanol can be used under the prescription of a doctor.