viral disease (treatable, but not curable)

Herpes (HSV): In-depth

Herpes is caused by a virus that can be treated but not cured. The majority of genital herpes infections are caused by Herpes Simplex type 2. The majority of oral herpes infections are caused by Herpes Simplex type 1. Both type 1 and type 2 can occur in the oral or anal areas, on the genitals, or in both locations.


What Are the Signs that You Have Herpes?

Symptoms of herpes are not the same for everyone. In fact, most people who have herpes don't even know it because they never had signs or symptoms that they noticed. If symptoms do appear, they may show up anywhere from three to 10 days after getting the virus or they might take months or years to appear.

• Some people experience pain or burning when they urinate (pee).
• Herpes sometimes starts out as bumps or blisters in and around the genital area, and then they scab over.
• Herpes also can look like an irritated red area or bumps that many people mistake for something else like an ingrown hair, pimple, bug bite, or rash.
• Many men mistake herpes for jock itch or zibber burn or abrasions from rough sex. Many women often mistake it for a yeast infection, razor burn, irritation from rough sex, or ingrown hairs.
• Genital herpes symptoms can appear on the genitals, upper thighs or buttocks.

  How Do You Get Herpes?
  Herpes is transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact. This happens when an infected area comes into contact with a mucous membrane, primarily the moist skin of the mouth, genitals or anus (butt hole). For instance, fever blisters and cold sores are s ymptoms of oral herpes. If a person with cold sores performs oral sex, it is possible for his or her partner to get herpes on or around the genitals or anus (butt hole).

  Herpes can also be transmitted when there are no symptoms present. There are several days throughout the year that the virus reactivates (wakes up) yet causes no symptoms. Although this time of being contagious (able to be spread to another person) wit hout symptoms is small, consistent use of latex condoms can greatly reduce the risk of getting herpes.

  How to You Find Out You Have Herpes?
  Symptoms of genital herpes can vary widely from person to person. It is recommended that an individual have a skin culture taken within the first 48 hours after signs appear. After 48 hours, there is a risk of receiving a false negative test result becaus e symptoms may have started to heal.

  Blood tests are often used when no symptoms are present. There are many blood tests available, but it is important to understand why these tests are not always right. Many blood tests cannot tell the difference between type 1 and type 2 herpes and can sometimes mistake other herpes viruses (such as chicken pox) for the herpes simplex virus. Basically, a blood test can't tell you where a herpes infection is. The test could come back positive because of an oral herpes infection (fever blisters and cold s ores). To learn more about blood tests and getting diagnosed, click here.

  What Happens If You Have Herpes?
  There are three medications available for the treatment of genital herpes:

  Zovirax (acyclovir), Famvir (famciclovir) and Valtrex (valaciclovir). Each of these can reduce how bad the outbreaks are and how long they last. The medications also can be taken daily to keep the outbreaks from happening so much.

  Zovirax (acyclovir), Famvir (famciclovir) and Valtrex (valaciclovir) can also be prescribed for treatment of oral herpes. Zovirax (acyclovir) ointment, however, is usually prescribed more than the pills. Denavir, also an ointment, is the only prescript ion medication specifically developed for oral herpes. Viractin is one over-the-counter product that is suggested for oral herpes.

  
  For more information on Herpes, visit ASHA's Herpes Resource Center.