What is herpes simplex?
The herpes simplex virus, also known as HSV, is an infection that causes herpes. Herpes can appear in various parts of the body, most commonly on the genitals or mouth. There are two types of the herpes simplex virus.
- HSV-1: primarily causes oral herpes, and is generally responsible for cold sores and fever blisters around the mouth and on the face.
- HSV-2: primarily causes genital herpes, and is generally responsible for genital herpes outbreaks.
What causes herpes simplex?
The herpes simplex virus is a contagious virus that can be transmitted from person to person through direct contact. Children will often contract HSV-1 from early contact with an infected adult. They then carry the virus with them for the rest of their lives.
HSV-1
HSV-1 can be contracted from general interactions such as:
- eating from the same utensils
- sharing lip balm
- kissing
The virus spreads more quickly when an infected person is experiencing an outbreak. An estimated
67 percent of people ages 49 or younger are seropositive for HSV-1, though they may never experience an outbreak. It’s also possible to get genital herpes from HSV-1 if someone who performed oral sex had cold sores during that time.
HSV-2
HSV-2 is contracted through forms of sexual contact with a person who has HSV-2. An estimated 20 percent of sexually active adults in the United States are infected with HSV-2, according to the
American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). HSV-2 infections are spread through contact with a herpes sore. In contrast, most people get HSV-1 from an infected person who is asymptomatic, or does not have sores.
Who is at risk of developing herpes simplex infections?
Anyone can be infected with HSV, regardless of age. Your risk is based almost entirely on exposure to the infection.
In cases of sexually transmitted HSV, people are more at risk when they have sex not protected by condoms or other barrier methods.
Other risk factors for HSV-2 include:
If a
pregnant woman is having an outbreak of genital herpes at the time of childbirth, it can expose the baby to both types of HSV, and may put them at risk for serious complications.
Recognizing the signs of herpes simplex
It’s important to understand that someone may not have visible sores or symptoms and still be infected by the virus. They may also transmit the virus to others.
Some of the symptoms associated with this virus include:
You may also experience symptoms that are similar to the
flu. These symptoms can include:
HSV can also spread to the eyes, causing a condition called herpes keratitis. This can cause symptoms such as
eye pain, discharge, and a gritty feeling in the eye.
How to prevent herpes
Genital herpes is spread from sexual skin-to-skin contact with someone who has it — including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. So the best way to avoid herpes and other STDs is to not have any contact with another person’s mouth or genitals.
But most people have sex at some point in their lives, so knowing how to have
safer sex is important. Using protection like
condoms and
dental dams when you have sex helps to lower your risk of getting an STD.
Herpes can live on areas of your body that aren’t protected by condoms (like the scrotum, butt cheeks, upper thighs, and labia), so condoms won’t always protect you from herpes. But they do lower your chances of getting herpes.
Don’t have sex with anyone during a herpes outbreak, because that’s when it spreads most easily. But herpes can also spread when there are no sores or symptoms, so it’s important to use condoms and dental dams, even if everything looks and feels A-OK.
Treatment
Treatment with antiviral drugs can help people who are bothered by genital herpes outbreaks stay symptom-free longer. These drugs can also reduce the severity and duration of symptoms when they do flare up. Drug therapy is not a cure, but it can make living with the condition easier.
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