Herpes simplex is the name of virus that causes infectious sores on your body. Shortly called as HSV, herpes simplex affects any part of your body, but often it causes painful sores on your mouth, lips and genitals. HSV can be broadly divided into two types. HSV-1 is responsible for causing blisters on the face and mouth and hence called as oral herpes. This type of blisters is called by other names like fever blisters or cold sores. HSV-2 also called as genital herpes can affect your genitals causing sores on private parts.
Risk Factors :
- Herpes simplex can affect any person, ranging from children to adult and elderly people.
- A person with weakened immunity can get easily infected with HSV-1.
- People having multiple sex partners and that too without taking any precaution can get infected with HSV-2.
- Women who do vaginal douching are at risk of getting this infection.
- Pregnant women can transfer this infection to her baby.
Symptoms :
Herpes simplex virus is marked by sores or blisters on the affected part of the body. HSV-1 can cause painful lesions on your mouth, lips and inside the oral cavity. Painful blisters can cause difficulty to eat or drink and even talk. Swollen lymph nodes, mild fever, headache and tiredness are some of the general symptoms caused by HSV.
In case you are infected with HSV-2 or genital herpes it can cause itching and irritation and pain during urination. Genital area becomes swollen and red spots may develop on it. There are people who are asymptomatic (without any symptoms) but still infected with HSV.
Causes :
- Herpes simplex virus type 1 can spread through oral secretions and HSV-2 through sexual contact. Kissing the infected person can transfer the virus to you without your knowledge.
- Virus will not cause any blisters as soon as it enters the body. It can remain dormant without causing any symptoms.
- Having fever or any other general illness makes one prone to develop Herpes infection. People with weakened immunity or those undergoing chemotherapy can get viral infection.
- HSV is contagious and can easily spread from one person to another. Once a person gets infected with HSV the virus can remain dormant in his body for long term.
- HSV-2 can easily spread through sexual contact with the infected person. About 20% of sexually active professionals are infected with HSV-2 and they spread the virus to others through sex.
Diagnosis :