Herpes Simplex Virus(HSV) - Overview

viral disease (treatable, but not curable)

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 II. The majority of oral herpes infections are caused by Herpes Simplex type I. Both type I and type II can occur in the oral or anal areas, on the genitals or on all of the above.

Symptoms very are different from person to person. The most common symptoms are pain or burning while urinating (peeing) and bumps or blisters around the genital area, then they scab over. Symptoms show up on the genitals, upper thighs or buttocks between three to 10 days after getting the virus.

Herpes is transmitted when an infected area comes in contact with a mucous membrane, primarily the moist skin of the mouth, genitals and anus (butt hole). Herpes CAN be transmitted when no symptoms are present. Herpes (HSV): In-depth Herpes is caused by a virus that can be treated but not cured. The majority of genital and anal herpes infections are caused by Herpes Simplex type II. The majority of oral herpes infections are caused by Herpes Simplex type I. However, it is important to understand that both type I and type II can occur in the oral or anal areas, on the genitals or all of the above. What Are the Signs that You Have Herpes? Symptoms of herpes are not always 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.

• 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 or rash. Many men mistake herpes for jock itch. Many women mistake it for a yeast infection.
• 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 symptoms 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) without 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 because 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 sores).