Herpes
What is herpes?
Herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the U.S. It is an infection caused by two different but closely related viruses. Both are very easy to catch, both have similar symptoms, and both can occur on different parts of the body. When the infection is in the mouth, it is called oral herpes. When it is on or near the sex organs, it is called genital herpes.
How common is herpes?
Almost 90 percent of Americans have the most common form of herpes at some time in their life. The most common form usually appears as oral herpes (cold sores) and is usually not spread through sexual contact. More than 31 million Americans have gotten herpes through sexual contact. Half a million Americans are diagnosed every year. However, millions of Americans do not know they have herpes because they have never had or noticed the symptoms.
How is herpes spread?
Direct skin-to-skin contact can spread herpes. This includes touching, kissing, and sexual contact (vaginal, anal, and oral). Moist areas of the mouth, throat, anus, vulva, vagina, and the eyes are very easily infected. Skin can be infected if it is cut, chafed, burned, or has a rash or other sores. Herpes can be passed from one partner to another, or from one part of your own body to another part. If one partner has oral cold sores, he/she can pass on the virus during oral sex and cause genital herpes. Herpes is most easily spread when there are open sores. It can also be spread before the blisters actually form. It is least easily spread when the sores have healed, the scabs have fallen off, and the skin is normal again. It is very unlikely that herpes is spread by toilet seats, swimming pools, bathtubs, whirlpools, or moist towels. An infected mother can pass the virus to her baby during or after childbirth.
What are the symptoms of oral herpes?
Oral herpes usually appears on the lips or inside the mouth as "cold sores" (small blisters). Oral herpes can be spread through contact such as kissing, or though oral sex. Direct contact for a short amount of time is enough to spread the virus. Cold sores are common in young children. Oral herpes in adults is usually just a "flare-up" of an infection from childhood. Cold sores are annoying but harmless in children and adults, but can be dangerous to a newborn.
What are the symptoms of genital herpes?
Many times, genital herpes does not cause any symptoms. Many people carry the virus in their bodies but do not have their first occurrence of symptoms until they are infected again. If you do have symptoms, they can begin from 2 to 20 days after the virus enters the body, or it could take much longer. The first occurrence of symptoms during the first infection of genital herpes is called "primary herpes." You may have a tingling or itching in the genital area at first. You could have pain or soreness in the buttocks, legs, and groin area. Small, red bumps appear on the area near where the virus entered the body- on the labia, clitoris, vagina, vulva, cervix, anus, thighs, or buttocks. These bumps turn into blisters or open sores. Between 24-72 hours after the small blisters show up, they can burst and leave painful sores.
Other symptoms of primary herpes can include:
Symptoms usually go away within 3 weeks; even faster if you are treated with medication. The sores usually scab over and heal without scars. But after going away, the virus stays in the body. It can "flare up" and cause sores again from a few days to years later. Symptoms are usually worst during primary herpes, and become weaker each time that herpes flares up in the future.
How is herpes diagnosed?
Your health care provider can diagnose herpes by looking at the sores during a physical exam or by testing fluid taken from the sores. If you think you have herpes sores, see your health care provider right away.
Is there treatment for herpes?
Yes. Your health care provider can prescribe medications that quicken healing, make symptoms less painful, and lower the risk of getting outbreaks while you are taking the medications. These medications don't kill the virus and don't prevent you from getting outbreaks in the future. Once you catch the herpes virus, you always have it. Even when you don't have any symptoms, the virus is in the body and can "flare up" at any time. However, outbreaks usually become fewer and cause less severe symptoms as time goes on. Outbreaks often become less frequent after five or six years of getting herpes.
Does treatment cure herpes?
No. Herpes cannot be cured but it can be treated!
Is there anything I can do to relieve my symptoms?
Your health care provider will likely prescribe an anti-herpes medication to help your sores heal faster. If you are having frequent outbreaks, your health care provider may also suggest medication to lessen the number of episodes of herpes. You can do several things to help relieve your discomfort or pain:
What is an outbreak?
After you have primary herpes (first occurrence of herpes symptoms), symptoms go away but the virus stays in your body. The virus can "flare-up" at anytime and cause an outbreak of new symptoms. During an outbreak, new sores break out in the same places. Symptoms are less severe and last for less time than those that occurred during the first occurrence of symptoms. Symptoms that occur during outbreaks can include:
You may have some early warning signs that an outbreak is going to occur. These include tingling, burning, and itching where you had sores before. These signs could start a few hours or days before the outbreak.
How often do outbreaks occur?
Half of the people who have herpes don't have any more outbreaks (when herpes flares up again and causes symptoms) after the first occurrence of symptoms. Some people only get a few outbreaks, while others get many. People can have many outbreaks in a row and then go months or years without one. People with illnesses that weaken the immune system, like leukemia and HIV, are more likely to get more outbreaks and have symptoms that are more painful and last longer.
What causes an outbreak?
It is not clear what causes outbreaks. Some ideas are:
Is there anything I can do to prevent outbreaks?
Make sure that are you are eating a healthy diet, getting enough rest, exercising, and finding ways to relieve stress. If you have frequent or severe outbreaks, talk to your health care provider about taking a medication to prevent outbreaks or to treat them early.
How can I prevent spreading herpes?
If you are having a herpes outbreak, you should not have any sexual contact until all sores have healed, the scabs have fallen off, and the skin is normal again. Using condoms when sores are present does not completely protect against spreading the disease. The condom may not cover sores on the body. The virus can also spread from skin to places the condom doesn't cover. Touching sores can spread herpes to other parts of the body or to your partner. If your skin has become normal again and you have no symptoms of herpes, you can have sexual contact again but herpes can still be spread when there are no symptoms (although the risk is low). You should always use condoms whenever you have oral, vaginal, or anal sex.
If you get any of the typical warning signs that an outbreak may occur—tingling, burning, and itching where sores were before—you should stop having sexual contact immediately. These signs can start a few hours or a day before the sores flare up. People with sores should not have any sexual contact until all sores have healed and all scabs have fallen off. Talk to your health care provider about whether you should take medication to lessen your chance of transmitting herpes to your partner.
The general rules to follow if you are having a herpes outbreak are:
Does herpes cause cervical cancer?
No! Cervical cancer can be caused by human papilloma viruses, like those that cause genital warts, but it is not caused by herpes. However, you should have a Pap test at least once a year.
Is there a connection between herpes and AIDS?
People with herpes or other sexually transmitted diseases that cause genital sores are more likely to get HIV. The sores provide a place for the HIV virus to enter and start spreading. If a person with HIV also gets genital herpes, the infection is likely to be more severe.
Updated 8/13/2005
Related Information:
|
Looking for other health info? Check our A-to-Z Index. ©1998-2008 Center for Young Women's Health Children's Hospital Boston. All rights reserved.
About Us Health Guides By Topic
|
Printer Friendly
En Español
