Herpes is a skin infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It results in the formation of painful blisters or sores on the skin, typically around the mouth or genitals.
Signs and symptoms of herpes are as follows:
- Herpes (herpes rash) looks like one or more fluid-filled blisters or sores that ooze and later crust before healing.
- The infected skin may tingle, pain, itch, or burn for a day before the sores show up.
- Sores usually take between 2 and 20 days to appear after a person comes in contact with an infected person.
- Sores can take anywhere between 7 and 10 days to clear up.
- Fever, muscle aches, swollen nodes in the neck, or groin may be present.
- Difficulty in passing urine (in genital herpes) can be observed.
- Herpes keratitis (an eye infection in which the eyes become painful, sensitive to light, discharge fluid, and get gritty sensation) can be observed.
Around 8 of 10 people who get HSV infection do not develop any signs or symptoms.
What are the two types of herpes?
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is of two types depending upon where it commonly occurs on the body:
Oral herpes (HSV-1): Blisters most commonly appear
- On the lips.
- Around the mouth.
- On face.
- On the tongue.
These usually last for two to three weeks.
Genital herpes (HSV-2): The most typical sites of sores are as follows:
- Penis
- Vagina
- Buttocks
- Anus
The first outbreak takes two to six weeks to go away.
What is the best treatment for herpes?
There is no cure for herpes simplex virus (HSV). More often, herpes sores clear on their own, without taking any treatment. However, people who wish to reduce the severity of the symptoms and get treated fast usually opt for medicines. Medicines may also reduce the risk of the spread of the infection.
Most people are treated with an antiviral medication that can be given in the form of
- A cream/ointment to relieve pain, burning, itching, or tingling.
- Oral pills or intravenous (shot) to shorten the outbreak.
The best choice of treatment for herpes (to date) is the antiviral medication that is available on a doctor’s prescription. Apart from treating the infected person, it also helps in preventing the spread of the virus to others.
The major antiviral medications are as follows:
QUESTION
What percentage of the human body is water? See AnswerHow can herpes be prevented?
To stop the spread of the virus from the affected part (oral or genital) to other parts of the body, the following options can be helpful:
- Cleaning the hands: Washing the hands upon contact with the sore
- No-touch method: Using a cotton-tip swab to apply an antiviral cream to the cold sore
When a person has oral herpes, they can prevent the virus from spreading to others by following a few precautionary tips:
- The person should avoid kissing anyone.
- The person should refrain from oral sex.
- The person should not share personal items such as cups, towels, and lip balms.
- If there is tingling, burning, itching, or pain in the area of the body where the person had a herpes sore, they should keep that area from coming in contact with others directly or through articles such as towels or cosmetics.
If a person has genital herpes and they want to prevent the spread of the virus, what they can do is:
- Not to have sex with healthy (uninfected) partners until the sores clear up
- Use a latex condom to reduce the risk of spreading the virus
- If a woman is pregnant and she or her partner is having genital herpes, they need to inform the doctor. The pregnant lady might need to take medicines so that she does not pass the virus to her baby.
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Most people who have genital herpes have no symptoms or have very mild symptoms. Patients may not notice mild symptoms or may mistake them for another skin condition, such as a pimple or ingrown hair.
Are Cold Sores the Same as Herpes?
What is the difference between cold sores and herpes? Cold sores are painful, unsightly sores that usually pop up around your mouth. Certain medications, home care and alternative therapies may help you get rid of cold sores fast.
Can I Get HIV From Surfaces?
Studies proved that HIV cannot be transmitted through surfaces such as toilet seats, chairs, doorknobs, drinking glasses and bedsheets. The virus cannot survive outside a human host; hence, transmission through air, water (swimming pools), insect bite or casual contacts such as handshake, hug or touch is not possible.
Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
Genital Herpes
What's going on down there? WebMD shows you pictures of genital herpes symptoms and treatments -- and how to avoid getting the virus in the first place.
What Is Genital Herpes in Women?
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Symptoms of genital herpes include painful blisters and often fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes for the first outbreak. Genital herpes is diagnosed with lab tests to test for the presence of the virus. Treatment for genital herpes includes antiviral medications to shorten the duration of the outbreak or reduce the risk of future outbreaks. There is no cure for genital herpes. Condoms may help prevent the spread of genital herpes.
Genital Herpes Quiz
What is genital herpes? Learn the causes, symptoms in men and women, and treatments for this common sexually transmitted skin disease.
Eye Herpes (Ocular Herpes)
Herpes of the eye occurs due to herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1). Symptoms of herpes of the eye include pain in and around the eye, rash or sores on the eyelids, redness, swelling, and cloudiness of the cornea.
Cold Sores (Oral Herpes, Herpes Labialis)
Cold sores (labial herpes) are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 infection and often appear on the mouth and lips. Read about treatment causes, symptoms, treatment, and diagnosis of oral herpes.
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A herpes virus that causes cold sores and fever blisters in and around the mouth. See a picture of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and learn more about the health topic.Is It Possible to Cure Herpes?
Most of us will likely have to deal with herpes at some point. Learn more about herpes and what you can do to treat it. Genital herpes is a type of sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV2) which causes lesions in the genital area. Learn how it spreads, symptoms, prevention, and how it can be treated.
What Do Herpes Sores Look Like at Different Stages?
Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) are the two types of herpes virus and will look different as they develop during five stages.
What Triggers Herpes?
Once a person is infected with herpes, the virus may stay dormant or quiet within the nerves. It is not known what exactly may trigger the symptoms.