Symptoms, causes, and treatment of herpes

Herpes results from infection with the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It causes sores or blisters in or around the mouth or genitals, alongside other symptoms. There are two types of HSV: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) causes oral herpes, which usually affects the mouth and surrounding skin but can also affect the genital region. herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) typically causes genital herpes, usually sexually transmitted. There is no cure for herpes, but treatment can help manage symptoms and reduce the likelihood of outbreaks recurring and transmission to partners. What is genital herpes? Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI), with roughly 572,000Trusted Source new infections developing each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, a person with genital herpes might not have symptoms or have only mild symptoms. Most people may not know they have it. Approximately 87.4%Trusted Source of 14-49 year-olds who have genital herpes do not have a clinical diagnosis. The characteristic symptoms of genital herpes are small blistering lesions, also called cold sores when on the face, usually found around the genitals, rectum, or mouth. The fluid-filled blisters burst and then turn into small, painful sores that can last for two-to-four weeks after they break open. Learn more about cold sores here. Sometimes, particularly with their first outbreak of genital herpes, people can have additional symptoms which affect their whole bodies, such as: fever headache body aches swollen lymph nodes painful urination eye infection After a person has an initial outbreak of genital herpes, they are likely to have more because herpes never goes away entirely. Later outbreaks of herpes are generally milder than the first. Genital herpes is primarily caused by HSV-2 but it can also be caused by HSV-1. HSV-2 infection is usually spread only by genital contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection. A person can also get a genital HSV-1 infection by having oral sex with someone who has an oral HSV-1 infection. What is oral herpes? More than half of American adults have oral herpes. Some estimates say up to 80% of American adults have oral herpes. Oral herpes is primarily caused by HSV-1, although it is also possible to have an HSV-2 infection around the mouth. A person with an oral herpes outbreak may first feel itching, burning, or tingling around the mouth, lips, or tongue. Later, cold sores or small blisters may develop in these areas or anywhere on the skin. What is oral herpes? More than half of American adults have oral herpes. Some estimates say up to 80% of American adults have oral herpes. Oral herpes is primarily caused by HSV-1, although it is also possible to have an HSV-2 infection around the mouth. A person with an oral herpes outbreak may first feel itching, burning, or tingling around the mouth, lips, or tongue. Later, cold sores or small blisters may develop in these areas or anywhere on the skin. Treatment There are several treatment options for both oral and genital herpes: Home remedies People should not try to treat herpes with home remedies without speaking to a doctor first. No research supports the effectiveness of home remedies in treating herpes symptoms. The following could help relieve sone discomfort from herpes symptoms in some people: taking pain relief medication, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen bathing in lightly salted water or soaking in a warm sitz bath squirting water from a bottle or bidet onto blisters to ease pain while urinating applying aloe vera gel to sores applying petroleum jelly to the affected areas wearing loose clothing to avoid irritation refraining from sexual activity, even with protection, until symptoms have gone applying a cream or lotion to the urethra before urinating, such as one that contains lidocaine Some people find that using ice packs help. However, never apply ice directly to the skin — wrap it in a cloth first. Prevention tips The following strategies can reduce the risk of developing or passing on herpes: using barrier protection, such as condoms, when having sex avoiding sex while symptoms are present avoiding kissing and oral sex when there is a cold sore around the mouth washing the hands thoroughly, especially after touching the affected area, during an outbreak Some people also find that stress, being tired, illness, skin friction, and sunbathing can trigger recurrences of symptoms. Identifying and avoiding these triggers can help reduce the number of outbreaks.