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Herpes simplex virus

Condition Overview:

Herpes is a contagious infection that's caused by the herpes simplex virus. One type of the virus - herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) - can lead to cold sores around the mouth. An infection of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2) can lead to genital herpes, a sexually transmitted disease that causes blisters and pain in the genital area.

Both types of the virus can be transmitted through direct contact. A person can get the cold sores of HSV1 by kissing or sharing eating utensils with an infected person. A person can get genital herpes or HSV2 by having intimate contact with an infected person. A mother who has genital herpes can pass the infection on to her newborn if she delivers the baby vaginally.

In many cases, herpes doesn't cause any symptoms, so it's possible for a person to carry it and unknowingly pass it on to someone else. In other cases, herpes infections can lead to infections in other parts of the body.

Sometimes people who have oral or genital herpes only have one outbreak. But other people have many outbreaks, which are less painful and shorter than the initial episode.

There's no cure for herpes. In fact, once a person has been infected with the herpes virus, it's in the body forever. There are medications that can alleviate some of the discomfort that outbreaks cause. And there are things you can do to help protect yourself - and your family -from getting infected by the virus.

Cold sores around the mouth are usually caused by HSV1. This form of the virus is usually transmitted from person to person by saliva or direct contact, like kissing or sharing eating utensils.

In this form of herpes, blisters form on the lips and on the inside of the mouth, and soon develop into painful ulcers. The gums become red and swollen, and the tongue may develop a white coating. Other symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, eating difficulties, a generally ill feeling, irritability, and swollen neck glands. These symptoms can last from 3 to 2 weeks.

After the first herpes infection, the virus can lie dormant without causing any symptoms for some time. But the virus can reactivate at a later time, leading to a tingling and numbness around the mouth, then a blister that breaks and forms a crust. The virus tends to reactivate following some type of stress on the body, like a cold, an infection, hormone changes, menstrual periods, or even a tooth extraction.

Genital herpes is usually caused by HSV2. This form of the virus occurs mainly in sexually active teens and adults and is transmitted through intimate contact.

Symptoms typically begin with pain, tenderness, or itching in the genital area and also include fever and headache.

In males, blisters appear on the penis. In females, blisters appear on the area around the vagina and in the cervix. In both genders, the blisters may appear on the thighs and buttocks. Blisters soon erupt to form painful sores that last 1 to 3 weeks.

Other symptoms may include: pain or a burning sensation during urination; a clear mucus-like discharge from the vagina or urethra (opening for urine) in females; a clear mucus-like discharge from the tip of the penis in males; and tender, swollen glands in the groin area.

As with HSV1, after an initial outbreak of genital herpes blisters, HSV2 also remains dormant in nearby nerves and can be reactivated later in life. The symptoms of reactivated genital herpes are similar to those of first outbreak, but they're generally less severe.

Herpes infections can be prevented by avoiding direct contact with sores or ulcers of someone who has an active herpes infection - either on the mouth or on the genitals.

Teens who are sexually active should properly use a latex condom during sexual activity, but even condoms will not completely eliminate the risk of spreading genital herpes while there are active lesions. The only surefire way to prevent genital herpes is abstinence.

Pregnant women who have had genital herpes or any type of genital sores or blisters in the past should always tell their obstetricians before delivery. In some cases, other delivery options - like a cesarean section - can prevent HSV2 from being passed to the newborn.