Herpes is an infection that is caused by the simple virus or HSV. It usually affects the anal region, skin surfaces, mucosa, and external genitalia. This disease is considered as a long-term condition. However, there are many people who have never suffered from these symptoms, even if they are carriers of the bacteria.
For this type of virus, until now, a definitive cure has not been achieved, but it can be treated with the help of homemade and commercial medicines.
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Information about herpes
Individuals with herpes often experience symptoms of this virus for months and even years after becoming infected. Also, patients with these signs, in the initial stage, begin to notice them four days after exposure.
On the other hand, those infected with HSV often suffer from it on a recurring basis. That is, when someone is infected for the first time, the irregularities will appear more frequently. However, as time passes, the referral times get longer. For this reason, when they appear again they tend to reduce the dangers.
Simple herpes
Skin lesions are characteristic of this type. They are appreciated as small, cluster-shaped vesicles with a red ring. It is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) or herpes hominis virus. In turn, it is divided into:
- HVS1: infection of the face, mouth, lips, and upper body.
- HVS-2: it is recurrent on the genitals and lower body.
Symptoms
There are two types of symptoms in HSV cases, we mention them below:
Symptoms in primary stage
It is common in people with an initial infection. Specifically, it happens when an individual is infected for the first time. Symptoms usually manifest as follows:
- Ulcers and blisters on the genitals in the external area, on the cervix and in the vagina.
- Itching and pain.
- Vaginal secretions
- Tender and swollen lymph nodes.
- Dysuria, pain when urinating.
- High fever
- General malaise as discomfort in the body.
- Red blisters on the skin.
- HSV on the lips.
In almost all cases, these blisters or ulcers usually heal and the scars will be momentary.
Recurrent stage symptoms
In this case the symptoms are less strong, and their duration is not long, as in the previous case. These discomforts do not usually last more than ten days and are manifested as follows:
- HSV on the lips, tingling or burning at the ends of the genitals.
- Appearance of ulcers or blisters on the cervix
- Redness of the affected area.
How is herpes spread?
The moment herpes appears on the surfaces of an individual’s skin, it can be easily transmitted to another person. Especially when it makes contact with the moist skin that covers the rectum, genitals and mouth. In addition, the bacteria also spread to other areas of the face, such as the skin around the eyes.
It is not possible for the contagion to occur simply by touching the objects, a towel or surfaces handled by an infected person. This virus can simply appear in the following conditions:
- In oral sex with someone infected with labial HSV.
- In vaginal or oral sex that is performed without protection.
- By exchanging sex toys with infected people.
- By making genital contact with an individual who has the disease.
In this sense, it is very likely that the bacteria are transmitted long before the blister originates. Therefore, HSV can spread to other people, because there are no signs of the outbreak. Likewise, pregnant women, and those who suffer from the disease, can transmit it to the baby in childbirth.
Recommended treatments
There are different recommended treatments for this disease, and they are divided into the following groups:
Home remedies
- Salt baths applied to the lesions.
- Take pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
- Put petroleum jelly on the affected areas.
- Hot baths.
- The use of tight clothing should be avoided, especially in the area of suffering.
- Wash your hands constantly, even more if the wounds have been touched.
- Avoid sexual intercourse until symptoms disappear.
- When you have dysuria, apply lidocaine to relieve ailments.
- Ice provides immediate relief, but is advised not to be applied directly to the area.
Medicines
To date, there is no medicine that completely eliminates this virus. However, specialists usually prescribe antiviral drugs such as Acyclovir, which serves to prevent it from multiplying and relieve pain. Likewise, antiviral formulas have been proven to be ideal for making the outbreak go away quickly. On the other hand, they are also the best to minimize symptoms.
It is common for people experiencing symptoms for the first time to be prescribed antiviral medications.
Suppressive or episodic treatments
This type of treatment is prescribed to people who suffer fewer than six recurrences in a single year. In these cases, specialists usually prescribe antivirals for a period of five days, each time the symptoms appear. Likewise, medication with suppressants is indicated, especially when the person has more than six recurrences in the year.
On the other hand, there are also situations where experts recommend that the patient take antivirals indefinitely. This is done in order to prevent these recurrences from multiplying in an accelerated way. Even though this treatment could eliminate the risks of transmitting the disease to your partner. This fact is not completely proven, and there are still some possibilities of its happening.
Actions to prevent herpes
It is likely that fatigue, illness, stress, sun exposure or skin friction can cause frequent recurrences. Therefore, it is important to identify risk factors to avoid them and reduce their recurrence. If you suffer from herpes, and you want to avoid spreading the virus, you should keep in mind:
- Use condoms in sexual intercourse.
- Avoid having sex, if you have symptoms.
- Try not to kiss if you have blisters on the lips.
- Avoid having different sexual partners.