Herpes Simplex, commonly known as Herpes is an infectious disease caused by a Herpes Simplex Virus. It appears in various parts of the body.
Herpes
They have been classified into two types namely:
- HSV – 1
- HSV – 2
HSV – 1: It causes blisters primarily in mouth and face. Children are easily prone to this infection from general interactions with adults that are it may involve sharing same dining utensils, lip balms, toothbrush or kissing. Herpes Simplex Virus is difficult to get removed from our body by our immune system. It remains for the rest of life. Outbreaks could occur during conditions such as menstruation, due to steroids and fatigue.
HSV – 2: It is a sexually transmitted infection. It mainly causes genital infections. Risk factors arise due to having multiple partners, immature immune system, having AIDS/HIV and female also are more prone to this disease. It might be inherited from a mother to child during the birth. The efficient method to avoid this infection is to avoid oral, vaginal and anal sex.
HSV Symptoms
Specific signs would include the following:
- Blistering sores
- Itching
- Pain in genitals during urination
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness
- Severe Headache
- Swelling of lymph nodes
- Infection of skin affects mouth, hands, face, and genitalia.
- A sewer disorder occurs when the virus infects the central nervous system, resulting in brain damage.
- When HSV spreads to an eye it may cause symptoms such as discharge and eye pain.
- These infections are also associated with individuals with weak immune system or AIDS.
HSV Test
It is usually done through physical examination where a physician might diagnose for sores in your body and might advise to go for HSV testing, to detect the presence of sores on genitals. A sample of the fluid of a sore is taken and tested in the laboratory.When there is no sign of sores than blood test will be conducted.
HSV Treatment
There is no cure for Herpes Simplex. As mentioned earlier, the virus stays in the nerve cells of an infected person for a lifetime. Though it might not exhibit any symptoms outbreaks could be experienced by certain people.
To know more about Herpes Simplex, visit BYJU’S.
Read more: Herpes virus classification
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