1. What is herpes?

Herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection.

2. What are the types?

There are generally two type of herpes - genital herpes and oral herpes. Genital herpes occur around the genital area while oral herpes appear around the mouth or face.

In medical terms, These are known as Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1 for short), and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (also known as HSV-2).

HSV-1 causes oral herpes, whilst the closely related infection HSV-2 causes genital herpes. Herpes is highly contagious, but it is most likely to be transmitted if the sufferer has open sores.

You can read “What is Herpes” for more information.

3. What are the symptoms of herpes?

If you have herpes the following symptoms are ones that you are most likely to experience:

Itching, painful bumps or blisters appearing in on the genitals, flu like symptoms, a burning sensation when urinating (as a result of urine flowing over the sores), difficulty urinating (this occurs in cases where blisters block the urethra), and open sores on the genitals.

Other symptoms of genital herpes include fever, chills, headache and swollen, tender lymph glands.

4. Does man and woman have the same infection pattern?

In men, the affected areas of genital herpes include- urethra, penis, scrotum, anus and buttocks.

In women, the herpes appears on external genitals, vagina, cervix, buttocks and anus.

5. Is there any indication of a herpes outbreak?

Before any herpes outbreak there is a period called prodrome. During this period you may get sensations such as- tingling, itching or some pain. That indicates that the genital herpes will break out in a day or two. Genital herpes can also spread easily during this prodrome period.

6. Is herpes transmitted via sexual intercourse only?

Not everyone catches genital herpes through sexual intercourse, some actually catch it from cold sores, remember the two viruses that cause herpes are closely related.

7. How is herpes transmitted?

Herpes is spread through direct contact with the sores. People who have oral, vaginal and anal sex are prone to getting the infection. Even with no visible blisters, viral shedding can take place and many spread and acquire the disease unaware that they have.

8. What will confirm a herpes infection?

Herpes is tested with viral culture during active outbreaks. During dormancy (no visible signs), a blood test is performed. These tests are not very accurate and may need to be repeated.

9. After being infected with the herpes virus, how soon will the sores appear?

Sores usually become apparent two to three weeks after the virus has entered the body.

10. What causes herpes flare-ups or recurring outbreaks?

Outbreaks can be caused by any event that causes an impaired immune system such as other infections, stress, surgery or other outside factors. They may also be associated with menstruation, sexual intercourse and skin irritations.

11. Does herpes make me prone to acquire other sexually transmitted diseases?

Yes. Open herpetic sores increase the odds of contracting other venereal diseases.

12. Do pregnant women with herpes transmit the virus to their baby?

Mothers may potentially pass on the virus to their baby. It is vital for a mother to be cautious to avoid the infection or to let herself and her partner be tested for the virus.

13. What are the symptoms of herpes inflection of a newborn child?
Newborns can catch herpes simplex from their mother during birth. If a newborn is infected with the virus, the following symptoms of infection may emerge during the first month after birth: irritability, breathing problems, fever, convulsions, jaundice (yellowish skin), sores on the skin, bruising or low platelet counts (platelets are the part of blood that makes it clot). In the most extreme cases, babies infected with herpes simplex may develop severe eye problems, a small brain size, mental retardation, seizures or even die.

14. Are there any cure?

At the moment there is no cure for herpes, however there are some medications that help to treat the symptoms of herpes by making them last for a shorter period of time.

The simple fact that herpes is a virus is what makes it difficult to find a herpes cure. As a rule the immune system will deal with and destroy any viruses it finds but that fact that the herpes virus retreats and hides so well in the nerves when in the dormant phase makes finding a cure for herpes a more difficult task.

15. When was herpes first known?

No one really knows. The history of herpes begins as early as ancient Greek times. Hippocrates speaks of the condition in his writings. Even the word “herpes” is a Greek word that means “to creep or crawl” which is the way that the Greeks described the way that skin lesions spread.

16. Are there herpes community that I can seek out friendship?

Yes, many. One of the better known sites is PositiveSingles. They even have a STD consultant there.

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