Generally called cold sores, oral or facial herpes is typically caused by type 1 of the herpes virus (type 2 generally causes genital herpes).

Oral herpes is a very common condition and about 90% of Americans are thought to be infected. Unlike its genital counterpart, oral herpes is not necessarily contracted through sexual contact. Oftentimes, the virus is contracted at an early age, perhaps by being kissed by an adult who has a cold sore. Sharing eating utensils, razors and towels with a person who has an active oral herpes outbreak can also contract the virus.

Oral herpes is common and incurable, but it is not fatal. Most of the time individuals who have oral herpes have no symptoms at all or the symptoms may be so mild that they are undetected. Even still, a person may confuse oral herpes with a number of other conditions. If symptoms do occur, they may include the following:

* Tiny, fluid-filled blisters or sores located around the mouth, surrounded by red (or inflamed) skin
* Soreness or tingling around the mouth days before blisters appear on skin
* Discomfort and appearance of blisters generally last between 7 and 10 days

While the mouth area is the most common location for cold sores, there have been cases where the outbreaks occur on nostrils, chin or even fingers.

One misconception about cold sores is that they are related to canker sores. The two are very different, however, in nature and in function. Cold sores are caused by the herpes virus and are contagious, while canker sores are not caused by a virus, but rather are noncontagious ulcers that occur inside soft tissue of the mouth, where cold sores rarely occur.

Cold sores can be passed from person to person through skin-to-skin contact. Greatest risk of contracting the virus is during the time the blisters appear until they have completely disappeared. However, it is still possible to spread herpes even after the skin has healed and the infection is no longer visible.

* Do not kiss or have skin contact with infected persons during an outbreak. Herpes is passed most easily when there are moist secretions from cold sores.
* Do not share items like eating utensils, towels, lip balm because these can carry the herpes virus during an outbreak.
* Wash your hands carefully and regularly prior to touching others during an outbreak.
* Use caution when touching other body parts.
* Avoid activities known to trigger outbreaks. Try to avoid stressful situations, like cold or flu, lack of sleep or prolonged sun exposure without sunblock.
* Use sunblock on lips and face prior to prolonged sun exposure.

In most cases, cold sores clear up without the need for treatment. However, if a person experiences complications associated with the virus, then it is a good idea to seek treatment.

Here are complications that may indicate the need to consider treatment for oral herpes:

· The blisters don’t go away within one to two weeks
· You have a pre-existing health condition that has put your immune system at risk
· Symptoms are severe
· You have frequent outbreaks
· Eye irritation occurs

There are many natural treatments available for the management of oral herpes. Natural treatments have been shown to reduce the number of oral herpes outbreaks experienced as well and the duration and the severity of the outbreaks.

Dylan Morris

Dylan Morris is a freelance writer and supporter of nutraceuticals, natural, herbal treatments for disease control and prevention. Visit http://herpaflor.com/ for more information.

Additional Reading: Stop Herpes Now & From Coming Back for Good by Dr David Hogg

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease contracted through skin-to-skin sexual contact. Most people who have herpes are unaware of it because oftentimes there aren’t any accompanying symptoms. The signs of herpes are sometimes so mild they can go unnoticed. The initial outbreak is typically the worst, and some people never have subsequent outbreaks. Others, however, have been known to have frequent recurrences.

In the event that there are symptoms for genital herpes, they may include:

* Small, red bumps, blisters or sores in the genital, anal and nearby areas

* Pain or itching around your genital area, including buttocks or inner thighs

Typically, the first sign of genital herpes is pain or itching, occurring a few weeks after contact with an infected sexual partner. Then, after a few days, tiny, red bumps are present. These burst, forming ulcers that bleed or emit pus. The final stage is when scabs form after this, the ulcers heal and disappear completely.

Once you have contracted genital herpes, there is no cure for it. But, there are things that can be done to prevent a sexual partner from contracting the virus. Likewise, if your sexual partner has genital herpes and you do not, there are practices that you can engage in that will minimize your chance of contracting the virus. Keep in mind, however, that the only 100% guaranteed method of preventing the spread of genital herpes is abstinence.

If you have genital herpes, here are some things you and your partner can do to prevent spreading it to a partner:

*Abstain from sex during outbreaks because more of the virus is present on the skin at this time. Also, sex during an outbreak can irritate the area, making the outbreak last longer.

*Use latex condoms from start to finish whenever you engage in sexual activity.

People with genital herpes usually know the virus is active because lesions appear on the skin. But lesions do not always appear when the virus is active. Herpes can be active even when no symptoms are present. This reactivation without symptoms is known as asymptomatic shedding. Traces of the virus are present on the skin in th genital area or in rectal tissue or genital secretions. Asymptomatic shedding causes most herpes infections because there is no way to know when the virus is being shed, and therefore a person with herpes does not know they need to be more cautious during periods of shedding.

Normal activities like cuddling, sharing a bed, or kissing are not ways genital herpes can be contracted.

Chances of transmitting genital herpes to infants is greatly reduced if you contract the virus before pregnancy because your body’s antibodies will be passed to your infant, but if you are concerned about spreading genital herpes to an infant during pregnancy, follow these tips:

*Alert your doctor of your genital herpes diagnosis.
*Discuss the possibility of a C-section delivery
*Take a treatment that will lessen your outbreak frequency, duration and severity-to reduce chance of an outbreak during delivery.

It is always a good idea if you have genital herpes to take treatment, not only to reduce your outbreaks, but also to help you manage the condition so that it causes as little disruption to your normal routine as possible.

Dylan Morris

Dylan Morris is a freelance writer and supporter of nutraceuticals, natural, herbal treatments for disease control and prevention. Visit http://herpaflor.com/ for more information.

Additional Reading: Stop Herpes Now & From Coming Back for Good by Dr David Hogg

When we speak about transmission, we are finding out about how the virus enters the body. Both HSAV 1 and HSV2 can enter the body through tiny cuts in the skin (even microscopic) and through the mucous membrane. Our inside of mouth, inner genitals, anus, are all covered with mucous membrane. If you get in contact with saliva of an infected person or the lesion or skin, which is shedding virus, your chances of getting herpes are high. Let us discuss this further.

Genital herpes is transmitted by sexual contact. If a partner is infected he/she can transmit the genital herpes virus to the partner. Some facts are given below-

The risks of transmission are very high when the infected person is having active outbreak of herpes.

If a partner has cold sores and performs oral sex on the other partner, transmission will take place.

Both HSV1 and HSV2 can cause genital herpes. HSV1 infection is commonly found in the mouth. Kissing will therefore transmit herpes virus causing oral herpes in the other partner.

The transmission can take place even if active outbreak is not seen. Many people shed the virus without showing any outbreak this is called asymptomatic shedding. So if you are involving in sexual activity with someone with no outbreak signs, you may still get herpes if the other person sheds the virus.

The possibility of transmission is high during the prodrome phase. Genital herpes has a phase called the prodrome phase. This phase occurs before the outbreak and indicates that an outbreak will occur soon. During this phase, one gets sensations such as tingling, itching or some pain in the genital area. Active outbreak takes place in a day or two or more after that. Beware of this phase in your partner.

CD Mohatta

More information on Skin Care visit doctorgoodskin.com. The author also writes text and advises for content for myspace comments, and designs creative ideas for myspace layouts.

Additional Reading: Stop Herpes Now & From Coming Back for Good by Dr David Hogg

The herpes simplex virus has been aggravating the world since time immemorial. It is indeed a scourge because there is no known herpes cure. Because the virus retreats and hides in the nerves between outbreaks (it then lies dormant), your body has a very hard time dealing with it. Herpes announces itself in an outbreak of tiny blisters mainly around the genital area which later turn into open sores. After an attack the herpes virus retreats back to the nerve endings and hides, making it difficult to treat or to find a cure. A Cure For Herpes Studies We know there is no herpes cure available, there are prescription drugs that can help suppress the herpes virus and also natural creams and lotions that will kill the virus on contact 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. Herpes Cure Drugs There is not a herpes cure, but precautions do work… Just using some common sense can go a long way to ensure you don’t come into contact with this incurable virus. Always wear a condom. This is not infallible but will help in most cases. Also oral sex is another primary source of herpes infection. Oral infections on the inside of the mouth are occurring more and more every day. So when any oral sexual activity is being considered one must also use some form of protection as well. Again, the protection is not a cure for herpes but it greatly reduces the risk of becoming infected. Chastity is the only way to not get infected from any form of sexual intercourse.

John Currie

JJ Currie has written a series of excellent herpes cure reports with a view to helping sufferers of herpes stop herpes outbreaks without drugs, potions or lotions. The LIVE HERPES FREE REPORTS which may be downloaded from http://www.liveherpesfree.com/herpesreports.htm discuss important herpes questions such as herpes diet and nutrition, herpes transmission and you can also view the comprehensive list of herpes resources at the site.

Additional Reading:

Stop Herpes Now & From Coming Back for Good by Dr David Hogg