Basic background and information about Herpes

Herpes


The Herpes (her peez) virus is the cause of `cold sores', `genital herpes', `chicken pox' and `shingles'. They all produce small blisters in the skin. The `herpes simplex' virus causes cold sores and genital herpes, whereas chicken pox and shingles are caused by a closely related virus called the varicella (varry sella) zoster virus. So when people talk of `herpes' infection they are usually reffering to cold sores or genital herpes.

Cold Sores

Over 8 million adults suffer from cold sores, which are small blisters affecting the lip. Once you've had a cold sore, you tend to suffer recurrences, often when your resistance is low e.g. particularly during a cold, flu or chest infections. Other factors that trigger cold sores are stress, fatigue, sunshine and sunbeds.

The virus is usually picked up from someone who has had a blister developing on their lips when they have kissed you! So a kiss, from a loving parent with a cold sore to a child, can start a condition that lasts for life! Between flare ups, the virus `hibernates' in nerve fibres, to reappear when you're at a low ebb!

An effective treatment is `Zovirax' cream, which can be obtained on prescription or can be bought over the counter. Apply five times daily, as soon as the cold sore develops.

Genital Herpes

This is caught by direct contact with someone who has the herpes blisters on their skin, be it lips or genitals.

The first infection of genital herpes is usually the worst. It occurs 2-14 days after contact with an infected person. Pain develops in the genital region, sometimes accompanied by fever, aching limbs and swollen glands situated in the groins. Severe blistering occurs, often causing pain on passing water, and in women, a vaginal discharge. The blisters then dry, crust over and clear up in 10-14 days. However, like cold sores, they recur, though subsequent genital flare ups are less severe than the initial attack.

This condition has been treated with some success using `Zovirax' tablets, which are particularly effective in patients with recurrances of six or more attacks a year. The drug must be taken daily for 12 months. As this is an expensive treatment, referral to a specialist in sexually transmitted diseases is recommended.

Although there is no direct link with cervical cancer, specialists do recommend that women with genital herpes should have regular cervical smears.

Warning: If you have cold sores or genital herpes, the blisters are infectious even when they are just starting to develop, so avoid direct contact with others. Furtherinformation and help can be found at
The Herpes Viruses Association web site http://www.herpes.org.uk
IMPORTANT NOTICE : This content is from the Dr Chris Steele personal archive and is provided for convenience only. Information contained here may no longer agree with the most up to date medical advice. Please check with a medical professional before taking any action.

More like this
Women's Health
Men's Health
Illnesses
Treatments
Support Groups
Prevention
Young People
Use this page



Privacy Terms | Advertisers | Legal Disclaimer | Contact
© 2007 TheFamilyGP.com