Understanding Herpes: Causes and Common Symptoms
Herpes can infect anyone, including children, and persists for life unless treated. It transmits through skin contact and sexual activity, often with no initial symptoms. Common signs include blisters and painful sores, especially during outbreaks. Reactivation triggers include stress, illness, and sun exposure. Early detection and management are crucial, particularly for genital herpes, which causes recurring painful episodes and discomfort. Awareness about transmission and symptoms can help control the spread and manage outbreaks effectively.
Herpes affects individuals of all ages, including children. Contracting the virus early on means it remains in the body for life unless properly treated. The risk increases if you engage with an infected person during an outbreak.
Oral contact with someone suffering from cold sores can lead to Genital Herpes, especially if sexual activity begins at a young age or involves multiple partners. Women with weakened immunity are particularly vulnerable.
Moreover, if you have other STDs, your chances of contracting Herpes increase. During childbirth, if a pregnant woman experiences an outbreak, her newborn can be exposed to the virus, posing serious health risks. In the US, about 20% of sexually active adults carry HSV-2. You can also contract Herpes without visible sores if you're in close contact with an infected person.
Once infected, eradicating HSV remains controversial. The virus travels from skin cells to nerve cells and stays dormant. Stressors like illness, menstrual periods, sun exposure, surgery, or stress can reactivate the virus, causing outbreaks.
Signs of Herpes:
Many infected individuals show no symptoms, but signs often include blister formations, mainly around the mouth, genitals, or rectum. These blisters may rupture, leaving tender sores. Early symptoms can be mistaken for other skin issues, delaying diagnosis.
Noticeable clusters of blisters in the affected area are a key indicator.
Outbreaks often cause painful sores that may take weeks to heal. The initial outbreak could include flu-like symptoms such as body aches and fever. Over time, recurrences tend to lessen in frequency, varying per person.
Recurrent episodes of genital herpes are common, sometimes accompanied by burning during urination, which indicates active infection.
