Feb 10, 2018 Cedars-Sinai Staff Show  Herpes may be more common than you think.The World Health Organization estimates that globally, 3.7 billion people younger than 50 have oral herpes and 417 million people aged 15-49 have genital herpes. Dr. Maya Benitez says there has always been a stigma surrounding sexually transmitted diseases, especially herpes. Stigma aside, it's stressful to be diagnosed with something with no cure and no direct definitive treatment. And anxiety and stress can trigger outbreaks, says Dr. Benitez. "It is important for people to learn about the disease and understand it, so that if diagnosed, people will know how to live with it," she says. "The likelihood of contracting herpes from toilet seats, bedding, or swimming pools, or from sharing objects such as silverware, soap, or towels is low, but it is possible" What is herpes?There are two types of herpes simplex virus (HSV):
Both are highly contagious. Many people never have symptoms and it is possible for both HSV-1 and HSV-2 to be transmitted without an outbreak or other visible symptoms. An outbreak of herpes usually appears as one or more blisters on or around the genitals, rectum, or mouth. The blisters break and leave painful sores that may take a week or more to heal. The first time someone has an outbreak they may also have flu-like symptoms such as fever, body aches, or swollen glands. How do you get herpes?Oral herpes can be spread by oral-to-oral contact like kissing or by sharing drinks. You can get genital herpes by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has it. It is also possible to get genital herpes if you receive oral sex from a sex partner who has oral herpes. The likelihood of contracting herpes from toilet seats, bedding, or swimming pools, or from sharing objects such as silverware, soap, or towels is low, but it is possible, says Dr. Benitez. While an outbreak isn't necessary for herpes transmission, herpes is most contagious about 3 days before an outbreak; this usually coincides with an itching or burning sensation or pain in the area where the outbreak will occur. How to treat herpes?"People often try to Google herpes and read as much as they can on sites that are not credible or confirmed by a professional provider," says Dr. Benitez. "It's important to get the right information and not cause undue stress." Having a conversation with a primary care doctor is a great place to start understanding herpes, says Dr. Benitez. A primary care doctor will be able to guide patients through the whole process and create a treatment plan that includes recognizing the symptoms, preventing outbreaks, recommending medication, discussing how to approach their partner or a future partner, and, if it becomes too much of a stressor, help accessing mental health resources. "Some of these topics may not be covered in one visit with your doctor," says Dr. Benitez. "You may have to have follow-ups to ensure you are comfortable with the knowledge you're sharing over your life time and comfortable with the knowledge of the disease that you're diagnosed with." Both of these viruses can affect the mouth or genitals. HSV-1 has traditionally been associated with an infection in the mouth, while HSV-2 typically infects the genitals. However, recent research shows that the majority of cases of genital herpes involve HSV-1. HSV-1 is widespread. Among Americans 14 to 49 years of age, 53.9 percent are infected with HSV-1 and 15.7 percent with HSV-2. Once someone has been infected with either HSV-1 or HSV-2, the virus remains in the body for life. Most of the time, the immune system suppresses the virus so it remains dormant, but it still exists in the nerves deep within the skin. Even if your immune system is strong, the virus may start reproducing again, and you may experience an outbreak. Although there is no cure for herpes, certain medications can help prevent or shorten outbreaks. Herpes is not life threatening and does not affect fertility in women or men. Symptoms depend on the type of herpes virus you have and which part of the body it affects. Many people with HSV-1 or HSV-2 don’t experience any symptoms during an outbreak. This is called “asymptomatic infection.” With an asymptomatic infection, you are more likely to unknowingly spread the virus to others. When HSV-1 and HSV-2 do cause symptoms, the types of illness caused by both viruses often look and feel the same. The main difference is that if you are infected with HSV-2 in the genital area, you are more likely to have a relapse, or have outbreaks, than you would be if you were infected with HSV-1. Symptoms of oral herpes can include:
Symptoms of genital herpes can include:
Studies suggest that having genital herpes may also increase your risk of contracting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. This is because herpes causes open sores on the genitals, which make it easier for the HIV virus to enter the body. HSV-1 is spread through contact with saliva, including kissing and mouth-to-genital contact (oral sex). HSV-2 is usually transmitted by direct genital-to-genital or genital-to-anal contact. In the past, HSV-2 was responsible for most cases of genital herpes. However, recent research suggests that almost 80 percent of college students with genital herpes have HSV-1, probably due to high rates of oral sex in this group. Remember, a person with herpes doesn’t need to have symptoms to spread the virus to someone else. The best way for a clinician to determine if someone is infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2 is to perform a laboratory analysis on a sample from a fresh herpes sore. But, because not everyone with herpes has symptoms, your clinician may instead use a blood test that can detect antibodies to the herpes viruses. A blood test can show if you have herpes and, if so, determine whether you are infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2. However, a blood test cannot tell you what part of your body the virus will affect. If you want to be tested for herpes, ask your clinician. A standard screening for sexually transmitted diseases may not include herpes unless you specifically ask. Remember, however, that HSV-1 is a very common virus, and there is a 50–60 percent probability that you will test positive for it. If you are a sexually active adult who has had multiple partners, there is a 10–20 percent probability that you will test positive for HSV-2. Here are some other things to consider before you get tested:
Learning that you have herpes can be confusing and scary. We encourage you to have an in-depth conversation with your healthcare provider before you decide to get tested. There is no cure for herpes, but antiviral drugs can help you manage outbreaks and relieve symptoms. There are currently three types of antiviral herpes medications:
All three drugs are available as pills. Acyclovir is the oldest of the three and is less expensive. People with herpes may use antiviral medications in two different ways:
If you have herpes, speak with your healthcare provider to determine if suppressive antiviral therapy is right for you. People have claimed that certain supplements or other alternative approaches can successfully treat or prevent herpes, but there is no good evidence that these approaches are effective. Stress and illness can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to herpes, but we still don’t know whether maintaining a healthy lifestyle can protect against outbreaks. The best way to prevent transmitting or contracting genital herpes is to avoid sexual contact completely or to be in a monogamous relationship with someone who has tested negative for the virus. However, for many people, neither option is realistic. The following tips cannot completely prevent the spread of genital herpes, but they can help to lower your risk of transmission:
Because oral herpes is so common, it can be difficult to prevent transmission. If you are concerned about contracting or transmitting oral herpes, avoid kissing people or sharing items like utensils, washcloths, and lip balm when cold sores are present. What is a surprising fact about herpes?Around 80% of people infected with genital herpes don't know they have the herpes virus because they have very mild symptoms or none at all. 75% of people who have genital herpes get it from people who are entirely unaware that they have HSV1 or HSV2 herpes themselves. What happens to females with herpes?Females with herpes may not experience any symptoms of the infection, but even if this is the case, the virus can still spread to others. Symptomatic herpes typically presents with open, painful sores or ulcers on or around the genitals, anus, or mouth. How hard is it to catch herpes from a woman?The herpes virus (HSV) is easily passed from person to person by close, direct contact including: kissing. unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex (without a condom) sharing sex toys that aren't washed or covered with a new condom each time they're used. What are the first signs of herpes in woman?The first signs may include: Itching, tingling, or burning feeling in the vaginal or anal area. Flu-like symptoms, including fever. Swollen glands. |
