Herpes simplex: Causes and Prevention

Herpes simplex is a virus causing an infection in humans. It is also called HSV or Herpes simplex infection.

⦿ HSV can be of two category, HSV-1 and HSV-2

⦿ Both of these type of virus are transmitted from one person to other either through oral or genital contact and cause cold sores, ulcers, blisters.

⦿The infection is difficult to cure if gets overlooked for longer time

Key terms: Herpes simplex virus, HSV infection, Antibiotic for HSV, Blisters and ulcers.

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What is HSV?

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Herpes simplex virus or herpes, is a common virus globally. This virus can be classified into two types, 1 and 2. HSV-1 is known to cause oral herpes as it is transmitted by oral to oral contact and causes infection around the mouth.

The later type (HSV-2) is sexually transmitted and causes genital herpes.

How does it get transmitted?

⦿ HSV-1 is transmitted by oral-to-oral contact. If there is virus present in sores, saliva or surface around the mouth, it will get transmitted to the other person when they come in contact with it. 

⦿ HSV-1 can also be transmitted and lead to genital herpes via oral-genital contact. However, this transmission is less common.

⦿ HSV-2 transmits through the sexual (genital) contact. It mainly gets transmitted during sex from genital and anal surfaces or even from skin and fluids infected with HSV.

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Signs and symptoms

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Both oral and genital herpes have different symptoms.

In many cases, infection caused by HSV-1 (oral) is asymptomatic which means no visible symptoms are present but the signs of infection includes,

⦿ Blisters and ulcers in or around the mouth.

⦿ Itching

⦿ Burning

These symptoms recur and the frequency varies among people

HSV-2 that causes genital herpes shows mild symptoms.

⦿ Sores near genital area

⦿ Fever

⦿ Body ache

⦿ Swelling in lymph nodes

Symptoms of genital herpes caused by HSV-1 are not recurring frequently but the infection of HSV-2 shows symptoms recurred frequently. 

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Complications

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Three possible complications of HSV infection are as follows - 

• HSV-2 and HIV infection

HSV-2 infection is the most commonly seen in the people living with HIV infection. HSV-2 increases the risk of developing HIV infection in unaffected people as well. 

• Diseases

As HSV-2 is associated with HIV infection, people with low immunity or advanced HIV infection will suffer from severe diseases and face symptoms recurrence very frequently.

Person with HSV-2 infection also may suffer from brain infection (meningoencephalitis)

But the HSV-1 infection will lead to more severe problems like brain and eye infection.

• Neonatal herpes

This can happen if an infant is exposed to a virus during delivery. Only 10 out of every 100,000 births in the world are reported to have herpes infection. although a less common disease it causes very serious problems like neurologic disability or death.

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Treatment of Herpes Simplex

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Both HSV-1 and 2 infection can be reduced by the antiviral medicines listed below

1. Acyclovir
2. Famciclovir
3. Valacyclovir

These are the most effective medications to reduce the severity and frequency of symptoms. Infection can not be cured permanently.

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Prevention of Herpes Simplex

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As the HSV transmits via oral and genital contact, people with HSV-1 should avoid any oral contact including oral sex and to prevent genital herpes, correct use of condom can be helpful. Use of protection during sex also reduces the risk of HIV infection. The person with genital herpes should avoid the sex while sores are present. 

If a pregnant woman has symptoms of HSV, she should inform her doctor before entering to late pregnancy stage to prevent the neonatal herpes

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Things to remember

⦿ Herpes simplex is a virus that causes oral and genital infection.

⦿ HSV-1 is transmitted via oral-to-oral, oral-to-genital contact and infects the area in and around the mouth. Less commonly, it leads to genital infection too.

⦿ HSV-2 infects the genital area if transmitted during sex with a person infected with HSV.

⦿ Antiviral medicines like acyclovir, famciclovir and valacyclovir can be used to reduce the infection but it can not cure the infection.

⦿ HSV is associated with the HIV infection, other severe diseases and ion involves complicated neonatal herpes as well.

⦿ Proper precautions needs to be taken to prevent the infection and transmission.