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Herpes Effects

If you've been exposed to the herpes simplex 1 virus (HSV-1) or herpes simplex 2 virus (HSV-2), you probably wonder what symptoms this virus will cause. When it comes to herpes infections, people have their own unique experience.

  1. Herpes: Overview

    • HSV-1 is typically associated with oral herpes (fever blisters and cold sores). This type of herpes is often is acquired during childhood, when someone gets a kiss from a relative or friend. HSV-2 is typically associated with genital herpes acquired during unprotected sexual intercourse. Both types of HSV reside in the human body for a lifetime, laying dormant in certain nerve centers until something causes them to activate. HSV-1 lives in the ganglia closest to the base of the skull, while HSV-2 resides in the ganglia at the base of the spine.

    Herpes Effects Before an Outbreak

    • Before a herpes outbreak, many people experience "prodrome." Symptoms include pain, soreness and tingling in the area of skin where sores will erupt, such as the lips, mouth or genital area. Sometimes prodrome symptoms are flu-like in nature and may include fever, headache and swollen glands.

    Herpes Effects on the Genitals

    • Genital herpes outbreaks may be noted in and on the penis or vagina, scrotum, thighs, and the area around the buttocks and anus. If a primary (first) outbreak occurs, it's usually noted within two weeks after being exposed to the herpes virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the sores heal between two and four weeks. Those who experience a primary outbreak can expect to have four or five subsequent outbreaks during the course of the year.

    Herpes Effects on the Mouth

    • Oral herpes typically resolves between seven and 10 days, says the Mayo Clinic. If you're exposed to the HSV-1, it may be as long as 20 days before you notice symptoms of an outbreak. A watery sore or group of blisters may appear on the lips or around the mouth, but may also be noted on the chin or around the nostrils, too. Rarely will oral herpes affect the inside of the mouth. Oral herpes usually doesn't require medical treatment, although over-the-counter balms can temporarily relieve discomfort.

    Treating Herpes

    • Herpes is treated with prescription oral antiviral medications that may go by the names of Famvir, Valtrex or Zovirax. The Mayo Clinic recommends daily (suppressive) therapy for those with genital herpes who have numerous sexual partners or frequent outbreaks. According to ASHA, only around 25 percent of people with oral herpes experience subsequent outbreaks. When oral outbreaks are numerous and severe, the same antivirals used to treat genital herpes can be administered.

    Statistics

    • How common is herpes? More common than you might think. According to ASHA, between 50 and 80 percent of people have HSV-1 that causes oral herpes, while one of five adults and adolescents have the HSV-2 that causes genital outbreaks.

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