Some Infomation About The Herpes Simplex Virus
Generally, the term herpes refers to some kind of sexually transmitted and double-stranded DNA virus, which is called the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). This is closely related to the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which is usually the common cause of cold sores that are not sexually transmitted. The two viruses are included in the eight members that are part of the herpes virus family that has infected humans. These viruses have caused several types of illnesses that range from ordinary cold sores to chickenpox to brain infection and even various cancers.
In the United States, about 50 to 80 percent among the total population are infected with the herpes simplex virus type 1, while there are over 15 percent who have the herpes simplex virus type 2. These two herpes simplex viruses are part of the Alphaherpesvirus subfamily. The HSV-1 could be spread to the genital area through oral sex, while the HSV-2 could also be reach the oral region but this is less common. The symptoms of herpes simplex virus are usually mild and infrequent that is why people who have this virus would hardly notice it or could mistake it for another medical condition.
The similarities between both types of herpes simplex viruses is that they are transmitted through direct contact and that these could sometimes cause very painful blisters that contain fluid in them, as well as millions of really infectious virus particles. The major difference between these types of herpes simplex viruses is the primary infection site. The HSV-1 infects the nearby oro-facial skin and membranes of the lips, while it is the genital skin for HSV-2. Both viruses, after the initial infection, would travel to the sensory nerves and would remain there as latent viruses. But when these viruses reactivate for some reason and cause symptomatic disease, these would then go back to their respective skin areas that are served by these nerves, and in effect, would lead to the various distributions of cold sores.
Both of these herpes simplex viruses are actually considered as nuisance infections that are not really life threatening, but it is possible that these may cause fatal or rare severe disease only if they spread to the brain or the eyes. Generally, the HSV-1 and HSV-2 are spread through contact with a herpetic sore, such as touching, kissing or maybe even from sharing drinking glasses. But for people who do not have active sores, the transmission of the viruses could be a bit more complicated. There are various ways that the herpes simplex viruses manifest among different individuals. For an HSV-1 outbreak, the usual manifestations include skin irritation, prodromal symptoms, and appearance of sores or cluster of blisters. In a genital infection, there would be prodromal symptoms, itching and appearance of sores. Then the lesions of these herpes simplex virus would eventually heal and without scarring. This is just a general idea of what the infection could do. The actual experiences of outbreaks vary among individuals.
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