What Are the Causes of Herpes?

Although the word herpes is tossed around occasionally in general conversation as an insult or a reference to promiscuity, few people are actually aware of the most basic information on herpes. This includes the fact that many people have the virus without even being aware of it. Herpes is a contagious sexually transmitted disease. Herpes is the general term for two different kinds of herpes simplex viruses: HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 is usually simply related to sores on the mouth, commonly referred to as cold sores or fever blisters. These sores are found around the nose or mouth and can be passed on through kissing or other intimate physical contact. Beyond this basic information on herpes type 1, in rare cases, HSV-1 blisters can develop on the genitals from oral sex. It can be contracted on the genital area through the medium of fingers or toys. Basic Information on Herpes states that most cases of genital herpes come from the second type of the virus, HSV-2. Both types of the virus can cause the infected person to have the same lesions (or sores). However, many people that have either strands of the herpes virus may never have any physical symptoms, or they may be so minor and without knowing any basic information on herpes they are dismissed for something as simple as the flu or a skin irritation. Different people may have different reactions the virus, but general initial symptoms may include: a fever, swollen lymph nodes, pain when urinating, lower back pain and/or pain in the genital region in addition to the characteristic sores. After the virus has been transmitted, the person who has acquired it will usually have the first bout of symptoms in 2-20 days after the incident of physical contact. Basic information on herpes states that the virus is most likely to spread if the person who has it has open sores, but transmission can occur even when there are not visible symptoms through shedding of the skin that is not visible by the human eye. This invisible transmission is probably the biggest factor contributing to the growing number of people that contract the disease each year. Unfortunately, important basic information on herpes asserts that herpes is a disease, so once it is contracted, it will never go away completely. After outbreaks of open sores, the virus retreats back to the nerves. The first episode is usually the most severe, and many people who have the virus report feeling warnings of the next outbreak from a tingling sensation in the lower back or genital area. The most important step for protecting yourself against the acquisition of the herpes virus is by getting tested. Before you engage with any new sexual partners, you should both be aware of basic information on herpes and have an STD test done to make sure that neither of you already have herpes or any other STDs that you could pass on to each other. If your partner has herpes, do not engage in sexual relations while they have an outbreak. If they do not have any visible sores, it is still important to wear a condom, and if possible, try to cover any skin that may come in contact to protect the buttocks and area around the sexual organs. If you get tested and realize you have herpes, do not stress yourself out too much; you are not alone and at least you know some basic information on herpes. In the American adult population, over 50 million people have at least one form of the herpes virus and an additional 500,000 people contract each year. As many as 80-90% of these people do not know any basic information on herpes and do not realize that have contracted the disease, which is one of the reasons why it is spreading so quickly. There are a variety of options to help alleviate the pain and discomfort of outbreaks including mild painkillers, vitamins, antiviral treatments, oxygen treatment, lysine and other dietary supplements, etc. Herpes is only one of many different STDs that are becoming more prevalent around the world as people are not keeping up with their STD testing. Protect yourself, your body, and your potential partners by being knowledgeable about basic information on herpes and other STDs and getting tested for all STDs before it's too late.