Facts

• One in five adults are presently infected with herpes (National institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease – Herpes).
• About 80% of Canadians have oral herpes (cold sores).
• Herpes can be found on other areas of the body, such as eyes, fingers.
• Up to 25% of Canadian adults may have genital herpes but many are unaware of this since their symptoms are so mild (Genital Herpes: Facts and Triggers).
• Herpes is uncomfortable but not dangerous.
• Herpes can be spread very easily. Until all infected sores are healed, keep them clean and practice safe, protected sex.
• Herpes can rarely be passed from a pregnant woman to her child (Health Canada).

Genital Herpes

Infected people develop symptoms after about two weeks of infection. These initial symptoms are known as the first episode or primal herpes. Patients may experience the following symptoms:

• Blistering, open sores and pain in the infected area
• Itching and burning while urinating
• Fluid accumulation at the site of infection
• Pain during intercourse
• Swollen lymph glands
• Fever, chills and headache
• General flu-like feelings

After these symptoms disappear, the first episode is over. Frequently, a patient has more episodes (usually one per year) as time goes on with the same symptoms, just less severe than the first episode. Later episodes can be caused by various things including surgical trauma and friction in the genital area

Oral Herpes

Infected patients usually don’t ever have severe symptoms but the following may develop approximately two weeks after infection:

• Fluid accumulation at the site of infection
• Itching
• Increased difficulty in swallowing
• Increased salvation
• Muscle pain

A recurrent episode may also occur and will go on for a shorter duration with less severe symptoms. The average number of recurrences is four to five in a year with blisters typically clearing up in eight to ten days each time.

How it works

• Herpes is a highly contagious virus that is caught through direct contact with the source of the disease.
• It is passed from skin-to skin, mouth-to-mouth and mouth-to-genital contact.

Symptoms

• Symptoms typically first appear two to 20 days after contact with the virus although it could take longer.
• First symptoms can be uncomfortable but this varies from person to person. In fact, some people have a first episode so mild they don’t even notice the disease.

Diagnosis

• A sample from the infected area can be taken (pap smears) and the fluids from the infection can be tested for the herpes virus (cell culture tests).
• Blood tests are used when a person is concerned about herpes but does not have any visible signs or symptoms.

Treatment

• There is no known cure for either type of herpes but there are antiviral medications available to ease the symptoms.
• Three popular drugs used to combat herpes are Acyclovir, Valacyclovir Famiciclovir.
• These drugs intercept the virus’ ability to reproduce and have almost no side effects.

Outlook

Although a difficult disease to deal with, herpes can be controlled and those infected can lead normal lives. Infected people do have to be responsible about their sexual contact with others and make their partners aware of the infection. With responsible relationships and safe sex, the infected person can go on to have normal sexual relations.

Links

National institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease – Herpes
Centre for Disease Control – Genital Herpes
Scarleteen
Genital Herpes: Facts and Triggers
Health Canada