Herpies

Types of Herpies

There are two types of herpies viruses: herpies simplex 1, which is not generally sexually related, and herpies simplex 2, which is sexually related. Although these viruses appear similar under a microscope, they spread differently and have different symptoms. A large percentage of the general population has had herpies simplex 1 sores at one time or another, but herpies simplex 2 tends to be found only in people who are sexually active and who have had unprotected sex.

Herpies Simplex 1

The herpies simplex 1 virus causes sores around the inside or outside of the mouth. It is spread through saliva or physical contact such as that which occurs by kissing or sharing glasses or eating utensils, and can infect people of all ages. The sores typically begin as small blisters but can become large, open, red sores. When a person is first infected, flu-like symptoms such as swollen glands, fever, sore muscles, and a general feeling of tiredness may appear. Once these fade, the virus becomes dormant.

Once the herpies virus is hiding in dormancy on nerve endings, it can reappear at any time. The most common trigger is some sort of physical or emotional stress. A tingling feeling is the first sign of an upcoming outbreak, and then a blister will appear and eventually progress to a crusty sore.

Herpies Simplex 2

Herpies simplex 2 is a sexually transmitted disease and is transmitted through sexual contact with an infected partner. The initial symptoms include fever, headache, tenderness in the genital area, and tiredness. Small blisters will then appear on the penis (men) or around the vagina (women) as well as on the thighs of either men or women. These blisters will progress into herpies sores which may take anywhere from two to four weeks to heal.

As with herpies simplex 1, the virus will then go dormant. New sores will appear randomly after that, although all of the symptoms tend to be less severe after the initial infection.