Herpes sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus and can occur above or below the waist. Outbreaks can be managed with antiviral drugs, but the virus cannot be cured. Sores can be spread to other areas of the body or to others, even without visible symptoms. Regular screening for sexually transmitted infections is recommended.
Herpes sores are distinctive sores that occur in people infected with the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Not everyone with herpes will have sores, and people who develop sores can experience random outbreaks. Drugs like valacyclover, aciclovir and famciclovir can be used to manage herpes infections and suppress outbreaks.
Different types of herpes viruses can cause sores to appear. HSV1 usually causes herpes above the waist, such as the characteristic cold sores or fever blisters that occur around the mouth, while HSV2 is primarily responsible for genital herpes. In both cases, the virus lurks in the body, periodically causing outbreaks when a patient is stressed or in response to other environmental cues. An outbreak could occur once a month, every few months, or at completely random intervals.
People with herpes often feel tingling or burning sensations in the days before the sores appear. The site typically appears red and then a painful blister emerges. The blister will rupture and flake within a few days, and the sore usually disappears entirely within 10 days. Herpes sores tend to appear over and over in the same spot, which can lead to scarring.
When someone has sores, they are actively spreading the virus. People who come into contact with herpes sores can get herpes and patients can also spread herpes to other areas of their body by handling the sores and then handling other parts of the body. For example, someone who touches a sore around the lip and then brushes one eye will develop cold sores around the eyes in the future. However, people can also experience asymptomatic shedding, when they can spread the virus even if no sores are present, so herpes sores shouldn’t be used to determine whether or not someone is infectious.
Herpes is a chronic infection that cannot be cured. Disease management can reduce the number of outbreaks and the amount of virus spread, keeping the patient more comfortable. Individuals with herpes must be very careful in their contact with others to avoid spreading the disease, but people who have never had an outbreak should not assume they are free from herpes, as people can get and carry the virus without develop sores. Screening at a doctor’s office can determine whether or not someone has herpes, and screening for herpes and other sexually transmitted infections on a regular basis is strongly recommended for sexually active people.
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