Herpes: (HSV) (HSV)

HERPES
HSV1, HSV2
What is it? A highly contagious disease caused by the herpes simplex virus, either type 1 or 2. Since the virus lives in the nerve cells, it can cause recurring
infections, which are often triggered by stress, physical activity, illness, menstruation, sun exposure, or other environmental or emotional changes.
Herpes I (HSV1) primarily affects eyes and mouth and causes the common cold sore or fever blister. At least 35-50% of the adult population has had
an outbreak of oral herpes.
Herpes II (HSV2) primarily affects the genital area. A genital herpes infection may lie dormant for years, so a sudden appearance within a longstanding
relationship does not necessarily mean infidelity.
These days there is less distinction between the two due to oral-genital contact, so they may be very interchangeable.
A national survey (NHANES) on herpes showed more than 1 in 5 Americans over age 12 is infected with HSV2, the most frequent cause of genital herpes. The survey
results also show genital herpes increased from 16.4% in 1980 to 21.7% in 1991. Ironically, this remarkable 30% increase occurred during the decade that
introduced Americans to the idea of "safer sex." Researchers estimate up to 1 million new infections yearly.
How do you get it? Through direct physical contact with the virus during a herpes outbreak, or prior to outbreak. The virus can be spread through:
Touching blisters
Sexual contact
Kissing
Intercoursevaginal, anal or oral. During oral sex, genital herpes can be transmitted to the lips and oral herpes can be transmitted to the genitals
Herpes is very contagious from the first tingly or itchy sign until the dry scab falls off. Average incubation period for genital herpes is 3-7 days. Length of infection
for primary infection is 3-6 weeks and 7-10 days for recurrent infections, but people whove been exposed can harbor the virus and not know it for years.
HSV can also survive outside the body for several hours in a warm, moist environment; chlorine kills the virus immediately on contact.
What are the symptoms?
>first, a tingly sensation, itching, pain, swelling and/or redness where the virus entered the body.
>next, single or multiple tiny bumps or fluid filled blisters form. The blisters rupture in 2-5 days to form shallow, painful ulcers. Several days later, sores dry up
and form a scab.
>may have mild fever, headache, body aches or swollen lymph glands in the groin.
>may have pain in abdomen, upper thighs or lower back.
>may have no symptoms. In some cases, HSV may be transmitted with no outward symptoms.
Location of blisters
Women: face, lips, in or around the vagina, cervix, buttocks, thighs or anus.
Men: face, lips, penis, scrotum, buttocks, thighs or anus. Initial outbreak of herpes infection is the most severe. Once infected, a person will always harbor the
virus. While dormant or inactive, the virus remains in nerve cells without causing any permanent damage.
Recurrences are usually less severe, shorter, and tend to become fewer over the years. Before the sores come back, there may be early warning symptoms, such as
burning, itching, or tingling at or near the same place the earlier sores occurred. The symptoms may precede the sores by a couple of hours or a couple of days.
How is it treated? No cure for HSV exists. However a prescription antiviral drug is helpful in reducing symptoms. Good nutrition and rest may help speed
the recovery process. Women who have genital herpes should have yearly pap smears.
Management
Apply cold compresses (hot may make it worse)

Cool baths with soothing agents like baking soda
Wear well ventilated clothing
Avoid friction from tight clothing
Pour warm water over genitals during urination to decrease pain
Lip balm with camphor (i.e. Blistex) helps
How can I avoid getting or spreading herpes?
Use condoms. An unknown risk of transmission also exists during inactive phase, so condoms may provide some protection.
Identify and avoid situations that trigger reactivation such as sun exposure, stress or fatigue. Stay healthy.
Wash hands carefully with soap and water after touching the blisters. You can move the virus to a new location by touching a blister and then touching
some other part of your body. It is very serious if spread to the eyes.
Whats the take-home message?
About 25% of American adults have genital herpes.
Most of them don't know it.

Herpes can be spread even when no symptoms are present.
What about testing and diagnosis?
Currently, most facilities do not have widespread herpes screening, but these tests are available on request at many clinics. If you're interested in finding out your
herpes status or your partner's, there are a couple of ways to pursue it.
You may want to visit www.diagnology.com and learn about the POCkit HSV-2 Rapid Test. This test, done in an office, requires only a finger prick and gives results in
about 10 minutes. Other tests are also available. The most sophisticated and reliable ones use a blood test, which is sent to a lab for analysis. You can find out
more about diagnostic options from the National Herpes Hotline (919-361-8488).
Herpes and Pregnancy Herpes infection is a real risk to the health of the newborn, because it can affect the nervous system and internal organs as well
as the skin and eyes. To keep the fetus from picking up the infection from the mother during birth, the physician must be certain the mother is not shedding the
virus in the birth canal at delivery. Cultures and blood tests are available to determine the presence of herpes virus. If this is the case, a cesarean delivery must be
performed. After the birth, the mother must wash her hands each time she touches the infant and not let it come in contact with herpes sores.
A service of the Klotz Student Health Centers Health Promotion Dept.
For more information, please call 818 677-3666 or 677-3692 (tty)

www.csun.edu/~shcenter
9/91 rev. 8/00, 2/01, 5/02, 4/03 AR

Herpes: (HSV) (HSV)

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HERPES

an outbreak of oral herpes.

What are the symptoms?

Apply cold compresses (hot may make it worse)

How can I avoid getting or spreading herpes?

Whats the take-home message?

About 25% of American adults have genital herpes.

Most of them don't know it.

What about testing and diagnosis?

For more information, please call 818 677-3666 or 677-3692 (tty)

9/91 rev. 8/00, 2/01, 5/02, 4/03 AR

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