HERPES FAQ
SEE A DOCTOR. Herpes is highly contagious and easily spread by contact. IF you have any of the symptoms see your Doctor for help in understanding your condition. Herpes is uncurable. Even when you have no symptoms you can give herpes to someone else. Initially most people have outbreaks several times a year. Over time, you get them less often. Medicines to help your body fight the virus can help lessen symptoms and decrease outbreaks. AZZURX is made for people who have been diagnosed with HSV
HSV type 1 most commonly causes cold sores. But It can also cause genital herpes.
HSV type 2 is the usual cause of genital herpes, but it also can infect the mouth.
HSV spreads direct contact. Some people have no symptoms. Others get sores near the area where the virus has entered the body. They turn into blisters, become itchy and painful, and then heal.
The virus may reactivate many times. Reactivation of a latent oral or genital HSV infection may be triggered by a fever, menstruation, emotional stress, or suppression of the immune system (for example, by a drug taken to prevent rejection of an organ transplant). An episode of cold sores can develop after physical trauma, such as a dental procedure or overexposure of the lips to sunlight. Often, the trigger is unknown..
Cold sores typically develop on the lips. Before a cold sore appears, people usually feel a tingling at the site, lasting from minutes to a few hours, followed by redness and swelling. Usually, fluid-filled blisters form and break open, leaving sores. The sores quickly form a scab. After about a week, the scab falls off and the episode ends.
Recurrences of genital herpes begin with symptoms (including local tingling, discomfort, itching, or aching in the groin) that precede the blisters by several hours to 2 to 3 days. Painful blisters surrounded by a reddish rim appear on the skin or mucous membranes of the genitals. The blisters quickly break open, leaving sores. Blisters may also appear on the thighs or buttocks or around the anus. In women, blisters may develop on the vulva. These blisters are usually obvious and very painful. Internal blisters may develop in the vagina or on the cervix. They are less painful and are not visible. A typical episode of recurring genital herpes lasts a week.
Because HSV infection is contagious, people with infection of the lips should avoid kissing as soon as they feel the first tingling (or, if no tingling is felt, when a blister appears) until the sore has completely healed. They should not share a drinking glass and, if possible, should not touch their lips. They should also avoid oral sex.
People with genital herpes should use condoms at all times. Even when there are no visible blisters and no symptoms, the virus may be present on the genitals and can be spread to sex partners.
