Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)

There are numerous viruses around us, such as the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which affects the body in many ways and leads to several symptoms.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV)

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a type of virus that could affect several areas in the body (most often the mouth and genital area) and cause fluid-filled blisters.

There are two types of herpes simplex virus, HSV 1 and HSV 2. They both can affect the mouth and genital area in addition to other places.

Causes of herpes simplex virus (HSV)

HSV is transmitted only through direct contact with the infected area (the blisters, skin mucus membranes, and secretions of the area). In other words, if a person has oral herpes, for example, the virus doesn’t transmit by touching any other place except for the mouth. Moreover, you can still be contagious without having symptoms or blisters.

Symptoms of herpes simplex virus (HSV)

A person can be infected without showing any symptoms, and the incubation period of the virus (the time it stays in the body without showing symptoms) is from one to 26 days, and mostly 6-8 days. In some cases, symptoms don’t show up until after months or years.

The virus can be triggered in the body due to some triggers, such as fever, stress, hormonal changes, a weak immunity, infections, traumas, and sun exposure.

The symptoms depending on the area include:

• Genital herpes: blisters on and around the genital area. Other symptoms might manifest two days before the blisters, such as itchiness or tingling in the genital area, fever, headache, and swollen lymph nodes.
• Oral herpes: blisters on the lips and around the mouth, and two days before the blisters there might be burning, itchiness, or tingling in the skin.
• Skin herpes: the blisters might show up at any place on the skin, but most often on the face, hands, ears, or chest.
• Herpes whitlow: blisters on the fingers and the skin around the fingers might be swollen and discolored.
• Eye herpes (herpes keratitis): blisters on the eyelids and around the eyes, eye pain and irritation, light sensitivity, and feeling like something is in the eye.
• Herpes meningitis.
• Herpes encephalitis: fever, headaches, focal seizures, and changes in the speech and behaviors.
• HSV might also cause esophagitis, pneumonia, and hepatitis.

Diagnosis of herpes simplex virus (HSV)

• Physical exam.
• Blood tests if there aren’t blisters.

Management of herpes simplex virus (HSV)

• There isn’t a cure for the herpes simplex virus; we can manage the symptoms while the virus stays dormant in the body until it’s triggered again.
• The management is done by giving antivirals.
• You can sometimes prevent getting infected with HSV by staying away from people with blisters.