The herpes simplex virus is responsible for causing a herpes infection and this disease currently infects one fifth of all adults in the United States today. Currently, there is no herpes cure although there are already three FDA-approved medications to fight off an outbreak or reduce their frequency. These drugs are the antivirals: acyclovir, famciclovir and valacyclovir. These medications are also prescribed to cut down on the severity of initial outbreaks.

By using these FDA-approved medications early, an outbreak can actually be prevented. Taken during the middle of an outbreak, the antivirals are capable of reducing the extreme discomfort of outbreaks and speeding up the healing process. Sometimes, however, these do not work in preventing an outbreak.

To test for the presence of a herpes infection, doctors use two methods. The first method is called a viral test and involves the analysis of virus cells that are swabbed from lesions that occur during an outbreak. The second method is called a serology or blood test.

When a doctor tests with a viral culture, a swab test is done to gather the cells on a lesion before being sent for analysis at a testing center or hospital laboratory. Even if a lesion can be recognized as a herpes infection by sight, a viral culture will determine if the infection is from the HSV-1 or HSV-2 which can indicate how often outbreaks will occur.

A negative culture can be determined by means of a serology test, or blood test. Blood tests are also useful to determine an infection even when no symptoms are not present. This is because a person who gets infected with the virus will generate herpes antibodies soon after infection. Blood tests will pick these up and they will be able to determine whether these are HSV-1 or HSV-2 type infections. Of course, with no symptoms, there is no way of knowing whether the herpes infection is oral or genital.

There are a lot of blood tests available on the market today but the older ones are not very reliable and can be expensive. The newer tests are cheaper and more accurate but there is no way of knowing what kind of test is being conducted unless you ask.

People possess a stereotyped notion that herpes simplex is a disease specifically contracted via sexual contact, but this isn’t entirely true. Ordinary direct skin contact can also account for herpes virus transmission. Some people also believe that the herpes virus may be caught with the contact of ordinary objects like toilet seats. Although this idea of that happening is extremely unlikely because of the weakness of the virus itself. The herpes virus gets passed through tiny breaks in the skin, or the mucous layers of skin of the mouth and genital areas. Keeping the skin healthy acts as really substantial protective guard against the herpes virus.

When it comes to mucous layers of skin, even the miniscule lesion is enough to expose the nerves into which the herpes virus attaches itself to . This is the primary reason why herpes infection usually manifests on parts of your body where mucous layers of skin and normal skin layers join. A good example is the edge of your lip. The virus is believed to be transmitted by sharing razors with an infected person. Unlike normal inanimate objects, the virus will survive in the wet areas between the blades. This disease can also be passed from mother to baby during birth, although most cases show that infants get herpes after the birth.

This virus can be categorized into oral and genital herpes. Herpes Simplex causes oral herpes which is also known as Virus Type 1 (HSV-1). They are normally known as fever blisters or cold sores. Fever blisters often appear as small, transparent, fluid-filled blisters on the face. These normally appear on the edge of the lips.

Genital herpes, are different, and is caused by HSV-2. This form of virus is characterized by itchy, painful sores around your genitals.

People that have this form of herpes usually do not know they have it because it manifests no symptoms. The actual herpes can be so tiny it could go unnoticed. Most reported cases noted that the first herpes infection was the worst. Some never get herpes again, and some experience it again after a a number of years.

When someone suffers from this virus, be it next to the mouth or next to the genital region, you will see the presence of tiny, blisters, red bumps, or open sores in the area of infection. These blisters will be very itchy and/or painful to the touch. These open sores will burst and start weeping, and will ultimately turn into scabs that heal on their own.

There is no exact remedy for this virus, only preventive measures for possible outbreaks. Antiviral over the counter treatments like acyclovir and other similar medications help ease the symptoms and repetition of cold sore recurrences. Appropriate care for the open sores before and after eruption could help ease the pain one could feel during times of outbreaks.

Although herpes outbreaks are not solely connected with intimate contact, if you choose to frequently go with different partners your chance of infection is increased. Knowing the risks should help you make your selections a bit more wisely. And we now live in a time when herpes infection could be the least of your troubles.