How Do You Get Herpes?

Herpes is a common viral infection that causes sores on the mouth and/or the genitals. It usually doesn’t lead to serious health problems but can be annoying and painful. Once you are infected with herpes, you may have it for the rest of your life. Despite treatment, the virus that causes herpes can live dormant inside the body. When meeting suitable triggers, painful ulcers and blisters can appear periodically. Genital herpes especially is a sexually transmitted infection which can be more dangerous. If you have sex while having genital herpes, you can spread the virus to your partner. Like some of the other STIs, herpes cannot be curable. But, you can relieve its symptoms and prevent future outbreak by medications. In most cases, the sufferers apply Prosurx topical cream to get relief from herpes. Also, they are advised to eat healthy and avoid trigger factors to prevent recurrence.

What is herpes?

The herpes simplex virus that causes herpes on the human body has 2 main types. They are:

• Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1. It causes cold sores or fever blisters on the lips or around the mouth.
• Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2. It causes sores on the genitals such as inner thighs, butt, vagina, vulva, scrotum, penis and anus.

In America, cold sores are more common than genital herpes. It’s estimated that more than half of Americans are suffering from cold sores. And, there is about one out of six people here struggling with genital herpes. While children are at risk of cold sores, young adults aged from 15-24 are more likely to get genital herpes.

Herpes zoster can also increase the chances of cold sores. People can catch it from chickenpox and shingles during their childhood. And then, they have it dormant in their bodies for months and even years. When their immune system is suppressed, the virus starts to cause herpes outbreaks.

Herpes is painful and contagious, especially genital herpes. In fact, they can spread easily through sexual intercourse. If you have a cold sore and perform oral sex on your partner, you can spread the virus to them. Having sex with someone who has genital herpes can also make you become infected too.

So if you have a cold sore or genital herpes, get it treated immediately.

Related: 7 Things about Herpes That You May Not Know

How do you get herpes?

There are various risk factors that can cause herpes and trigger an outbreak. These include:

• Stress
• Cold weather
• Sunlight
• Illnesses
• Surgery
• Weak immune system
• Hormonal changes
• Sexual intercourse

Having direct skin contact with an infected person can result in the transmission. In fact, you can pass the virus into other areas of your body. Besides, you can spread it to other people through sexual contact.

Some bad habits that can increase your risk of catching and developing herpes are:

• Having unprotected sex
• Having multiple sexual partners
• Having sex with someone who has multiple sexual partners
• Kissing someone who has herpes symptoms
• Smoking and drinking
• Eating a poor diet

So, you should have healthy lifestyles to lower your risk of herpes.

Related: Discover Your Cold Sore Triggers

What are the symptoms of herpes?

Like other STIs, herpes is hard to diagnose since the virus lies dormant inside the body. Sometimes, it causes no symptom, making the sufferer spread the virus without knowing. Also, the symptoms of herpes are often mistaken for other skin problems. But, here are some signs and symptoms that herpes patients usually experience.

• Itching
• Painful sores/ blisters
• Vaginal discharge
• Pain and burning during urination
• Flu-like symptoms such as fever, headaches and body aches

In herpes, the first outbreak is the worst. Over time, the symptoms can become less severe. If you have herpes, you’ll go through 4 different stages below.

• Primary stage

The primary stage of herpes usually begins less than a week after you’re infected. In this stage, some groups of red, small, painful blisters can occur. These blisters can break open, ooze fluid and hurt to urinate. During this stage, you can also experience a fever, body aches and other flu-like symptoms. Sometimes, the sufferers have no symptom in the primary stage. And they even don’t know they have the virus.

• Latent stage

The virus usually moves from the skin into the nerves during this stage. And, no sores, blisters, or other symptoms occurs.

• Shedding stage

During this stage, the virus often attacks the nerve endings and multiplies there. Then, it gets into the body through body fluids like saliva, vaginal fluids or semen. No symptom happens, but the virus can spread during the shedding stage.

• Recurrences

When the sores and blisters come back again, they are called recurrences. But fortunately, the symptoms aren’t as severe as the first herpes.  

If you suspect that you have herpes, get it checked by a doctor. A physical exam, blood tests or other tests can help diagnose the disease.

Related: Top 8 Facts You Never Knew About Herpes

Herpes is not life-threatening but can cause pain and irritation to the sufferers. To relieve it, medications like Prosurx and Acyclovir can be very effective. Prosurx is a powerful topical cream that has been produced and affirmed for use in the US. The cream can lessen herpes symptoms and prevent future outbreaks. To get herpes relief from using Prosurx, you can:

• Wash and dry the area carefully
• Use a cotton swab to apply Prosurx to the affected area
• Leave it on for at least 30 minutes
• Repeat the process 2-3 times a day until herpes heals

From “How do you get herpes”, learn the ways to avoid herpes triggers. Besides, you should eat healthy and boost your immunity to fight off herpes naturally.

Related: Herpes and How to Diet With It