First and foremost, herpes is referred to as a group of viruses that cause blisters, rashes, and lesions to your skin. Genital herpes, cold sores, and fever blisters are the similar and alternative names to herpes simplex which is the name of the HSV virus.
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Herpes Simplex Virus
Symptoms of exposure to such virus can be characterized by skin eruptions. These appear in the first two up to twelve days from initial exposure. At first, there is a noticeable amount of fluid accumulated at the skin where the virus is probably exposed. After which, blisters form up in small groups in and surrounding the exposed area of the skin.
The skin gets inflamed and the blisters begin to dry out and heal quickly within 7 to 10 days. Itchiness can be felt by the person inflicted with the virus. However, upon nearing the healing of the lesions, the itchiness becomes less and less. The top layer of the infected skin or the crust falls off. These lesions are considered to be not contagious anymore.
After being exposed to the herpes simplex virus, there are stages of latency and shedding. During the latency stage, the virus produces or shows no symptoms. This is because the outbreak has just recently ended. As what we have spoken of in the preceding paragraph, this is the stage wherein the crust falls off.
The virus at this stage is not transmissible. Another stage, which is known as the asymptomatic stage occurs at a time wherein the virus undergoes shedding. In such phase, the virus is able to reproduce itself and can then be transmitted or infect other people through fluids or direct exposure.
After each cycle, the virus can always reappear. There is another classification of recurrence of the virus symptoms. The first type is the prodrome. The symptoms that include itching, tingling sensations, and pain at the exposed site of the infection. This may happen for as long as two days.
Aother type of recurrence is the outbreak. This group somehow has the same symptoms as shown on the areas of the first infection. However, they tend to be one level milder. This usually heals within 6 to 10 days after the blisters or lesions erupt.
It is not clearly known what causes recurrence of the infection. However, some of these factors may be involved. Some would be due to sunlight, fever, wind, local physical injury, emotional stress and menstruation.
If not attended to directly by the correct physician, herpes simplex may come up with serious complications. The herpes virus can affect the eye and lead on to a condition known as herpes keratitis.
The person infected with such will feel an inflammation in the eye due to a feeling of irritation and pain or sensitivity to light. Another serious complication arising from such disease is infection in babies. If a pregnant woman has herpes at the time of delivery, there is a possibility that the baby passing through her birth canal can catch herpes simplex. Thus it is always important to consult a doctor regarding the treatment and remedy for herpes.