You Ask, They Answer
Q
: Is HSV a common virus?
A
: Yes, herpes simplex virus is very common, as an estimated 3.8 billion people under the age of 50, or 64 percent, globally carry the herpes simplex virus type 1( HSV-1) infection, the main cause of oral herpes, while an estimated 520 million people aged 15 – 49, or 13 percent, worldwide have herpes simplex virus type 2( HSV-2) infection, the main cause of genital herpes.
Herpes simplex virus lives inside nerve cells and alternates between being inactive and active. Certain triggers can reactivate the virus, including illness or fever, sun exposure, menstrual periods, injuries, emotional stress, and surgeries.
Q
: Are there different types of HSV?
A
: There are two types of herpes simplex virus.
Type 1( HSV-1) mostly spreads by oral contact and causes infections in or around the mouth, referred to as oral herpes or cold sores. It can also cause genital herpes. Most adults are infected with HSV-1.
Type 2( HSV-2) spreads by sexual contact and causes genital herpes. The majority of genital herpes cases is caused by this subtype.
Q
: Does it happen predominantly to a certain gender?
A
: Women are more likely to be infected with HSV than men. This is because HSV-2, the type of HSV that causes genital herpes, is more easily transmitted from men to women.
Q
: What are the symptoms and causes of HSV?
A
: Most people with herpes have no symptoms or only mild symptoms. Many people aren’ t aware they have the infection and, therefore, can unknowingly pass on the virus.
New infections may cause fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes. Symptoms may be different during the first episode, or‘ outbreak’, of infection compared to symptoms of recurring episodes.
During their first infection, people may experience fever, body aches, sore throat( oral herpes), headache, or swollen lymph nodes near the infection.
Following the first episode of infection, patients can have repeated outbreaks over time( recurrences) which are usually shorter and less severe than the first outbreak. Recurrent symptoms of both oral and genital herpes may be distressing. Genital herpes may also be stigmatising and have an impact on sexual relationships.
Q
: How can one prevent HSV?
A
: People with symptoms of oral herpes should avoid both oral contact with others, including oral sex, and sharing objects that have touched saliva. For people whose oral herpes is activated by sunlight, avoiding sun exposure and wearing sunscreen can lower the risk of recurrences.
Individuals with symptoms of genital herpes should abstain from sexual activity while experiencing symptoms. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 are most contagious when sores are present but can also be transmitted when no symptoms are felt or visible.
For sexually active people, consistent and correct use of condoms is the best way to prevent genital herpes and other sexually transmitted infections, or STIs. While condoms can reduce the risk, HSV infection can still occur through contact with genital or anal areas not covered by the condom.
Medical male circumcision has been found to reduce the risk of contracting HSV-2 infection, as well as against HIV and human papillomavirus( HPV).
As HSV is a sexually transmitted disease, patients with genital herpes should be offered HIV testing as well since reports have found that HSV-2 infection can increase the risk of acquiring HIV infection by 2-3 fold.
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