Posts Tagged ‘Herpes Simplex Virus’

Pros and Cons of a Herpes Blood Test

Comments: 0December 21st, 2010 by admin



A new herpes blood test has just come onto the market and is the center of much controversy. The most accurate method of determining if you have herpes or not is by doing a direct swab from an open sore, be it oral or genital. This will tell you if you have Type One or Type Two herpes. However, the herpes blood test cannot determine accurately between the two types.

The herpes blood test actually tests for antibodies, which your body should have created when it first recognized the disease. While this tells you that you have been infected with the herpes simplex virus in the past, it will not be able to tell you how long you have been infected. The herpes blood test doesn’t detect if the virus is in your body, either, only the antibodies, so it can’t be used to tell you what type you have or where it is.

While you may be experiencing symptoms that seem to be herpes-related, this doesn’t mean that you have the virus. The herpes blood test cannot tell you if your symptoms are being caused by herpes or something else. The best way is to swap a sore to see if what you are experiencing is caused by HPV. If so, then you can begin treatment.

So, what good is a herpes blood test? Well, it gives the doctor a better idea of whether or not herpes is a possibility to consider. If no antibodies are detected, chances are that you don’t have it. However, some people can be carriers and not realize it, having never experienced an outbreak or anything else and the herpes blood test can let them know that there is a very good possibility that they are infected and may be passing the infection on to others.

There are actually specific herpes blood tests for Type One or Type Two herpes that will tell you if you have had problems with these types of the virus in the past. The blood tests are more accurate than a general herpes blood test and will be administered if the doctor has reason to believe that you are suffering from one particular type of herpes, genital or oral.

The herpes blood tests available are still not up to par with the actual swab test. However, if you aren’t sure about whether or not you have been exposed, they can be useful in determining this. Herpes blood tests are also very useful in that they can determine if you are a potential carrier of the disease.

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Beautiful Skin – What is Herpes?

Comments: 0June 2nd, 2010 by admin



What is herpes? That is a question being asked by a lot of people. It is hard to have beautiful skin if a person is suffering from a cold sore or has a stye. Both of which could be caused by herpes.

Herpes is known as human herpes virus (HHV) and is the name given to a group of viruses. A virus is very had to treat which explains why it is so hard to the treat herpes. So far, there is no cure for herpes.

What makes it so difficult to control is that people can have the herpes virus without even knowing. During which time, they can be infecting other people.

Most of us think of herpes as being a sexually transmitted disease. In fact, there are at least 8 forms of herpes that can affect humans and not all of these are transmitted through unprotected sex. These are identified as human herpes virus 1 though 8 (HHV1-HHV8).

Some of these forms of herpes are: HHV 1 – herpes simples virus 1; HHV 2 – herpes simplex virus 2; HHV 3 – varicella-zoster virus; HHV 4 – Epstein-Barr virus; HHV 5 – cytomegalovirus; HHV 6 – recently found in the blood cells; HHV 7 – recently found and is closely related to HHV 6; and HHV 8 – recently discovered in tumors called Kaposi’s Sarcoma.

One of the first symptoms of herpes is the skin becoming red, tender and itchy. As the virus progresses blisters will develop which will form a head. This head fills with liquid and eventually breaks. The fluid contained in these blisters is very contagious. The blister then forms a crust which dissipates. No scars are formed. Flu like symptoms can appear including headaches and fevers. It is important to remember that it can take up to 20 days after contacting the virus before any symptoms occur.

If there is any doubt you may have contacted the herpes virus, consult your doctor immediately. Do this while you are experiencing any of the symptoms.

Your doctor will take a swab or sample of the infected tissue. There are tests that are used to diagnose herpes, some are better and more accurate than others.

Three of those tests are: Viral Culture; Serologic Tests (blood tests); and Antigen Tests (where components of the virus are specifically identified).

There are drugs on the market that may help in treating herpes but they do little in helping to boost the immune system. A strong immune system is needed if your body is going fight the virus and prevent future outbreaks. Some have found using natural treatments are helpful as these both help control the virus and boost the immune system at the same time.

Lifestyle changes will be helpful as well. Foods that are poor nutritionally will hinder the recovery rate. Prescription medications available to treat herpes are Valtrex (valacyclovir), Famvir (famciclovir), and Zovirax (acyclovir).

As yet, there is no vaccines available

The answer to the question: What is herpes is simple. It’s a virus. That is where simplicity ends. We should know and be aware of the symptoms of herpes since it is possible to be infected without knowing it. What treatment is used will depend on the type of herpes and the stage of infection.

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Treating Female Genital Herpes

Comments: 0November 1st, 2009 by admin



Genital herpes is a type of sexually-transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex virus. It can infect both males and females. There are two general types of herpes simplex virus, the HSV-1 and the HSV-2. The most obvious symptom of female genital herpes is the formation of blisters around the vagina and the rectum. When these blisters break, they leave sores that take two to four weeks to heal.

The main difference between these two types of herpes is the location where the blisters occur. HSV-1 manifests itself around the mouth area while HSV-2 shows up in the genital area.

Symptoms of female genital herpes start with the reddening and inflammation of the vaginal skin. Blisters will soon form in the area, which will become painful and itchy. Blisters are filled with fluids and when they break open, it can cause more pain. The blisters will eventually heal and turn into scabs.

Other symptoms of female genital herpes are fever, nausea, muscle ache, swollen lymph glands and painful vaginal discharge.

The most unfortunate thing about getting infected with the virus is that there is no cure for it. When it infects the body, it will stay in the body’s system indefinitely. The antiviral medications are for reducing the pain and contagiousness. It will also lessen the occurrence of future outbreaks.

When treating female genital herpes, the doctor will conduct blood tests first to determine what type of virus you have. After getting the results, he will prescribe the correct medication for it. The most common medications used for herpes are acyclovir, famciclovir and valacyclovir. These medications not only remove the pain caused by the blisters, it can also reduce the patient’s chances of passing the virus to her partner.

Genital herpes can have several complications. Pregnant women infected with herpes can pass on the virus to her baby. People with HIV can get more ill if they get herpes. The virus can spread to their internal organs such as the lungs and brains.

Women infected with female genital herpes can conduct some self-treatment by staying away from the sun. Too much exposure to sunlight can irritate the skin and make the blisters worse. They should also refrain from using scented bath and body products that can also irritate the skin. Loose clothing should be worn as often as possible to make the skin breathe and to avoid the trapping of bacteria. To lessen the pain of the blisters, over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin can be taken, as long they are approved by the doctor.

Infected persons should avoid having sex during an outbreak. Transmission is very high when blisters and sores are present. Condoms cannot guarantee much protection in this case since a condom cannot cover all the infected areas.

Prevention is always better than the cure. Sexually-active persons should always practice safe sex. Condoms will provide adequate protection from most STDs. If possible, a monogamous relationship will lessen the chances of contacting the disease. Of course, nothing is safer than abstinence.

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Q and A – How Can You Tell If Someone Has Herpes?

Comments: 0August 31st, 2009 by admin



The herpes simplex virus can go unnoticed and undetected for years to a person who has the virus. For this reason there is no real way to do a spot check to confirm whether or not a person has it. The most obvious indication that a person is having an outbreak is the actual outbreak itself. However the skin symptoms associated with herpes can look like anything from a puffy red blister to a small zit. While type 1 will usually surface on or near the mouth, type 2 can literally appear anywhere below the waist. It is not just isolated to the genital area. People who have type 2 often report having outbreaks on their inner thighs, lower back or pelvis area.

The only true way to know if someone has the virus is by suggesting a mutual blood test that would pick up the herpes virus. More than half of the people who have HSV don’t know it – so even the most honest and well intentioned person can unknowingly pass the virus to someone else. Genital herpes has been demonized by the general population, but the truth is herpes type 1 (oral herpes) is just as contagious as genital herpes. Not only that but oral herpes can be passed during oral sex and caused genital herpes.

HSV 1 and 2 can be transmitted even when there are no outward signs. This can happen during the period known as viral shedding. The herpes virus lays dormant inside nerve cells and when it activates it travels through the nerve cells to the surface of the skin. Once it reaches the skin it does what is referred to as “shedding”, sometimes skin lesions result and sometimes they do not. When a person with herpes is in the viral shedding stage they are contagious. Viral shedding occurs at random and isn’t always marked by symptoms.

The best way to know that someone has the herpes virus is through blood testing and the best way to avoid getting the herpes virus is through safe and responsible sex. If you suspect that you may have it, get tested as soon as possible.

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