A Report On Herpes Simplex Viruses Essay
Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) is can be categorized into 2 types, HSV type 1 (HSV-1) and HSV type 2 (HSV-2), both viruses share similar genome structure. HSV-1 cause oral herpes, generally transmitted through oral secretion, can be spread through kissing or sharing objects such as toothbrush, cups and tableware, which can result in cold sores and painful blister at the site of infection. People won’t easily get infected from hugging, holding hands, coughing or sneezing because the virus would not survive a long period outside the body. A Report On Herpes Simplex Viruses Essay. However, most of the infected people do not show any sores or symptoms. Most of them infected through non-sexual contact such as saliva during young age. This is because HSV can pass to baby via vertical transmission from an infected mother, it was rare but possible to happen. HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, but it is more commonly caused by HSV-2. People who infected by HSV-1 can develop genital herpes through oral sex that spread the virus from mouth to genital area. A Report On Herpes Simplex Viruses Essay.
Same as HSV-1, HSV-2-infected people may have sores around the genitals or rectum. Prevalence of HSV-2 infection in Afrika (31. 5%) was the highest among others, followed by Americas (14. 4%). The HSV-2 infection was steadily increase with age and more often infected by female compared to male because HSV sexual transmission from male to female is more efficient.
Some general symptoms appeared in HSV-2 infected people include fatigue, having physical or emotional stress, menstruation problems and immunosuppression due to AIDS or under medication therapy such as chemotherapy. A Report On Herpes Simplex Viruses Essay.
HSV type 2 can be highly contagious especially when sexually active people do not practice safety protection steps during sexual activities when they are in the absence of symptoms. A condom or other barrier method should be used in the right way during intercourse to lower the risk of the virus transmission to sexual partners. A Report On Herpes Simplex Viruses Essay. However, the virus still can pass to partner if exposed to uncovered skin. Therefore, HSV-2 infected people are advisable to avoid sexual activities with other people during an outbreak.
In addition, risk of HIV infection transmission is generally increasing with infection with HSV-2 about three-fold. More recurrences occur and they present with more severe complication such as meningitis esophagitis, pneumonitis and so on.
Herpes is one of the common of more than 30 different sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s) in America today. Herpes is an infection that is caused by one of two closely related viruses, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Both of which are very easily caught, have similar symptoms, and can occur on different parts of the body. Even though it is most common to see the virus HSV-1 appear as oral herpes and to see the virus HSV-2 appear as genital herpes. A Report On Herpes Simplex Viruses Essay.
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Most often herpes is a relatively harmless disease that is rarely life threatening. The most common form of herpes is oral herpes and usually shows up on the lips or inside of the mouth as “cold sores” or “fever blisters”.…show more content…
Very severe outbreaks may have symptoms that include swollen and tender lymph glands in the groin, throat, or under the arms, and even flu-like feelings such as fever, chills, headache, and a general run down feeling.
The spread of herpes may be attributed to a variety of activities ranging from touching and kissing to more intimate activities such as vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse. The time when the virus is most likely to be spread is when the sores, such as cold sores or fever blisters, are open and weeping, during this time the virus may be spread from one partner to another or from one part of the body to another. Although the chance of getting genital herpes from an infected partner whom has no symptoms are only about 10 out of every hundred or 10 percent. It is unlikely, however, that contact with toilet seats, moist towels or similar objects spread herpes. The most commonly infected areas are moist areas of the mouth, anus, vulva, vagina, penis, or the eyes.
Even though herpes in many cases is easily spread between two individuals, it is definitely possible to prevent the spreading of herpes to others. There are usually early warning signs before a breakout occurs such as tingling, burning, and itching where sores were before. These warning signs may start a few hours or even a day before the sores flare up. At first sight of any warning signs, all sexual contact should be stopped and
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) was first reported over 2,000 years ago by the Greeks who used the term herpes, meaning creepy or crawling (Drugge & Jackson Allen, 2008, p. 455). It is known today as an infectious organism that affects populations equally worldwide (Drugge & Jackson Allen, 2008).A Report On Herpes Simplex Viruses Essay. In 2004, reports showed that 60% to 95% of the older adult population suffered from HSV-1 and at least 40% of them had been infected since age fifteen (Drugge & Jackson Allen, 2008). ). It is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States; approximately one million people become infected yearly (Ensor, 2005). The infection can appear in different areas such as the skin, eyes, mucous membranes, central nervous system and genital
During the prodromal stage of the infection, symptoms such as tingling, burning, itching, and neuralgia of the area around the mouth or the oral mucosa may occur and can persist for several hours prior to the formation of lesions, commonly called “cold sores”(Ensor, 2005). These lesions first appear as blisters and shortly after dry to form crusts and ulcers (Ensor, 2005). Primary lesions are more severe than recurrent or secondary lesions, which are less painful and appear usually at the same site as the primary (Drugge & Jackson Allen, 2008). Other symptoms are fever, pharyngitis, headache and swollen gums and lymph nodes (Ensor
The infection has crossed borders and ethnic groups and has become one of the most ubiquitous infections in humans. Young populations would really benefit from an effective prevention method, perhaps a vaccine, but until then, education regarding modes of transmission is the best prevention strategy. Healthcare providers should stay sensitive and open to counseling and education to reduce the risks of transmission and to help patients with the management of the infection. Although HSV is not a life threatening infection, it has a great impact on patients’ lives and could become a burden difficult to cope with. Education needs to expand out of health institutions and go to communities, schools and workplaces to provide simple and easy to understand educational materials in order to promote prevention and prevent recurrence. It is crucial that more studies are directed toward finding a way to eradicate. A Report On Herpes Simplex Viruses Essay.