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Why do we all get herpes? Secrets you may not know!
The herpes simplex virus (HSV) is the main cause of herpes infection. There are two types of this virus: type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). Herpes infections range from herpes around the mouth to herpes near the genitals, affecting the lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world.
Oral herpes usually appears as small blisters on the face or mouth, while genital herpes mainly affects the genital area.
As you all probably know, cold sores or fever blisters are often a symptom of oral herpes, and these symptoms are often accompanied by other discomforts such as a sore throat. When it comes to genital herpes, the infection can have milder symptoms or form blisters that burst and leave small sores. These blisters usually heal on their own within two to four weeks, but they may be preceded by a stinging or sharp pain that is difficult to ignore.
The recurring nature of herpes causes distress to many infected people, although the frequency and severity of active episodes may decrease over time. However, symptoms of the first attack are usually more severe and may include systemic reactions such as fever, muscle pain, and swollen lymph nodes.
According to statistics, the proportion of adults worldwide infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2 ranges from 60% to 95%, mainly due to the diverse transmission routes of the virus.
HSV is mainly transmitted through contact with the body fluids or skin lesions of an infected person, and it is still possible to spread even in the absence of obvious symptoms. As a result, many people can unknowingly transmit the virus to others, especially during sexual intercourse, which leads to genital herpes being classified as a sexually transmitted infection.
Additionally, if a mother is infected with HSV during delivery, she may transmit the virus to her newborn, causing neonatal herpes, a rare but serious condition. This makes protection and prevention even more important for pregnant women.
Studies have shown that even if an infected person is asymptomatic, it is possible for the virus to be transmitted to others through skin secretions.
After invading the host, HSV will lurk in the nerve cells of the sensory nerves and may exist for life, which means that there is currently no vaccine and complete cure is possible. Treatment is aimed at reducing symptoms, and antiviral drugs such as acyclovir and valacyclovir can help reduce the severity of the condition.
Interestingly, although the virus cannot be completely eradicated, there are some cutting-edge prevention and treatment strategies in development, including the use of antiviral drugs and contraceptive measures to reduce the risk of transmission.
Using condoms can significantly reduce the risk of spreading genital herpes.
In addition, if the prodromal symptoms before the onset of the disease, such as tingling and itching, can be treated with antiviral drugs in a timely manner, it can effectively reduce the progression of the disease and prolong the course of the disease.
Overall, herpes is a common and highly contagious viral infection, but this also leads to an increasing demand for medical resources in society. As the virus continues to spread, how much more attention should the general public pay to herpes prevention and health education in the future?
