Herpes (헤르페스)

Affecting more than 45 million Americans, herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Caused by the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV - 1) or 2 (HSV -2 ), the virus is one of the few that can be transferred through skin-to-skin contact. Unfortunately, there's no cure for herpes; while it can be effectively treated with medication, the virus remainsl in your body throughout your lifetime.

 

Once a person is exposed to herpes, the virus takes as long as 3 weeks to spread throughout the body. As it circulates through the body, it may affect the nervous system and cause flulike symptoms or aches and pains. But the telltale sign is a painful lesion around the mouth (with HSV-1) or on the genitals (with HSV-2), which may take up to a year to appear. The lesion usually begins as one or more blisterlike pimples that burst, leaving behind an open sore. Depending on the person, outbreaks can occur infrequently (or even never) or as often as weekly. Emotional or physical stress, which weakens the immune system, or fever may trigger an attack. An antiviral medication, such as valacyclovir (Valtrex) or famciclovir (Famvir), can help reduce the number and severity of these outbreaks.

 

The largest impact on herpes sufferers is the psychological toll it can take. But in pregnant women, a herpes attack can have serious consequences for the fetus. If there are active lesions at the time of delivery, the baby may be infected and may suffer a generalized infection causing multiple organ damage, including brain damage, if it comes into contact with a large quantity of the virus. As a result, mothers usually undergo a Caesarean section if they are having their first vaginal infection or have visible signs of an active genital infection.

 

 

The herpes viruses are usually dormant in the local nerve cells until something stimulates them to grow and produce sores on the skin or in the mucous membranes, such as the mouth.

 

Because of oral sex, there are plenty of cases of HSV-2 on the mouth and HSV-1 on the genitals.

 

A person's first outbreak is generally the most serious.

 

The cold sores and fever blisters that are commonly seen are outbreaks of herpes.