Herpes simplex

Herpes simplex, also known as cold sores, is a virus that appears as small blisters or cold sores. Herpes is annoying, embarrassing and highly contagious, and that is a bad combination. For those who have herpes outbreaks, it can often be a major burden.

A great many Danes are affected by either herpes 1 or herpes 2, and the virus is one of the most widespread in Denmark. The vast majority of Danes have herpes in their bodies, as the virus settles in the cells and thus remains in the body for the rest of their lives. Fortunately, many experience that it never breaks out after the first time. The herpes virus will go dormant, and thus many will be unbothered by herpes for several years or, in the best case, the rest of their lives.

What is the difference between herpes 1 and herpes 2?

There are two different types of herpes . Herpes 1 is also known as herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes labialis, while herpes 2 is known as herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and herpes genitalis.

Herpes 1

Herpes 1, or herpes labialis, is the most common type and most often causes outbreaks of herpes on the face around the mouth, on the lips, inside the mouth and throat, around the eyes, nose, or in other areas of the face. Herpes 1 can also cause outbreaks and blisters on other parts of the body, although this is less common. There is no cure for herpes simplex 1, it can only be treated and relieved.

Herpes 2

Herpes 2, or genital herpes, is the second of the two types. The term herpes genitalis refers to the English term for genitals, and it is related to the fact that genital herpes causes blisters and sores on or in the genitals themselves, in and around the anus, on the inner thighs and on the buttocks. Herpes 2 affects some of the most private and intimate areas, and therefore it is not immediately visible to people around you when you have herpes 2 and are dressed. However, herpes 2 can also cause outbreaks on other parts of the body. There is also no way to cure herpes simplex 2, you can only treat and relieve it.

How do you get herpes simplex?

Herpes is usually transmitted through skin-to-skin contact or mucous membrane contact between people. This can happen, for example, through kissing or sexual contact, and herpes can also be transmitted even when it is not in an outbreak . However, the risk of infection is greater when the virus is in an outbreak. Infection can also occur from mother to child during pregnancy, but this only happens in rare cases.

How herpes 1 is transmitted

Herpes simplex 1 is transmitted, for example, through kissing, close hugging and other skin-to-skin contact or mucous membrane contact. Therefore, it is also relatively easy to become infected with herpes type 1.

How herpes 2 is transmitted

Type 2 herpes is typically transmitted through sexual contact. The outbreaks are located on and around the genitals, and therefore the infection typically occurs when the area comes into physical contact during sex. During oral sex, herpes type 2 can infect the person performing oral sex. On the other hand, much research suggests that a person with type 1 herpes cannot infect a person with type 2 herpes. This applies to oral sex, kissing and other forms of contact that pose a potential risk of infection.

Herpes simplex is very contagious

Herpes is a very contagious virus , and therefore there are also a lot of Danes who are affected by one of the two forms. It is estimated that approximately 80% of the Danish population is infected with herpes 1, while approximately 20% of the Danish population is infected with herpes 2. Fortunately , not all 80% with herpes 1 and 20% with herpes 2 will have an outbreak. It is estimated that approximately 20% of those who are infected  get outbreaks, the rest are lucky enough that the herpes virus simply settles in their nerve pathways and goes dormant.

Many people are infected with herpes before they are five years old. This is because children generally have a harder time limiting physical contact than adults. Once you are infected with herpes, you cannot get rid of the virus again. It will remain in the body for life, and there is no cure or treatment for herpes simplex. On the other hand, it is completely harmless, although it can be both annoying and bothersome, and you will not necessarily experience repeated outbreaks throughout your life.

Is herpes simplex dangerous?

Fortunately, the short answer is no. Herpes can be inconvenient and a big nuisance, but it is not dangerous. Therefore, there is no reason to be worried or afraid if you become infected with the virus. At the same time, it can be a good idea to use means for prevention and treatment. This can be done both with means prescribed by your doctor, or with over-the-counter creams. None of these means, neither those requiring a prescription nor those over-the-counter, can eliminate herpes, but they can help prevent, relieve and speed up the healing process.

The frequency of herpes outbreaks varies greatly when infected with herpes. Some people experience very frequent outbreaks, while others rarely or very rarely get affected. Whether you experience frequent or rare outbreaks, it is not dangerous.

Signs of herpes simplex

There are different symptoms of herpes simplex, and your symptoms may differ depending on whether you have herpes type 1 or type 2. The common signs of herpes simplex are often that you will feel a tenderness and pain in the skin, which over a few days develops into small fluid-filled, yellowish blisters that are tender, stinging, warm, inflamed and painful. After a few days, the blisters will form a scab before eventually falling off.

If it is a primary infection, which is the first time herpes has broken out, you may experience stronger and more painful symptoms. Here, fever, muscle aches and headaches may occur, and there is also a risk of sore throat or keratitis with type 1 herpes. Keratitis will manifest itself with symptoms such as squinting of the eye, hypersensitivity to light and pain in the eye. It can also cause reduced vision until the inflammation is treated. If you have such symptoms, you should always contact your doctor.

With herpes type 2, women may experience increased discharge and burning when urinating if the small blisters are located in the urethra. Men may experience similar symptoms on the penis or around the anus. Herpes 2 can be very stressful and having herpes 2 outbreaks can be extremely painful, for example, it can cause problems cycling.

There is also a rarer form of herpes, Herpes zoster, also known as shingles . It often appears as a rash all over the body, which also turns into small blisters, and the name does not come from nowhere. This type of herpes is extremely painful, with some experiencing a lot of pain and fever.

Is herpes simplex a sexually transmitted disease?

Yes and no. Herpes simplex type 2, also known as herpes 2, HSV-2, and genital herpes, is characterized as a sexually transmitted disease. Herpes 1, on the other hand, is not a sexually transmitted disease.

Herpes 2 is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in Denmark, and it is estimated that approximately one in four to one in five Danes is infected with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). If you are infected with herpes 2, you are far from the only one affected by the contagious virus.

Outbreaks of herpes 2 typically occur on the genitals, specifically on the penis or in and around the vagina, at the anus, as well as on the buttocks and inner thighs. However, in more rare cases, herpes 2 can also cause outbreaks on other parts of the body.

What is the difference between cold sores and herpes simplex?

Basically, there is no difference between herpes 1 and cold sores. Herpes simplex type 1 is what is also commonly called cold sores. However, herpes simplex type 1 can also cause blisters and outbreaks in places other than the lips and around the mouth, and therefore herpes 1 is a more inclusive term.

What is the difference between herpes and herpes simplex?

Herpes and herpes simplex are the same thing. Herpes is the term we typically use for the virus, while herpes simplex, herpes simplex type 1, and herpes simplex type 2 are the more medical terms for the virus.