What is herpes?

You may have heard of herpes, which is a common ailment for many. Herpes simplex virus, HSV , is a type of virus that usually appears as small blisters or cold sores, and occurs within a small area. There are two types of HSV Herpes Simplex Virus, they are called HSV1, herpes 1 and HSV 2 herpes 2 respectively .

HSV-1 develops into cold sores and is known as herpes labialis (labialis is Latin for lip). HSV-2 occurs on the genitals and is known as herpes genitalis (genitalis is Latin for genitals). The virus is found in the small blisters that appear when it is in an outbreak. Often an outbreak occurs precisely in situations where you have to perform, for example, in an exam and are therefore a little stressed or like you are going to a big party. And it can be very socially handicapping to walk around with a big sore around your mouth. At least no one wants to give a kiss.
The vast majority of the world's adult population has HSV in their bodies, with up to 80% having antibodies against type 1, meaning that only the last 20% are burdened by outbreaks of varying incidence. Fortunately, we rarely see herpes type 2 in children.

Where can you get herpes?

HSV type 1,  Herpes labialis is best known as cold sores on the lips, but can also occur on the face, throat, mouth, nose and eyes. These sores are also herpes labialis and appear in the same way as a sore with oozing blisters. The first time you get a herpes outbreak is called the Primary Infection and is characterized by being more severe, understood in the way that you can get flu-like symptoms with fever and general malaise. You can experience blisters and sores in the mouth and elsewhere. The vast majority of people get the primary infection before they are 5 years old. They have been infected by someone with a herpes outbreak and many of the children (their parents) are not even aware that it is herpes.

Type 2 HSV, genital herpes, is herpes on the genitals and usually settles on the external genitals, buttocks and inner thighs, and it will appear as small blisters that can be extremely painful. At the same time, the genitals will be sore, red and swollen. Typically it subsides after 2-3 weeks. You can also be unlucky and be affected by Genital herpes around the anus and in and around the vagina, in both of these cases it can be very painful and difficult to treat and keep clean to avoid further infection. If you are severely affected, it is advisable to contact your doctor.

How do you get herpes?

Herpes is typically transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact or mucous membrane contact between people. It most often occurs when people kiss or have sexual contact. Herpes does not have to be in an outbreak to be contagious, but the risk of transmission is much greater during outbreaks of the virus on the skin or genitals.

When you are first infected, it is called a primary infection. Here, HSV will find its way down to the nerve cells, where it will remain for the rest of your life. This does not mean that you will have frequent outbreaks, as the herpes virus can lie dormant for a long time, where your immune system does not even notice that it is present in the body. In fact, only 20% experience a recurring outbreak – most often 2-3 times a year.

Herpes outbreak

When herpes flares up again, there are various factors that can cause this. It can be due to, among other things:

• Skin lesions
• Upper respiratory infections
• A weakened immune system
• Drying of your lips
• Strong sunlight
• Stress
• Hormonal changes, such as during a woman's menstrual cycle.

What does herpes look like?

As mentioned, herpes on the lip will appear as a sore around the mouth. When herpes simplex attacks the cells of the epidermis, it will form a sore with blisters, which will appear like a cold sore. The healing process often takes 1-2 weeks without treatment, and the sore will form a crust around the small blisters, which will fall off after 8 to 10 days. Herpes on the body, on the other hand, can be harder to see, both because it does not appear as a sore and because it is on the genitals. Here, the herpes virus will also appear as small blisters, which can be extremely painful, and at the same time the external genitals can swell up, become red and be tender. Penile herpes will also appear with small blisters, redness and swelling.

Herpes symptoms

You can feel a herpes outbreak coming on. There are a number of symptoms of herpes that you can be aware of, and thus you can also seize the opportunity to use preventive treatment.

The primary infection is oral herpes , which will cause symptoms such as pain, small blisters and open sores in the mouth, on the skin or on the genitals. At the same time, you may experience a fever, and if you have herpes on the palate or mouth, it can also result in a sore throat.

The next time you have a herpes outbreak, i.e. when type 1 HSV is reactivated, you can usually feel a tingling/tingling/tenderness where the outbreak is coming from. It is in this very first early phase that you have the greatest opportunity to stop the outbreak by using QUR Medical Herpes Gel. Later, the blisters and a scab appear. In this phase, you can relieve pain and discomfort from the outbreak and ensure that it does not become too large - again by using QUR Herpes Gel. If you get herpes in the eye, it can result in corneal inflammation, which will cause pain in the eye, light sensitivity and squinting of your eye. You can also experience reduced vision, as the function of the cornea is reduced, but this is not always the case. If you experience these symptoms in the eye, you should contact your doctor urgently because your vision may be at risk.

In type 2, the symptoms will typically be blisters and sores on the genitals, as well as soreness and redness in the area. It can also cause burning and soreness in the urinary tract. Here, the primary infection will usually have the worst and most painful symptoms, although type 2 can still be painful and very bothersome.

How long does a herpes outbreak last?

It can be difficult to predict how long you will have to wait for your herpes outbreak to clear up. However, it will take about 1-2 weeks from the time the herpes outbreak starts until it clears up again. And fortunately, we can tell you that there will be no scarring as long as you do not irritate the area. If you do pick at it, remember to wash your hands, as you could spread herpes to other parts of your body.

Can herpes go away on its own? Can everyone get herpes?

Although it would be nice if herpes could disappear after an outbreak, unfortunately that is not the case. Since the virus settles in the body's nerve cells, it will live in the body for the rest of your life. Fortunately, this does not mean that it will flare up, as up to 80% only experience a primary infection, after which the herpes virus will lie dormant for the rest of your life.

Anyone can get herpes, so it's important to take precautions if you want to avoid getting infected. However, it's a very common disease that the vast majority of the population has, but how many develop antibodies and therefore don't notice anything about it.

Herpes treatment

If you have herpes, there are good treatment options. There is both the option of medical treatment through your doctor or by using preventive remedies that do not require a prescription and can alleviate an upcoming outbreak when you start to feel symptoms.

Within medical treatment through prescription drugs, there is the possibility of both symptom relief, prevention of a secondary infection and prevention of infection. This form of treatment must be done through consultation with your own doctor. Antiviral drugs are given by the doctor in serious cases and must be taken with care as they are not without side effects. They only work in the very first phase of an outbreak, when the virus multiplies, and you should therefore buy them in advance and have them ready. If you first go to the doctor, get a prescription and go to the pharmacy, a few days will quickly pass and then the effective phase will be missed. Antiviral drugs work by inhibiting the virus's ability to multiply and herpes only does this in the first phase, in the stage where blisters form.

Over-the-counter treatments are milder products that can help with faster healing, pain relief, and prevention. These remedies are also most effective at the beginning of an outbreak when the virus is multiplying. In later stages, they provide relief and help the skin heal again.