Genital Herpes And Its Therapy

....HSV is divided into two, the first being HSV-1, commonly infecting the mouth and lips, it's characterized by sores known as fever blisters or cold sores. This nature also causes sores to the genitals....

...Unfortunately there are few effective treatments for the infection, and no fool proof way to prevent transmission during sexual contact, although condoms have been proven to significantly reduce the risk of acquiring the virus....

...The herpes virus can also be transmitted through close contact for instance through oral sex or close skin-to-skin contact, but the virus is spread rarely, if at all, by objects such as a toilet seat or hot tub....

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Herpes Virus Can Go Into Hiding

... Is it possible to have genital herpes without knowing it?...

....Most cases are caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), but some are caused by HSV-1, which also causes most cases of cold sores. After an initial outbreak, HSV goes into hiding in the nervous system.

At some later point, the virus becomes active again, causing another outbreak. It's not clear exactly what triggers these recurrences, but they may be linked to menstruation, fatigue, stress and illness.

Once a person is infected by HSV-1 or HSV-2, the virus remains in the body for the rest of that person's life.....

...Several medications - acyclovir (Zovirax, generic), famciclovir (Famvir) and valacyclovir (Valtrex) - can shorten a herpes outbreak by a day or two. But this works only if you take them within 24 hours of the first signs of an outbreak....

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What's the link between colds and cold sores?

...Q. I have assumed that the wretched cold sores I get have been instead of the normal cold symptoms, which I haven't had for five years. This year, I tried Zovirax to treat the cold sores. It worked perfectly, but I'm now suffering from colds with a vengeance. Is it possible that preventing the cold sores from developing has forced the virus to appear as a common cold?...

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What's the Deal with Cold Sores?

...Dear Martha,

I have gotten cold sores as long as I can remember, but usually only once or twice a year. Since I have been at UVM, it seems like I have one every month. I hate the way they look and they hurt. Is there anything I can do?...

....Cold sores are really unwelcome visitors. 90% of adults have been exposed to the virus that causes cold sores and many people experience outbreaks. It is caused by a herpes virus (HSV 1) which is related to but different from genital herpes (HSV 2). The most obvious place...

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