Overview Of Herpes Simplex 2 The herpes simplex virus comes in two types – HSV 1 and HSV 2. Both infections cause practically the same symptoms, but affect different areas of the body. Herpes simplex 2 is transmitted through sexual intercourse and skin-to-skin contact so it usually affects the genital area.
The virus typically causes blisters in the affected area regardless of the type. Once an individual acquires the virus, it stays in the body permanently and at varied levels of activity. This is why symptoms tend to vary across different patients as well. In fact, many people are not even aware that they already have herpes and are already spreading it around because the infection doesn't manifest physical symptoms. |
Two to 20 days after an individual has been exposed to the HSV Type 2, he begins to develop sores surfacing on his buttocks and genital area. In most cases, the cervix in women is also infected so it could also cause vaginal discharge. The most common mode of transmission for this type of virus is through sexual intercourse. Protective barriers such as condoms may work to prevent skin contact but they are not entirely effective on that regard.
The primary infection can be as mild as not experiencing any symptom at all or having minor rashes and itching on the affected area. It can also be more pronounced as in cases where in patients experience flu-like symptoms, painful sores and aching muscles on the initial outbreak. This condition may last for several days again depending on the severity of the symptoms. But the sores hardly ever cause scarring and are known to heal completely.
Recurrence of the outbreak is just as possible for the HSV type 2 as with type 1. Because the virus is not completely removed from the body, it can cause sores and blisters on the same area that was infected the first time or at least somewhere near it. |
Surveys show that about twenty percent of sexually active adults in the United States are affected by the HSV Type 2 infection. Sexual contact commonly causes the spread of the virus but it can also be transmitted by toucing an unaffected body part immediately after being in contact with a herpes lesion. |
Unfortunately, medical science has yet to develop a vaccine that could prevent one from catching the virus or the disease in itself. Treatment is mainly limited to alleviating the symptoms and minimizing their severity. Some effective antiviral medications have been proven to work well in alleviating the symptoms. |
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