What Is Herpes Simplex Virus and How Is it Diagnosed & Treated?

Herpes simplex virus is responsible for breakouts in the oral and genital region. Simplex 1 generally exhibits symptoms in and around the mouth and face area. The genital type is typically caused by the simplex 2 virus. Individuals infected with either form often experience no or minimal symptoms of the disease, which is one reason why it is so easily transmitted. Most infected persons have no idea that they are infected, and they mistake mild symptoms for other skin disorders.
A common disease in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that one of out of five adolescents and adults have had a herpes simplex two virus infection. And the disease is more common in women than in men, with an estimated 1 out of 4 women infected with genital herpes.
The herpes simplex virus is transmitted though contact with an infected person. The herpes virus is present in the sores it can cause on the skin, either in the oral or genital regions, but the disease can be spread even if these sores do not appear to be present. Sometimes an outbreak of herpes simplex causes only a little redness or a mild rash. And in the case of genital herpes, active and highly contagious lesions may be present inside the vagina in women or the urethra in both men and women, and not be visible.

Transmission of the disease does not require sexual contact. Any skin to skin or oral contact can pass the herpes virus. People with the disease should avoid touching any skin lesions so that they do not spread the infection on their own bodies, and they should avoid skin-to-skin and sexual contact from the time when herpes virus symptoms appear until the symptoms are completely gone and the skin lesions have healed.
Condoms are effective in preventing transmission of the herpes simplex virus only if all of the skin suffering from herpes simplex-related sores is covered by the condom. Abstaining from sex during a herpes virus outbreak is the only way to ensure not passing the disease to a sexual partner.
Although there is no cure for the herpes simplex virus, many treatment options exists to help people with herpes cope with the symptoms of an outbreak. According to the CDC, antiviral medications can shorten the length of symptomatic outbreaks and can even prevent outbreaks or cause them to come less frequently. During an outbreak, herpes virus sufferers should keep the area clean and dry. After a shower, the infected area should be dried gently with a towel or a hair dryer on a cool setting. Lesions that are kept dry tend to heal more quickly. Natural treatments for herpes simplex include supplementation of lysine, sulfides and various anti-viral herbal extracts, and they can be quite effective.
The best defense against herpes outbreaks, though, is a strong immune system built through a healthy lifestyle. Herpes virus outbreaks typically happen when infected persons are under additional stress, are not getting the nutrients they need in their diet, or are not getting enough sleep. All of these things weaken the immune system and allow the herpes simplex virus a window of opportunity for an outbreak.