How to Identify Herpes

Herpes is an infection caused by the Herpes Simplex virus, which has two types: HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 commonly manifests as cold sores, also known as oral lesions, but it can occasionally appear in genital areas. HSV-2 is responsible for genital herpes, the most common sexually transmitted virus in the U.S., infecting skin, mucous membranes, the rectum, eyes, and central nervous system. Herpes is an incurable disease, and those infected must live with it for life. To check if you have contracted this virus, follow the simple steps below.

Watch for itchy sores. The basic way to identify whether you have genital herpes is by looking for sores on your genital area. These typically appear around 6 days after infection. Sores caused by the HSV-1 virus generally form inside or around the mouth, while HSV-2 causes sores on the thighs, buttocks, rectum, and perineum. In women, they may also appear on the vulva, labia, vaginal opening, and cervix, while men may experience sores on the penis, shaft, and inside the urethra.

• Initially, red sores form in clusters in the infected area, causing pain, burning, and itching during the first few hours after they appear.

Pay attention to other physical symptoms. During the initial stages when the wounds first appear, you may experience symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, fever, and swelling of the lymph nodes in the genital area (these nodes are located above and on both sides of the genital area). You might also encounter other symptoms as your body fights the Herpes virus..

• Symptoms similar to the flu include fever, generalized aches, and discomfort.

Be mindful when the wound turns into an ulcer. Depending on the specific case, the itchy wounds will start to change after a few hours to a few days. From initially hot and itchy, they will transform into blistering ulcers that exude fluid, forming patches or long streaks, and begin leaking a substance resembling pus.

• This fluid is light yellow and may contain traces of blood..

Note the signs of improvement. Eventually, the ulcer will begin to scab over, and shortly after, the surrounding skin will heal and new skin will form without itching or pain. Ulcers generally heal without leaving scars, with healing time depending on the severity of the previous outbreak.

• These symptoms are indicative of the initial outbreak, which is always more severe than subsequent flare-ups. The first outbreak usually lasts from 2-6 weeks, while later flare-ups typically last only around one week.

Learn about the types of viruses. There are two variants of the virus known as Herpes Simplex. HSV-1 is responsible for causing cold sores, although it can also cause genital herpes. HSV-2 is the primary virus that leads to genital herpes. More people are infected with HSV-1 than with HSV-2, with approximately 65% of Americans having had HSV-1, and most of them contracted it during childhood. Many people carry the virus without realizing it, primarily because it doesn’t produce symptoms other than flare-ups of sores. As a result, there are hundreds of thousands of new cases each year in the U.S., with about 80% of people infected with HSV-2 showing no symptoms.

• Herpes is most contagious through direct contact with the sores or fluid that contains the virus. However, it can also be transmitted through contact with skin that appears uninfected. The likelihood of transmission decreases over time since the initial infection, and reduces by 70% after 10 years.

Request a doctor's test to confirm the diagnosis. If you suspect that your wound or ulcer is caused by herpes, you will need to undergo medical testing to confirm your diagnosis. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is the standard method to detect the herpes virus. This test replicates your DNA from a blood sample (or from the wound or spinal fluid). They will then analyze the DNA to determine if you are infected with the HSV virus and identify the specific strain.

• Your doctor may also perform a viral culture test. This involves using a swab to collect a sample from the wound, which is then placed on a Petri dish. The testing process takes longer because the virus needs time to grow. Once the virus is cultured, the doctor will check which strain you have. This method is more time-consuming and less accurate than PCR testing.

Take valacyclovir (Valtrex). There is no cure for herpes, but there are ways to shorten the duration of outbreaks. As soon as you suspect an outbreak, you should visit your doctor for a prescription. After a definitive diagnosis, the doctor will write a prescription to begin treatment. Valacyclovir is commonly prescribed. For a first outbreak, you should begin taking the medication within 48 hours of symptom onset and continue for 10 days. The dosage varies depending on the patient, so you must follow your doctor's instructions.

• Generally, the recommended dose for the first outbreak is 1000mg twice a day for 10 days. For recurrent outbreaks, the dose is typically 500mg twice a day for 3 days.
• If you have frequent flare-ups, meaning more than 9 times a year, you may use valacyclovir as suppressive therapy. This means you take the medication to prevent outbreaks rather than only when symptoms first appear. If you opt for this method, you will need to follow your doctor's directions, with the typical dose being 500mg twice a day, taken daily.
• The initial symptoms are tingling and mild pain in the area where herpes sores will appear within a few hours to days. Begin taking the medication immediately when you feel tingling and warmth.

Take acyclovir (Zovirax). While valacyclovir is the latest medication for treating herpes, older drugs like acyclovir can still be used, though they are less commonly prescribed now. The reason is that these older medications require more frequent doses and can be more inconvenient for the patient. However, they are much cheaper than valacyclovir. As with other medications, the dosage will depend on the patient, so it is important to follow your doctor's instructions.

• If your doctor prescribes this during a first outbreak, the typical dose is 200mg 5 times a day for 10 days. If you are in the recurrence stage, you should take 200mg 2-5 times daily for 5 days (or continue for up to a year).
• Acyclovir is also available as a cream. While it is not as effective as the oral form, the cream can aid the healing process for cold sores. Apply the cream every 3 hours while awake for one week.

Ask your doctor about famciclovir (Famvir). Like other herpes medications, it is best to ask your doctor for a prescription within 48 hours of symptom onset. The dosage will depend on the individual, so you must follow your doctor's instructions.

• Typically, the dosage to treat a single outbreak is 1000mg twice a day, taken for one day. To suppress future outbreaks, the standard dose is 250mg twice a day for up to a year.
• Generally, you will take one tablet twice a day for a single recurrence, but to prevent the recurrence of outbreaks, your doctor may recommend you take it twice a day for a year.

Use home remedies for treatment. There are many self-treatment options for herpes outbreaks. Lysine, an amino acid, has shown effectiveness, particularly in its oral form. You should take 1000mg of lysine three times a day. You can also get lysine from your daily diet by eating lysine-rich foods like fish, chicken, eggs, and potatoes.

• Aspirin can also be beneficial for herpes, but you should consult your doctor before starting it. One of its active ingredients is derived from willow bark, which helps inhibit the herpes virus. Take 325mg once a day.
• You can apply perilla leaves directly to the sores, as it helps support the healing process when applied four times a day until the sores show signs of improvement.
• Similar to Zovirax cream, you can use a zinc ointment. Apply the zinc oxide cream to the sores daily to enhance the healing process. Additionally, aloe vera gel can be applied to the sores to promote skin regeneration.