What You Did Not Know About Herpes

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Herpes is not always sexually transmitted but it is caused by an infection called Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV).  Some types of herpes self heal with time where others may require antiviral treatment, it is unfortunate though that none of serious infection of herpes can be cured. There are 8 types of herpes that affect human beings.

Types of Herpes

Cold Sore Photo courtesy of Wikipedia 

1)      Human Herpes Virus 1(HHV1) which causes cold sores around the mouth and can lead to infection around the genital area and can be spread through sharing items.

2)      Human Herpes Virus 2(HHV2) also known as Herpes Simplex Virus 2(HSV2)which also causes cold sores around the mouth and genitalia and can be spread through skin contact.

3)      Human herpes Virus 3(HHV3) also known as varicella-zoster virus and which cause chickenpox and is transmitted through skin contact. Herpes zoster or shingles is also a HHV3 virus which is much serious and takes even longer to heal.

4)      Human herpes virus 4 also known as Epstein-barr is the major cause of mononucleosis or mono the kissing disease and is transmitted through saliva.

5)      Human Herpes Virus 5 (HHV5) also known as cytomegalovirus (CMV) which is also causes mono which can also cause hepatitis and is sexually transmitted.

6)      Human Herpes Virus 6(HHV6) which causes roseola and other illnesses associated with fever in small children.

7)      Human Herpes Virus 7(HHV7) which also causes roseola in children.

8)      Human Herpes Virus 8(HHV8) recently found in a tumor called Kaposi’s Sarcoma(KS) which is associated with AIDs patients and can cause other cancers.

Treatment and symptoms

There is no known cure for HHV1 and HHV2 and once infected it remain in the body for forever however antiviral medication can reduce the frequency, duration and severity of the outbreaks experienced by patients. Analgesics can be used to minimize pain and discomfort while Topical anesthetic treatments will relieve itching as well as reduce pain. There are also natural remedies that are known to treat some of the symptoms such as Aspirin, Aloe Vera products, lemon balm, Monolaurin bee products, Topical zinc, L-lysine, Licorice root cream, Echinacea and Eleuthero.

HHV3 occurs usually mild for children below 10 however an adult or older child will feel much worst and even after the symptoms are gone the virus remains in their nervous system and may reoccur in 10-20% of patients later in life as shingles with much serious complications. Chickenpox symptoms include itchy fluid filled blisters and can be treated with Topical lotions and oral antihistamines to minimize the itching. For those looking for a natural remedy an oatmeal bath is an option. There are also vaccinations available to minimize or prevent Chickenpox. Shingles has no current cure for this type of herpes but antiviral medication may reduce the pain and duration as well as a topical antibiotic to minimize infection.

HHV4 or HHV5 or mono usually require not treatment as the infection self heals during the incubation period. However children have an incubation period of 14 days which is significantly lower than the 30 to 35 incubation period for adults. HHV5 may however cause problem in people with a weakened immune system such as newborns and patients with HIV and AIDs. For severe cases an oral antivirus medication is used to control the virus and stabilize the patient. However newborns may develop pneumonia and other complications.

HHV6 and HHV7 causes to main conditions roseola virus which is common in children between 6 months and two years symptoms are a fever that last for six day followed by a rash which is not itchy and disappears in 2 days. There is not treatment required however the child should take lots of fluids. HHV6 causes lyphotrophic in adults is with weak immune system and is treated with oral antivirus medication.

HHV8 attacks immunocompromised individuals and causes diseases like Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), lymphoproliferative disorders (condition of too many white blood cells produced), primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), and multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD). KS is treated with ganciclovir or foscarnet therapy. As always consult your family doctor first to assist you and recommend any form of treatment.

For more information on the treatment of herpes visit CDC website.