Tell Me About Herpes Symptoms

                

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Before considering the symptoms of herpes, it?s important to make a distinction about what herpes actually is. The term ?herpes? is often used as a shorthand reference for the outbreaks -- typically the outbreaks that appear in the genital area -- caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. The Herpes Simplex Virus comes in two forms: Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV 1) and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV 2).

HSV 1 is the more typical of the two forms of the Herpes Simplex Virus, and is remarkably common: it?s thought that up to 90% of adults are infected with HSV 1. When HSV 1 infection produces symptoms, these symptoms most often appear about the mouth, though they may appear on other parts of the upper body as well. Because of the likelihood that symptoms will appear around the mouth, HSV 1 infection is often referred to as oral herpes.

HSV 2 is thought to occur in roughly 1 in 5, or 20%, of adults. When HSV 2 infection produces symptoms, these symptoms most often appear in the genital area, though symptoms can appear on other body areas just below the waist as well. Because of the tendency for HSV 2 symptoms to appear in the genital area, HSV 2 infection is often referred to as genital herpes.

Note that HSV 1 can infect the genitals, and HSV 2 can infect the area around the mouth. While the two strains of the Herpes Simplex Virus show symptoms most often in one particular body area or another, and tend to be most effective within that particular area, they are not absolutely confined.

Though HSV 1 and HSV 2 represent different virus strains, when either shows symptoms the symptoms are usually very similar. The most common symptom of HSV is no symptom at all: HSV infection typically does not produce recognizable physical symptoms. In this respect, HSV infection is usually a ?silent? condition. When HSV infection does produce symptoms, these symptoms can vary from person to person, but tend to appear in a cycle: discomfort or tingling or even a burning sensation in the affected area, followed by the appearance of a blister or cluster of blisters that fill with fluid and break, then scab over and heal. Without treatment, HSV symptoms will run their course within two weeks or so. Symptoms typically clear considerably faster than this when effective treatment is used.

Chas Oliver is a freelance online writer. Find out more about herpes at genital herpes or oral herpes