Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Is herpes forever? Part 1

If there is one infection no one really likes- it has to be herpes. Herpes has been around for centuries. The word herpes is derived from the Greek word herpein- meaning a creeping plant or animal. Well, creeping or creepy, this condition with painful blisters is simply a pain in the rear. While some individuals have only one episode of herpes, some unlucky will develop recurrent episodes every few months.

Herpes simplex typically presents with painful blisters. They are just as painful while looking at them. The herpetic sores also are not appealing to look at. Besides the pain, most individuals complain about the poor cosmesis due to the blisters.

Herpes simplex virus once acquired is forever. It does disappear for a while but never leaves your body again. The virus has a great tendency to remain dormant in the nerves where it remains until something or some condition causes it to reactivate.There are a number of herpes viruses. Besides herpes simplex, Chicken pox and shingles are also caused by herpes viruses.

There are two subtypes of herpes simplex- type 1 and type 2. The type one herpes simplex is the one associated with the cold sores, fever and blisters; whereas the types 2 is known to cause genital blisters

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