A Brief Look at Herpes and Its Impact on Health

While there are eight of these human based herpes viruses, two of them particularly stand out because of their frequency of occurrence in the population. The herpes simplex type 1 virus (HSV-1) and the herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) are the two predominant ones that most people seem to get.

Infection Control

Herpes is often viewed as a sexually transmitted disease and indeed that is true. Did you also know that there is a huge contingent of herpes viruses but only eight of them typically cause illness in humans? It's also disappointing to find out that herpes outbreaks can recur many times, depending on how your immune system is functioning. There are no cures for viruses right now.

Two Common Herpes Viruses

While there are eight of these human based herpes viruses, two of them particularly stand out because of their frequency of occurrence in the population. The herpes simplex type 1 virus (HSV-1) and the herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) are the two predominant ones that most people seem to get.

These two herpes simplex viruses cause both oral herpes and genital herpes. Oral herpes arrives in the form of fever blisters or cold sores while genital herpes generally causes sores in the sensitive genital region. Both the herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 can infect both oral and genital regions.  However, for the most part, oral herpes is cause by type 1 of the virus while genital herpes is caused by type 2 of the virus.

Symptoms of Herpes

Herpes is transmitted by intimate contact, primarily sexual intercourse. However, it is possible to transmit it by kissing if you or someone else has open sores in their mouth or on their lips. It takes skin to skin contact for sure to spread this viral disease.

Symptoms can take up to a month to show once exposed to the virus. Some people have few symptoms while others get actual sores or lesions. The skin will first become sensitive and red in color and then the blisters appear at the site. The blisters eventually burst and ooze so it is important to clean these broken blisters promptly and do not pick unopened ones so as not to spread the infection to others or even to other parts of your body.

Handwashing If you have well water or alternate sources, you will want to boil your water to kill germs or treat the water with chemical disinfectants to make the water potable. These chemical agents can be found in camping and outdoor stores predominantly. 6. Infection Control Practitioner

New skin growth forms once the blisters "pop" and drain. Most do not leave a scar. Swollen glands, muscle pain, fever, and other flu-type of symptoms may present themselves as well. Herpes in the genital area can be painful, especially in the urethra when you try to urinate. These blisters may itch and "throb" but do not try to scratch or pick at them. There is no need to share the wealth of infection with anyone else.

Treatment Options

There are no vaccinations or cures for the herpes virus, or any virus for that matter. However, some pharmaceutical companies have produced some drugs that can lessen the severity of outbreaks, especially for genital herpes. Former prescription drugs for recurring cold sores are now available over the counter.

Diet and nutrition can actually help with outbreaks of the herpes virus. Foods like fresh garlic have anti-viral properties which could combat the frequency of outbreaks. Choosing foods high in the lysine amino acid is also beneficial. A nutritionist is your best resource for an anti-herpes outbreak diet while your doctor can help you with anti-viral remedies.

If you suspect that you might have herpes, get checked out by a doctor. Also, practice safe sex with your partners to avoid contracting or spreading the virus. Just remember, skin to skin contact is the predominant way that herpes is spread.

Latest News Regarding Infection Control ?

11/20/2008
New fears over hospital hygiene (The Ham&High Network)
FEARS about infection control at the Royal Free Hospital have resurfaced, after a manager allegedly admitted to a patient that his staff do not wash their hands with soap and water.

New fears over hospital hygiene (The Ham&High Network)

11/21/2008
Better Tracking of a Childhood Infection Needed, Officials Say (The Sarasota Herald-Tribune)
Federal officials urged doctors and state health agencies to be more vigilant for suspected cases of Haemophilus influenzae type B in children under 5.

Better Tracking of a Childhood Infection Needed, Officials Say (The Sarasota Herald-Tribune)

11/21/2008
233,000 Americans don't know they have HIV (UPI)
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Some 1.1 million people in the United States are infected with HIV and nearly 233,000 are unaware of their infection, a forum on HIV research said Thursday.

233,000 Americans don't know they have HIV (UPI)

11/20/2008
Scalpel, forceps... infection. We know about bugs on hospital wards, but what about the operating table? (Daily Mail)
When factory manager Tony Kitchen had an accident at work, there was no doubt he'd been seriously hurt. But he didn't expect surgery to make his condition worse.

Scalpel, forceps... infection. We know about bugs on hospital wards, but what about the operating table? (Daily Mail)

11/21/2008
233,000 Americans don't know they have HIV (UPI)
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Some 1.1 million people in the United States are infected with HIV and nearly 233,000 are unaware of their infection, a forum on HIV research said Thursday.

233,000 Americans don't know they have HIV (UPI)

11/21/2008
Better Tracking of a Childhood Infection Needed, Officials Say (The Sarasota Herald-Tribune)
Federal officials urged doctors and state health agencies to be more vigilant for suspected cases of Haemophilus influenzae type B in children under 5.

Better Tracking of a Childhood Infection Needed, Officials Say (The Sarasota Herald-Tribune)

11/21/2008
233,000 Americans don't know they have HIV (UPI)
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Some 1.1 million people in the United States are infected with HIV and nearly 233,000 are unaware of their infection, a forum on HIV research said Thursday.

233,000 Americans don't know they have HIV (UPI)