What is genital herpes simplex?

Most people ask the question what is genital herpes simplex? Genetal herpes is caused by a type of virus called herpes simplex. There are two strains or variants of this virus namely HSV1 and HSV2. The HSV1 causes cold sores and genital herpes is caused by the HSV2 type.

Where it stays

In individuals without genital herpes infection, the herpes simplex virus resides in dormant inside nerves. When it becomes active, it reaches torn skin or infected skin areas to multiply in more numbers. This is a process called shedding is is one of the main causes of herpes spreading to other individuals.

During this stage, however, the symptoms of genital herpes outbreak do not manifest themselves and the person may not experience any visible signs of the condition. Once the shedding stage has passed, this virus moves down into nerve ganglion to stay dormant. This is the incubation period and genital herpes infection will resume once the virus becomes active again.

The Herpes family

When people ask what is genital herpes simplex they are mostly asking the question in direct relation to genetial herpes. However, herpes simplex as a virus is known to cause many different kinds of infections and not just genital infection. Some of the associated illnesses from herpes simplex include chickenpox, cold sores and genital herpes, different kinds of cancers as well as encephalitis or inflammation of the brain. The sad part is that all infections caused by herpes simplex virus continue through the life of the patient.

How do you know it is an infection?

If you have been infected with the herpes simplex virus, you would typically notice watery blisters located on mucous membranes or on the skin. The primary areas targeted by this virus include genitalia, mouth and lips.

Thus cold sores and genital herpes are common conditions associated with herpes simplex virus. Most superficial lesions are healed with scab formation but this is a persistent genital herpes infection, which continues through the life of a person. Thus, recurrent genital herpes outbreak is common in the same areas as the earlier attacks. The viral shedding is what causes the genital infection to spread to other people. This is most likely to occur at the instance of an outbreak but can also happen other times.

Treatment options available

There are many different herpes-natural remedies available in terms of treatment, especially if you do not like to take antibiotics. One of the most powerful genital herbal herpes treatments is Aloe Vera. The gel is known for its cooling and soothing properties and helps alleviate all signs of genital herpes infection as well. A particular Euphorbiaceae species is known to be one of the effective herpes-natural remedies available to infected individuals.

How it spreads

One of the common questions in addition to what is genital herpes simplex is how it spreads. The most common way for the genital herpes infection to spread is through the body fluid exchange or through infected lesions coming in contact with the other person.

Direct skin contact can also trigger spread of genetial herpes. Latex barriers are the best method to curb spread of the genital infection but can only mitigate not completely remove the risk.

If the mouth contains visible cold sores and genital herpes seems likely, it is a sure indication the person is infected with genital herpes infection.