Is Genital Herpes Fatal
By: Mark MonteiroTotal Views: 43, Word Count: 690,
Herpes is a form of viral infection. It is also one of the most common sexually transmitted disease. If you had a cold sore in past, you would probably have herpes. Research has proved that one in six of us have genital herpes. About 80 varieties of herpes virus have been identified, out of which only 8 are responsible for disease in human beings. The most common out of these are HSV1 and HSV2. A couple of other common herpes viruses that affect humans include chickenpox and shingles. A question arises in our mind that is genital herpes fatal? The information provided below may answer this question of yours.
Is Genital Herpes Fatal
The herpes virus can remain dormant in your body for years and may attack you at any instance of your life. If you had a chicken pox when you were a child, then you already have the herpes virus in you in a dormant state. The simplex type 1 or the HSV1 virus causes cold sores. This virus hides in the nerves near the ears in a dormant state and usually causes cold sores on the lower lips. In some rare cases, it can even damage your eyes and cause blindness. The second type of simplex type 2 viruses or HSV2 is responsible for genital herpes. This virus resides at the base of the spine in its dormant state and during the outbreaks it generally attacks the genital area.
Both the types of viruses look identical when viewed under the microscope and both of them can infect the mouth or the genital area. However, HSV1 is responsible for cold sores and HSV2 is responsible for genital herpes. Both of these types of viruses are highly contagious. One thing that differentiates herpes from any other type of sexually transmitted virus is that it can hide itself in the nerves near the ears or the spine for years till it outbreaks. Once it outbreaks, the person would be continuously experiencing outbreaks.
Herpes is generally transmitted by physical contact. However, it depends on the type of infection and the spot of infection. If the herpes is on your mouth, a simple kiss can spread it to a healthy person. Sexual contact including, both oral and anal sex with an infected person can transmit the virus. A person who is infected with HSV1 virus can transmit it to the partner's genital during sexual act or a person affected by HSV2 virus can transmit it to the partner's mouth during the same process. It has been observed that if you have cold sores, the chances of you being infected by the HSV2 virus are very less.
To keep yourself protected, avoid any skin to skin contact with an infected person. On the other hand, if you are infected with the virus, take care that you don't infect others, as herpes virus is highly contagious. During the outbreak, avoid kissing and sexual activity of any type that includes contact with the affected area. Most of the time, it is advised to use a condom during herpes virus outbreak.
Herpes can be fatal to newborn babies. However, it has been found that only one in a thousand of infants has the chance of getting infected from herpes. If proper medical guidance is followed, the chances of passing it to the baby from a mother decrease to a great level. If an infant is infected with this virus, the treatment process may take about 21 days. Hence, pregnant mothers are therefore advised to keep themselves safe and away from any source of herpes. Genital herpes can cause symptoms that can cause recurrent painful genital ulcers in many adults, and genital herpes can be severe in people with suppressed immune system. Other than the physical effects of genital herpes, the person who is affected by it may suffer from mental distress. However, it has been seen that the chance of getting the infant infected is low in a genital herpes infected mother.
Hope that the above provided information answers your question as to, is genital herpes fatal.
About the Author
Dr. Mark Monteiro is graduated from the Hazard University and done his MBA from the he University Of Illinois College Of Medicine. Currently he is working as general physician at Elmhurst Loyola Center for Health. For over 15 years he has been a pioneer in the field of physician health. He has contributed to the treatment of many diseases like- ASTHMA, TUBERCULOSIS, HIV, HEPATITIS AND ITS TREATMENT
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