Herpes virus pictures

Human Herpes viruses also called as herpes simplex viruses are basically of two types - herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV 1) and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV 2). The two viruses belong to the virus family herpesviridiae. The members of this family also cause mononucleosis, chickenpox and shingles.

The viruses infect the human body by causing watery blisters, lesions in the mucous membrane of the skin such as lips, genital openings, eyes and mouth. HSV 1 generally infects the regions around mouth and lips whereas HSV 2 causes genital herpes. However, HSV type 1 can cause genital herpes, caused by oral-genital sexual contact with the one who has the oral HSV-1 infection.

Regardless of the type of infection the symptoms of both the viruses are same. The viruses are contagious and the infection can be spread by being in contact with the infected individual. The virus can also be spread even during the absence of symptoms. Once the person is infected with the virus, it tends to stay in the body in a latent stage. The herpes condition can be treated but it cannot be cured completely.

Here are some of the most rated herpes virus pictures around web:

Herpes cells	Herpes explained	Herpes virus 2 cells	Herpes virus cell
Herpes black and white	Herpes simplex virus	Herpes virus	Herpes simplex

Infection with HSV is very common. All most 1 out of 5 American adolescents have the HSV infection during their teen years. HSV 1 and HSV 2 are spread during the close contact with the infected individual who is shedding the virus particle from the skin either through saliva or through genital secretions. Transmission occurs mostly during the presence of sores or the spread may also occur in the absence of the sores. Most people do not show any symptoms of the infection due to the suppression by the immune system. But some may show the symptoms during the first infection. The infection is more severe in case of newborn and among people who have poor immunity.

The symptoms for herpes vary from condition to condition. The symptoms for the primary herpes infection are different from that of the recurrent infection attacks. The symptoms can start to appear from the 2nd day to 20th day of the exposure to the HSV virus to the humans and can last for few weeks. The symptoms of the primary herpes are outbreak of painful, itching, watery blisters and erosions or cold sores around the gums and the lips and mouth. In case of genital herpes there is a discharge of the fluid in case of females. Symptoms may be similar to those of the flu such as fever, fatigue, headache, irritability, poor appetite, swelling, muscle ache and in some cases swollen lymph nodes in the neck. People with genital herpes may have around 5-8 outbreaks in a year but not everyone has recurrent symptoms.

Unlike the usual sexually transmitted diseases, herpes cannot be cured completely but its effect can be made less painful. The medication will attack on the virus present in the nerve cells in the latent stage, it may also damage the nerve cells, and thus the disease cannot be cured completely. However the treatment can be made available for the acute outbreaks.

Antiviral drugs prescribed are mainly nucleoside analogs such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir are prescribed. Acyclovir is used to reduce the replication of the virus during the initial outbreaks, thus reducing the subsequent outbreaks. Oral drugs are effective for non-threatening herpes whereas intravenous drugs are used for neo-natal herpes, immunocompromised and genital drugs.

Anesthetic mouthwashes or pain medication may be prescribed to reduce pain. Also antibiotic ointments may be applied to prevent secondary bacterial infections. Long term suppressant drug therapies can be used for the individuals who suffer from recurrent and frequent sores. The therapies reduce the recurrence by around 85 percent.

The chances of contracting the disease increase with the number of sexual partners, thus limiting the number of partners is the first step towards prevention. One should abstain from oral-genital sex and sexual intercourse from the time of appears lesions till they disappear completely. Herpes may spread by touching the sores of the body. In order to prevent it, wash the hands after touching and do not share towels and clothing with anyone.

Even new born babies can be infected with the herpes virus. So if any pregnant lady is exposed to the virus at any point of time with herpes special precautions should be taken by the doctor during the delivery of the baby.