The Many Different Types of Herpes

Surely, there are many different types of herpes, but why is it important for you to know more about them? For one, you can determine the severity or the possible complications that can happen to you. Second, you will know how to treat them.

What Is Herpes?

Herpes is a disease caused by the herpes virus. It affects only humans. There are two kinds of herpes that can cause infection in different parts of the body. The first one is the type 1 herpes simplex virus, which normally affects the mouth, nose, face, eyes, and even the brain. The other is the type 2 herpes simplex virus, which can wreak havoc to the genital area.

Herpes is contagious, and the main mode of transmission is contact. The most common is sexual intercourse; thus, it’s also referred to as a sexually transmitted disease. An object rubbed to the infected area may also contract the virus, and it can be passed on to anyone who gets hold of it. A child may also suffer from herpes if he or she touches the object or the sore.

Types of Herpes

There are many different types of mouth sores, including canker sores. However, almost all of them are non-contagious except for the mouth herpes. As mentioned, oral herpes or herpes labialis is caused by type 1 virus. You can get it through kissing or putting any infected object into the mouth.

The sores, which are normally the distinct characteristics of herpes, can appear in different areas of the oral cavity: tongue, roof of the mouth, throat, and lips. They can also appear outside such as in the surrounding areas of the mouth.

You also have the eye herpes or the ocular herpes. This is caused by type 1 simplex virus. The virus can reach the eyes in two ways. First, it can travel through the nerve fibers until it reaches the eye. Second, it may be transmitted through touching the eyes of an infected person or placing an object with the virus near the eyes.

There are also a number of types of herpes under ocular herpes. These are stromal keratitis, herpes keratitis, and iridocyclitis. Typical ocular herpes affects only the surface of the cornea and thus doesn’t offer any threat. However, iridocyclitis can be dangerous since it will cause blurry vision or even damage to the iris and its surrounding tissues. Surgery may be needed.

Herpes genitales is caused by type 2 herpes simplex and is almost always transmitted through sexual intercourse. It is very typical among women, but it can also be contracted by men. In the women, the sores can be present not only in the vaginal area but also in the uterus. In the males, they will be in the penis, anal region, and scrotum.

Facial herpes is triggered by type 1 herpes virus. The lesions are present on the cheek. Perhaps the rarest but the most severe type of herpes is encephalitis. By then, the virus has already traveled through the brain, causing immense headache, vomiting, and blurred vision. If it’s left untreated or is not diagnosed immediately, it can result to coma or even death.

Solution

There is no cure for herpes. However, you can prevent it from reoccurring through antiviral medications and suppression drugs.