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An Overview of Herpes Virus Infections
There are at least nine viruses in the Herpes family that cause infection in humans. In addition
to Herpes Simplex types 1 and 2, the other identified herpesviruses are: Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), the
virus that causes Chicken pox, and also Shingles; Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which causes infectious
mononucleosis; Cytomegalovirus (CMV); and Human Herpes Viruses (HHV) types 6 and 7. Recently,
Human Herpes Virus types 8 and 9 have been identified. These other herpesviruses cause their own set
of signs and symptoms, and are different from the signs and symptoms of infection caused by the Herpes
Simplex viruses.
Genital Herpes Infection
Herpes Simplex infection is statistically the number one STD (sexually transmitted disease) in
the U.S. and the World. Genital Herpes is epidemic and spreading at an estimated rate of a half million
people per year. Some statistics indicate that as many as 1 in 6 American adults have genital Herpes.
This translates to over 40 million, and does not include the millions more who carry HSV-1 that may
cause genital Herpes acquired through oral-genital relations or other means.
Many researchers believe these numbers may fall short of actuality, some estimating genital
herpes infection in as many as 1 in 4 adults. The shame and social stigma associated with Herpes,
coupled with the fact that HSV can be hard to detect or identify in some individuals, is misdiagnosed at
times, and is not a reportable STD, contribute to the undermining of reliable statistical evidence.
Some studies have shown that upwards of 60% of people infected with genital Herpes have
not recognized or admitted that they have the infection.
Misinformation dominates most discussions relating to Herpesvirus infection. Even many
medical professionals in the U.S. are not abreast of the latest developments in Herpes research,
diagnosis, tests, and treatment. Many patients find their medical practitioners to be relatively
unsympathetic to the physical and emotional challenges associated with HSV. In fairness, one must
understand that HSV counseling does enter a realm in which many MDs are not comfortable, or for which
they may not have time, namely psychological and sexual counseling.
Herpes can be a serious health issue for certain people in rare cases. However, it's a skin
rash that most find Herpes to be mainly inconvenient, annoying, and occasionally aggravating.
Herpes in Other Areas of the Body
Herpes is spread through direct contact. So, a genital herpes infection will stay "below the belt"
unless transferred elsewhere via direct contact or skin-to-skin transference - it won't just show up on its
own somewhere else on the body. However, a recurrent episode may appear in any area in the genital
region served by the branches of nerves connected to the sacral ganglion where the virus resides during
its latent stage. It's often said that a recurrence of genital herpes may show up anywhere that can be
covered by a pair of shorts. This is why many people get lesions in different spots with each outbreak.
For further discussion of this aspect of herpes, please see the HerpeSite Recurrences & Outbreaks
page.
Herpes can be carried in saliva from contact with an open sore, and can be passed via incidental
transmission from fingers or hand when the virus is active. Touching a sore, and then touching another
part of the body, or another person's body, can transmit the virus. Washing ones hands with soap and
water will inactivate Herpes virus that may be on skin.
Carriers of HSV who are prone to cuts on fingers are susceptible to Herpes Whitlow, or Herpes
infection of the fingers. Anyone with oral cold sores or genital outbreaks should avoid touching active
Herpes lesions, wash hands right away in the event of contact, and refrain from biting nails for this
reason.
A Herpes infection in the eyes can lead to severe complications, including blindness, so extreme
care should be taken to avoid transmission or transferal of the virus to the eyes.
Transmission of HSV during childbirth can result in neonatal infant mortality or severe congenital
abnormalities. In the past, it was a standard practice to deliver babies from an infected mother via
Cesarean section. However, there is recent evidence that mothers who have Herpes, unless they are
having a PRIMARY (first time) Herpes infection during term, stand, in most cases, to deliver successfully
via birth canal with a relatively low rate of neo-natal Herpes.
Herpes can be transmitted during close non-sexual physical contact, as during sports such as wrestling,
where the skin may become scraped or abraded and then come in contact with another's exposed oral
herpes sore. This is called Herpes Gladiatorum, and, more recently has been called "mat herpes."
For years it was reported that HSV was linked to cervical cancer. The latest reports contradict that, and
category. Several strains of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus, or Genital Warts) have recently been shown
to be linked to higher incidence of cervical cancer.
Cold Sores vs Herpes: The Media-Driven Stigma
The social stigma associated with Genital Herpes is not found with Oral Herpes. The fear and
stigma around Genital Herpes is unfounded, unfair, and solely based on the LOCATION of the infection!
Oral Herpes and Genital Herpes are a skin rash caused by a virus... Except in exceedingly rare cases,
neither will kill you, neither will cause long-term medical or cosmetic issues, neither will occur more than a
couple times a year at most, and neither will prevent you from doing, being, or having anything you want
in life. We think that the antiquated puritanical MEDIA-DRIVEN LOCATIONAL prejudice about
Genital Herpes needs to stop. Between 50% and 80% of the World's population has Oral Herpes, yet
no one is running around freaking out about it or making comments about the lifestyle or character of the
people who have it or writing articles about how bad it is.
One reason for this may be that Oral Herpes is generally not referred to as "herpes," even by
people who know that HSV is the cause of the outbreak. When speaking of their oral/facial
outbreaks, people say they "get cold sores," or "get fever blisters." Usually, when people refer to genital
herpes, they say they "have herpes." The difference is in "get" (which is external and less personal)
versus "have" (which implies ownership and makes it seem like part of a person's identity). Another
difference is in using the word "herpes," to which so many people have negative associations. Add that
to the "genital" location which some people even in this day and age have issues with, and you've got
yourself a social stigma.
So here's an idea: To lessen the stigma and negative associations of the word "herpes," when referring
to genital outbreaks, it can often make an emotional difference to use a different set of words to describe
it. It has been said that the words we use to describe an experience determine how we feel about it. For
example, if we say we feel "angry," or "livid," we'll have a more intense experience than if we change the
words to "peeved" or "miffed." Similarly, if we say "I am depressed," we'll have a much more intense and
associated experience than if we say "I feel a bit off today." Again, the difference in those two statements
is in the intensity of the words used and in the identity of "I am" versus the experience"I feel."
Since Oral Herpes is called "Cold Sores," or "Fever Blisters," it can help your mindset to also
refer to Genital Herpes as "Cold Sores." Try it... Produces a different effect, doesn't it! It really
doesn't matter what word you use, as long as it's one that reduced the emotional intensity. Also, try
saying "get" instead of "have." And avoid saying "MY herpes" because that kind of language pattern
implies that the virus a part of your identity and close to you, rather than something that is emotionally
outside of you. In addition, eliminate the words "suffer" and "victim," and any other disempowering word
that may have been in your vocabulary about yourself or the infection. Try it for 10 days, and notice the
difference in how you think about it, and yourself!
Even though feelings of sadness, loss, and anger may come up from time to time, the more
you practice feeling good, the easier it gets and the longer it lasts! Remember that all it is is a
skin rash caused by a virus, the same as "cold sores" or "fever blisters." Any idea about the
"badness" of it stems from an outdated social convention based on puritanical notions of
health, sexuality, and LOCATION! It won't kill you and will most likely have a minimal effect on
your life... unless you let it. Congratulate yourself for overcoming, and for taking steps to
improve your mind and body health! More Helpful Hints for physical and emotional well-being
can be found throughout HerpeSite.
Neither Oral nor Genital Herpes can define you as a person. Get back out there and be the
amazing person that you are.
There are at least nine viruses in the Herpes family that cause infection in humans. In addition
to Herpes Simplex types 1 and 2, the other identified herpesviruses are: Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), the
virus that causes Chicken pox, and also Shingles; Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which causes infectious
mononucleosis; Cytomegalovirus (CMV); and Human Herpes Viruses (HHV) types 6 and 7. Recently,
Human Herpes Virus types 8 and 9 have been identified. These other herpesviruses cause their own set
of signs and symptoms, and are different from the signs and symptoms of infection caused by the Herpes
Simplex viruses.
Genital Herpes Infection
Herpes Simplex infection is statistically the number one STD (sexually transmitted disease) in
the U.S. and the World. Genital Herpes is epidemic and spreading at an estimated rate of a half million
people per year. Some statistics indicate that as many as 1 in 6 American adults have genital Herpes.
This translates to over 40 million, and does not include the millions more who carry HSV-1 that may
cause genital Herpes acquired through oral-genital relations or other means.
Many researchers believe these numbers may fall short of actuality, some estimating genital
herpes infection in as many as 1 in 4 adults. The shame and social stigma associated with Herpes,
coupled with the fact that HSV can be hard to detect or identify in some individuals, is misdiagnosed at
times, and is not a reportable STD, contribute to the undermining of reliable statistical evidence.
Some studies have shown that upwards of 60% of people infected with genital Herpes have
not recognized or admitted that they have the infection.
Misinformation dominates most discussions relating to Herpesvirus infection. Even many
medical professionals in the U.S. are not abreast of the latest developments in Herpes research,
diagnosis, tests, and treatment. Many patients find their medical practitioners to be relatively
unsympathetic to the physical and emotional challenges associated with HSV. In fairness, one must
understand that HSV counseling does enter a realm in which many MDs are not comfortable, or for which
they may not have time, namely psychological and sexual counseling.
Herpes can be a serious health issue for certain people in rare cases. However, it's a skin
rash that most find Herpes to be mainly inconvenient, annoying, and occasionally aggravating.
Herpes in Other Areas of the Body
Herpes is spread through direct contact. So, a genital herpes infection will stay "below the belt"
unless transferred elsewhere via direct contact or skin-to-skin transference - it won't just show up on its
own somewhere else on the body. However, a recurrent episode may appear in any area in the genital
region served by the branches of nerves connected to the sacral ganglion where the virus resides during
its latent stage. It's often said that a recurrence of genital herpes may show up anywhere that can be
covered by a pair of shorts. This is why many people get lesions in different spots with each outbreak.
For further discussion of this aspect of herpes, please see the HerpeSite Recurrences & Outbreaks
page.
Herpes can be carried in saliva from contact with an open sore, and can be passed via incidental
transmission from fingers or hand when the virus is active. Touching a sore, and then touching another
part of the body, or another person's body, can transmit the virus. Washing ones hands with soap and
water will inactivate Herpes virus that may be on skin.
Carriers of HSV who are prone to cuts on fingers are susceptible to Herpes Whitlow, or Herpes
infection of the fingers. Anyone with oral cold sores or genital outbreaks should avoid touching active
Herpes lesions, wash hands right away in the event of contact, and refrain from biting nails for this
reason.
A Herpes infection in the eyes can lead to severe complications, including blindness, so extreme
care should be taken to avoid transmission or transferal of the virus to the eyes.
Transmission of HSV during childbirth can result in neonatal infant mortality or severe congenital
abnormalities. In the past, it was a standard practice to deliver babies from an infected mother via
Cesarean section. However, there is recent evidence that mothers who have Herpes, unless they are
having a PRIMARY (first time) Herpes infection during term, stand, in most cases, to deliver successfully
via birth canal with a relatively low rate of neo-natal Herpes.
Herpes can be transmitted during close non-sexual physical contact, as during sports such as wrestling,
where the skin may become scraped or abraded and then come in contact with another's exposed oral
herpes sore. This is called Herpes Gladiatorum, and, more recently has been called "mat herpes."
For years it was reported that HSV was linked to cervical cancer. The latest reports contradict that, and
category. Several strains of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus, or Genital Warts) have recently been shown
to be linked to higher incidence of cervical cancer.
Cold Sores vs Herpes: The Media-Driven Stigma
The social stigma associated with Genital Herpes is not found with Oral Herpes. The fear and
stigma around Genital Herpes is unfounded, unfair, and solely based on the LOCATION of the infection!
Oral Herpes and Genital Herpes are a skin rash caused by a virus... Except in exceedingly rare cases,
neither will kill you, neither will cause long-term medical or cosmetic issues, neither will occur more than a
couple times a year at most, and neither will prevent you from doing, being, or having anything you want
in life. We think that the antiquated puritanical MEDIA-DRIVEN LOCATIONAL prejudice about
Genital Herpes needs to stop. Between 50% and 80% of the World's population has Oral Herpes, yet
no one is running around freaking out about it or making comments about the lifestyle or character of the
people who have it or writing articles about how bad it is.
One reason for this may be that Oral Herpes is generally not referred to as "herpes," even by
people who know that HSV is the cause of the outbreak. When speaking of their oral/facial
outbreaks, people say they "get cold sores," or "get fever blisters." Usually, when people refer to genital
herpes, they say they "have herpes." The difference is in "get" (which is external and less personal)
versus "have" (which implies ownership and makes it seem like part of a person's identity). Another
difference is in using the word "herpes," to which so many people have negative associations. Add that
to the "genital" location which some people even in this day and age have issues with, and you've got
yourself a social stigma.
So here's an idea: To lessen the stigma and negative associations of the word "herpes," when referring
to genital outbreaks, it can often make an emotional difference to use a different set of words to describe
it. It has been said that the words we use to describe an experience determine how we feel about it. For
example, if we say we feel "angry," or "livid," we'll have a more intense experience than if we change the
words to "peeved" or "miffed." Similarly, if we say "I am depressed," we'll have a much more intense and
associated experience than if we say "I feel a bit off today." Again, the difference in those two statements
is in the intensity of the words used and in the identity of "I am" versus the experience"I feel."
Since Oral Herpes is called "Cold Sores," or "Fever Blisters," it can help your mindset to also
refer to Genital Herpes as "Cold Sores." Try it... Produces a different effect, doesn't it! It really
doesn't matter what word you use, as long as it's one that reduced the emotional intensity. Also, try
saying "get" instead of "have." And avoid saying "MY herpes" because that kind of language pattern
implies that the virus a part of your identity and close to you, rather than something that is emotionally
outside of you. In addition, eliminate the words "suffer" and "victim," and any other disempowering word
that may have been in your vocabulary about yourself or the infection. Try it for 10 days, and notice the
difference in how you think about it, and yourself!
Even though feelings of sadness, loss, and anger may come up from time to time, the more
you practice feeling good, the easier it gets and the longer it lasts! Remember that all it is is a
skin rash caused by a virus, the same as "cold sores" or "fever blisters." Any idea about the
"badness" of it stems from an outdated social convention based on puritanical notions of
health, sexuality, and LOCATION! It won't kill you and will most likely have a minimal effect on
your life... unless you let it. Congratulate yourself for overcoming, and for taking steps to
improve your mind and body health! More Helpful Hints for physical and emotional well-being
can be found throughout HerpeSite.
Neither Oral nor Genital Herpes can define you as a person. Get back out there and be the
amazing person that you are.
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