Herpes is a skin ailment caused by the HSV herpes simplex virus. HSV produces painful blisters or ulcers all over the body. HSV is classified into two types:
- HSV-1 is a virus that produces blisters or cold sores around the mouth (oral herpes)
- HSV-2, which typically causes genital blisters or sores (genital herpes).
Herpes is transmitted by direct touch with sores. HSV-2 is often transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse. Herpes may spread even when there are no apparent blisters.
Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections are recurrent. It implies that once your first outbreak of sores has cleared up, you may experience another epidemic in the future. Nonetheless, the intensity and frequency of epidemics tend to decrease with time. Although oral and genital herpes can be painful, the viruses seldom cause serious health concerns.
HSV can infect other regions of the body, including the brain and spinal cord, in rare situations. Herpes can also be harmful to a newborn. During labor, a herpes-infected woman might spread the illness to her infant. A herpes infection can be fatal to a child.
Alternative names: herpes culture, herpes simplex viral culture, HSV-1 antibodies, HSV-2 antibodies, HSV DNA