Information on infections of herpes virus

Men and women all over the world suffer from viral infections at some point in their life time. Some viral infections are mild in effect while some are quite severe. Herpes is one of the highly contagious DNA viruses, which is known to cause severe symptoms in you. Once you contract this virus, it cannot be cured and causes recurrent symptoms. The two most widely spread herpes viruses are herpes simplex virus and zoster virus, which can lead to infections such as genital herpes, cold sores and shingles. This virus is mainly characterised by prolonged time period during which it remains dormant and then short periods of time, during which it is active. In its active stage, the person who is infected suffers from considerable discomfort and pain. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this virus, but it can be treated with the help of antiviral medications available on the market.

What is genital herpes?

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection, which is caused by the herpes simplex virus. It is highly  infectious and can cause symptoms such as water blisters, red sores and ulcers that appear on and around the genitals, thighs, buttocks and anus. You can contract this infection through unprotected sexual intercourse, sharing your sex toys with an infected person and becoming sexually active at an early age. Genital herpes can also spread through close physical contact with the infected area, which makes it possible to contract the virus through oral intercourse as well. You can also contract the infection if you come in contact with the infected skin area, even if the symptoms are not visible. People who are infected with this virus can experience the symptoms in different manners. Some can experience the symptoms within the first couple of days after contracting the virus itself. Some people, on the other hand do not experience the symptoms even for weeks, months or years.

What is shingles?

Shingles is another uncomfortable and painful infection, which is caused by the zoster virus. This is the major factor that can cause other infections such as chickenpox. Those who contract chickenpox at a younger age are more likely to develop this infection in their adult life. While chickenpox can be completely cured, the zoster virus is such, which can remain dormant in your nerve cells and become active later in life. The fact that only certain people fully develop this virus while some do not is not yet understood fully. And if you do develop shingles, you are likely to suffer at least two to three outbreaks during your lifetime. But this virus is not contagious, like that of the herpes simplex virus. And if you do not have chickenpox in your childhood, then you can possibly develop by coming into contact with a person having active symptoms of the virus.

What are cold sores?

Cold sores are caused by a different type of the herpes simplex virus. The major symptoms of cold sores usually include fluid filled blisters appearing around the mouth. Cold sores, the basic characteristic of the simplex virus, are highly contagious. They can can spread from one person to another through direct contact with the infected skin or by sharing toothbrush or razor that has come in contact with the infected area. It is one of the most widely occurring form of the herpes simplex viruses and people usually contract it at a younger age, although the symptoms can develop in their adolescence. As an adult, you are also likely to get infected with the virus and can develop the symptoms within days of getting infected.