Herpes

More than half of people carry the herpes virus. In most people this causes no or mild symptoms. However, in certain cases it can cause unpleasant complaints in various places on the body. There are also two different types of the herpes virus, or the herpes simplex virus. Type 1 is mainly known as the cause of cold sores. Type 2 causes complaints in the genital area. Here we tell you everything you need to know about herpes.

How can I get herpes?

The herpes virus type 1 often enters the body in most people in childhood, through the skin or mucous membranes. Such a first infection usually causes no or few complaints in children. You may experience this more often in adulthood. Furthermore, the herpes virus can also be transmitted through utensils and by touching the affected skin. Herpes virus type 2 is transmitted through sexual contact. With herpes in the genital area we speak of a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

Cold sores due to herpes virus

An infection with the herpes virus type 1 can cause the following symptoms: inflamed gums, buccal mucosa and tongue. Blisters can develop, especially on the lips. In rare cases it causes fever. This mainly happens in people with a weakened immune system. Triggers such as stress, sun and fever can fuel the virus. Women can also experience it more quickly during menstruation. The blisters on a cold sore feel burning and painful. They dry out after a few days and turn into scabs that fall off. Please note, cold sores are contagious. The virus is in the vesicles.

Herpes in the genital zone causes annoying_complaints

A herpes infection in the genital area is called genital herpes. The complaints are usually more severe. When you first suffer from this STD, it is often accompanied by fever and muscle pain. Blisters also form on the skin and mucous membranes of the penis or vagina and around the anus, which are very painful. You may also experience a burning sensation when urinating. Other symptoms are; itching, swollen glands in the groin and, in women, discharge from the vagina. With low resistance, the symptoms can return regularly. Be careful, especially during the inflammatory phase, you can easily transmit the infection through sexual contact.

How can you reduce the complaints?

Do not touch the blisters during the inflammatory phase. This only makes it worse and you can transmit the virus to someone else. So wash your hands immediately if you have touched the blisters. Avoid direct contact with others, such as kissing or sexual contact (in case of genital herpes). Do you have a burning sensation when urinating? Then pee in a bath with warm water. That makes it less painful.

Which medicines can you use?

For cold sores, use a lip balm with aciclovir because of its antiviral effect. It is also recommended to use a gel with zinc sulphate, because this dries out the blisters faster. For genital herpes you can also use antiviral drugs, including acyclovir, famciclovir and valaciclovir. There are also creams with zinc oxide, which have a drying effect and reduce itching.