A simplex virus, herpes (HSV) causes millions of people to be in pain and possible embarrassment. A DNA virus that is double stranded, herpes can come in two forms;
HSV Type 1 and HSV Type 2. The first type, herpes 1 is known as ‘oral herpes’, appearing
on or near your mouth. The second type, herpes 2, is herpes of the genitals. While the HSV-1 virus and the HSV-2 virus do surface on different body spots, it’s important to know that they can both be transferred to either area of the body. In other words, HSV-1 can be passed to the genital area through contact. One of the big differences between the two strands of herpes is that HVS-1 has a 20%-40% chance of recurring, where HSV-2 is much higher at 80%.

At first, looking like cold sores, oral facial herpes is common on the lips or corners of the mouth. An astounding number, over 40 million Americans alone are host to the HSV-1 virus. Actually, the virus is more common than a lot of people probably realize. Often surfacing inside the mouth, HSV-1 is transmitted through cuts or lesions on the infected area. Reappearing on the body at a much lower rate than HSV-2, herpes simplex 1 still stays in the infected person’s body forever; usually hiding in the body’s nervous system. The way the HSV travels through the body is through Latency Associated Transcript (LAT). Known to police the natural death of our body cells, LAT control our genomes and prevent our natural cell structure from performing. When controlling its host cells, LAT consistently maintains a pool of the HSV virus, allowing random break outs to occur.

How Do You Get HSV Type 1?

For someone to contract the HSV-1 virus, it has to enter the body. In theory, although highly unlikely, you can come in brief contact with the virus and not contract it; as long as the breached area is not open and it is quickly washed thoroughly. Usually, requiring two people to be in physical contact, herpes 1 is transmitted through cuts, lacerations or any opening on the lips or in the mouth. The non-infected person will
need to come in contact with the infected area of the person that’s carrying the disease. Although the virus isn’t always active, it can still be transmitted by touch when it’s not active; though somewhat uncommon.

General HSV-1 Facts and Statistics

• Herpes is the highest contracted STD; more so than all other STD’s combined.
• It is more common for a male to transmit HSV-1 to a female than it is for a female to transmit the virus to a male.
• A form of oral herpes, cold sores are present on 70% of American adults.
• While male to females transmission is more common, females are more prone to getting infected.
• The herpes simplex 1 virus is the leading cause of genital herpes being transmitted.
• An estimated 80% of all American adults have the HSV-1 virus.
• Herpes 1 can be dormant in the body and surface at any point in time.

Infection Symptoms

Usually detectable, HSV-1 will show signs of a potential outbreak. Although this is true, the virus can lay dormant in your body for up to 20 days after being initially infected. You might not even know that you have the virus until the outbreak has started. Hiding in the upper spinal chord region of the body, the herpes simplex virus can be triggered at any moment. The most common symptom of herpes is the outbreak of cuts or lesions on or near the mouth area. Sometimes before the virus surfaces, a specific area of the face, mouth or lips might start to feel uncomfortable or tingly. This is called prodrome; a sign that the virus is active and transmittable.

Cure

Unfortunately, because both HSV-1 and HSV-2 remain in the body forever, there is no permanent cure for the virus; only treatments and medications are available. One of the main forms of treatments is through the use of a prescribed medication. Some of the more common herpes medications that are strong enough to fight the virus include Acyclovir (Zovirax), Famciclovir (Famvir), Valacyclovir (Valtrex).

Since there is no known cure for the virus, these medications only treat the issue instead of eliminating it. Providing antiviral drugs, the medications can slow the onset of the HSV-1 virus. This allows the body to fight off any infection or health related issue due to the herpes virus. While proving to be beneficial, it is extremely important to consult a doctor before any medications. A doctor that specializes in the HSV-1 virus will know what medications will be more affected for you as you battle herpes.