Herpes, also known as cold sores, is an infection caused by the herpes simplex viruses HSV-1 or HSV-2, which are spread by skin-to-skin contact or sexual transmission, and is characterized by small, painful blisters or open sores on the ano-genital skin. HSV-1 most commonly causes sores in or around the mouth, but less commonly can cause genital herpes. This virus is transmitted primarily through contact with the virus in saliva or on surfaces.
What is Cold Sore (Herpes Simplex)?
Herpes is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, which causes infectious sores that usually appear as blisters and inflamed sores around the mouth (lips, gums, mouth) or on the genitals. There are eight types of the herpes simplex virus, and three types are the most common clinically.
What are the Types of Herpes Viruses?
HSV 1 is mostly seen in the mouth, nose and surrounding areas, while HSV 2 settles in the genital area. HSV 3 is the type that causes the condition called Shingles and settles in the nerves. This type, unlike the others, is not in the form of fluid-filled sacs, but rather a type that causes sharper pain felt as redness and pins and needles.
It covers a certain area in the form of a belt and pain begins first. Then, redness begins in the painful areas and a limited and specific area-covering rash occurs. It settles in the skin area that matches the area where the virus is affected. After continuing for a while, first the pain and then the rash heal without leaving a trace.
Why Does Herpes Occur?
Causes of cold sores include the herpes simplex virus, high fever resulting from the disease, emotional and physical stress such as being too scared, a weak immune system, exposure to sunlight, and hormonal changes such as menstruation.
What are the symptoms of cold sores?
Cold sores usually appear four to seven days after infection. In some cases, symptoms can take months to appear. Cold sores typically last from a week to 10 days. Cold sores most often appear on the lips, tongue, or around the mucous membrane lining the inside of the mouth (oral mucosa). Cold sores first appear as fluid-filled blisters that burst after a day or two. The sores release fluid containing the virus. After a few days, the sores will form crusts. The virus is highly contagious and spreads quickly through skin-to-skin contact . Cold sores symptoms are summarized as follows:
- Skin blistering, itching and fever
- Appearance of water-filled blisters and redness on the lips, gums and around the mouth
- Complaints of irritation in the lips and mouth
- Muscle pain
How is the Herpes Virus Transmitted?
It is a contagious disease caused by a virus called Herpes Simplex virus, consisting of fluid-filled sacs observed on the skin and mucous membranes, and is transmitted by contact. Viruses are acquired through contact with an individual carrying the virus, such as kissing, sexual intercourse, or sharing the same towel.
Viruses enter the body through cracks in the skin and/or mucosa. They take hold of nerve cells and move along the fibers of these nerves. They settle in the main centers of the fibers called ganglia. Then they start to form lesions in the skin or mucosa area of that region. Viruses do not die where they settle. Treatments are not aimed at eliminating viruses but at preventing or at least reducing their ability to cause disease.
What are the risk factors for cold sores?
- Increased number of sexual partners
- Advancing age
- Low income
- Low level of education
- Being of black or Hispanic ethnicity
- Being a woman
- Male homosexual activity
- HIV infection
How Does the Herpes Virus Occur?
Shortly after the virus is acquired (in a time period of 2-12 days), fluid-filled sacs and itchy lesions begin to form. It spreads to some extent depending on the strength of the patient’s immune system. More than half of the individuals who come into contact with the virus do not have any complaints.
The patient has taken the virus that causes the disease into his/her body and settled in his/her nervous system. He/she transmits the virus to the individuals he/she has sexual intercourse with. In any case where the immune system is suppressed, the symptoms of the disease will appear. Sometimes the patient does not experience this process at all. However, he/she continues to carry the virus. Sometimes they experience at least four separate attacks a year.
How is Herpes Diagnosed?
In herpes complaints, diagnosis can be made with clinical findings (such as watery, itchy, or inflamed, fluid-filled vesicles) and laboratory findings. Laboratory tests include culture studies with a swab from the wound. In cytological diagnosis, the presence of antibodies against HSV Type 1 and Type 2 and in PCR differential diagnosis, syphilis , fixed drug allergies, trauma, and contact allergies should be considered.
What is Good for Cold Sores? How to Cure Cold Sores?
Effective antiviral drugs and creams containing acyclovir, famciclovir, penciclovir, valacyclovir are applied in the treatment of cold sores. Apart from topical creams and drugs, aloe vera gel, essential oils, ice compress, honey and vitamin E and C supplements are methods that cure cold sores.
Natural Methods for Cold Sores
Probiotics
Apple cider vinegar has the ability to fight viruses, bacteria and microbes. Apple cider vinegar, which has a strong structure, should not be applied directly to a cold sore. It can cause irritation when applied directly. Foods containing probiotics such as yogurt and sauerkraut also strengthen the immune system and prevent cold sores from forming.
Zinc
Zinc oxide cream is effective in the treatment of cold sores caused by the herpes virus. Thus, zinc , which also plays an important role in strengthening the immune system, is good for cold sores thanks to the creams and supplements it contains.
Essential oils
Concentrated essential oils derived from plant compounds have destructive properties against the herpes virus that causes cold sores. In addition, essential oils are effective in preventing viruses by slowing their proliferation. The following essential oils with antiviral effects are good for cold sores:
- Peppermint oil
- Tea Tree Oil
- Clove oil
- Basil oil
- Oregano oil
- Hyssop oil
- Rosemary oil
- Sandalwood oil
- Eucalyptus oil
Foods containing vitamins E and C are good for cold sores
Consuming foods containing vitamin E is effective in relieving the pain caused by cold sores by providing relief to the skin. The antioxidants in these foods help heal the inflammation in cold sores. Foods containing vitamin E include avocados , sunflower seeds, spinach, and sweet potatoes.
You can use vitamin C to speed up the healing of cold sores . Orange, cabbage, green pepper, broccoli, grapefruit, kiwi and strawberries contain plenty of vitamin C.
In addition, garlic, vanilla extract, honey, propolis , kanuka honey and royal jelly are also among the things that are good for cold sores.
How to Protect Yourself from Herpes Virus?
There is no complete cure for the Herpes Virus. Therefore, it is necessary to be careful not to catch the virus. In order not to catch the herpes virus, the following points should be taken into consideration:
- It is necessary to avoid contact with strangers, use condoms during sexual intercourse, and avoid sharing towels etc.
- We must inform the individual we think has contracted the virus about this situation and draw his or her attention to the possibility of the disease.
- In case of contracting the disease or to prevent recurrence, the immune system must be strengthened and we must be careful to stay away from situations such as excessive alcohol, excessive fatigue, malnutrition and stress .
- One of the biggest problems with disease lesions is that they can easily become re-infected with bacteria and become deeper, wider ulcers that leave more scars. For this reason, we should avoid contact with our hands as much as possible, prefer paper towels during the period when there are active lesions, and avoid contact.
- In the presence of bacteria, we should use antibiotics under the supervision of a doctor. All wounds in the genital area are important. The most frightening thing here is the possibility of other diseases being mistaken for herpes and being overlooked. Therefore, every wound observed in the genital area must be examined by a doctor. Another important issue is the possibility of other sexually transmitted diseases being contracted in the presence of herpes infection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Herpes
Why do cold sores appear on the lips?
Cold sores are usually skin lesions that occur as a result of the herpes simplex virus. Exposure to sunlight or very cold wind, weakening of the immune system, hormonal problems, fear and stress are the factors that trigger cold sores.
Is Herpes Infection Common?
It is difficult to detect Herpes Simplex infection in individuals and perform a very accurate prevalence screening. One of the most important reasons for this difficulty is that the infection remains asymptomatic after the disease is acquired and causes carrier status. More than half of the individuals with the disease (~65%) do not know that they have the disease. In addition, even if the disease occurs in individuals who have come into contact with HSV 2, they hide their disease for reasons such as fear and shame. For this reason, applications about the disease are actually much less than the number of individuals carrying the virus. HSV infection is also seen at different rates among societies. This rate, which is around 20% in the USA, is around 35% in Sweden and 40% in Brazil. Unfortunately, there are no scientific statistics in our country. However, the estimated rate is around 30%. It is observed more frequently in societies with low sociocultural levels. Populations with low income and education levels are also the target point.
What should be considered for genital herpes?
Generally, when Herpes Simplex virus is infected, both types can be acquired. In addition, it should not be forgotten that especially in genital herpes called HSV 2, the virus is acquired through sexual contact and other diseases that can be transmitted through sexual contact should be considered. Because, other viral diseases that are as easily transmitted and dangerous as HSV 2 virus can be acquired from the same person (such as Jaundice, AIDS, Syphilis). Therefore, it would be correct to screen for other sexually transmitted diseases with tests in individuals with HSV 2.
Most people infected with genital herpes do not experience any symptoms, but some people may experience:
- Stinging or tingling in the genital area
- Small blisters in the genital area that turn into small painful red sores
- Sores that appear as redness or cracked skin on the genitals
In what cases does the herpes virus manifest itself?
The disease begins to recur in cases of inadequate nutrition, excessive vitamin A intake, excessive alcohol consumption, periods of intense stress, some diseases that exhaust the immune system such as flu, menstrual periods, frequent sexual intercourse, and poor personal hygiene. Although the symptoms are most severe when the patient first gets the infection, they can also be exacerbated in any relapse since the immune system plays a major role here. The symptoms of the disease can last up to 20 days, and in women, complaints such as discharge and painful sexual intercourse may occur during this period due to wounds that may occur in the cervix.
What can be done in cases such as contact with the disease during pregnancy or relapse of the disease during this period?
Although it has been claimed that the disease can cause serious damage to the fetus if it is contracted in the first three months of pregnancy, there is no scientific data on this subject. In addition, it may not be possible to detect this damage with ultrasound. Therefore, all pregnant women should be screened in the first trimester of pregnancy to determine whether they have had this infection. In cases where the virus is newly acquired and an active infection is experienced, pregnancy termination may be considered. There is no risk to the fetus in individuals who have had the disease before and have been immunized. If these pregnant women experience a recurrence of the disease during pregnancy, no treatment is applied and only supportive approaches are adopted. In pregnant women who have genital herpes close to delivery, if labor begins while lesions are present, a cesarean section should be preferred in these pregnant women to prevent the baby from contacting the virus. In addition, great care should be taken to minimize the baby’s contact with this virus after delivery.
How long is the contagious period of herpes simplex infections?
Virus secretion in saliva may persist for up to 7 weeks after resolution of stomatitis. Patients with primary genital lesions are infectious for 7–10 days. Those with recurrent disease are infectious for 4–7 days per episode.
What is the incubation period of herpes viruses?
The incubation period of herpes viruses varies from 2 to 12 days.
How do herpes virus types affect organs?
HSV 1, on the other hand, creates water-filled blisters on the face, lips, nose and mouth. These blisters open in a very short time, ulcerate and tend to merge with other small ulcers nearby. Then these sores, which are covered with water, crust. The crusts are yellow and white. Later, the crusts soften and fall off on their own. At first, they leave a brown stain in their place. Later, it turns into a brown scar. HSV 2, on the other hand, affects the genital area. It can affect the groin, the outer labia of the vagina in women, the inner part, the area between the anus and the vagina, the cervix, the part of the penis, especially the part close to the body in men, rarely the head of the penis and testicles, and the buttocks.