HERPES
(cold sores and genital herpes)
STUDENT INFORMATION SHEET

What Is It?
Herpes simplex is a recurrent viral infection of the skin or mucous membranes characterized by the appearance of single or multiple clusters of small vesicles (blisters) filled with clear fluid on an inflamed base. It usually occurs around the mouth, lips or genitals. The first outbreak may be accompanied by fever, headache, swollen glands, fatigue and body aches. A prodrome of pain, itching or burning may occur before the vesicles appear. Painful urination and pain in the entire genital area can accompany genital herpes. The typical outbreak lasts 1-2 weeks. After the initial infection, the virus becomes dormant in the nerve ganglia, and outbreaks may reoccur following stress, fever, illness, menses, and fatigue or sun exposure. Your health care provider may decide to take a culture of the sore to help determine if you have herpes.

Why Me?
Herpes is spread by skin to skin or by skin to virus-containing fluid contact (saliva or vaginal secretions). Not everyone who is exposed to the herpes virus develops herpes sores, and having a lowered immunity (from stress, fatigue, and illness) may make you more prone to infection.

Oral and Genital Herpes: What’s the Difference?
Oral lesions are typically Herpes Simplex Type I, and genital lesions are typically Herpes Simplex Type II. However, herpes type I and type II can cause infection in either area of the body. Infection can be spread from mouth to genital areas during oral sex, and by way of hand/finger contact to either region.

The Bad News…The herpes virus is infectious, and at this time there is no cure.
The Good News…Recurrences of herpes outbreaks tend to be less frequent over time. In addition, decreasing stress, getting enough sleep, and avoiding sunburn may prevent outbreaks. There are medications and self-help measures that can lessen the severity of your symptoms.
Most Important… If you have an active lesion, refrain from any direct contact between the sore and another person until the sore has completely healed. Using a condom or latex barrier helps to prevent the spread of infection.

How Is It Treated?
MEDICATIONS are designed to shorten the duration and severity of symptoms. They are most helpful when started at the first signs of an outbreak. Your health care provider may prescribe either a topical cream (penciclovir) or an oral medication (acyclovir, valacyclovir etc.). For people with frequent genital outbreaks, taking an oral medication on a daily basis may prevent or decrease outbreaks.

SELF HELP. Get plenty of rest. Stress management is important. Apply ice to active or oncoming sores to alleviate pain. For genital herpes: use ice packs to help with pain and swelling; take warm baths with Epsom salts or baking soda to help itching and pain; keep the lesions dry and wear cotton underwear.

ALTERNATIVE HEALTH MEASURES. In addition to taking antiviral medication, you may benefit from vitamin and nutritional supplements. The goal of vitamin supplementation is to enhance the body’s immune response, and may be helpful in reducing the number and severity of outbreaks. Vitamins which may be helpful include: Vitamin C and Vitamin B complex on a daily basis and zinc lozenges (for oral herpes) or tablets (for genital herpes) during an outbreak (the dose of zinc should not exceed 100 mg per day).

You might benefit from taking an amino acid supplement called L-Lysine, which may block the growth of the herpes virus. Lysine comes in a supplement form and may be taken at 500 mg a day, and up to 2,000 mg a day during outbreaks. Do not take Lysine for longer than 6 months at a time. Do not take Lysine if you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol.

If you have a sore and you don’t know if it is herpes, make an appointment at Health Services.

SCHS: CJA 1/02