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Herpes: People
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Herpes is a lifelong infection, but usually causes only occasional, limited outbreaks. For most people, herpes is more of a nuisance than a serious problem. Although sores are painful, outbreaks become less severe and less frequent over time. For those with more troublesome disease, antiviral medications can usually moderate or suppress outbreaks.
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Herpes simplex is commonly referred to as cold sores or fever blisters. It is a viral infection of the skin that may occur once or return again and again. This is because when the virus is cleared from the skin by the immune system it hides in the nerves and is never completely removed from the body. Herpes infections are very common. It is estimated that nine out of ten people have been exposed to herpes. Many people are infected and don’t even know it. Unfortunately those who carry herpes can spread the disease without even knowing it.
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Many people mistakenly refer to type 2 as "genital herpes," and type 1 as "oral herpes," when in fact, Herpes types 1 and 2 can and do infect either area. While many people have type 1 oral infections and type 1 or 2 genital infections as well, it is extremely rare for a person to have infections with type 1 and type 2 simultaneously in the same location.
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Herpes can be spread between outbreaks when there are no signs or symptoms present. This is called "Asymptomatic Transmission." Research shows that herpes simplex infections are often spread by people who don't know they are infected. This occurs because people may have symptoms so mild that they don't notice them at all or else don't recognize them as herpes.
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Herpes can be treated with antiviral drugs, which can help prevent flare-ups and reduce the risk of spreading it to others. Condoms can help lower the risk of transmission, although they’re not foolproof. Infected people are contagious even without symptoms.
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Two types of herpes simplex are known. The first causes cold sores or fever blisters—an eruption of blisters that often occurs during the course of or after one of a variety of diseases associated with fever (most commonly colds, influenza, and pneumonia). The blisters usually appear around the mouth and on the lips (herpes labialis); about the nose, face, and ears; and in the mouth and pharynx. The causative virus has been shown to be present in the cell bodies of the facial nerve in people who do not have blisters. It is this reservoir of latent virus that is the source of repeated attacks. Except for lotions to relieve pain, itching, or inflammation, no established therapy has been developed.
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