Herpes Doctor

It is difficult to avoid spreading Herpes. In the case of some Herpes viruses it's near impossible. You can take steps to minimize the risk to others though and this article will give you an overview of what steps to take if you have a Herpes virus.

Herpes is a family
of viruses and the most common are:

• Herpes Simplex 1: Causes Oral Herpes or
  cold sores
• Herpes Simplex 2: Causes Genital Herpes
• Varicella Herpes Zoster: Causes chickenpox and
  shingles

Herpes Zoster is spread via the humidity in the air, so you
only have to be in the same room as someone who has the virus in the
incubation period before chickenpox (which is without symptoms) to risk
contracting the virus.

Herpes Simplex 1 - Cold Sores

Herpes Simplex 1 spreads via close skin contact around the mouth area,
typically kissing.

If you have Herpes Simplex 1 you can take precautions to lower the
risk of passing it to others although you can't completely eliminate it. The
highest risk of spreading is when there is an outbreak. During an
outbreak of Oral Herpes you should:

• Avoid kissing
• Avoid touching the infected area
• Wash your hands regularly
• Avoid sharing drinks, food or towels
• Use antiviral treatment creams

In your pharmacy you can get the antiviral treatment creams Zovirax and Vectavir over the counter. Apart from reducing the risk of
spreading, these creams will also reduce the severity and duration
of the symptoms. The effect is best if applied just before an
outbreak which you may feel come on with a tingling or irritation
of the affected area.

Herpes Simplex 2 - Genital Herpes

Herpes Simplex 2 spreads via close skin contact around the genital
area, typically through sexual activity.

Similar precautions should be taken with Genital Herpes as with Oral Herpes above. To reduce the risk of spreading when you have an outbreak, you
should:

• Avoid sexual activity
• Avoid touching the infected area
• Wash your hands regularly
• Take antiviral treatment tablets

Your doctor can prescribe the antiviral treatment which
not only will reduce the risk of spreading but also the duration
and severity of symptoms and in some cases even eliminate the
outbreaks altogether. There are three main active ingredients available:

• Acyclovir
• Famciclovir or
• Valacyclovir

Your doctor will advice which is most suitable for you.

Herpes Zoster - Chickenpox & Shingles

There is not a lot you can do to avoid spreading Varicella Herpes
Zoster, but fortunately it only causes one outbreak of chickenpox
in a lifetime which usually passes without complication. 1 in 5 get
shingles in later life and if treated with antiviral medication
this is also usually without complication. Shingles is not very
contagious, it is only the Herpes Zoster virus caught from
people experiencing the incubation period of chickenpox that is
easily spread.

Herpes is a very common virus. It is estimated that 50-80 % of
the world's population have a Herpes virus. This illustrates
just how hard it is to avoid passing it to others, although you can and should take precautions to minimize the risk to friends and family.

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