Yes, you should see a doctor. Herpes Simplex has two common forms:

• Herpes Simplex 1: Causes Oral Herpes -
  Cold Sores
• Herpes Simplex 2: Causes Genital Herpes

Herpes Simplex 1 has been known to cause Genital Herpes just as
Herpes Simplex 2 has been known to cause Oral Herpes. This typically
happens via oral sex. Herpes Simplex is a very adaptable and persistent
virus that has probably been around as long as mankind

Oral Herpes - Caused by Herpes Simplex 1

Oral Herpes has nothing to do with having a cold although it is
often referred to as cold sores. It does have certain similarities
to a a common cold though:

• It is very common
• You can't cure it
• It comes back again and again
• It is fairly harmless

You typically catch Oral Herpes via kissing someone who has it and
children often get it from their relatives. You need
skin to skin contact to catch it and dry kisses are just as effective in
spreading Oral Herpes.

It is
mostly contagious when there is an outbreak but also just before an
outbreak and in the viral shedding period when the virus reproduces
itself.

Outbreak frequency varies from person to person, some may never have an
outbreak at all, and yet some others may have as many as several a month.

Symptoms - Treatment & Prevention of Oral Herpes

The symptoms of Oral Herpes are a rash that turns into blisters which
then turn into a dry scab around the mouth area. You can't
cure it but you can treat it with good results.

You use
antiviral agents to treat Oral Herpes, usually Acyclovir or Penciclovir in a cream
available from pharmacies without a prescription. The main brands are Zovirax and Vectavir. You should still see a
doctor for diagnosis and advice however. The cream works best
if applied before the outbreak is visible. You will feel a tingling or
irritation around the affected area. The cream will reduce severity,
duration and frequency of outbreaks as well as reduce the risk of
spreading.

If you have Oral Herpes, you should take certain precautions to avoid
spreading the virus when you have an outbreak:

• Avoid physical contact from the affected area, ie
  kissing, oral sex etc
• Use an antiviral cream
• Avoid touching the affected area
• Wash your hands regularly

Genital Herpes - Caused by Herpes Simplex 2

Genital Herpes symptoms are a rash that turns into blisters which
turn into a dry scab. This can be seen on the genitals or anywhere
between the knees and waist. Symptoms may vary or be very mild and you
should see a doctor for diagnosis and advice if you suspect that you may have
the virus.

Genital Herpes is
usually caught from sexual activity with someone who has the virus. You
need skin to skin contact for it to be passed from one person to another but it is not only contagious
when there is an outbreak, it can also spread just before and in the viral
shedding period when the virus reproduces itself.

Symptoms - Treatment & Prevention of Genital Herpes

The symptoms and frequency vary greatly from person to person, some may
never experience an outbreak (but can still pass it on to others), and some
may experience up to several outbreaks a month.

You can't cure Genital Herpes but you can treat it with good
results. You use an antiviral agent, either Famciclovir, Penciclovir
or Acyclovir. It is available with a prescription from your
doctor and comes in tablet form. It will reduce the risk of spreading
as well as reduce the severity, duration and frequency of outbreaks.

If you have Genital Herpes you must take certain precautions to
avoid passing it to others when you have an outbreak:

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

If you suspect that you have either types of Herpes Simplex, you
should SEE A DOCTOR, preferably when you have an outbreak. You will
get a diagnosis, further advice and a prescription if needed.

Related Links

• The Herpes treatment page
• How to minimize outbreaks of Herpes Simplex
• How do you catch Herpes Simplex?

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