| Defining the difference: HSV-1 and HSV-2 |
| Written by Alice Johnson | |
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The herpes simplex virus comes in two varieties, HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 tends to be the milder variant of the virus and usually causes blisters in the oral area. HSV-2 is known for having more severe symptoms and usually infects the genital area, causing painful blisters and sores. One common misconception many people have about herpes is that HSV-1 only infects the oral region. In fact HSV-1 can also infect the genital region, and because of its usually less severe symptoms, is usually not noticed by infected persons, thus facilitating its spread to others. The two variations of herpes simplex are a lot more alike than most people know. When examined under a microscope, the two variants of herpes simplex are extremely similar, sharing about half of their DNA. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 infect the mucosal surfaces of the body, usually around the mouth or the gentials, and thus take up residence in the nervous system. In both variants of herpes, nearly 66 percent of infected persons are asymptomatic, or have symptoms that are too mild to notice or are confused with other problems. The main difference between HSV-1 and HSV-2 is their site of preference. HSV-1, in most cases, establishes latency in a grouping of nerve cells near the patient's ear known as the trigeminal ganglion. In the case of HSV-2, the virus usually takes up residence at the base of the spine in a nerve cluster known as the sacral ganglion. HSV-1HSV-1 most commonly causes blisters on the lips and is colloquially referred to as cold sores. Contrary to popular belief, however, HSV-1 can also infect the genitals. Symptoms of an HSV-1 infection of the genitals tend to be less severe, causing many infected persons to never realize that they are infected unless they are tested.While symptoms of HSV-1 tend to be less severe, HSV-1 is more widespread than HSV-2 -- it's estimated that nearly 60 percent of the population has it -- and can have some very serious complications. In some cases where HSV-1 has become latent in the trigeminal ganglion, the virus can cause inflammations in the eye that can lead to blindness. HSV-1 is a leading cause of fatal sporadic encephalitis. This is a swelling of the brain that proves fatal. The chances of contracting this ailment are rare, but in the vast majority of fatal sporadic encephalitis, HSV-1 is the cause. HSV-1 is more easily spread than HSV-2, and it's estimated that 90 percent of the population will have HSV-1 antibodies in their bloodstream by late middle age. Oral HSV-1 is the easiest way to get herpes. It's typically spread by social kisses, such as one an aunt or uncle might give a child. Children are particularly susceptible to herpes because they have little immune defense against it. In genital infections of HSV-1, many infected persons never experience another outbreak after the initial outbreak. Again, this may lead some people to believe that they do not have herpes or lead them to confuse their symptoms with another ailment. HSV-2HSV-2 is what most people refer to as genital herpes. Common belief says that HSV-2 is the more serious version of herpes, but as mentioned before, HSV-1 is more widespread than this variant and has some very serious complications. Nevertheless, symptoms of HSV-2 tend to be much more frequently occurring and severe.About a fifth of Americans have HSV-2. It is acquired through sexual contact, and most infected persons contract it in their late teens and early 20s. Unlike HSV-1, HSV-2 does not tend to impact other parts of the body. Those infections of HSV-2 that do occur outside the virus' usual area of preference very rarely cause problems. Symptoms of HSV-2 consist of painful bumps and sores in the genital area, and occasional fever and flu-like symptoms. HSV-2 outbreaks tend to be more frequent and severe than HSV-1 outbreaks. Most infected persons who suffer outbreaks tend to suffer about four to six outbreaks per year. One particular problem associated with HSV-2 is the danger it poses to unborn children. Pregnant women infected with herpes run a risk of transmitting the disease to their unborn children. The virus may also cause birth defects, particularly if the infection is a recent one. Health care providers generally treat pregnant women with an antiviral medication to reduce the chance of negative impacts of their herpes affecting unborn children. While HSV-1 and HSV-2 differ in severity and other aspects, both are health problems that the general public should be aware of in order to take precautions against the further spread of herpes and its associated health problems. |
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