[Lilylicious]

My friend recently confessed she has herpes and it's shocked me because she has a perfectly normal social life and looks totally heathly. She says she has breakouts and didn't know she had it. I'm confused about the virus, I know it stays in the body for life but is it harmful? Does it simply stay in the body dorment apart from these breakouts or does it damage organs and tissue slowly over time?

[Dr-cute-hlth]

Hi dear ,There are currently eight known types of Human Herpesvirus:Herpes simplex type IHerpes simplex type IIVaricella-zoster virus (VZV/HHV-3)Epstein-Barr virus (EBV/HHV-4)Cytomegalovirus (CMV/HHV-5)Human herpesvirus type 6 (HBLV/HHV-6)Human herpesvirus type 7 (HHV-7)Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV/HHV-8Herpes simplex virus types I and II (HHV1&2)Primary infection occurs through a break in the mucus membranes of the mouth or throat, via the eye or genitals or directly via minor abrasions in the skin. Because of the universal distribution of the virus, most individuals are infected by 1-2 years of age; initial infection is usually asymptomatic, although there may be minor local vesicular lesions. Local multiplication is followed by viraemia and systemic infection; and subsequent life-long latent infection with periodic reactivation.Systemic infection, eg fever, sore throat, and lymphadenopathy may pass unnoticed. If immunocompromised it may be life-threatening with fever, lymphadenopathy, pneumonitis, and hepatitis.Gingivostomatitis: Ulcers filled with yellow slough appear in the mouth.Herpetic whitlow: A breach in the skin allows the virus to enter the finger, causing a vesicle to form. Often affects childrens'nurses.Traumatic herpes (herpes gladiatorum): Vesicles develop at any site where HSV is ground into the skin by brute force.Eczema herpeticum: HSV infection of eczematous skin; usually children.Herpes simplex meningitis: This is uncommon and usually self-limiting (typically HSV II in women during a primary attack) - see meningitis.Genital herpes: Usually HSV type 2 See genital herpes simplexHSV keratitis: Corneal dendritic ulcers. Avoid steroids.Herpes Simplex Encephalitis: Usually HSV type1. Spreads centripetally, eg from cranial nerve ganglia, to frontal and temporal lobes. Suspect if fever, fits, headaches, odd behaviour, dysphasia, hemiparesis, or coma or subacute brainstem encephalitis, meningitis, or myelitis; see HSV Encephalitisfeel free to ask

[anna]

I think it stays dormant apart from the breakouts, i don't think it damages anything else. Check the internet.

[LINDSEY S]

its not life threatening its just painful and inconvenient at times. i don't believe that its harmful to the bodys organs or tissue unless they develope herpes of the eye (ocular herpes) then they have a chance at going blind. it can cause some back pain durring outbreaks and some mild scarring of the genital tissue. some people don't even know that they have it and ignorant as to what the outbreaks could be. the virus lies dormant in the spine and finds its way out durring stressful times or if its triggered by something.

[Rivergirl100]

Herpes isn't typically harmful, it's just more of an inconvenience. It does not lead to other diseases or cause cancer. It does not cause long-term deterioration of anything, and will not cause a person to be unhealthy. It just means that you sometimes get cold sores - usually on your mouth (if that's where you have it) or on your genitals.Most people (50% to 80%) already have oral herpes by the time they are adults - but most people who have it don't realize it.For more information on herpes transmission, treatment and symptoms, I'd recommend the website below.