Herpes refers to a group of viruses that are characterized by the sudden eruption of blisters in different areas of the body. Apart from blisters, herpes can also cause cold sores around the patient’s mouth, skin irritations, swollen glands and fever-like symptoms.
There are several different types of herpes, the most notorious of which is the genital herpes which is also categorized as a sexually transmitted disease (STD.)
People who have been infected by genital herpes are usually unaware of the infection until its latter stages or until the infection has spread.
According to statistics, one out of every five Americans is infected with genital herpes. Moreover, a more alarming figure reveal that at least 80% of Americans infected with herpes are unaware of their infection.
The first known cases of herpes can be traced way back during the time of the ancient Greeks. In fact, the term “herpes” has been derived from a Greek word which literally means “to creep,” in reference to the infection “creeping over the surface of the skin.”
Despite the fact that herpes is an age-old complication, there is still no cure for the virus. Even during this age of advance medical technologies, the cure for herpes remains to be a mystery.
A person suffering from herpes infection may think that the virus has died naturally, in the event that the blisters disappear. However, such is a common misconception.
The symptoms of herpes may not be evident but the virus still remains in the patient’s body. The virus hasn’t died; it just cooled down.
Herpes has the ability to hide itself, restore and function again and again which makes it one of the most dreadful infections known to man. The virus will remain in the patient’s body for as long as the patient is alive. Needless to say, it can be passed from another person through sexual intercourse.
The main problem with herpes is that the virus becomes part of a cell DNA, making it extremely difficult to deal with. The virus also has the ability to hide from the immune system and camouflage with uninfected healthy cells.
While a cure for herpes has yet to be discovered, there are a number of preventive measures that can protect the body from the virus. Such preventive measures include eating a proper diet, exercising regularly and getting the right amount of sleep.
