What causes herpes?

Okay, let's talk about herpes.

Herpes: Where Does It Come From?

Hi, I see you're asking about this. Don't worry, it's actually quite common, and I'll try to explain it in plain language.

You can think of herpes as a skin condition caused by a specific "troublemaker." This troublemaker is a virus, scientifically known as the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV).

This virus family primarily has two members that cause trouble:

1. Type 1 Virus (HSV-1)

   • This one typically likes to attack our mouth, lips, and face. Many people's childhood "cold sores" or what adults call "fever blisters" are often caused by it.
   • How is it transmitted? Usually through very common contact, such as kissing, sharing utensils, towels, etc. Therefore, many people may have unknowingly contracted it during childhood.

2. Type 2 Virus (HSV-2)

   • This one primarily prefers the genital area. Thus, the herpes it causes is commonly known as genital herpes.
   • How is it transmitted? The main mode of transmission is sexual contact. This is why herpes is classified as a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

An important misconception to clarify:

Although Type 1 and Type 2 have their preferred "territories," they can sometimes "visit" each other. This means HSV-1 can also spread to the genitals through oral sex, and HSV-2 can similarly infect the oral area. Therefore, you cannot 100% determine the type of virus solely based on the location of the herpes outbreak.

How Does the Virus "Work"?

The "trickiest" thing about this virus is: once it enters your body, it stays dormant long-term.

• Primary Infection: When you first come into contact with the virus and get infected, you might develop blisters, or you might have no symptoms at all.
• Latency: After causing an initial disturbance, the virus isn't completely eliminated by the immune system. It quietly retreats to your nerve ganglia to "hide and sleep." At this point, you won't feel any symptoms.
• Recurrence: When your body's condition isn't optimal, such as when you're stressed, sleep-deprived, sick, have a cold or fever, or for women, during menstruation, leading to a weakened immune system, these "sleeping" viruses can be "awakened." They travel along the nerves back to the skin surface, causing blisters again in the original or nearby area. This is what we call a "recurrence."

To summarize:

• Cause: Herpes is an infection caused by the "Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)."
• Transmission: Primarily spread through direct contact with herpes lesions (blisters, ulcers) or contact with the skin/mucous membranes of an infected person who is "shedding" the virus. Sexual activity is the main mode of transmission for genital herpes.
• Characteristic: The virus remains dormant in the body long-term and is prone to recurrence when immunity is low.

I hope this explanation helps you understand. In fact, many people carry this virus; some never experience outbreaks, while others have occasional recurrences. Understanding how it works makes it less daunting.