Customer question:
What types of herpes do we know? Anonymous customer's question
Pharmacist's answer:
There are eight members of the herpesviral family:
- herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1),
- HSV-2,
- varicella-zoster virus,
- Epstein-Barr virus,
- cytomegalovirus,
- human herpes virus-6,
- human herpes virus-7 and
- human herpes virus-8.
HSV-1 is spread through contact with the virus in saliva or skin and usually affects the mouth and face. HSV-2 is spread through sexual contact and usually affects the genitals. Any form of HSV can appear on any area of the skin that comes into contact with the virus. Herpes simplex usually does not cause serious problems, but it can be dangerous in babies and people with weakened immune systems.
Once infected with herpes, this condition is present for life. Symptoms usually include sores and ulcers that last up to 10 days. Some people have no symptoms of herpes. Others choose antiviral treatment to reduce outbreaks.
Interesting reading: Herpes on the skin
