How Can You Prevent Herpes Simplex Virus Going into Your Brain?

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is an infectious disease more commonly known as herpes. It mainly affects a person’s skin, mouth, lips, eyes, and genital area as well, and is a lifelong and incurable disease. This virus is contagious and is most commonly spread through skin contact. It can cause ulcers and sores to form on the affected area and can be extremely painful. While the virus itself is common, there is still not a lot of circulation of information about it. This article is meant to provide you with more extensive information on the herpes virus, its causes, symptoms, and HSV treatment as well. 

Herpes Simplex Virus and its Types

HSV is commonly identified as herpes and is segregated into two different types, HSV-1 and HSV-2, respectively. Listed below, you’ll find more information about both main types of HSV: 

1. HSV-1 (oral herpes): Cold sores start developing around your facial area, i.e., your mouth, lips, eyes, and face. It usually spreads through contact with an infected person's saliva. 
2. HSV-2 (genital herpes): HSV-2 is a sexually transmitted disease that causes sores around the genital area of the infected person and spreads through sexual contact. 

Herpes simplex virus transmission can occur at any time and affects pretty much everybody, regardless of their orientation and age. While this is true, certain factors affect specific groups of people more than others. Details about these specific groups of people have been listed below for your reference: 

1. People who were assigned female at the time of their birth 
2. Have more than one sexual partner. 
3. Become sexually active at a young age. 
4. Previous history of other sexually transmitted diseases 
5. People whose immune systems are weak 
6. People who do not use protection during sexual intercourse of any kind (condoms and/or dental dams) 

Symptoms of the Herpes Simplex Virus

While one of the most common symptoms of this virus is the presence of cold sores on the skin, other symptoms can be used to help identify herpes: 

• Presence of cold sores around the lips, mouth, or tongue 
• Sores that look crusty and/or like blisters filled with fluid 
• Presence of sores on the genitals or anus 
• A tingling, itching, or burning sensation around the affected area 
• A fever 
• Swollen lymph nodes 
• Muscle aches and pains 
• Painful feeling while urinating 
• Sore throat 
• Recurrent headaches 
• Constantly feeling fatigued 
• Loss of appetite 

While the condition itself is not curable and lasts a lifetime, you can get random outbreaks of both types of HSV viruses throughout your life. With HSV-1, the initial symptoms usually start with a tingling or burning sensation in the affected area that later develops into cold sores. These sores last for about 7 to 10 days and can burst and crust over time. With HSV-2, the first-ever outbreak that you may experience can last for up to two weeks or a month. Post that any other recurrent outbreaks throughout your lifetime can last anywhere between 3 and 7 days.

Causes of the Herpes Simplex Virus

HSV is a kind of skin infection that occurs due to close contact with infected people and is very easily spread. Both types of herpes simplex virus can spread through direct contact with an infected person. These causes have been listed below for your reference: 

HSV-1 Causes

1. It can spread through kissing 
2. It can also spread by touching an infected person’s skin near their mouth 
3. If you end up sharing items like food utensils, lip balm, or razors with an infected person 
4. If you give or receive oral sex from someone who has a cold 

HSV-2 Causes 

1. It can spread through intercourse, which includes anal, vaginal-penile, as well as vaginal-vaginal 
2. Giving and/or receiving oral sex with an infected person can cause HSV-2. 
3. Any kind of skin-to-skin contact without ejaculation can cause this 
4. Touching the open sores of an infected person, even while breastfeeding 
5. It can occur during childbirth as well, by a mother who already has the infection 

HSV Treatment and Preventive Methods

There are several HSV treatment options that an infected person can opt for to manage the disease better. Methods and treatment options have been listed below for your reference: 

1. Through medication: A medical practitioner can prescribe you different kinds of medications to help manage the virus, such as: 

• Acyclovir 
• Famciclovir 
• Valacyclovir 
• Foscarnet or Cidofovir for HSV infections that develop resistance to the other medications 

2. Through home remedies: There are some HSV treatment options that you can do at home to manage HSV better: 

• Applying a warm or cold compress to your cold sores and/or ulcers 
• Make up a paste of baking soda or cornflour with water and apply it to the affected area for relief. 
• Using a mixture of crushed garlic and olive oil 
• Using aloe vera in the affected area 
• Use tea tree, eucalyptus, or peppermint oil by diluting it with carrier oils 
• Consuming cold drinks or sucking on popsicles for pain relief from the oral herpes simplex virus 
• Using over-the-counter pain medicines 
• Sitting in a warm bath for 20 minutes (without any soap) 
• Wearing loose-fitting and comfortable clothes 

While it is extremely rare, HSV can sometimes cause severe complications, and the virus can reach your brain as well. HSV-2 is more commonly known to cause meningoencephalitis (brain infection) and disseminated infection in an infected person. While there are no ways to cure HSV, there are certain preventive measures that you can take to avoid getting infected. Using protection during sexual intercourse is one of the most important precautions to take. You should also avoid sharing any kind of utensil and/or razor with other people to prevent cross-infection. If you do end up getting infected, it is necessary to get medical intervention. This can help curb the symptoms and side effects of the herpes simplex virus and can also help prevent the disease from getting severe. 

Conclusion

The herpes simplex virus is an extremely common disease that affects about 2 in 3 people worldwide by the time people turn 50. As of right now, scientists are still trying to find a cure for this disease, but there are still certain ways to prevent it. Using protection during sexual intercourse, avoiding sharing any kind of utensil or razor, and simply being careful while coming in contact with an infected person are some HSV treatment measures you can take.