How Long Can Herpes Stay DormantHow Long Can Herpes Stay Dormant
Herpes is an STD that is caused by 2 kinds of viruses: HSV-1 and HSV-2. After being infected with either of the viruses. The symptoms may stay manifest immediately. In fact, there is a possibility that it may stay dormant for a certain period of time, and because of the absence of herpes symptoms, you may think that you are free from this kind of STD.
But how long can herpes stay dormant? If you’re interested to know more, we suggest you continue reading as we’re going to talk about this topic in today’s post.
What Is The Timeline Of The Herpes Infection
According to medical experts, the average period of when the symptoms will begin to show up will start on the 4th day of the infection. However, there are also cases when the symptoms will manifest after 21 days. Herpes can be a life-long infection and it has many stages, but the exact period when the symptoms will start to appear can vary from one person to another.
Can You Be Infected With Herpes And Don’t Even Know About It
Once infected, the herpes virus will stay in the body indefinitely. And after the initial outbreak, the herpes virus will stay dormant and attach themselves to the nerve cells. It can reactivate after a few years which can result in additional outbreaks. However, the period of outbreaks will again vary from one person to another.
What Are The Symptoms Associated With Herpes
At the initial outbreak, you will start to notice fluid-filled blisters and small sores in the infected areas. These sores may occur around the mouth (for oral herpes) and in clusters at the rectum or genitals (for genital herpes)
Aside from that, you may experience flu-like symptoms such as:
- Fever
- Headache
- Swollen glands
- Body aches
And if you’re infected with the HSV-1 type you may experience these symptoms:
- Pain while swallowing
- Sore throat
For HSV-2 type, you may experience these symptoms:
- Pain while peeing
- Atypical vaginal discharge
- Difficulty emptying bladder
Again, it is possible to be infected with herpes and not experience any of these symptoms.
How To Live With Herpes
Herpes is a type of STD that is common not only in the United States, but the whole world. In fact, it is estimated there are 90% of people worldwide have this type of disease.
That is why getting more information about herpes is essential so you can prevent the spread of the virus and seek medical care whenever needed.
So when should you see a healthcare provider? If your doctor was able to determine you have herpes after undergoing STD testing, there are instances where you can benefit from medical treatment. So here are some cases when you have to seek medical help immediately:
- If you’re experiencing an outbreak and it is not cured by medical treatment and self-care strategies.
- Lesions and sores that don’t heal
- Serious pain
- Experiencing herpes symptoms while pregnant
- Frequent outbreak
As for herpes treatments, there are many effective STD treatments to manage this disease. There’s the antiviral treatment which consists of pills, tablets, and injectables to suppress the effects of the virus. Undergoing suppressive therapy decreases the duration or frequency of outbreaks. Aside from that, it also decreases the risk of infecting others.
Common medications include the following:
- Famciclovir
- Acyclovir
- Valacyclovir
For self-care strategies, you can do these things to alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with herpes:
- Use over-the-counter pain-relieving medicines
- Placing cold compress on the affected areas
- Keeping the infected areas dry and clean
- Applying anti-viral ointment
- Abstaining from eating salty, spicy, or acidic foods
- Using petroleum jelly to moisturize the affected area
Moreover, here are some things you need to do to avert herpes flare-ups:
- Getting enough rest
- Eating healthy and nutritious foods
- Managing stress levels
- Avoid exposing yourself to extreme temperatures like hot sun and strong winds
Overall, it’s best to get tested immediately to know if you’re already infected with herpes. And if you have herpes, the best thing you can do is to follow the tips we’ve mentioned above so you can manage the virus and live your life normally. You can also visit CureDose’s website today if you want discreet online STD consultation services.