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My overview of herpes. Is it right?
Hello, this is more of a comment that i need assurance or correction with.
I just wanted to talk about my overview of herpes, both oral and genital, type 1 and type 2.
So it is to my knowledge that herpes spread primarily by skin to skin contact or by bodily fluids. The virus finds itself skin to infect, and is much more likely have a primary infection in thin skin as opposed to thicker skin... and of course much much more likely to infect thin mucous membranes just as the vagina, inside the urethra, or in the mouth, as opposed to outer skin.
Once the virus infects... the primary infection works by causing a water filled blister or lesion. This is the primary infection. As the blister increases in size it becomes more and more likely that it will come in contact with a sensory nerve and viral particles in the fluid of the blister travel along the sensory nerve into the nerve body so called the ganglia. The fluid in the developed water blister or lesion breaks, and the fluid released can potentially contaminate other uninfected sites depending on where the fluid of the blister goes and where it can potentially infect. The original lesion will become an ulcer when all fluid is released, and crusts over like a scab as the sore heals. The secondary outbreaks may now occur originating from the primary blister. The same thing happens... it is during this time that the body's immune system is now kicked in full gear, and you get the other symptoms involved in the immune response to a primary outbreak.
Now... is this correct so far? If so the one key point that I really need assurance about from a professional or an experienced herpes person... is how the virus spreads. As of now it is to my knowledge that the virus spreads from nerve--> to skin--> to new skin site--> to a new uninfected nerve. Is this right? And NOT Skin--> nerve--> nerve--> whereever the outbreak goes... So basically what I need assurance... the herpes virus CANNOT travel from nerve to nerve am I right? So based on this... the herpes virus can only outbreak only from the particular nerves that are infected... I realize some Ganglia have upwards of hundreds of nerve extensions, but only these nerve extensions can transmit the virus... so some people may have only 1 nerve infected and they get less symptoms and may not outbreak, while others may have 100's of nerve cells infected and have more frequent outbreaks because so many more nerves are infected.
Then when the virus in an infected nerve awakens, it replicates itself and sends out copies along the sensory nerve pathway, and you get a strange sensation as either the pathway becomes plugged like a pipe with viral particles, or as the herpes virus is released from the end of the nerve tip at the skin. (an aside question how does the herpes know the end of the nerve, and why is it only released here?)
It seems as if herpes will only outbreak in areas where an infected nerve travel. But can still be spread by means of shaving esspecially in assymptomatic patients. You don't see many women outbreaking oral herpes on their cheeks do you? It's men who outbreak on their cheeks or upper lips usually because they tend to shave in those areas...
So yes, I just would like a health professional or experienced herpes patient to let me know if the way I envision herpes is correct. Thank you very much for reading and your feedback.
I just wanted to talk about my overview of herpes, both oral and genital, type 1 and type 2.
So it is to my knowledge that herpes spread primarily by skin to skin contact or by bodily fluids. The virus finds itself skin to infect, and is much more likely have a primary infection in thin skin as opposed to thicker skin... and of course much much more likely to infect thin mucous membranes just as the vagina, inside the urethra, or in the mouth, as opposed to outer skin.
Once the virus infects... the primary infection works by causing a water filled blister or lesion. This is the primary infection. As the blister increases in size it becomes more and more likely that it will come in contact with a sensory nerve and viral particles in the fluid of the blister travel along the sensory nerve into the nerve body so called the ganglia. The fluid in the developed water blister or lesion breaks, and the fluid released can potentially contaminate other uninfected sites depending on where the fluid of the blister goes and where it can potentially infect. The original lesion will become an ulcer when all fluid is released, and crusts over like a scab as the sore heals. The secondary outbreaks may now occur originating from the primary blister. The same thing happens... it is during this time that the body's immune system is now kicked in full gear, and you get the other symptoms involved in the immune response to a primary outbreak.
Now... is this correct so far? If so the one key point that I really need assurance about from a professional or an experienced herpes person... is how the virus spreads. As of now it is to my knowledge that the virus spreads from nerve--> to skin--> to new skin site--> to a new uninfected nerve. Is this right? And NOT Skin--> nerve--> nerve--> whereever the outbreak goes... So basically what I need assurance... the herpes virus CANNOT travel from nerve to nerve am I right? So based on this... the herpes virus can only outbreak only from the particular nerves that are infected... I realize some Ganglia have upwards of hundreds of nerve extensions, but only these nerve extensions can transmit the virus... so some people may have only 1 nerve infected and they get less symptoms and may not outbreak, while others may have 100's of nerve cells infected and have more frequent outbreaks because so many more nerves are infected.
Then when the virus in an infected nerve awakens, it replicates itself and sends out copies along the sensory nerve pathway, and you get a strange sensation as either the pathway becomes plugged like a pipe with viral particles, or as the herpes virus is released from the end of the nerve tip at the skin. (an aside question how does the herpes know the end of the nerve, and why is it only released here?)
It seems as if herpes will only outbreak in areas where an infected nerve travel. But can still be spread by means of shaving esspecially in assymptomatic patients. You don't see many women outbreaking oral herpes on their cheeks do you? It's men who outbreak on their cheeks or upper lips usually because they tend to shave in those areas...
So yes, I just would like a health professional or experienced herpes patient to let me know if the way I envision herpes is correct. Thank you very much for reading and your feedback.
I care, I'm curious to know about how this virus works. Also, it can get the message out there that you can stop spreading the virus if you use caution, even if you have it yourself. You can take precautions to prevent more of you from having the virus. Sorry I happen to be a herpes newbie and that's why I'm looking for other people's input.
oh thanks for the reply. Well this is actually just for my own personal knowledge so I can understand it, and it's also to share with others.
I would think that the condition of a person's immune system would help reduce the outbreaks... but wouldn't the number of nerve's infected also be a factor in frequency?
I think shaving could be a route of transmission because I saw some Doctor Articles posted where the herpes sores were spread throughout the entire genital area because of shaving. It makes sense to me because when you shear off a layer of skin cells thinning the skin, and also creating some cuts or breaks in the skin.
I've never seen women with herpes sores other than on their lips... but I've seen many who have cold sores on their upper lip right under the nose, and on the cheeks... men who have to shave of course, that's why I think about the shaving.
I was thinking that some people have such mild symptoms, because only 1 nerve has become infected rather than a many nerves... and that's why these symptoms are so mild... any more comments? Please please provide input
I would think that the condition of a person's immune system would help reduce the outbreaks... but wouldn't the number of nerve's infected also be a factor in frequency?
I think shaving could be a route of transmission because I saw some Doctor Articles posted where the herpes sores were spread throughout the entire genital area because of shaving. It makes sense to me because when you shear off a layer of skin cells thinning the skin, and also creating some cuts or breaks in the skin.
I've never seen women with herpes sores other than on their lips... but I've seen many who have cold sores on their upper lip right under the nose, and on the cheeks... men who have to shave of course, that's why I think about the shaving.
I was thinking that some people have such mild symptoms, because only 1 nerve has become infected rather than a many nerves... and that's why these symptoms are so mild... any more comments? Please please provide input
Talk about overthinking something.
Is this for a paper you are writing or something? Book report in front of a class?
I don't think the "number" of nerves infected has anything to do with frequency of outbreaks. Outbreak frequency has more to do with the individual's immune system.
I don't think shaving is really a very good route of transmission.
I don't even see men "outbreaking" on their cheeks.
Not everybody has a "primary" infection. Some people have mild symptoms right from jump, symptoms that may not include blisters or lesions.
The rest of it - I don't know. You'll get other responses, I'm sure.
Is this for a paper you are writing or something? Book report in front of a class?
I don't think the "number" of nerves infected has anything to do with frequency of outbreaks. Outbreak frequency has more to do with the individual's immune system.
I don't think shaving is really a very good route of transmission.
I don't even see men "outbreaking" on their cheeks.
Not everybody has a "primary" infection. Some people have mild symptoms right from jump, symptoms that may not include blisters or lesions.
The rest of it - I don't know. You'll get other responses, I'm sure.
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
