In France, 10 million people are carriers of the herpes virus, which makes this viral condition the undisputed leader of summer complaints.
- After the first infection, the herpes virus settles in the body and “falls asleep” there.
- Antiviral drugs can limit the duration and intensity of herpes outbreaks.
Ten million is the number of French people who would be carriers of the herpes virus, admittedly to varying degrees and in various locations, but enough to make this viral condition the undisputed leader of the complaints of the summer.
Two kinds of herpes
Herpes of the lips – it is the most common and it also affects the rest of the face with a serious form when it comes to the eyes – and genital herpes, less frequent but still today the first sexually transmitted disease in our country. In the vast majority of cases – except when a mother transmits it to her child during childbirth – herpes is not a serious illness. This probably explains why it is estimated that only 20% of those who suffer from it actually know it. Others considering through negligence or modesty when it comes to sex that it is useless to consult.
Contagious skin erosion
To suffer from herpes is always to suffer from an erosion of the skin, painful, uncomfortable and above all highly contagious. If we add that we can relieve the symptoms but that we never cure herpes, we understand why those who know they have it live in constant anguish of a push of “cold sores”. – this is what we call herpes labialis – or genital irritations, often perceived in a shameful way.
First of all, let’s reassure faithful couples. Indeed, it is almost impossible to date the origin of herpes, the first infection going completely unnoticed, and it often takes years between contamination and the awakening of the virus. On the other hand, if we have long made the distinction between the two categories of virus responsible for the two main localizations, we now know that we can self-contaminate, for example by the simple passage of the hand to the genitalia. This should put an end to any controversy concerning the modes of contamination.
Recognize when a flare-up is coming
So to suffer from herpes is not to suffer from any shameful disease, but above all to suffer. And to be able to benefit from an effective treatment, it is imperative to know how to recognize the arrival of a flare-up, because the earlier you act, the more spectacular the results will be. It is therefore important to know the conditions favoring the appearance of these crises: fever, menstruation and local irritations – such as sexual irritation or the extraction of a tooth, but also the sun, emotions, alcohol , jet lag – which explains this explosion during holidays.