Genital herpes is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world with approximately 60 million infected adults in the United States alone. With so many people affected by this virus it is disturbing that there is so much confusion and misinformation concerning genital herpes. Very few people - including those carrying the virus - are well-educated on this disease and its effects. This article explains how herpes replicates.
There are a few things you need to know in order to understand how herpes replicates. First, infections are commonly caused either by bacteria or viruses. The genital herpes infection is caused by a virus. Viruses are very small and basic organisms. A virus is a parasite which lives inside of other cells. A virus cannot survive on its own and is entirely dependant on the host cell in order to survive and replicate.
Bacteria are different in that they are larger than viruses and do not need host cells in order to survive and reproduce. This makes bacteria easier to find and kill than viruses.
In order to cause an infection, the herpes virus needs a way to get into the human body. Usually this happens through the soft pink linings of the mouth, anus, or genital area but it can also occur through any break in the skin such as a cut or abrasion.
As soon as the virus enters the body it will begin to replicate. The virus uses the material inside the host to create more viruses. The host cell is torn apart as the virus reproduces. The sores, blisters, redness, tingling, itching, and burning which occur during an outbreak are the effects of dying host cells. You can actually feel your own tissue being killed as the herpes virus makes copies of itself.
During this time, the herpes virus will also invade the sensory nerve fibers which are located throughout the entire body. Once inside these nerves the virus will makes its way along the nerve fibers until it reaches a large nerve center located near the spine called the sacral ganglion. The herpes virus will then live there for the rest of one's life periodically making its way back to the skin's surface in order to replicate and possibly spread to others.
Thus, the herpes virus exists in one of two lifecycles - an active cycle and an inactive cycle. When active the virus is found on the surface of the skin and can spread the infection to others. It is quite common for there to be no symptoms present when the virus is active. When inactive the virus is able to hide deep inside the nerve cells of your body. The virus is not able to infect others while dormant.
Because the herpes virus is able to lie dormant during most of its lifecycle finding a cure has been difficult. The herpes virus is able to protect itself very effectively by staying hidden within of our body's own nerve tissue.
There is also a good deal of uncertainty concerning exactly what causes the virus to reactivate. A way to keep the virus inactive would be almost as good as a cure. If it were possible to keep the virus in its inactive state then there would no longer be any symptoms or any chance of spreading the virus to others. Genital herpes would then join other infections such as chicken pox which occur once and then quickly forgotten.
Unfortunately, currently it is not known with any certainty what exactly causes the herpes virus to reactivate. Stress, menstrual cycle, food, inadequate sleep, and rough sex are all believed to cause the virus to activate. These activation triggers vary from person to person and even change over time. If a way to keep the herpes virus inactive is to be found then the reactivation mechanism must first be well understood.
Antibodies are the immune systems's primary weapons against the herpes virus. The body begins to produce these immune cells as soon as the herpes virus is detected. These antibodies take anywhere from a couple of weeks to many months to build up in sufficient numbers. At this point the herpes virus is not able to replicate as easily as before. Subqequent episodes will therefore last a shorter period of time and be less severe than the initial outbreak. Because of this many individuals will suffer only one outbreak with no future incidences.
If one has genital herpes then it is important to not only understand how herpes replicates but to also learn how the virus is transmitted, how to shorten and prevent outbreaks, and which medical options are available for diagnosis and treatment. Being familiar with every aspect of this virus makes the infection much easier to manage.
There are a few things you need to know in order to understand how herpes replicates. First, infections are commonly caused either by bacteria or viruses. The genital herpes infection is caused by a virus. Viruses are very small and basic organisms. A virus is a parasite which lives inside of other cells. A virus cannot survive on its own and is entirely dependant on the host cell in order to survive and replicate.
Bacteria are different in that they are larger than viruses and do not need host cells in order to survive and reproduce. This makes bacteria easier to find and kill than viruses.
In order to cause an infection, the herpes virus needs a way to get into the human body. Usually this happens through the soft pink linings of the mouth, anus, or genital area but it can also occur through any break in the skin such as a cut or abrasion.
As soon as the virus enters the body it will begin to replicate. The virus uses the material inside the host to create more viruses. The host cell is torn apart as the virus reproduces. The sores, blisters, redness, tingling, itching, and burning which occur during an outbreak are the effects of dying host cells. You can actually feel your own tissue being killed as the herpes virus makes copies of itself.
During this time, the herpes virus will also invade the sensory nerve fibers which are located throughout the entire body. Once inside these nerves the virus will makes its way along the nerve fibers until it reaches a large nerve center located near the spine called the sacral ganglion. The herpes virus will then live there for the rest of one's life periodically making its way back to the skin's surface in order to replicate and possibly spread to others.
Thus, the herpes virus exists in one of two lifecycles - an active cycle and an inactive cycle. When active the virus is found on the surface of the skin and can spread the infection to others. It is quite common for there to be no symptoms present when the virus is active. When inactive the virus is able to hide deep inside the nerve cells of your body. The virus is not able to infect others while dormant.
Because the herpes virus is able to lie dormant during most of its lifecycle finding a cure has been difficult. The herpes virus is able to protect itself very effectively by staying hidden within of our body's own nerve tissue.
There is also a good deal of uncertainty concerning exactly what causes the virus to reactivate. A way to keep the virus inactive would be almost as good as a cure. If it were possible to keep the virus in its inactive state then there would no longer be any symptoms or any chance of spreading the virus to others. Genital herpes would then join other infections such as chicken pox which occur once and then quickly forgotten.
Unfortunately, currently it is not known with any certainty what exactly causes the herpes virus to reactivate. Stress, menstrual cycle, food, inadequate sleep, and rough sex are all believed to cause the virus to activate. These activation triggers vary from person to person and even change over time. If a way to keep the herpes virus inactive is to be found then the reactivation mechanism must first be well understood.
Antibodies are the immune systems's primary weapons against the herpes virus. The body begins to produce these immune cells as soon as the herpes virus is detected. These antibodies take anywhere from a couple of weeks to many months to build up in sufficient numbers. At this point the herpes virus is not able to replicate as easily as before. Subqequent episodes will therefore last a shorter period of time and be less severe than the initial outbreak. Because of this many individuals will suffer only one outbreak with no future incidences.
If one has genital herpes then it is important to not only understand how herpes replicates but to also learn how the virus is transmitted, how to shorten and prevent outbreaks, and which medical options are available for diagnosis and treatment. Being familiar with every aspect of this virus makes the infection much easier to manage.
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For more information on dating with herpes take a look at the herpes dating guide. You will find advice on many topics including: how to choose an accurate herpes test and how to find the best herpes dating sites.
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