Herpes

**Herpes simplex**, dem often know simply as **herpes**, be a viral infection wey be caused by de herpes simplex virus. Herpes infections be categorized by de area of de body wey be infected. De two major types of herpes be oral herpes den genital herpes, though oda forms sanso dey exist.

Oral herpes dey involve de face anaa mouth. E fi result in small blisters insyd groups, dem often call cold sores anaa fever blisters, anaa just fi cause a sore throat. Genital herpes dey involve de genitalia. E fi get minimal symptoms anaa form blisters wey dey break open den result in small ulcers. Dese typically dey heal over two to four weeks. Tingling anaa shooting pains fi occur before de blisters appear.

Herpes dey cycle between periods of active disease wey be followed by periods widout symptoms. De first episode often be more severe wey fi be associated plus fever, muscle pains, swollen lymph nodes den headaches. Over time, episodes of active disease dey decrease insyd frequency den severity.

Herpetic whitlow typically dey involve de fingers anaa thumb, herpes simplex keratitis dey involve de eye, herpesviral encephalitis dey involve de brain, wey neonatal herpes dey involve any part of de body of a newborn, among odas.

Der be two types of herpes simplex virus, type 1 (HSV-1) den type 2 (HSV-2). HSV-1 more commonly dey cause infections around de mouth while HSV-2 more commonly dey cause genital infections. Dem be transmitted by direct contact plus body fluids anaa lesions of an infected individual. Transmission fi still occur wen symptoms no be present. Genital herpes be classified as a sexually transmitted infection. E fi be spread to an infant during childbirth. After infection, de viruses be transported along sensory nerves to de nerve cell bodies, wer dem reside lifelong. Causes of recurrence fi include decreased immune function, stress, den sunlight exposure. Oral den genital herpes usually be diagnosed based on de presenting symptoms. De diagnosis fi be confirmed by viral culture anaa detecting herpes DNA insyd fluid from blisters. Testing de blood for antibodies against de virus fi confirm a previous infection buh go be negative insyd new infections.

De most effective method of avoiding genital infections be by avoiding vaginal, oral, manual, den anal sex. Condom use dey decrease de risk. Daily antiviral medication wey sam bro wey get de infection take sanso fi reduce spread. Der be no available vaccine wey once infected, der be no cure. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) den topical lidocaine fi be used to help plus de symptoms. Treatments plus antiviral medication such as aciclovir anaa valaciclovir fi lessen de severity of symptomatic episodes.

Worldwide rates of either HSV-1 anaa HSV-2 be between 60% den 95% insyd adults. HSV-1 usually be acquired during kiddie time. Since der be no cure for either HSV-1 anaa HSV-2, rates of both inherently dey increase as people age. Rates of HSV-1 be between 70% den 80% insyd populations of low socioeconomic status den 40% to 60% insyd populations of improved socioeconomic status. Na an estimated 536 million people worldwide (16% of de population) be infected plus HSV-2 as of 2003 plus greater rates among women den those insyd de developing world. Chaw people plus HSV-2 no dey realize say dem be infected.

## Etymology
De name be from Ancient Greek: ἕρπης *herpēs*, wich be related to de meaning 'to creep', wey dey refer to spreading blisters. De name no dey refer to latency.

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