Herpes

A common viral infection causing painful blisters or ulcers seen either around the mouth, face or genital area.

What is it?

Herpes is a prevalent infection triggered by herpes simplex viruses. It is categorized into two types: Herpes Simplex-1 (HSV-1) usually targets your mouth and face, manifesting as cold sores or fever blisters. Herpes Simplex-2 (HSV-2), colloquially known as genital herpes, impacts your genital region, leading to sores that can be frequently misidentified as pimples or ingrown hairs. This infection can be acquired through multiple sexual partners, unprotected sex, a compromised immune system or a past record of sexually transmitted diseases. Once infected, it becomes a permanent condition that reappears from time to time. When these bothersome, itchy blisters are active, they can persist for up to 10 days.

At DGC, we have offices Dublin, Columbus, Canal Winchester, Urbana, Circleville, Washington Courthouse, Grove City and Marysville, Ohio, and are equipped with skilled dermatologists to aid in the diagnosis and management of this persistent infection. We are dedicated to assisting you manage the symptoms of herpes effectively, helping you lead a completely normal and healthy life.

How is it treated?

Herpes is not life-threatening and rather simple to manage. In the event of an outbreak, our experienced dermatologists can usually identify herpes simplex by merely observing the sores. Occasionally, a swab from a sore may be taken by a dermatologist to substantiate the diagnosis through laboratory testing. Although there is no absolute cure for herpes simplex, sores often resolve themselves without any treatment. If treatment is required, our team of board-certified dermatologists can recommend antiviral ointments or creams—such as acyclovir, famciclovir, or penciclovir—to alleviate the appearance and symptoms of herpes. It's crucial to act quickly and treat the condition as soon as an outbreak begins to prevent the blisters from worsening. Our team is here to mitigate its onset and symptoms before they start.

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