In individuals with HIV, particularly those with weak immune systems, the symptoms of herpes can be more widespread, more aggressive and longer lasting. Consequently, individuals with diagnosed HIV will probably be provided with suppressive therapy to reduce or prevent herpes episodes.
What is HSV or Herpes Simplex virus?
HSV can give rise to sores in or around the mouth oral herpes (cold afternoon), or sores on the genital area (genital herpes). HSV-1 usually causes oral herpes, and HSV-2 typically causes genital herpes. However, either HSV type can infect either body part. Either type can be passed on to anybody.
How common is HSV?
Around 80% of adults in New Zealand are infected with oral herpes, and 30% are infected with genital herpes. These statistics are based on studies in New Zealand as well as studies from other countries with comparable population groups to the said country. You can acquire genital herpes if you perform a direct sexual activity with somebody who has herpes, or if someone who presents with an active cold afternoon does oral sex on you. The majority of individuals with HSV do not realize they have herpes as they present with no herpes symptoms, or the symptoms are too mild to spot.
How is herpes transmitted?
The herpes virus goes into the body through direct skin-to-skin contact via minute breaks or abrasions in the skin (typically moist mucous membranes). This transmission occurs when the HSV is shed from a person infected with herpes. This viral shedding is most widespread when there are blisters present (from the initial signs of tingling or reddening until once the blisters have healed) but can take place when there are no symptoms present.
Herpes and HIV
Herpes infection can make transmission of HIV more likely to occur if sexual exposure takes place. HIV and HSV diagnosed people are more able to transmit on HIV while HIV-negative people with herpes blisters or sores are more susceptible to contracting HIV.
Four mechanisms constitute this:
1. Herpes boosts HIV viral load. The excessive viral load is associated with the increased possibility that HIV is transmitted when serodiscordant sex takes place.
2. In infected persons, HIV is in their herpetic blisters, permitting contact between HIV and a person who's uninfected. Also, blisters could bleed, permitting contact with blood.
3. In people without HIV, herpetic blisters present with skin breaks through which HIV can go into the bloodstream.
4. To combat the HSV, CD4 receptor cells mass around the broken mucous membranes. HIV connects itself to the CD4 cells. Therefore the increased incidence of such cells within the herpes blisters of uninfected individuals further increases their risk of transmission of HIV if exposure takes place.
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