Bay Biosciences provides high quality, clinical grade cryogenically preserved (-80°C) sera (serum), and matched lesion swabs from unique patients diagnosed positive with herpes simplex virus (HSV) for research.

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Positive Overview

Herpes results from contracting the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Specifically, it causes sores or blisters in or around the mouth or genitals, alongside other symptoms. Furthermore, there is currently no cure; however, treatment can help manage symptoms.

In addition, following are two types of HSV exist:

  • Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)
  • And herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). 

Notably, both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can cause genital herpes, while oral herpes typically develops due to HSV-1.

Moreover, small blistering lesions are the characteristic symptoms of herpes, and they’re usually found around the genitals, rectum, or mouth. When they appear around the mouth, they are called cold sores.

What is Genital Herpes?

Additionally, genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infections (STI). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that in 2018, 572,000 new genital herpes infections occurred in the United States, affecting those between ages 14 and 49 years.

Typically, it develops due to HSV-2; however, it can also develop due to HSV-1.

Generally, someone usually transmits HSV-2 through genital contact with a person who has HSV-2. Furthermore, a person can also contract HSV-1 by having oral sex with someone who has an oral HSV-1 infection.

What is Oral Herpes?

Oral herpes is primarily caused by HSV-1. In fact, an estimated 57% to 80% of U.S. adults have HSV-1.

Specifically, HSV-1 can cause blisters to appear on the lips or around the mouth. Additionally, blisters can also  develop on the face or tongue.

Furthermore, most people who develop oral herpes contract the virus during childhood or young adulthood via nonsexual contact with saliva.

Initially, a person with an oral herpes outbreak may first feel itching, burning, or tingling around the mouth, lips, or tongue. Later on, cold sores or small blisters may develop in these areas or anywhere on the skin.

Symptoms of Herpes

Moreover, people who develop herpes symptoms may first experience tingling, itching, or burning before they form sores or blisters around the mouth or genitals. Subsequently, these blisters break open and leak fluid, which forms a crust before healing.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), the first time they develop sores will typically be around 2 to 20 days after exposure to the virus. In addition, they can last 7 to 10 days, although they may last longer during the initial outbreak.

Oral Herpes Symptoms

Oral herpes causes blisters, sometimes called fever sores or cold sores, to develop in or around the lips and mouth. Additionally, sometimes these blisters form elsewhere on the face or tongue.

Furthermore, they can more rarely appear on other areas of the skin. Ultimately, the sores usually resolve on their own in 10 days , per the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS).

Symptoms of Genital Herpes

The CDC states that a person with genital herpes may not have symptoms; in fact, they may only have mild symptoms. However, if a person does develop symptoms, they may develop one or more sores around the genitals and rectum.

Specifically, these sores tend to develop on the penis, around or inside the vagina, on the buttocks, tops of the thighs, or on the anus. Nevertheless, they can form on other areas of skin.

During the initial outbreak, the AAD reports that symptoms can last between 2 and 6 weeks.

Additionally, herpes can also cause pain when urinating and penile and vaginal discharge.

Furthermore, sometimes particularly with the first outbreak of genital herpes, people can have additional symptoms that affect their whole bodies, such as:

Moreover, after the initial genital herpes outbreak, a person is likely to have repeat outbreaks. However, it is important to note that these outbreaks are typically shorter and less severe; consequently, the number of outbreaks can also decrease over time.

First Herpes Episode Symptoms

These occur when a person first develops the infection.

Additionally, alongside sores or blisters, herpes may cause:

  • Firstly, pain and itching
  • Secondly, swollen lymph nodes
  • Moreover, a fever
  • Finally, fatigue and a general feeling of being unwell

Causes of Herpes

According to the  World Health Organization (WHO), HSV-1 typically spreads via oral contact; moreover, HSV-2 typically spreads via sexual contact.

When HSV is present on the skin, it can easily pass from person to person through contact with the moist skin of the mouth and genitals, including the anus. In addition, the virus may also spread through contact to the eyes and to other areas of the skin.

Specifically, a person may contract HSV if they come into contact with:

  • A herpes sore
  • Genital fluids from a person with genital HSV
  • Saliva from a partner who has oral HSV
  • The skin of the oral or genital area of a person with HSV

Importantly, HSV cannot spread through general contact with objects like toilets, doorknobs, or towels.

Furthermore, the virus is most contagious when symptoms first appear and before they heal. However, less commonly, a person can transmit the virus when symptoms are not present.

For instance, if a person with genital herpes has sores while giving birth, the virus can pass on to the baby.

Treatment of Herpes

No drug can cure the herpes virus. However, a doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication, such as acyclovir, to prevent the virus from multiplying. Meanwhile, over-the-counter (OTC) herpes treatments, often creams, can help manage tingling, itching, and pain.

Genital Herpes

According to the U.K.’s NHS, if a person uses antiviral medication, they may resolve symptoms 1 to 2 days more quickly than if they had used no treatment. Furthermore, antiviral medication may also reduce the severity of symptoms.

In addition, if a person has fewer than six recurrences of genital herpes per year, a doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication at each recurrence.

Conversely, if a person experiences recurrences more frequently, a doctor may recommend taking an antiviral for 6 to 12 months at a time.

Oral Herpes

To help ease oral herpes symptoms, a person can try, for instance:

  • Avoiding any triggers, such as sunbeds
  • Applying sunblock lip balm when outside
  • Drinking plenty of fluids to help prevent dehydration

Moreover, a pharmacist may recommend:

  • Antiviral creams
  • Creams to ease pain
  • Cold sore patches

Finally, if the cold sores are large, a doctor may prescribe antiviral tablets.

Home remedies

People should not try to treat herpes with home remedies without speaking with a doctor first. Furthermore, no research supports the effectiveness of home remedies in treating herpes symptoms.

However, a person can take pain relief medication, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Additionally, it is important that a person refrains from sexual activity, even with protection, until the symptoms have gone.

The following can also help ease symptoms of genital herpes:

  • Firstly, applying a cream or lotion containing 5% lidocaine before urinating
  • Moreover, bathing in lightly salted water or soaking in a warm sits bath
  • In addition, squirting water from a bottle or bidet onto blisters to ease pain while urinating
  • Finally, wearing loose clothing to avoid irritation

In addition, it is important for a person to thoroughly wash their hands after applying any creams or lotions to the sores.

Some people find that using ice packs helps. However, never apply ice directly to the skin — wrap it in a cloth first.

Prevention of Herpes

The following strategies, in fact, reduce the risk of developing or passing on herpes:

  • First, avoiding sexual activity while symptoms are present
  • Additionally, using barrier protection, such as condoms, when performing oral sex or having penetrative sex
  • Moreover, avoiding kissing and oral sex when there is a cold sore around the mouth
  • Furthermore, washing the hands thoroughly, especially after touching the affected area, during an outbreak

Additionally, some people also find that stress, being tired, illness, skin friction, and sunbathing can trigger recurrences of symptoms.

Therefore, identifying and avoiding these triggers can help reduce the number of outbreaks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The following are common questions and answers about herpes:

Can I still have sex if I have herpes?

Firstly, a person with herpes should tell their partners that they have the infection before they have sex. Additionally, they should always use a condom, even if a person does not seem to have symptoms.

Furthermore, prescription antiviral medication can reduce the likelihood of someone with herpes transferring it to their partner who does not have the viral infection.

Is There a Link Between Genital Herpes and HIV?

Moreover, it is easier for a person with genital herpes to contract or transmit HIV infection. Specifically, if a person with a herpes infection is genitally exposed to HIV, their risk of acquiring HIV is three times higher than someone without genital herpes.
This is because genital herpes can cause breaks in the skin and, consequently, make a person more vulnerable to contracting HIV.
Furthermore, a person with HIV and genital herpes is more likely to transmit HIV to sex partners.

Can Herpes Go Away?

In summary, herpes does not go away. In fact, no treatments currently exist that can clear the herpes virus from the body. However, prescription medications can make outbreaks shorter and less severe. In addition, OTC products can provide some relief for symptoms.

How Do I Know if I Have Herpes?

If a person has an active herpes outbreak with visible sores, then a physician or specialist, such as a dermatologist, can diagnose the condition based on a physical examination.

Moreover, if the physical symptoms alone are not enough, a doctor may take a swab of the sore and send it to a lab for analysis.

Alternatively, blood tests are available if a person does not have physical sores but is concerned.

In addition, people can also take at-home herpes tests; however, they should schedule a consultation with a doctor to confirm a diagnosis and get treatment.

Summary

Herpes is a viral infection that can cause blisters or sores to develop around the mouth or genitals; however, some people never develop symptoms.

Moreover, herpes spreads through physical contact with moist skin areas, particularly through sexual activity. Therefore, people can prevent transmitting HSV by practicing safer sex and proper personal hygiene, such as washing hands during an outbreak.

In addition, if a person has an HSV infection, they will have it long term. Unfortunately, there are currently no medications to cure herpes. However, medications can prevent or shorten outbreaks, help manage symptoms, and make it less likely that a person transfers genital herpes to a partner.

Consequently, a person who suspects they may have herpes should speak with a doctor about diagnosis and treatment.

Biospecimens

biospecimens

Bay Biosciences is a global leader in providing researchers with high quality, clinical grade, fully characterized human tissue samples, bio-specimens, and human bio-fluid collections.

Moreover, human biospecimens are available including tumor tissue, serum, plasma and PBMC samples from most other therapeutic areas.

Furthermore, Bay Biosciences maintains and manages its own biorepository, the human tissue bank (biobank) consisting of thousands of diseased samples (specimens) and likewise normal healthy donors for controls. Additionally, available in all formats and types.

In fact, our biobank procures and stores fully consented, de-identified and institutional review boards (IRB) approved human tissue samples, human biofluids such as serum samples, plasma samples from various diseases and matched controls.

Also, all our human tissue collections, human biospecimens and human biofluids are provided with detailed, samples associated patient’s clinical data.

In fact, this critical patient’s clinical data includes information relating to their past and current disease, treatment history, lifestyle choices, biomarkers, and genetic information.

Additionally, researchers find the patient’s data associated with the human biospecimens extremely valuable and use it to help identify new effective treatments (drug discovery & development) in oncology, as well as in other therapeutic areas and diseases.

Bay Biosciences banks wide variety of human tissue samples and human biological samples, including fresh frozen human biospecimens cryogenically preserved at – 80°C.

For example fresh frozen tissue samples, tumor tissue samples, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE), tissue slides, with matching human bio-fluids, whole blood and blood-derived products such as human serum, human plasma and human PBMCs.

Bay Biosciences is a global leader in collecting and providing human tissue samples according to the specified requirements and customized, tailor-made collection protocols.

Please contact us anytime to discuss your special research projects and customized human tissue sample requirements.

Types of Biospecimens

Bay Biosciences provides human tissue samples (human specimens) and human biofluids from diseased and normal healthy donors which includes:

Moreover, we can also procure most human biospecimens and human biofluids, special collections and requests for human samples that are difficult to find. All our human tissue samples and human biofluids are procured through IRB-approved clinical protocols and procedures.

In addition to the standard processing protocols, Bay Biosciences can also provide human biofluids such as  human plasma, human serum, and human PBMCs bio-fluid samples using custom processing protocols; you buy donor-specific collections in higher volumes and specified sample aliquots from us.

Bay Biosciences also provides human biospecimens from normal healthy donors; volunteers, for controls and clinical research, Contact us Now.