“Understanding and Preventing Herpes Simplex: What You Need to Know”

[일요신문] Mr. A, an office worker in his 40s, recently had several blisters around his mouth, causing discomfort when talking or eating. Hearing from colleagues that it will get better with time, saying that it will be blisters caused by fatigue, Mr. A did not take it too seriously.

However, as the pain did not go away over time and the pain only got worse, Mr. A suspected that it might be the shingles he had seen on a TV commercial a while ago and rushed to the hospital. Fortunately, he was diagnosed with herpes simplex, not shingles, and is on medication.

Herpes simplex is a disease in which the herpes simplex virus among the human herpes viruses infects the skin and mucous membranes of our body and causes blisters.

Herpes simplex is spread through physical contact with someone who has the virus. If you have been infected even once, it remains dormant in the nerve tissue called the dorsal root ganglion even after treatment, and then easily recurs and causes symptoms due to reduced immunity or stress or inflammation. It is classified into type 1 that occurs above the waist and type 2 that occurs below the waist, and the symptoms differ depending on the individual’s immune status or affected area.

Oral herpes, the most common type 1, occurs on the lips, cheeks, chin, nose, oral mucosa, etc. It may be accompanied by burning, pain, and itching prior to blistering. In the case of type 2, which causes blisters around the vulva, it is a type of sexually transmitted disease.

The herpes simplex virus is characterized by clusters of blisters that resemble clusters of grapes. For diagnosis, the site of blistering may be observed and, if necessary, a biopsy may be performed. In most cases, it is possible to heal naturally without special treatment by keeping the infected area clean. However, if it does not improve and lasts for a long time or if complications are accompanied, antiviral treatment is performed.

Daedong Hospital Comprehensive Health Examination Center Director Kim Yoon-mi (family medicine specialist) said, “Many patients who come to the clinic are afraid that it may be shingles when they have blisters on their bodies.” While it occurs in a limited area, shingles has a difference, such as the formation of blisters in the form of a band along the nerve,” he said.

Manager Kim said, “It is difficult for the general public to distinguish what kind of disease it is just by the appearance of blisters, so it is better to visit a nearby medical institution to get an accurate diagnosis and receive treatment in the early stages when there is an abnormal reaction in the body.” If you leave it as there is no problem or seek folk remedies, complications or sequelae may increase, so caution is needed.”

Recently, shingles can be prevented through vaccination, but the best way to prevent the common blister virus is to improve your lifestyle. In order to prevent herpes simplex, etc., you should take good care of your health, such as nutrition, sleep, fatigue, and stress, and pay attention to personal hygiene such as washing your hands. Sanitary items such as towels and cups should not be shared between co-workers or family members.

Reporter Jeongheon Park, Busan/Gyeongnam, [email protected]