What does herpes mean?
Any infections caused by the contagious virus, Herpes Simplex Virus can be termed as Herpes. Herpes Simplex Virus, also known as Human Herpes Virus, family has 8 different types. HSV 1 and HSV 2 are the most common viruses from the Herpesvirus family. Both are contagious and can be easily transmitted from an infected person to another. The former is commonly known as “cold sore” or “oral herpes” while the latter is called “genital herpes”.
How can it spread?
According to one of the researchers of WHO, about 67% of the global population have HSV 1. It is basically the reason behind cold sores around the mouth. It can also give you genital infection, thereby causing genital herpes. This occurrence has a high possibility when there is an oral-genital contact.
Infected people having active lesions can unknowingly spread this disease by skin-to-skin contact, especially if there are breaks or cuts present in the skin of the recipient. It can also spread through sharing personal items of the infected person by a healthy person such as towels, razor, tissue, clothes, utensils, etc.
On the other hand, HSV 2 is mainly associated with sexual transmission. This virus is incapable of surviving outside the human body for long. Therefore, the only way it gets transmitted or stays active is through sexual contact. HSV 2 infection may also be found in the facial area, but usually, it is observed below the waist region.
Is it normal to have Herpes?
According to several medical specialists and research centers, having Herpes is not a sign of abnormality. It is as normal as being sick with chicken pox (Herpes Zoster) or any other common disease, but what puts you at risk is the symptom and the effect. If it is without any symptoms, you are fine, but if you are suffering due to the infection, it has to be treated.
What are the different types of Herpes?
- Apart from HSV 1 and HSV 2, there are 6 other types of Herpesviruses which may affect you in a number of ways, ultimately causing infections.
- HHV 3 virus is exclusively responsible for causing chicken pox. It can also cause a viral skin infection known as Herpes Zoster or Shingles. HHV 3 finds skin cell a better place for infection. It may also infect the nerve cells or where the nerve fibers end on skin cells,causing multiple sores. Lesions resulting from this infection may recover within 2 to 4 weeks, but the marks may last for good or a long time. The lesions may also cause you itching or severe pain.
- HHV 4 is responsible for the infectious disease known as Mononucleosis or “Kissing Disease”. This infection transmits through saliva, though coughing, sneezing and sharing personal stuff may also be listed as possible ways of its transmission.
- HHV 5 is another cause of Mononucleosis. The virus can be transmitted through various ways such as in newborns through breastfeeding, blood transfusion, sexual contact and even transplants (organ). It may lead to Hepatitis, Diarrhea, AIDS, etc.
- HHV 6 and HHV 7 cause Roseola, a viral disease in which the patient suffers from skin rashes and high fever
- HHV 8 is basically related with Cancer (Lymphoma) or tumors.
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5 effective treatments for atopic dermatitis
Read moreAtopic dermatitis is a kind of inflammation, which results in redness, itching, cracking and swelling of the skin. This is seen in adults but more commonly in children. This condition usually starts in childhood and its severity increases with age. Often, the rashes may ooze and thicken over time.
Even though this is an incurable disease, atopic dermatitis treatment options can help to relieve various symptoms such as severe itching, skin inflammation, skin infection, and scaly lesions. Treatments can also help to prevent the formation of new lesions. The symptoms can be controlled to some extent using various home treatments such as the ones given below:
- Mild atopic dermatitis treatment can be done at home using skin barrier repair moisturizers, which help to prevent dry skin. It is advisable to use thicker creams instead of lotions and ointments like petroleum jelly, which helps to lock in the moisture of the skin. These must frequently be used.
- Preventive care measures for atopic dermatitis treatment include bathing in lukewarm or warm water instead of hot water to prevent the skin from drying out, avoiding allergens such as harsh detergents or soaps that may trigger rash formation, and avoiding scratching of the affected areas.
Depending on the severity of the rashes, a doctor may prescribe any of the following treatments:
- When the rash covers large areas of the body, the doctor may prescribe high strength topical corticosteroids or oral corticosteroids. These are also used if there are skin infections.
- Treatments like phototherapy or psoralen plus ultraviolet light therapy (PUVA) which use exposure to ultraviolet light, with or without medication may be helpful.
- If other treatments don’t work, then interferon (a type of protein that the body produces and helps to fight infections; also available as a drug) or cyclosporine (a drug to suppress the immune system) is sometimes used in adults.
- Antihistamines (drugs used to treat allergies) are often prescribed to reduce itching.
- Another effective atopic dermatitis treatment method involves the use of wet bandages and topical corticosteroids for wrapping the affected area.
If the rashes don’t get better with these home treatments, it is better to seek medical attention immediately.
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Different types of auto glass & how to maintain them
Read moreHave you ever wondered why the windshield glass does not break into sharp shards of glass when a car meets with an accident?
That is because the glass used to make the windshield and the side windows of the car is not regular glass. It is called auto glass and is specially designed to meet the needs of an automobile.
Here are some things about the auto glass of your car you did not know about:
The first type of auto glass is called the laminated glass. You can see laminated glass in the windshield of your car. Not just that, laminated glass is also used for other purposes outside the automobile industry. It is used wherever there is a possibility of human impact.
The laminated glass is made by bringing together two glass sheets and sticking them with polyvinyl butyral and then heating it to high temperature.
Laminated glass in the windshield helps to protect the car accident victim from getting a major injury if he or she is thrown off towards the glass in full impact.
Laminated auto glass can be easily repaired if it has a minor crack. This is done by drilling a special adhesive into the glass with the right pressure.
The second type of the auto glass is called the tempered glass. Tempered glass is also used these days to protect your cell phone screens.
In this, a single glass is introduced to heat and then it is rapidly made to cool down.
You will find tempered glass in the glass of the side and back windows of your car.
Just like the laminated glass, tempered glass is harmless when it shatters and breaks down into pieces. These glass pieces won’t have a sharp edge like the regular glass.
One of the major difference between laminated glass and tempered glass is that while laminated glass can be fixed if damaged, tempered glass can only be replaced.
Tips to maintain your car windshield:
As soon as your car spots a cracked windshield, get it checked and fixed by the auto glass experts.
Change your windshield wiper twice a year.
Park your vehicle in the shade to protect it from overexposure to UV rays.
Don’t keep your car out on chilly night, instead park them in garage. Drastic fluctuations in the temperature can cause the windshield to crack and damage.
Avoid slamming your car doors as it puts pressure on the glasses of the windshield.
Be aware of what cleaning products are you using on your vehicles. Stay clear of products which contain ammonia.
It is best to spend on a good auto glass specialist and get your car’s windshield repaired, as you will thank yourself later if you ever are in a car accident.