Herpes Recurrences ~ Prodrome ~ Triggers
Recurrences
When Herpes Simplex Virus becomes active, it begins to multiply, and then comes to the surface along the
nerve paths. Reactivation may be symptomatic or asymptomatic - there may be signs and symptoms, or
there may be no signs at all. Due to the nature and structure of the neural pathways, recurrences of
herpes may not always appear in the same exact place. However, they will remain in the same general area
- in genital Herpes infections, perhaps migrating a few inches in the genital region, or showing up on the
upper thigh, or the buttocks. Many times, genital herpes outbreaks appear in the anal region. Some have
theorized that herpes takes the "path of least resistance" when coming to the surface, which may explain
why some people have their recurrences in the same spot time after time, and why other people's outbreaks
change to an area like the anus where there may be repeated abrasion as a trigger.
Recurrences
When Herpes Simplex Virus becomes active, it begins to multiply, and then comes to the surface along the
nerve paths. Reactivation may be symptomatic or asymptomatic - there may be signs and symptoms, or
there may be no signs at all. Due to the nature and structure of the neural pathways, recurrences of
herpes may not always appear in the same exact place. However, they will remain in the same general area
- in genital Herpes infections, perhaps migrating a few inches in the genital region, or showing up on the
upper thigh, or the buttocks. Many times, genital herpes outbreaks appear in the anal region. Some have
theorized that herpes takes the "path of least resistance" when coming to the surface, which may explain
why some people have their recurrences in the same spot time after time, and why other people's outbreaks
change to an area like the anus where there may be repeated abrasion as a trigger.
| The spinal ganglia and neural paths to the skin. |
HerpeSite ~ Herpes Online Personal Empowerment & Support
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Recurrence rates vary greatly, and studies indicate that as many as 80 to 90% of people infected with HSV
will experience recurrences, generally within 3-6 months after initial outbreak. Genital HSV recurs an
average of 5 times per year, more or less, depending of course on various factors, including viral type &
site, therapies, the individual's immune system, emotional state, personal trigger factors, and even
environmental factors. Some women notice recurrences around their menstrual periods. The recurrence
rate is usually much lower in those whose genital infections are caused by HSV-1. Oral HSV-2 normally
recurs much less often than HSV-1, statistically about once every ten years.
Recurrences are usually less severe and of shorter duration than first episodes. Recurrences generally
become less frequent as time passes. However, major emotional events, or specific stressors, such as an
illness, or friction, or Environmental Factors like sunburns, can trigger recurrences where one may have
been mostly free of activity beforehand.
Signs of an Oncoming Outbreak: Prodrome
The state or set of symptoms that precede a Herpes outbreak is called "prodrome." The first sign of an
upcoming occurrence, prodrome can occur from 30 minutes to a few days prior to an outbreak. Prodrome
may include tingling, itching, and/or burning sensations at the site of impending outbreak, and/or
shooting pains, numbness, aches, or other sensations in the lower back, buttocks, or thighs (in genital
infections). Other possible symptoms are fever, headaches, soreness, and swollen lymph nodes. Prodrome
may also include an onset of listlessness and irritability, as well as increased sensitivity to environmental
factors. When these symptoms are present, the Herpes Virus is active and risk of transmission is high.
Some people feel a few or many of the above Prodrome sensations from time to time without having
full-blown outbreaks or any visible signs. Again, even though there may be no visible symptoms, the
virus is active at these times, and precautions should be taken to avoid transmission. Others have some
or all of these symptoms, with or without outbreaks, or after outbreaks, that last for days, weeks, or
months in some cases. This is called Post-Herpetic Neuralgia.
Triggers
Triggers and Environmental Factors are many, and vary with each person. Some of the more common
triggers for outbreaks are rubbing, chafing, friction, overexposure to wind, cold, wet, heat, sun
(especially sunburn), restrictive clothing, and sweating.
Extreme environments of any sort, be they physical, emotional, auditory, etc., may create more stress in
the body, and subsequently trigger nerve response that may possibly increase reactivation of HSV.
Foods reported by some to affect outbreaks include coffee, chocolate, nuts, popcorn, and alcohol.
Women report a tendency to be more susceptible to outbreaks around menstruation. Tampons are
reported by many women to aggravate Herpes, probably due to the friction or chafing with insertion and
removal.
Men or women who engage in sexual penetration or any vigorous sexual activity can lessen chances of
aggravation of HSV sites by assurance of lubrication and refraining from overly-vigorous activity.
Lubricants and condoms containing nonoxynol-9 may irritate the skin and promote outbreaks.
Personal and lifestyle factors which may directly influence recurrence include stress, sleep, poor diet,
fatigue, and illness. You will discover your own personal triggers and learn to avoid them.
The great news is that with time and taking good care of yourself, most people
find that outbreaks tend to reduce in both number and severity. So that's
something to look forward to!
For information about Post-Herpetic Neuralgia, please visit the page devoted to our
research on that subject: Neuralgia
will experience recurrences, generally within 3-6 months after initial outbreak. Genital HSV recurs an
average of 5 times per year, more or less, depending of course on various factors, including viral type &
site, therapies, the individual's immune system, emotional state, personal trigger factors, and even
environmental factors. Some women notice recurrences around their menstrual periods. The recurrence
rate is usually much lower in those whose genital infections are caused by HSV-1. Oral HSV-2 normally
recurs much less often than HSV-1, statistically about once every ten years.
Recurrences are usually less severe and of shorter duration than first episodes. Recurrences generally
become less frequent as time passes. However, major emotional events, or specific stressors, such as an
illness, or friction, or Environmental Factors like sunburns, can trigger recurrences where one may have
been mostly free of activity beforehand.
Signs of an Oncoming Outbreak: Prodrome
The state or set of symptoms that precede a Herpes outbreak is called "prodrome." The first sign of an
upcoming occurrence, prodrome can occur from 30 minutes to a few days prior to an outbreak. Prodrome
may include tingling, itching, and/or burning sensations at the site of impending outbreak, and/or
shooting pains, numbness, aches, or other sensations in the lower back, buttocks, or thighs (in genital
infections). Other possible symptoms are fever, headaches, soreness, and swollen lymph nodes. Prodrome
may also include an onset of listlessness and irritability, as well as increased sensitivity to environmental
factors. When these symptoms are present, the Herpes Virus is active and risk of transmission is high.
Some people feel a few or many of the above Prodrome sensations from time to time without having
full-blown outbreaks or any visible signs. Again, even though there may be no visible symptoms, the
virus is active at these times, and precautions should be taken to avoid transmission. Others have some
or all of these symptoms, with or without outbreaks, or after outbreaks, that last for days, weeks, or
months in some cases. This is called Post-Herpetic Neuralgia.
Triggers
Triggers and Environmental Factors are many, and vary with each person. Some of the more common
triggers for outbreaks are rubbing, chafing, friction, overexposure to wind, cold, wet, heat, sun
(especially sunburn), restrictive clothing, and sweating.
Extreme environments of any sort, be they physical, emotional, auditory, etc., may create more stress in
the body, and subsequently trigger nerve response that may possibly increase reactivation of HSV.
Foods reported by some to affect outbreaks include coffee, chocolate, nuts, popcorn, and alcohol.
Women report a tendency to be more susceptible to outbreaks around menstruation. Tampons are
reported by many women to aggravate Herpes, probably due to the friction or chafing with insertion and
removal.
Men or women who engage in sexual penetration or any vigorous sexual activity can lessen chances of
aggravation of HSV sites by assurance of lubrication and refraining from overly-vigorous activity.
Lubricants and condoms containing nonoxynol-9 may irritate the skin and promote outbreaks.
Personal and lifestyle factors which may directly influence recurrence include stress, sleep, poor diet,
fatigue, and illness. You will discover your own personal triggers and learn to avoid them.
The great news is that with time and taking good care of yourself, most people
find that outbreaks tend to reduce in both number and severity. So that's
something to look forward to!
For information about Post-Herpetic Neuralgia, please visit the page devoted to our
research on that subject: Neuralgia
| Questions or Comments? Email: support (at) herpesite .org This Reference Copyright © 1996 ... 2008 HerpeSite(tm) Disclaimer Privacy Statement Herpes Online Personal Empowerment & Support www.herpesite.org |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  |
| There's a lot more here at HerpeSite! Click the topics below to Continue: |