Herpes is a virus that infects the nervous system. Visualize the human nervous system like a tree trunk with it's extensive root system. The tree trunk represents your spinal cord, and the roots represent the nerves that branch out through your body. The herpes virus infects one of the root branches. When this happens it causes irritation, and varying degrees of other signs and symptoms at the site of infection. Typically, the initial infection is the worst. It causes burning, inflammation, little blisters or bumps, and sometimes open sores. Usually this infection last 7-14 days. If open sores get infected with bacteria the sores can last longer.
Now remember that herpes is a virus. This is different than a
bacteria. Think of a virus like a tiny organism that has armor, like a old
time Knight. This armor is what has made it difficult for the researchers
to develop drugs to kill herpes. With this armor for protection, the
herpes virus then travels up the root system to the central nervous system,
represented by the tree's trunk. Here the virus hibernates until it is
reactivated. Then it travels down the same root to the same area that the
original infection was located. When this occurs, a repeat infection
occurs, but usually are not as bad as the first. Sometimes a person
notices when this occurs because they have early itching and burning in the
area, but no blisters. Many repeat cases don't get any worse than
that, lasting only 3-5 days. However, some do progress to painful blisters
that last a slight bit longer. What causes the reactivation of the
herpes virus that lives in the spinal cord? We are not exactly sure,
however some believe that certain circumstances activate the virus to repeat the
infection. Recognized causes include stress, illness, and getting sun
burned.
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