Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is the main cause of genital and oral herpes infections. The virus easily spreads through directly skin contact or sexual act. When HSV penetrates into your body, it gets into the nerve roots and travels to the sensory nerve ganglia. At the point when you’re infected with herpes, the infection stays dormant in the bundle of nerves at the spine base. However, it moves through the nerve paths to the surface of the skin if it’s reactivated. There’re many triggers increasing your risk of herpes recurrences that you haven’t noticed. Also, you may not know whether how many herpes outbreaks you will get during your lifetime. Luckily, the article will answer your question.

What’re potential herpes triggers?

When you get the HSV, the virus can be triggered by many factors. Watch out the following triggers of herpes outbreaks

• Sexual intercourse
• Colds weather
• Sunlight
• Hormonal changes
• Fatigue
• Weakened immune system
• Poor diet
• Unhealthy lifestyles
• Skin trauma
• Stress
• Surgery

Listen to your body to identify what causes abnormal signs in your body. They can trigger many herpes outbreaks if you don’t keep them far away.

Related: Herbal Teas Prevent Herpes Outbreaks

How many herpes outbreaks do you get during your lifetime?

The number of herpes outbreaks mostly depends on the immune system. It’s the main key in whether or not you experience frequently outbreaks. Sick people and infants with weakened immune system, for example, are more susceptible to herpes outbreaks. But, others rarely experience any recurrence during their lives because of strong immune response. So, the stronger your immune system, the less likely you’re prone to severe herpes outbreaks.

Normally, people with herpes suffer from several or many outbreaks. Depending on each individual, the rate of herpes outbreaks can vary, such as:

• During the first year of herpes infection, you may experience an average of 4 to 6 of recurrences. However, some people only suffer from one or two outbreaks and never have it again.
• For those with genital HSV1, studies have shown that they might have one outbreak a year.
• When oral HSV2 occurs, outbreaks are less. It may have an average of 0.01 times a year in a newly infected person.

Both HSV1 and HSV2 causes herpes infection. While HSV1 is responsible for fever blisters (cold sores/ oral herpes), HSV2 leads to genital herpes. But, HSV1 sometimes results in genital herpes and in contrast. Experts tell that around 30% of genital herpes infections are caused by HSV1. However, only 2- 5% of those result in genital outbreaks. They also reveal that genital HSV2 leads to physical symptoms 10 times more often than genital HSV1.

Related: How Long Does Genital Herpes Last?

How to know if it’s a herpes outbreak?

There’re some signals of herpes outbreak you need to know

For oral herpes outbreak, you’ll notice:

• Tingling, itching, or burning sensations on the oral area
• Tiny blisters on the infected skin areas
• Flu or fever
• Headache
• Swollen glands

For genital herpes outbreak, you also experience other signs, such as

• Tingling, itching, or burning sensations on the genital area
• Small bumps or sores on the infected areas
• Abnormal discharge
• Painful urination
• Pain during intercourse

If you suffer from these signs, should see your doctor to check. Herpes infections can lead to other severe health problems when it goes untreated.

Related: Herpes Tests: Everything You Need to Know About

How to stop herpes outbreaks rapidly?

Everyone knows that there’s no cure for herpes. But, there’re some steps you can take to stop it.

1. Antiviral medications

There’re two types of antiviral medication to treat herpes. One is taken daily to suppress herpes recurrences. The other is taken at the first sign of an outbreak to reduce the severity. Besides, you can apply ProsurX to destroy the virus at the root. The cream also helps avoid further outbreak. The sooner you apply, the better results you have.

Related: What Are Herpes Treatments for Each Stage?

2. Know your triggers

People experience herpes differently. Your triggers may not be the same as someone else’s. As long as you identify what triggers your herpes outbreaks, reducing the number of recurrence is possible. You can work to avoid trigger before a new outbreak comes on.  

3. Take care of your body

Eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep and not smoking will keep your body healthy. Diseases and infections may trigger your herpes outbreak, so it’s important to take care of yourself.

4. Focus on what you eat

Herpes outbreaks is often triggered by arginine foods and poor diet, such as legumes and whole grain. To make sure, should keep track of the foods you eat to identify if there’s a connection.

Related: 7 Super Foods to Shorten Herpes Outbreaks

5. Practice daily stress management

Stress is a big trigger of herpes outbreak. There’re some relaxation techniques you should try, such as yoga, deep breathing and massage. They can lower your stress levels and cope with stressful situations.

6. Know how to deal with outbreaks when they occur

When you notice the early signs of heroes, take immediate steps to reduce the severity. Home remedies or topical creams are effective.

7. Prevent herpes from spreading

It’s necessary to abstain from sex or kissing when you have a herpes infection. All types of physical contact will spread the virus to others. Tell your partner honestly about herpes and need to avoid sex. Also, avoid kissing or sharing utensil eating with other, especially children and sick people.

Herpes is a communicable disease that has impact people of all ages. Though there’re no cure for HSV, the virus can be preventable easily. So, it’s really crucial to raise your awareness of HSV infections.