Herpes: consult a doctor by instant messaging

Herpes: online medical consultation

Herpes is a viral, contagious and recurrent infection that can affect the skin as well as the mucous membranes. Usually mild, this infection can be passed from one person to another, and symptoms are not always identical. Once present in the body, the virus stays there for life and can reappear in the form of outbreaks. Feeli helps you recognise the symptoms suggestive of herpes and act accordingly.

What is herpes, and what are the symptoms?

Cold sores on the lips, a sexually transmitted infection... these can be symptoms of herpes. In fact, there are two types of herpes: facial herpes, also called HSV-1, and genital herpes, called HSV-2. The first type of herpes, oral herpes, affects the face and is more common than genital herpes. This type of herpes is often linked to a weakened immune system, sun exposure or a period of stress. It can be transmitted through direct contact with an infected person. Oral or facial herpes can be asymptomatic. When symptoms are present, people carrying the infection may develop ulcers or blister-like lesions around the mouth (cold sores) or inside the mouth. The cold sore usually appears at the junction between the skin and the mucous membrane. The very first symptoms of oral herpes often appear as tingling and burning sensations that come on fairly suddenly at a specific spot on the lips. Herpes can then progress and present through various symptoms: fluid-filled blisters appearing, skin around the lesions turning red and becoming painful, blisters becoming cloudy, then bursting and forming a yellowish crust that dries and falls off. Itching, tingling, headaches and fever can accompany oral or facial herpes. The second type of herpes, genital herpes, is considered a sexually transmitted infection. It, too, can be asymptomatic or accompanied by mild symptoms. Blister-like or ulcerated lesions may be present in the genital or anal area. Fever, aches and swollen lymph nodes can be among the identifiable symptoms of genital herpes. Small blisters may appear in the affected area, which then cause irritation, itching, tingling, burning and discomfort. Many people carry herpes without showing any symptoms.

What to do if you have herpes?

Transmitted through contact with the oral mucosa or during sexual intercourse, there is no real explanation for why some patients seem immune to herpes, others carry the virus without ever having outbreaks, while others have them more often. Herpes can be diagnosed once symptoms appear. A swab is used to take a sample from the lesions in order to culture them. For the most accurate diagnosis, it is best to carry out the culture within 24 to 48 hours of the lesions appearing. Once the blisters have burst, the result becomes harder to read. Diagnosis can also be made following a blood test. Consulting a general practitioner as soon as possible makes it possible to reach the right diagnosis and receive suitable treatment. The doctor will also inform the patient about the risk of recurrence and how to manage it going forward. The treatments on offer help calm the manifestations of herpes and reduce contagiousness, but they do not permanently cure the infection, which stays in the body for life. The doctor may suggest antiviral medications such as Foscarnet, Aciclovir or Valaciclovir. Anti-inflammatories and painkillers may be prescribed alongside these. Local care such as creams and patches helps prevent superinfection of the mucous membranes. In the case of minor herpes, applying a local antiseptic is enough. People prone to several outbreaks a year may be offered preventive antiviral treatment.

The benefits of using Feeli for a consultation

Feeli offers fast consultations with a general practitioner or specialist. All online medical consultations on Feeli are available without an appointment. Getting care becomes easy and quick — don't wait, as soon as herpes symptoms appear, log on to the Feeli website. Get in touch with a doctor straight away: Feeli asks you to complete a medical questionnaire to save time in your care, and the doctor then reviews your questionnaire answers to offer you suitable treatment and, if needed, a digital prescription which, conveniently, is accepted as-is in all pharmacies in France. To make communication easier, the doctor can exchange with their patient via a secure instant messaging system. Getting advice from a healthcare professional becomes easy — all you need is a computer, tablet or smartphone to exchange with a doctor during a telemedicine session.