Genital Herpes That's what we need to know

18.05.2022

Genital herpes Is a sexually transmitted infection that is caused by Simple With herpes virus (HSV). Sexual contact is the main way the virus is spread. After the initial infection, the virus is dormant in your body and can become active several times a year.

Table of Contents

Genital herpes can cause pain, itching, and sores around the genitals, or it can be asymptomatic - without any signs. If you are infected, you can be contagious even if you do not have visible ulcers.

Genital herpes is not cured but medication Can Alleviate symptoms and reduce the risk of infecting others. Condoms can also help prevent the spread of genital herpes.

What causes genital herpes?

Genital herpes can be caused by two types of herpes simplex virus (HSV):

HSV-1. It is a type of herpes simplex virus that usually causes cold sores (fever blisters) around the mouth. HSV-1 is often spread through skin-to-skin contact, although it can be spread through oral sex in your genitals. Relapses are much rarer compared to HSV-2 infection.

HSV-2. This is the type of herpes simplex virus that usually causes genital herpes. The virus is spread through sexual and skin-to-skin contact. HSV-2 is a highly contagious viral infection, regardless of whether you have an open ulcer.

Because the virus quickly dies outside the body, it is almost impossible to transmit the infection through contact with the toilet, towels, or other items used by an infected person.

Viruses enter the body through skin abrasions or mucous membranes. They can be found in the nose, mouth and genitals.

Once the viruses enter the body, they invade your cells. Viruses multiply very easily and adapt to new environments, making it difficult to treat them.

HSV-1 or HSV-2 is found in body fluids, including saliva, semen, and vaginal secretions.

Symptoms of genital herpes

Most people infected with HSV do not know they are infected because they either do not have any signs or symptoms or they are very mild.

In the case of a symptomatic course, the symptoms appear about 2-12 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms of genital herpes include:

Pain or itching. You may feel pain and discomfort in the genital area until the infection disappears.

Small red bumps or small white blisters - Develops a few days or weeks after infection.

Ulcers - Occurs when the blisters burst and bleed or bleed. An ulcer can make urination painful.

Scars - Develops when ulcers heal.

Initial infection may show flu-like signs and symptoms, such as enlarged lymph nodes in the abdomen, headache, muscle aches, and fever.

Differences in the localization of symptoms

Ulcers appear where the virus enters your body. You can spread the infection by touching an ulcer and then touching or scratching another area of the body.

Men and women can develop ulcers by the following localization:

Buttocks and thighs
Anus
Პри
Urethra

In women:

Vaginal area
External genitals
Cervix

In men:

Penis
Scrotum

Genital herpes is characterized by frequent recurrences. Infection is different for each person. Signs and symptoms can recur over years. Some people experience numerous episodes of relapse each year, however, for many people, over time, relapse is less common.

In case of recurrence, shortly before the appearance of ulcers, you may feel:

Burning, itching, and itching where the virus first entered your body;
Pain in the lower back, buttocks and legs;

Relapses are usually less painful than the initial infection and usually heal faster.

Genital herpes and pregnancy

Genital herpes can be transmitted to your baby if you have an active disease during vaginal delivery.

General symptoms of a baby born with herpes can include sores on the face, body and genitals.

Children born with genital herpes can develop very serious complications such as Blindness, brain damage and even death Yes, it is therefore very important to inform your doctor about the presence of genital herpes during pregnancy to prevent transmission of the virus to the baby during childbirth. In the presence of herpes blisters along the birth canal (in active infection), caesarean section is recommended.

Risk factors

Risk factors for genital herpes infection:

Sex. Women are more likely to have genital herpes than men. The virus is more easily transmitted sexually from a man to a woman than from a woman to a man.
Multiple sexual partners. Each new sexual partner increases the risk of exposure to the genital herpes virus.
Sexual contact with an infected person.
Do not use or misuse condoms or other barrier methods.
Impaired immunity. When a person has impaired ability to fight infection due to another sexually transmitted disease or illness.

Complications of genital herpes

Complications associated with genital herpes may include:

Other sexually transmitted infections. The presence of genital ulcers increases the risk of other sexually transmitted infections, including AIDS, transmission, or infection.
Neonatal infection. If the mother is infected, the baby can be infected during childbirth, which can lead to brain damage, blindness and even death.
Bladder problems. In some cases, ulcers associated with genital herpes can cause inflammation around the urethra. Swelling may cause the urethra to close for several days, requiring the use of a catheter to drain the bladder.
Meningitis. In rare cases, HSV infection causes inflammation of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid in your head and spinal cord.
Inflammation of the rectum (proctitis). Genital herpes can cause inflammation of the rectal mucosa, especially in homosexual men.

Diagnosis

Genital herpes is diagnosed based on the results of a physical examination and certain laboratory tests:

Viral culture
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) - DNA testing to determine the presence of HSV and to determine what type of HSV you have.
ხBlood test. A blood sample is tested for HSV antibodies to detect a herpes infection.

Treatment

Genital herpes is not curable. Treatment with antiviral drugs:

Assists in early healing of ulcers during primary infection;
Reduces the severity and duration of symptoms during recurrent infection;
Reduces the frequency of relapses;
Reduces the chance of transmitting the herpes virus to others.

Prevention

If you are sexually active, you can reduce your risk of getting genital herpes:

Barrier methods, such as using a condom, every time you have sex;
By refraining from sexual contact with a person with symptoms of herpes. However, it is important to know that genital herpes can be transmitted to another person even if no symptoms are noted.

If Do you suspect genital herpes or other Sexually Transmitted Infection / Disease On existence (Diagnostics In order), If Infected you are, If Moved do you have Infection (Monitoring In order) ან You want Screening due to the presence of risk factors (Prevention In order), Laboratory "Synevo" Offers Then Studies: