Genital Herpes
By: Trever Jones 2006.03.05
What is Genital Herpes?
Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). Genital herpes infection is common in the United States. Nationwide, at least 45 million people ages 12 and older, or one out of five adolescents and adults, have had genital HSV infection.
HSV-1 causes infections of the mouth and lips, so-called “fever blisters”.
HSV-2 infection (genital) is more common in women (approximately 1 out of 4 women) than in men (approximately 1 out of 5 men).
Transmission
- HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be found and released from the sores that the virus cause, but they are also released between breakout episodes from skin that does not appear to be broken or to have a sore,
- HSV-1 is caused by contact with the saliva of an infected person. HSV-1 of the genitals almost always is caused by oral-genital sexual contact with a person who has the oral HSV-1 infection.
- HSV-2 infection is almost always transmitted by sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection.
- Mother to infant, especially if the mother has active genital herpes at the time of delivery.
Signs & Symptoms
Many individuals have only minimal signs or symptoms from HSV-1 or HSV-2 infections. When signs do occur, the first episode is usually within two weeks after becoming infected. Most people diagnosed with a first episode can expect to have several recurrences a year. (These are usually most noticeable within the first year following the first episode.
Men and Women:
- One or more painful blisters on or around the genitals or rectum, which break, leaving tender ulcers (sores). These may take two to four weeks to heal the first time (primary episode) they occur.
- Other signs and symptoms during the primary episode include a second crop of sores, or flu-like symptoms (fever, swollen glands.)
- Another outbreak can occur weeks or months after the first, but it is almost always less severe than the first.
- The virus can stay in the body indefinitely, but the number of outbreaks tends to go down over a period of years.
Complications
- HSV-2 may play a major role in the heterosexual spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Herpes can make people more susceptible to HIV infection, and it can make HIV-infected individuals more infectious.
- Psychological distress to those who know they are infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2
- The infection may be more sever in people with suppressed immune symptoms.
Pregnancy:
- HSV-2 can cause fatal infections in infants if the mother is shedding virus at the time of delivery.
- A first episode during pregnancy causes a greater risk of transmission to the newborn.
- If a woman has an active infection at the time of delivery, a cesarean delivery is usually done.
Diagnosis
Health care providers can diagnose genital herpes by visual inspection if the outbreak is typical, or by taking a sample from the sore(s).
- May be difficult to diagnose between outbreaks.
- Blood tests may be helpful, but results may not be clear-cut.
Treatment
- No treatment that cures herpes.
- Antivirals can shorten and prevent future episodes while the person is taking the medication.
Prevention
- The correct and consistent use of latex condoms can help protect against infection.
- Condoms do not provide complete protection because the condom may not cover the ulcers, and viral shedding can still occur
- Practice sexual abstinence during an episode and use latex condoms between outbreaks.
- Limit the number of sexual partners, or limit sexual contact to one uninfected partner.