Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The virus is mostly disseminated via sexual contact. The virus can reactivate multiple times a year after the first infection, although this is not a common occurrence.

Genital herpes may cause discomfort, itching and blisters in your genital region. However, genital herpes may go undetected for months or even years. Even if you don't have any obvious sores, you may spread the infection if you are sick.

There is no cure for genital herpes. However, drugs may alleviate the symptoms and minimize the risk of infection. Infections like genital herpes may be kept at bay with condoms.

 

Symptoms

Most persons infected with HSV do not realize they have it either they have no symptoms or because the symptoms are so minor.

Symptoms might appear anywhere from two to twelve days following infection, depending on the individual. If you have genital herpes, you may encounter the following symptoms:

For a while, your vaginal region may be sensitive and inflamed while the infection subsides.

A few days to a few weeks after infection, these symptoms may occur.

When blisters burst and flow or bleed, they may develop. It may be difficult to urinate if you have an ulcer.

As wounds heal, the skin will crust over and create scabs.

 

Causes

Genital herpes may be caused by two different strains of the herpes simplex virus:

·       HSV-1. Cold sores or fever blisters around the mouth are common symptoms of this kind. HSV-1 is generally shared by skin-to-skin contact. However, it may be introduced to your genital region during oral sex. In contrast to HSV-2 infection, recurrences are far less common.

·       HSV-2. This strain almost always causes genital herpes. Sexual contact and skin-to-skin contact are the primary means of spreading the virus. Even if you don't have an open sore, HSV-2 is prevalent and highly infectious.

Because the virus dies fast outside the body, contact with toilets, towels, or other items used by an infected person will rarely result in infection.

 

Factors that Increase the Risk

Is a woman or has a history of sexually transmitted infections. Female genital herpes is much more common than male genital herpes. The virus is more readily transferred from males to women than from women to men.

Have a plethora of sexual liaisons. This increases your chance of contracting genital herpes with every new sexual partner.

 

Complications

The following are possible side effects of genital herpes:

·       Sexually transmitted diseases. If you have genital sores, you're more likely to spread or get other sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS.

·       Infection in the womb. Infected moms may infect their babies during childbirth, exposing them to the virus. There is a chance that the baby may suffer brain damage, blindness, or death due to this.

·       Urinary tract issues. Genital herpes lesions may inflame the tube that transports urine from the bladder to the outer world in certain circumstances (urethra). To relieve the pain and prevent the urethra from being completely blocked for many days, you may need to have a catheter placed.

·       Meningitis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain membranes may become inflamed in rare cases of HSV infection.

·       Inflammation of the rectum (proctitis). Males with genital herpes can develop rectum inflammation, especially in intercourse with other men.

 

References

1)    Wald A. Genital HSV-1 infections. Sex Transm Infect. 2006;82(3):189–190. doi: 10.1136/sti.2006.019935. 

2)    Felman YM, Nikitas JA. Sexually transmitted diseases and child sexual abuse. Part II. . N Y State J Med. 1983;83(5):714–716.

3)    Kinghorn GR. Genital herpes: natural history and treatment of acute episodes. J Med Virol Suppl. 1993;1:33–38. doi: 10.1002/jmv.1890410508. 

4)    Abdool Karim SS, Abdool Karim Q, Kharsany ABM, Baxter C, Grobler AC, Werner L, Kashuba A, Mansoor LE, Samsunder N, Mindel A, Gengiah TN. Tenofovir Gel for the Prevention of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Infection. N Engl J Med. 2015;373(6):530–539. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1410649. 

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