Genital Herpes

What is genital herpes?

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). This STI causes herpetic sores, which are painful blisters (fluid-filled bumps) that can break open and ooze fluid.

What causes genital herpes?

Two types of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) cause genital herpes:

• HSV-1. This type usually causes cold sores, but it can also cause genital herpes.
• HSV-2. This type usually causes genital herpes, but it can also cause cold sores.

The viruses enter the body through skin abrasions or mucous membranes. Mucous membranes are the thin layers of tissue that line the openings of your body. They can be found in your nose, mouth, and genitals. Once the viruses are inside, they incorporate themselves into your cells. Viruses tend to multiply or adapt to their environments very easily, which makes treating them difficult. HSV-1 or HSV-2 can be found in bodily fluids, including saliva, semen and vaginal secretions.

How do you suspect that you have it?

The appearance of blisters is known as an outbreak. On average, a first outbreak will appear 4 days after contracting the virus. However, it can take as little as 2 days, or as much as 12 days or more, to appear. General symptoms for those with a penis include blisters on the: penis, scrotum and buttocks (near or around the anus). General symptoms for those with a vagina include blisters around or near the: vagina, anus and buttocks.

General symptoms for anyone include the following:

• Blisters may appear in the mouth and on the lips, face, and anywhere else that came into contact with areas of infection.
• The area that has contracted the condition often starts to itch, or tingle, before blisters actually appear.
• The blisters may become ulcerated (open sores) and ooze fluid.
• A crust may appear over the sores within a week of the outbreak.
• Your lymph glands may become swollen. Lymph glands fight infection and inflammation in the body.
• You may have headaches, body aches, and fever.

General symptoms for a baby born with herpes (contracted through a vaginal delivery) may include ulcers on the face, body, and genitals. Babies who are born with genital herpes can develop very severe complications and experience: Blindness, brain damage and death

How is genital herpes diagnosed?

Your doctor can typically diagnose herpes transmission by a visual examination of the herpes sores. Although they aren’t always necessary, your doctor may confirm their diagnosis through laboratory tests. A blood test can diagnose herpes simplex virus before you experience an outbreak.

How can genital herpes be treated?

Treatment can reduce outbreaks, but it cannot cure herpes simplex viruses. There is no cure for herpes simplex virus.

How is genital herpes treated?

Antiviral drugs may help speed up the healing time of the sores and reduce pain. Medications may be taken at the first signs of an outbreak (tingling, itching, and other symptoms) to help reduce the symptoms. People who have outbreaks may also be prescribed medications to make it less likely that they’ll get outbreaks in the future.

How can you prevent genital herpes?

If you’re sexually active, you can lower your risk of contracting genital herpes by: Using barrier methods, like condoms, every time you have sex.

Refrain from sex with someone who is displaying herpes symptoms. However, it’s important to know that genital herpes can be passed to another person even when symptoms are not present.