Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). It's caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). This virus is passed from one person to another through skin-to-skin contact, often during sexual activity.

Many people infected with HSV don't experience any noticeable symptoms, or the symptoms are very mild. Even without symptoms, they can still spread the virus to others. For some people, the infection causes pain, itching, and sores around the genitals, anus, or mouth. These sores can be painful and may also cause discomfort.

Unfortunately, there's no cure for genital herpes. After a person has the initial outbreak, the virus can reactivate, causing symptoms to return. However, medication can help manage symptoms and reduce the frequency of outbreaks. This medication also helps reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others. Using condoms during sexual activity can help prevent the spread of genital herpes.

Genital herpes sores can look like small bumps, blisters, or open sores. These sores eventually scab over and heal, but they often come back.

Many people with herpes don't realize they have it. They might not have any symptoms, or their symptoms could be very mild.

If symptoms do appear, they usually show up 2 to 12 days after contact with the virus. Possible signs include:

• Itching or pain: You might feel uncomfortable or itchy around your genitals.
• Bumps or blisters: Small raised areas or fluid-filled blisters can appear around your genitals, anus, or mouth.
• Sores: When the blisters break open, they form painful sores that can ooze or bleed.
• Scabs: As the sores heal, they develop scabs.
• Painful urination: You might feel pain or discomfort when you urinate.
• Discharge from the genitals: Some people experience a discharge from the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body) or the vagina.

During the first herpes outbreak, you might also have flu-like symptoms, such as:

• Fever: A higher-than-normal body temperature.
• Headache: A pain in your head.
• Muscle aches: Pain in your muscles.
• Swollen glands: Swollen lymph nodes, often in the groin area.

Herpes sores usually appear where the virus entered your body. You can spread the infection by touching a sore and then touching another part of your body, like your fingers or eyes. Sores can appear on or inside:

• Buttocks
• Thighs
• Rectum
• Anus
• Mouth
• Urethra
• Vulva
• Vagina
• Cervix
• Penis
• Scrotum

After the initial outbreak, herpes symptoms often return. These are called recurrent outbreaks.

How often recurrent outbreaks happen varies greatly from person to person. You may have more outbreaks in the first year after infection, and they may become less frequent over time. Symptoms during recurrent outbreaks are usually shorter and less severe than the first outbreak.

Sometimes, you might feel a warning sign a few hours or days before a new outbreak. These are called prodromal symptoms. They can include:

• Genital pain: Pain in the genital area.
• Tingling or burning: A tingling or burning sensation, sometimes described as shooting pain, in your legs, hips, or buttocks.

If you think you might have genital herpes, or any other sexually transmitted infection (STI), it's crucial to see a doctor or other healthcare professional right away. Visiting a healthcare provider is the best way to get accurate information and the right treatment.

Genital herpes is a viral infection spread through contact with the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types: HSV-1 and HSV-2. Critically, people can pass on the virus even when they don't have any sores or other noticeable symptoms.

HSV-2 is the most common type that leads to genital herpes. The virus can be found in:

• Blisters and sores: The fluid inside these sores is highly contagious.
• Moist areas of the mouth: Think lips, gums, and inside the mouth.
• Moist areas of the vagina and rectum: These areas have delicate linings that can harbor the virus.

The virus spreads from one person to another during sexual activity, like vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

HSV-1, more commonly known for causing cold sores or fever blisters around the mouth, can also cause genital herpes. Children often get exposed to HSV-1 through close contact with an infected person, such as sharing utensils or kissing. If someone with HSV-1 on their mouth has oral sex with someone else, they can transmit the virus to their partner's genitals, causing a genital herpes infection.

Genital herpes outbreaks caused by HSV-1 are often less frequent than those caused by HSV-2.

Both types of HSV don't last long outside the body. This means the virus is unlikely to spread by touching surfaces like doorknobs, faucets, or towels. However, sharing personal items like drinking glasses, eating utensils, or kissing can potentially spread the virus.

Getting genital herpes is more likely if you:

• Have unprotected sex. Genital herpes spreads through contact between genitals during oral, vaginal, or anal sex. Using condoms or dental dams (small, latex barriers used for oral sex) can significantly reduce the risk. It's important to note that women are more vulnerable to contracting genital herpes than men, and the virus often spreads more easily from men to women.

• Have multiple sexual partners. The more people you have sex with, the greater your chance of getting genital herpes. Any sexual contact with another person's genitals or other sexual activity increases your risk. Many people with genital herpes don't even realize they have it.

• Have a partner with genital herpes who isn't taking medication. While there's no cure for genital herpes, medicine can help reduce the frequency and severity of outbreaks. If your partner has genital herpes and isn't on medication, your risk of getting it is higher.

• Belong to certain demographic groups. Some groups of people, like women, individuals with a history of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), older adults, Black people in the U.S., and men who have sex with men, tend to have higher rates of genital herpes. If you identify with one of these groups, discussing your personal risk factors with a healthcare provider is a good idea.

Important Note: This information is for general knowledge and should not be considered medical advice. Always talk to a healthcare professional for personalized guidance on your health and risk factors.

Genital herpes can lead to several health problems:

• Increased risk of other STIs: Sores from genital herpes make you more vulnerable to getting or spreading other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as HIV/AIDS. This is because the sores create openings in the skin that can allow other infections to enter or exit the body.

• Potential for newborn infection: A baby can get herpes simplex virus (HSV) during birth. Less commonly, the virus can be passed to the baby during pregnancy or through close contact after birth. If a newborn gets HSV, it can cause serious infections in their internal organs or nervous system. Even with treatment, these babies may face lasting developmental or physical problems, or even death. This is why pregnant women with herpes need careful monitoring and treatment.

• Inflammation in genital areas: HSV can cause inflammation and swelling in organs involved with sexual activity and urination. These organs include the tubes that carry urine (ureters), the rectum, vagina, cervix, and uterus. This inflammation can lead to pain and discomfort.

• Finger infection (herpetic whitlow): If HSV enters a break in the skin on a finger, it can cause a painful infection called herpetic whitlow. This presents as discoloration, swelling, and sores on the finger.

• Eye infection: HSV can infect the eye, causing pain, sores, blurry vision, and potentially blindness. Prompt medical attention is crucial for eye infections.

• Brain swelling (encephalitis): In rare cases, HSV can lead to inflammation and swelling of the brain, a condition known as encephalitis. This is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication.

• Infection of other internal organs: Very rarely, HSV can spread through the bloodstream and infect other internal organs. This is a serious complication that requires immediate medical attention.

It's important to remember that while these complications are possible, they are not guaranteed. Proper treatment and preventative measures can help reduce the risk.

Preventing genital herpes is similar to preventing other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The best way to avoid getting genital herpes is to focus on safe sexual practices.

Key Strategies:

• Choose one, long-term partner: If you have a consistent partner, it's crucial that both of you get tested for STIs before becoming sexually active together. This way, you both know your status and can make informed decisions about your health. Having a partner who's tested negative and remains faithful is a major step in preventing herpes.

• Use condoms (and dental dams): Condoms and dental dams create a barrier during sex, which significantly reduces the chance of spreading STIs, including herpes. However, they don't fully eliminate all skin-to-skin contact. Using them consistently and correctly is vital.

• Avoid sex when symptoms are present: If your partner has symptoms of genital herpes (like sores or blisters), it's best to avoid sexual activity until the symptoms clear up completely and have healed. This significantly reduces the risk of transmission.

Pregnancy and Genital Herpes:

If you're pregnant and have genital herpes, it's crucial to tell your doctor. This allows your doctor to develop a plan to manage the herpes and protect your baby.

• Testing and Treatment: If you think you might have genital herpes, talk to your doctor about getting tested. Early diagnosis and treatment are important.

• Antiviral Medications During Pregnancy: Your doctor might recommend antiviral medications late in your pregnancy. These medications can help prevent herpes outbreaks around the time of delivery. This is a proactive measure to minimize the risk of transmitting the virus to your baby.

• Cesarean Section (C-section): If you experience a herpes outbreak during labor, your doctor might suggest a C-section. This surgery delivers the baby through an incision in your abdomen, reducing the chance of the baby coming into contact with the herpes virus. This is a way to protect the baby from potential infection.

Doctors usually diagnose genital herpes by examining you and asking about your sexual history.

To be sure, your doctor might take a sample from any sores you have. These samples are tested to see if you have the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The tests also help figure out if it's HSV-1 or HSV-2. These are the two types of herpes that can cause genital sores.

Sometimes, a blood test might also be used to confirm the diagnosis or to rule out other infections.

Your doctor will probably recommend getting tested for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as well. It's important that your partner also gets tested for genital herpes and other STIs. This is crucial to prevent the spread of infection.