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The herpes simplex virus causes genital herpes, a common sexually transmitted infection (HSV). The virus spreads mostly through sexual contact. The virus remains dormant in your body after the initial infection and might reawaken multiple times per year.
Genital herpes can cause genital pain, itching, and blisters. However, you may not have any signs or symptoms of genital herpes. Even if you have no visible sores, you can be contagious if you are infected.
There is no cure for genital herpes, although treatments can alleviate symptoms and minimize the risk of spreading the virus to others. Condoms can also assist prevent the spread of genital herpes.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GENITAL HERPES?
Most persons infected with HSV are unaware they are sick because they have no signs or symptoms, or their symptoms are mild.
Symptoms may appear two to twelve days after being exposed to the virus. If you have genital herpes, you may encounter the following symptoms:
- Itching or pain: Until the infection clears, you may suffer pain and tenderness in your genital area.
- Tiny white blisters or small red bumps: These might emerge anywhere from a few days to a few weeks following infection.
- Ulcers: When blisters rupture and ooze or bleed, they can form. Urination may be painful if you have an ulcer.
- Scabs: As ulcers heal, the skin crusts over and forms scabs.
During the early epidemic, you may experience flu-like symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes in your groin, headache, muscular aches, and fever.
Symptom location differences
Sores arise in the areas where the infection has invaded your body. Touching a sore and then rubbing or scratching another region of your body, including your eyes, can transmit the infection.
Both men and women can get sores on the:
- Thighs and buttocks
- Anus
- Mouth
- The urethra (the tube that allows urine to drain from the bladder to the outside)
Women can get sores in or on their:
- Vaginal region
- External genital organs
- Cervix
Men can get sores in or on their:
- Penis
- Scrotum
Each person's experience with genital herpes is unique. For years, the indications and symptoms may reoccur on and off. Some folks have several instances every year. However, for many people, outbreaks are becoming less frequent over time.
You may experience the following symptoms during a recurrence, just before sores appear:
- Where the virus first entered your body, you may experience burning, tingling, and itching.
- Lower back, buttocks, and leg pain
Recurrences, on the other hand, are often less painful than the original outbreak, and sores heal faster.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF GENITAL HERPES?
Genital herpes can be caused by two types of herpes simplex virus infections:
- HSV-1: This is the kind that commonly produces cold sores or fever blisters around the mouth. HSV-1 is often transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, however it can also be transmitted to your vaginal area during oral sex. Recurrences are far less common than with HSV-2 infection.
- HSV-2: This is the most prevalent form that causes genital herpes. Sexual contact and skin-to-skin contact are also ways for the virus to spread. HSV-2 is quite common and highly contagious, regardless of whether you have an open sore.
Because the virus dies fast outside the body, it is practically impossible to contract the infection by touch with an infected person's toilets, towels, or other things.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS OF GENITAL HERPES?
Your chances of contracting genital herpes may increase if:
- You're a woman: Women are more likely than men to have genital herpes. The virus is transferred sexually more easily from men to women than from women to men.
- You have several sexual partners: Each extra sexual partner increases your chances of contracting the virus that causes genital herpes.
- Bladder issues: In some situations, genital herpes lesions can cause inflammation around the tube that transports urine from your bladder to the outside world (urethra). For several days, the swelling may shut the urethra, necessitating the placement of a catheter to drain your bladder.
- Meningitis: HSV infection can cause inflammation of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid around your brain and spinal cord in rare cases.
- Rectal inflammation (proctitis): Genital herpes can cause inflammation of the rectum lining, especially in males who have sex with other men.
HOW IS GENITAL HERPES DIAGNOSED?
A physical exam and the results of specific laboratory tests can usually be used to diagnose genital herpes.
- Viral culture: This procedure entails collecting a tissue sample or scraping the lesions for laboratory evaluation.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test: PCR is a technique for copying your DNA from a sample of your blood, tissue from a sore, or spinal fluid. The DNA can then be examined to confirm the existence of HSV and to identify the kind of HSV you have.
- Blood test: This test examines a blood sample for the presence of HSV antibodies in order to detect a previous herpes infection.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR GENITAL HERPES?
There is no treatment for genital herpes. Treatment with antiviral drugs prescribed by a doctor may:
- Help sores recover quicker during an initial outbreak
- Reduce the severity and duration of symptoms in recurring outbreaks.
- Reduce the number of recurrences.
- Reduce the possibility of transferring the herpes virus to another person.
Among the antiviral drugs used to treat genital herpes are:
- Acyclovir (Zovirax)
- Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
Your doctor may advise you to take the medication only while you are experiencing symptoms of an outbreak, or to take a specific prescription on a daily basis even if you are not experiencing symptoms of an outbreak. These drugs are generally well tolerated and have little side effects.
HOW CAN HERPES BE PREVENTED?
The prevention recommendations for genital herpes are the same as those for other sexually transmitted infections: Avoid sexual activity or limit sexual interaction to only one infection-free person. In the meantime, you can:
- Use a latex condom, or have your partner use one, during every sexual contact.
- Intercourse should be avoided if either partner has a herpes outbreak in the vaginal area or elsewhere.
PRECAUTIONS FOR PREGNANCY
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant and have genital herpes. If you suspect you have genital herpes, get a test.
Your doctor may advise you to begin taking herpes antiviral drugs late in pregnancy in order to avoid an outbreak around the time of delivery. If you have an outbreak when you go into labor, your doctor would most likely recommend a cesarean section to decrease the chance of the virus infecting your baby.
HOW TO COPE WITH GENITAL HERPES
Finding out you have genital herpes can trigger feelings of embarrassment, shame, and wrath, among other things. If you believe your partner "caused" the infection, you may be distrustful or resentful of him or her. You may also be afraid of rejection from your existing or prospective companions.
What you're experiencing is completely normal. Here are some healthy ways to deal with genital herpes:
- Communicate with your partner: Be open and honest about how you feel. Trust your mate and listen to what he or she says. Don't point fingers. Because genital herpes can remain dormant in your body for years, determining when you first infected can be challenging.
- Prepare yourself by learning: Consult your doctor or a counselor to learn how to live with the condition and reduce your risk of infecting others. Discover your treatment options and how to handle outbreaks.
- Participate in a support group: Look for a local or online support group where you may talk about your feelings and learn from the experiences of others.