Overview
Genital herpes may be a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Sexual contact is that the primary way that the virus spreads. After the initial infection, the virus lies dormant in your body and may reactivate several times a year.
Genital herpes can cause pain, itching and sores in your genital area. But you'll haven't any signs or symptoms of herpes genitalis . If infected, you'll be contagious albeit you've got no visible sores.
There's no cure for herpes genitalis , but medications can ease symptoms and reduce the danger of infecting others. Condoms can also help prevent the spread of a herpes genitalis infection.
Symptoms
Most people infected with HSV don't know they have it because they don't have any signs or symptoms or because their signs and symptoms are so mild.
When present, symptoms may begin about two to 12 days after exposure to the virus. If you experience symptoms of herpes genitalis , they'll include:
Ø Pain or itching. You may experience pain and tenderness in your genital area until the infection clears.
Ø Small red bumps or tiny white blisters. These may appear a few days to a few weeks after infection.
Ø Ulcers. These may form when blisters rupture and ooze or bleed. Ulcers may make it painful to urinate.
Ø Scabs. Skin will crust over and form scabs as ulcers heal.
Causes
Two sorts of herpes simplex virus infections can cause genital herpes:
Ø HSV-1. This is the type that usually causes cold sores or fever blisters around your mouth. HSV-1 is usually spread through skin-to-skin contact, though it are often spread to your genital area during head . Recurrences are much less frequent than they're with HSV-2 infection.
Ø HSV-2. This is the sort that commonly causes herpes genitalis . The virus spreads through sexual contact and skin-to-skin contact. HSV-2 is extremely common and highly contagious, whether or not you've got an open sore.
Risk factors
Your risk of becoming infected with herpes genitalis may increase if you:
Ø Are a woman. Women are more likely to possess herpes genitalis than are men. The virus is sexually transmitted more easily from men to women than it's from women to men.
Ø Have multiple sexual partners. Each additional sexual partner raises your risk of being exposed to the virus that causes herpes genitalis .
Prevention
The suggestions for preventing herpes genitalis are an equivalent as those for preventing other sexually transmitted infections: Abstain from sexual intercourse or limit sexual contact to just one one that is infection-free. Short of that, you can:
Ø Use, or have your partner use, a latex condom during every sexual contact
Ø Avoid intercourse if either partner has an outbreak of herpes in the genital area or anywhere else
Pregnancy precautions
If you're pregnant and know you've got herpes genitalis , tell your doctor. If you think you might have genital herpes, ask to be tested for it.
Your doctor may recommend that you simply start taking herpes antiviral medications late in pregnancy to undertake to stop an epidemic round the time of delivery. If you're having an outbreak when you go into labor, your doctor will probably suggest a cesarean section to reduce the risk of passing the virus to your baby.
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