Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is an infection caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of herpes simplex virus, the HSV type 1 and HSV type 2. Technically, it is the HSV type 2, which causes the genital herpes.
However, there are some rare cases that HSV type 1 can also cause genital herpes. This type of infection usually happens to those patients who started to be sexually active very early.
Herpes simplex virus type 2 is normally found in the nerves and when it is active, it can travel to outmost layer of the skin or the mucous membrane where it can multiply itself there. This stage is known as shedding because these new viruses can be transmitted to another person during a contact with the infected person.
After, the outbreak, the herpes virus will go back to the mass of nerves, normally, at the base of the spine, where it is likely to stay in resting stage for a while.
Who Gets Genital Herpes
Genital herpes affects people from age 12 up to adults in the United States but most of the infected persons do not know that they have the herpes virus, as some do not exhibit any symptoms.
Generally, most cases of genital herpes are from women than of men. According to statistics, 1 in 4 women may have herpes virus compared only to 1 in 5 men. The reason behind this is because, woman's genitals can more prone to be infected easily compared to men.
Genital herpes is also more common in black races than among whites. The risk of having genital herpes gets double as a person ages and the risk is tripled when there are multiple sex partners.
Genital Herpes Symptoms
The most common symptom of genital herpes is fluid filled blisters, which may break which will then turn to very painful sores.
These sores may be present from 2 to 10 days after the person is exposed to the infected person.
However, not all infected persons may exhibit fluid filled blisters; some people may only show rashes or pimple like bumps in the surface of the skin. There are also some cases in which infected person may have burning sensation while urinating and for women, they may have vaginal discharge.
Other flu like symptoms such as fever, body aches and swollen lymph nodes may also be present
Genital herpes symptoms may come and go. A patient may experience one outbreak with few weeks interval while some may experience once a year outbreak.
Before the outbreak, the patient may feel tingling and itching feeling in the genital area. Some other cases may also exhibit pain in the pelvis region and the leg area.
Genital herpes symptoms may affect the following areas in the body:
- Buttocks
- Thighs
- Genital area
- Anus
- Urethra
Otherconditions, which may exhibit genital herpes symptoms, are:
- Insect bites
- Yeast infection
- Ingrown hair
- Hemorrhoids
It is important that a person visit his or her doctor as for proper diagnose of genital herpes.
Transmission of Herpes Virus
The HSV type 1 virus can be passed from one person to another through kissing and sharing of drinking cups. This can also be spread through mouth to genitals contact.
The HSV type 2 virus is commonly passed through sexual contact either through vaginal or anal sexual contact.
A genital herpes can also be passed from genitals to mouth, which may result to oral herpes. That is why dental gams are recommended to give protection.
However, the HSV type 2 virus does not have the capability to survive in any non-living surface such as hot tub or toilet seat.
Click here to read more on Genital Herpes
Understanding Genital Herpes Recommended Resources:
Teens Health
Family Doctor.org
