genital herpes

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). Most genital herpes is caused by HSV-2 type. Most people infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2 have no signs or symptoms of infection or have minimal symptoms. When signs are manifested, usually do so in the form of one or more blisters on the genitals or rectum or around them. The blisters break, forming painful ulcers (sores) that may take two to four weeks to heal the first time they occur. Typically, another outbreak can appear weeks or months after the first, but almost always is less severe and of shorter duration. Although the infection can stay indefinitely in the body, the number of outbreaks tends to decrease as they age. Results from a nationally representative study show that genital herpes is of frequent occurrence in the United States. Nationwide, at least 45 million people 12 and older or one in five adolescents and adults, have had HSV infection. Over the last decade, the percentage of Americans with genital herpes infection has decreased. Genital infection with HSV-2 is more common in women (approximately one in four women) than men (approximately one in eight men). This may be because it is more likely to occur from male to female transmission than female to male transmission. HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be found in the wounds caused by viruses and released from the same, but between virus outbreak and the outbreak may also be released through the skin that has no sores. Generally, a person can only become infected with HSV-2 during sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2. Transmission can occur from an infected partner who does not have a visible sore and may not know they are infected. HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, but more commonly causes infections of the mouth and lips, also called "fever blisters." The HSV-1 infection of the genitals can be caused by oral-genital or genital-genital contact with someone who has HSV-1. Outbreaks of genital HSV-1 recur less regularly than outbreaks of genital HSV-2. Most people infected with HSV-2 are not aware of their infection. However, if signs and symptoms during the first outbreak can be quite pronounced. The first outbreak usually occurs within two weeks following the transmission of the virus and the sores typically heal within two to four weeks. Other signs and symptoms during the primary episode may include a second series of sores and flu-like symptoms, including fever and swollen glands. However, most people with HSV-2 infection never have sores, or they may have very mild signs that go unnoticed or are mistaken for insect bites or other skin conditions. Most people who have been diagnosed with a first case of genital herpes can expect to have several (typically four or five) outbreaks (symptomatic recurrences) within a period of one year. Usually, these recurrences reduce in frequency as time passes. It is possible that the person to realize he had a case of genital herpes acquired years after infection. There is no treatment that can cure herpes, but antiviral medications can shorten and prevent outbreaks during the time the person takes drugs. Additionally, therapy daily surprise symptomatic herpes can reduce the possibility of transmission to sexual partners of infected persons.



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