Genital Herpes Information
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The following genital herpes information has been compiled from a variety of resources in order to give the reader an overview of the genital herpes virus.
What are the symptoms of genital herpes?
What can an you expect after you are infected with genital herpes?
Is there a cure for genital herpes?
What are the names the medications used to treat genital herpes?
What can patients do to lessen the pain associated with the genital herpes ulcers?
How can individuals protect themselves from the genital herpes virus?
Individuals should also adhere to the following to prevent the spread of the virus:
How often will I get recurrent outbreaks of the genital herpes virus?
What is genital herpes?
Herpes is Greek is herpein meaning "to creep". The Latin name is appropriate describing the way herpetic lesions "creep" and erupt in blisters in a serpent-like pattern. The term herpes pertains to several distinct disorders, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus.
For more comprehensive information concerning the herpes virus
(click here for details).
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How is genital herpes spread?
HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be found and transmitted from the ulcers associated with the herpes virus. However, the herpes ulcers do not have to be present for you to become infected with the herpes virus. The herpes virus is contagious when their are no apparent lesions present.
An individual almost always acquires an HSV-2 infection during sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection. HSV-1 causes most infections of the mouth and lips, however, an individual can acquire HSV-1 in the genital area secondary to oral-genital sexual contact.
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How common is genital herpes?
In Europe, an estimated 21 percent of persons 18 years and older are infected with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). The prevalence has increased by 30 percent in the past 15 years. Many patients with HSV-2 are asymptomatic, and an estimated 80 percent of cases are never diagnosed.
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Is genital herpes serious?
HSV-2 may produces only mild symptoms or an individual may be asymptomatic. However, HSV-2 can also cause extremely painful recurrent genital lesions. The HSV-2 infection can also cause complications in individuals who are immune compromised.
The HSV-2 virus can also cause fatal infections in infants if the mother is shedding virus at the time of delivery. Woman who have active genital lesions at the time of delivery, will have to undergo a cesarean section in order to prevent their newborn from being infected with the virus.
In addition, the knowledge that an individual as acquired genital herpes often causes severe psychological distress.
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What can you expect after you are infected with genital herpes?
Most individual infected with genital herpes are asymptomatic, they are not aware that they have acquired the virus. However, after a dormancy period the initial presentation of the virus can be very painful. The first episode will usually occur within two weeks after the initial contact with the virus.
Women can experience a very severe and painful primary infection. Herpes blisters first appear on the labia majora (outer lips), labia minora (inner lips), and entrance to the vagina. Blisters often appear on the clitoris, at the urinary opening, around the anal opening, and on the buttocks and thighs. In addition, women may get herpes blisters on the lips, breasts, fingers, and eyes. The vagina and cervix are almost always involved which causes a watery discharge. Other symptoms that occur in women are: painful or difficult urination (83%), swelling of the urinary tube (85%), meningitis (36%), and throat infection (13%). Most women develop painful, swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) in the groin and pelvis. Approximately one in ten women get a vaginal yeast infection as a complication of the primary herpes infection.
Men usually experience the herpes blisters on the penis but can also appear on the scrotum, thighs, and buttocks. Fewer than half of the men with primary herpes experience the constitutional symptoms. Some 30% to 40% of men have a discharge from the urinary tube. Some men develop painful swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) in the groin and pelvis. Although less frequently than women, men too may experience painful or difficult urination (44%), swelling of the urinary tube (27%), meningitis (13%), and throat infection (7%).
Following the primary outbreak you can expect to have some three to five recurrent episodes during the first year. Although the secondary episodes are generally not as pronounced as the primary outbreak they can still be very painful. Fortunately there are medications i.e. Valtrex that can decrease the recurrent episodes.
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What are the symptoms of genital herpes?
Unfortunately, most individuals who are infected with genital herpes are not aware that they have the virus. Many times there are no initial symptoms or individuals do not recognize the symptoms as herpes. Most individuals infected with the virus will experience some of the following symptoms within two weeks:
- Feeling of malaise or the feeling of being excessively tired
- Itching and/or burning in the genital or anal region
- Discharge from the vagina
- Feeling of pressure in the abdomen region
- Swelling of the lymph nodes in the groin
- Pain in the genital area, buttocks and legs
Following the prodrome period individuals will begin to notice the herpetic lesions forming in the region where the virus has entered the body i.e. mouth, penis, vagina or the anus. Small red bumps appear first that subsequently develop into blisters and then open crusting sores.
During the period when the herpetic lesions are evident individuals will also report the following symptoms:
- Painful or difficult urination
- Vaginal discharge
- Swollen glands in the groin area
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
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Is there a cure for genital herpes?
Currently, there is no cure for the herpes virus. However, antiviral medications such as Valtrex can significantly reduce the number of outbreaks, as well as, the duration and severity of symptoms once an outbreak occurs.
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What are the names the medications used to treat genital herpes?
Valtrex is the drug of choice for herpes infection and can taken by mouth (orally). Although Valtrex is the recommended medication for treating herpes infections, other medications are also prescribed including the following:
- Valtrex (valacyclovir) click here for details!
- Acyclovir click here for details!
- Zovirax (acyclovir) click here for details!
Patients with frequent outbreaks (greater than two to three per year) will benefit from the long term use of Valtrex which is called "suppressive therapy." Patients on suppressive therapy have longer periods between herpes outbreaks. Alternatively, patients may use short term suppressive therapy to lessen the chance of developing an active infection during occasions when they know their stress levels will be high. Hence, their immune system suppressed and they are more susceptible to a genital herpes outbreak.
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What can patients do to lessen the pain associated with the genital herpes ulcers?
There are several things that a patient may do to lessen the pain of genital lesions including the following:
- Wear loose fitting clothing and cotton underwear.
- Using a blow dryer on the "cool" setting to dry the infected area.
- Placing an ice pack on the affected area for 10 minutes, followed by 5 minutes off and then repeating this procedure.
- Removing clothing or wearing loose pajamas while at home.
- Soaking in a tub of warm water.
- Topical ointments may be beneficial if they contain: glycyrrhizinic acid, components of licorice glycyrrhiza glabra, vitamin E, tea oil, Melaleuca spp, baking soda compresses
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How can individuals protect themselves from the virus?
Since genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease individuals can protect themselves by abstaining from sexual contact. The consistent and proper use of latex condoms can also provide some protection against infection. Condoms do not provide 100% protection, unfortunately, the condom may not adequately cover the entire region where the herpetic lesions reside allowing viral shedding. If a partner has genital herpes there should be an abstinence from sex until the lesions are no longer present.
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Individuals should also adhere to the following to prevent the spread of the virus:
- Practice abstinence
- Limit the number of sexual partners you have in your lifetime.
- Make sure that you and your sexual partner use condoms every time you have sex.
- Wash your hands with soap and water following contact with the sores (already infected with the virus).
- Keep the infected area clean and dry to prevent other infections from developing (already infected with the virus).
- Avoid scratching and/or touching the sores (already infected with the virus).
- Refrain from sexual contact from the first sign of a recurrent episode until the lesions are completely healed (already infected with the virus).
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How often will I recurrent outbreaks of the herpes virus?
Recurrent episodes vary amongst different individuals. However, most individuals have between four to six episodes per year. Recurrent infection are generally less severe than the initial outbreak.
Following an outbreak the virus then travels to the nerve cells where the virus remains dormant. Currently, it is unknown why the virus becomes active again. However, the recurrent infections tend to be milder than the primary infections and are often related to stress, fevers, sun exposure, menstrual periods etc.
Individuals should know that the virus may be active without the presence of the typical lesions. During these times, small amounts of the virus may be shed at or near places of the first infection, in fluids from the penis, vagina, mouth or from lesions that not that noticeable.
Antiviral medications such as Valtrex can significantly reduce the number of outbreaks and the duration and severity of symptoms once an outbreak occurs. Shedding of the virus during these periods may not be noticeable if there is no pain or increased sensitivity in the region. However, you may be at increased risk to spread the virus to your partner at this time.
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