Genital Herpes

Definition

Genital herpes is a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease. This means it spreads from person to person during vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact. It is cause by the herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2).

In the United States, 1 out of 4 women is infected with HSV-2. Once a person gets genital herpes, it stays in the body for life. In some people, symptoms come and go. When symptoms appear, it is called a "herpes outbreak."

Causes

Genital herpes is spread by direct contact with an infected person. Sexual intercourse and oral sex are the most common methods for spreading genital herpes. Any type of skin-to-skin contact is also a cause of spreading herpes. It means, if you have genital herpes and have sexual intercourse, you can give your partner genital herpes.

People with herpes should not have to do sexual activity. HSV-1 is a major cause genital herpes, but it more commonly causes infections of the mouth and lips or “fever blisters.” Condoms can lower the chances of getting herpes. Along with condoms, Valtrex, which is a drug used to treat herpes, can help lower the chances of passing the virus during vaginal sex.

Symptoms

Most people infected with HSV-2 are not aware of their infection. However, if signs and symptoms occur during the first outbreak, they can be quite pronounced. The first outbreak usually occurs within two weeks after the virus is transmitted, and the sores typically heal within two to four weeks. They also can occur inside the vagina and on the cervix in women, or in the urinary passage of women and men. Small red bumps appear first, develop into small blisters, and then become itchy, painful sores that might develop a crust and will heal without leaving a scar.

Other symptoms of genital herpes may include:

• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Sore lymph nodes in the groin area
• Vaginal discharge in women
• Trouble with urination

Treatment

There is no cure for genital herpes; your health care provider might prescribe an antiviral medicine to treat your symptoms and to help prevent future outbreaks.

Accurate diagnosis of genital herpes is made most easily and correctly at the time of an active herpes infection, preferably the initial symptomatic infection. For diagnosis most of the doctor taking a medical history, performing a physical examination and taking a swab to detect presence of the virus.

The Zovirax (acyclovir) which is the first genital herpes drug, which is now available in a generic form. More recently, the FDA approved two other drugs to treat genital herpes which are Famvir (famciclovir) and Valtrex (valacyclovir).