HEALTH EDUCATION

Genital herpes

What it is
Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the herpes simplex viruses. There are two types of herpes virus, type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). Genital herpes is usually caused by
HSV-2.

While HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, it is more likely to cause ‘fever blisters’ or ‘cold sores’ on or around the mouth and lips.

Most infected people with HSV-2 will have minimal or even no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they usually appear as an outbreak of small painful blisters on or near the genitals (or sometimes the rectum) that eventually break and become sores that can take from a few days to a few weeks to heal completely. Headache, muscle and joint soreness are also common before or during outbreaks.

The first outbreak is usually the most severe. The infection can live in the body indefinitely, causing several outbreaks within the first year, with outbreaks becoming less frequent and less severe over time.

How it’s spread
HSV-2 is spread through direct contact with an infected person, especially through oral, genital, or anal sex.

It is possible to get HSV-2 from an infected partner who doesn’t know that he or she is infected and may have no visible symptoms.

How it’s treated
There is no cure for herpes, but your clinician can prescribe antiviral medications that can prevent or shorten outbreaks. Your clinician can also recommend ways to help make symptoms less uncomfortable, such as warm baths and wearing loose cotton clothing.

How it’s prevented
The only sure way to avoid transmission of genital herpes is to abstain from sex or to limit sex partners to those you KNOW to be uninfected.

Correct and consistent condom use can reduce the risk of transmission IF all infected areas are covered and all sites of potential exposure are protected.

Daily suppressive therapy (medication) can reduce transmission to partners.

There may be some early warning signs before an outbreak occurs — tingling, burning, or itching where sores were before. The warning signs may start a few hours or a day before the sores flare up. It's best to stop having sexual contact if you feel one of these symptoms.

If you are infected, stay healthy and keep stress to a minimum. Keep blisters and sores clean during outbreaks to promote healing.

What it does
Herpes is not generally dangerous to a person’s health, mostly it is just uncomfortable at the times of outbreak. Some doctors believe herpes plays a role in the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

HSV-2 can cause potentially life-threatening infections in newborns.

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