Genital herpes is caused by infection with herpes
simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of HSV, HSV-1 and HSV-2, both of which
belong to a wider group called Herpesviridae. Another well-known virus in this
group is varicella zoster virus, which causes chicken-pox and shingles.
In general:
- · HSV-1 is acquired orally, causing cold sores.
- · HSV-2 is acquired during sexual contact and affects the genital area.
Although genital herpes used to almost always be
caused by HSV-2 infection, HSV-1 is accounting for an increasing number of
cases of genital herpes in developed countries.
Only around 10-25 percent of people infected with
HSV-2 are aware they have genital herpes. This is because genital herpes will
often produce mild symptoms or no symptoms at all (asymptomatic infection). As
a result, many cases of genital herpes go undiagnosed and frequently people
unknowingly pass the virus on to their sexual partners.
Genital herpes symptoms and signs
If symptoms do occur, they will usually appear 2 to
7 days after exposure and last 2 to 4 weeks. Both men and women may have one or
more symptoms, including:
·
Itching or tingling sensations in the
genital or anal area;
- · small fluid-filled blisters that burst leaving small painful sores (see STD pictures);
- · pain when passing urine over the open sores (especially in women);
- · headaches;
- · backache;
- · flu-like symptoms, including swollen glands or fever.
Subsequent outbreaks are usually milder and last for
a shorter period of time, usually 3 to 5 days. The sores are fewer, smaller,
less painful and heal more quickly, and there are no flu-like symptoms.
Subsequent outbreaks, or primary outbreaks in people who have had the virus for
some time but have previously been asymptomatic, usually occur during periods
of stress or illness when the immune system is functioning less efficiently
than normal.
How is genital herpes passed on?
Genital herpes is passed on through skin contact
with a person infected with the virus, most frequently during sex. The virus
affects the areas where it enters the body. This can occur during:
- · vaginal sex
- · anal sex
- · oral sex (HSV-1 or HSV-2)
- · kissing (HSV-1 only)
Herpes is most infectious during the period when
itchy sores start to appear on the skin during an outbreak. But even if an
outbreak causes no visible symptoms or breaks in the skin, there is still a
risk of the virus being passed on to another person through skin contact.
Testing for genital herpes
A herpes test will usually involve the following
examinations, which are carried out by a doctor or nurse.
- · A clinical examination will be done of a patient’s genital area.
- · A sample will be taken, using a cotton wool or spongy swab, from any visible sores.
- · Women may be given an internal pelvic examination (similar to a smear test).
- · A sample of urine may be taken.
If the patient’s symptoms have already disappeared,
or if there were no symptoms to begin with, a blood test can be taken to look
for the virus. As in HIV testing, the herpes test works by searching for
antibodies that the immune system produces to fight the virus. This means that
the test is not effective until 3 months after exposure, as the body can take
up to 3 months to produce an immune response.
It is possible to have more than one sexually
transmitted infection at the same time, so it is advisable to have a full
check-up.
Samples taken during an examination are sent to a
laboratory for testing, and the result is usually available within 2 weeks, although
this varies between countries.
Treatment for genital herpes
There is no cure for the herpes simplex virus and
treatment is not essential, as an outbreak of genital herpes will usually clear
up by itself. A doctor may however prescribe a course of antiviral tablets to
reduce the severity of an outbreak. The antiviral tablets work by preventing
the herpes simplex virus from multiplying.
Once the initial outbreak of herpes is over, the
virus hides away in the nerve fibres adjacent to the infection site, where it
remains dormant, causing no symptoms. It is possible for the dormant virus to
be 'reactivated' in some people, in which case it travels back down the nerve
to the skin surface.
Recurrences of genital herpes vary from person to
person in frequency. Some will never experience an outbreak again, whilst
others may have milder recurrences more than 6 times a year. Because these
recurrent infections are milder, they often do not require treatment.
When receiving treatment for genital herpes, the
doctor or health advisor will discuss the genital herpes infection and answer
any questions. They will also want to know about any partners the patient has
had sexual contact with within a recent period, as they will also be at risk of
having genital herpes and should be tested.
[Via: Avert.org]
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