GENITAL HERPES

What is it?

Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) and may affect the genital area (usually HSV-2) or the mouth and lips(usually HSV-1). Genital herpes is transmitted by vaginal or anal sex; the virus enters the body through tiny cuts in the skin or mucous membranes.

Who gets it?

Anybody indulging in sexual intercourse without a condom is at risk of catching genital herpes.

What are the symptoms?

When you are first infected, you may have non-specific symptoms, such as fever, muscle pain, or swollen lymph nodes. However, the most well-recognized feature is burning and itching of a seemingly normal spot on the skin, followed by eruption of painful blisters. These fluid-filled sores rupture soon after they appear and the fluid oozes out. The sores crust over and heal without leaving a scar. Eruptions can occur anywhere on the skin, but they usually are found where the virus entered your body.

What tests will the Doctor want to do?

The initial symptom of HSV-2 is pain or itching of the skin around the genital area. This stage is known as the prodromal period and begins 2-20 days after exposure to the virus. Anywhere from a few hours to several days after the prodromal stage, sores begin to appear. In men the lesions are on the penis, scrotum, buttocks, anus, and thighs. Sores may be present, but invisible inside the urethra.

While the ulcers are present, it may be painful to urinate. The ulcers begin as small, tender, red bumps and become watery blisters within a few days. They then rupture, becoming ulcers that ooze or bleed. After 3-4 days, scabs form and the ulcers heal. You may experience pain and tenderness in the genital area until the infection clears. The diagnosis can be confirmed by culturing the water blisters or early ulcers. A thorough examination for other sexually related diseases is important. Often other sexually transmitted disease is present in addition to herpes.

What is the treatment?

During the initial outbreak, the antiviral drug, acyclovir, in oral form helps speed up healing (in some patients). This initial treatment does not prevent recurrences. However, if recurrences are frequent, acyclovir can be used for a long time to suppress the herpes virus.