Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted viral infection affecting the skin or mucous membranes of the genitals.
Alternative NamesHerpes - genital; Herpes simplex - genital; Herpesvirus 2; HSV-2
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsGenital herpes is caused by two viruses:
Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) causes most cases of genital herpes. HSV-2 can be spread through secretions from the mouth or genitals.
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) most often causes herpes infections of the mouth and lips (commonly called cold sores or fever blisters). HSV-1 can spread from the mouth to the genitals during oral sex.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is spread from one person to another during sexual contact. You may be infected with herpes when your skin, vagina, penis, or mouth comes into contact with someone who already has herpes.
Herpes is most likely to be transmitted by contact with the skin of an infected person who has visible sores, blisters, or a rash (an active outbreak), but you can also catch herpes from an infected person's skin when they have NO visible sores present (and the person may not even know that he or she is infected), or from an infected persons mouth (saliva) or vaginal fluids.
Because the virus can be spread even when there are no symptoms or sores present, a sexual partner who has been infected with herpes in the past but has no active herpes sores can still pass the infection on to others.
Genital HSV-2 infections is more common in women (approximately 1 of every 4 women is infected) than it is in men (nearly 1 of every 8 men is infected).
SymptomsMany people with HSV-2 infection never have sores, or they have very mild symptoms that they do not even notice or mistake for insect bites or another skin condition.
If signs and symptoms do occur during the first outbreak, they can be quite severe. This first outbreak usually happens within 2 weeks of being infected.
Generalized or whole-body (systemic) symptoms may include:
Genital symptoms include the appearance of small, painful blisters filled with clear or straw-colored fluid. They are usually found:
Other symptoms that may occur include:
A second outbreak can appear weeks or months after the first. It is almost always less severe and shorter than the first outbreak. Over time, the number of outbreaks tends to decrease.
Once a person is infected, however, the virus hides within nerve cells and remains in the body. The virus can remain "asleep" (dormant) for a long period of time (this is called latency).
The infection can flare-up or reactivate at any time. Events that can trigger latent infection to become active and bring on an outbreak include:
Attacks can recur as seldom as once per year, or so often that the symptoms seem continuous. Recurrent infections in men are generally milder and shorter than those in women.
Signs and testsTests can be done on skin sores or blisters to diagnose herpes. These tests are most often done when someone has a first outbreak and when a pregnant women develops genital herpes symptoms.
Genital herpes cannot be cured. However, antiviral medication can relieve pain and discomfort during an outbreak by healing the sores more quickly. These drugs appear to help during first attacks more than they do in later outbreaks. Medicines used to treat herpes include acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir.
For repeat outbreaks, start the medication as soon as the tingling, burning, or itching begins, or as soon as you notice blisters.
People who have many outbreaks may take these medications daily over a period of time. This can help prevent outbreaks or shorten their length. It can also reduce the chance of giving herpes to someone else.
Pregnant women may be treated for herpes during the last month of pregnancy to reduce the chance of having an outbreak at the time of delivery. If there is an outbreak around the time of delivery, a C-section will be recommended to reduce the chance of infecting the baby.
Possible side effects from herpes medications include:
Home care for herpes sores:
If one of the sores develops an infection from bacteria, ask your doctor if you need an antibiotic.
Support GroupsSee: Herpes genital - support group
Expectations (prognosis)Once you are infected, the virus stays in your body for the rest of your life. Some people never have another episode, and others have frequent outbreaks.
In most outbreaks, there is no obvious trigger. Many people, however, find that attacks of genital herpes occur with the following conditions:
In people with a normal immune system, genital herpes remains a localized and bothersome infection, but is rarely life-threatening.
ComplicationsPregnant women who have an active herpes infection on their genitals or in their birth canal when they deliver may pass the infection to their newborn infant.
Some peole may develop severe herpes infections that involve the brain, eyes, esophagus, livere, spinal cord, or lungs. These complications often develop in people who have a weakened immune system, AIDS, are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or who take high doses of cortisone.
Someone with an active herpes infection who has sexual contact with someone who is HIV positive is more likely to contract HIV infection themselves.
Calling your health care providerCall for an appointment with your health care provider if you have any symptoms of genital herpes, or if you develop fever, headache, vomiting, or widespread symptoms during or after an outbreak of herpes. Also call if you are unable to urinate.
PreventionThe best way to avoid getting genital herpes is to avoid all sexual contact, including oral sex. Next best is being in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationshipw with someone who has been tested and is not, and never has been, infected with herpes.
Condoms remain the best way to protect against catching genital herpes during sexual activity with someone who is infected. Using a condom correctly and consistently will help prevent the spread of the disease.
In addition, people with genital herpes who don't have any current symptoms should tell their partner that they have the disease.
Vaccines against herpes have been developed but are still experimental.
ReferencesBernstein H. Maternal and perinatal infection - viral. In: Gabbe SG, Niebyl JR, Simpson JL, eds. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2007: chap 48.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Workowski KA, Berman SM. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2006. MMWR. 2006;55(RR-11):1-94.
Cerink C, Gallina K, Brodell RT. The treatment of herpes simplex infections: an evidence-based review. Arch Intern Med. 2008;168(11):1137-44.
Gupta R, Warren T, Wald A. Genital herpes. Lancet. 2007;307(9605):2127-37.
Lebrun-Vignes B, Bouzamondo A, Dupuy A, Guillaume JC, Lechet P, Chosidow O. A meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of oral antiviral treatment to prevent genital herpes outbreaks. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;57(2):238-46.
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).
This article focuses on HSV type 2 (HSV-2) infection.
Alternative NamesHerpes - genital; Herpes simplex - genital; Herpesvirus 2; HSV-2
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsGenital herpes affects the skin or mucous membranes of the genitals. It caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). HSV is spread from one person to another during sexual contact.
You may become infected with herpes if your skin, vagina, penis, or mouth comes into contact with someone who already has herpes.
You are most likely to get herpes if you touch the skin of someone who has herpes sores, blisters, or a rash. However, the herpes virus can still be spread even when no sores or other symptoms are present. Sometimes, the person does not even know they are infected.
Genital HSV-2 infections are more common in women than men.
SymptomsMany people with genital herpes never have sores, or they have very mild symptoms that go unnoticed or are mistaken for insect bites or another skin condition.
If signs and symptoms do occur during the first outbreak, they can be quite severe. This first outbreak usually happens within 2 days to 2 weeks of being infected.
General symptoms may include:
Genital symptoms include the appearance of small, painful blisters filled with clear or straw-colored fluid. They are usually found:
Other symptoms that may occur include:
A second outbreak can appear weeks or months later. It is usually less severe and goes away sooner than the first outbreak. Over time, the number of outbreaks may decrease.
Once you have HSV-2, the virus hides within nerve cells and remains in the body. It can remain "asleep" (dormant) for a long time.
The virus can "wake up" (reactivate) at any time. This may be triggered by:
Some people have genital herpes attacks only once a year, while others have them so often the symptoms never seem to go away. Repeated attacks are generally milder in men.
Signs and testsTests can be done on skin sores or blisters to diagnose herpes. These tests are most often done when someone has a first outbreak and when a pregnant women develops genital herpes symptoms.
Genital herpes cannot be cured. However, antiviral medication can relieve pain and discomfort during an outbreak by healing the sores more quickly. These drugs appear to help during first attacks more than they do in later outbreaks. Medicines used to treat herpes include acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir.
For repeat outbreaks, start the medication as soon as the tingling, burning, or itching begins, or as soon as you notice blisters.
People who have many outbreaks may take these medications daily over a period of time. This can help prevent outbreaks or shorten their length. It can also reduce the chance of giving herpes to someone else.
Pregnant women may be treated for herpes during the last month of pregnancy to reduce the chance of having an outbreak at the time of delivery. If there is an outbreak around the time of delivery, a C-section will be recommended to reduce the chance of infecting the baby.
Possible side effects from herpes medications include:
Home care for herpes sores:
If one of the sores develops an infection from bacteria, ask your doctor if you need an antibiotic.
Support GroupsSee: Herpes genital - support group
Expectations (prognosis)Once you are infected, the virus stays in your body for the rest of your life. Some people never have another episode, and others have frequent outbreaks.
In most outbreaks, there is no obvious trigger. Many people, however, find that attacks of genital herpes occur with the following conditions:
In people with a normal immune system, genital herpes remains a localized and bothersome infection, but is rarely life-threatening.
ComplicationsPregnant women who have an active genital herpes infection when they give birth may pass the infection to their baby.
Other complications:
The herpes virus may spread to other parts of the body, including the brain, eyes, esophagus, liver, spinal cord, or lungs. These complications often develop in people who have a weakened immune system due to HIV or certain medications.
You are more likely to get HIV if you have an active genital herpes infection and have sex with someone who is HIV positive.
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you have any symptoms of genital herpes, or if you develop fever, headache, vomiting, or widespread symptoms during or after an outbreak of herpes.
PreventionThe best way to avoid genital herpes is to avoid all sexual contact, including oral sex.
Being in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with someone who has been tested and has never been infected with the virus can also help reduce your chances of becoming infected.
Condoms remain the best way to protect against catching genital herpes during sexual activity with someone who is infected. Using a condom correctly and consistently will help prevent the spread of the disease.
Anyone who has genital herpes should tell their partner that they have the disease, even if they do not have symptoms.
ReferencesHabif TP. Sexually transmitted viral infections. In: Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 11.
Workowski KA, Berman S; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2010. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2010 Dec 17;59(RR-12):1-110.
Schiffer JT, Corey L. Herpes simplex virus. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 136.
Eckert LO, Lentz GM. Infections of the lower genital tract: Vulva, vagina, cervix, Toxic shock syndrome, HIV infections. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 22.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 09/12/2011
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Bellevue, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Any sexual activity involving genital-genital contact can transmit the herpes virus.
You can't get genital herpes from irritating the tissues from a baby wipe.
I'm assuming the question refers to Genital Herpes. Herpes is officially labeled as a Virus, and being a virus it is officially known to have no cure.
He also has the plague.
Our vet said 90 percent of cats have herpes, but that sounded very high. Does anyone know how accurate the vet's response is?
When You;ve Been Sleeping with People that have Genital Herpes, Has warts growing on there privates . No, Genital Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus that is contracted when you have any sexual contact with a person including sex, masturbation, or kissing. Medicine can shorten or stop outbreaks for a period of time but it can not cure herpes.Genital herpes is a viral infection caused by being infected by the HSV-2 virus.Genital herpes is a viral infection from the virus HSV-type 2 that may cause painful sores in the genital area.gential herpes means your gendar and herpes that are on your body on your leg and down
All types of herpes cause itching or burning. This is true for oral herpes, genital herpes, chicken pox, and shingles.
Yes. His doctor reviewed it in 2007, and it was genital herpes. Sad, but true...
No, another persons mouth or genitals must touch yours to get genital warts. Genital warts usually come from herpes or HPV. you can get herpes in the mouth from kissing though, especially if the person you are kissing has herpes in the mouth.
umm genital herpes?
herpes simples, herpes labialis, or herpes gigngivitis.Herpes is a type of virus which cause disease in humans like encephalitis by herps zooster virus, genital herpes by HerpesviridaeThe condition commonly known as "herpes," referring to sores on the mouth or genitals, is caused by the Herpes simplex virus, or HSV. The are other forms of the virus, such as Herpes zoster, that cause lesions on other parts of the body.Virus is herpes simplex virus type 2 for genital herpes and type 1 for oral herpes.Shingles, which is a form of herpes is caused by chicken pox virus.STD
More probable gonorrhea.