GENITAL HERPES
WHAT IS GENITAL HERPES?
Genital Herpes is an extremely common virus that comes in to forms. There are two strains of herpes, HSV 1 and HSV 2, which is nearly always transmitted sexually. They cause genital herpes and oral herpes, also known as cold sores.
Up to 1 in 5 US adults have genital herpes
HOW DO YOU GET GENITAL HERPES?
It is contracted through contact with either an open sore or someone who has no active symptoms but is infected with genital herpes. Condoms decrease the chances of an uninfected person contracting it from an infected person, however it does not completely prevent it. It is important to know prior to sexual contact whether or not the person is infected and an infected person should always inform their sexual partners. Infants can also contract herpes from the birth canal during childbirth. Without treatment herpes is often deadly for infants or may cause brain damage.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GENITAL HERPES?
90% of people have no symptoms and those that do notice them within 2-20 days of infection. The first outbreak may not occur for months or years after infected. Newly infected people will have 5 to 8 outbreaks a year which decrease over time. Symptoms include:
- Flulike symptoms
- Painful or itchy lesions anywhere on the genitals, inner thighs, or anus (usually heal within 3 weeks)
- Can cause pain with urination
- Groin Lymph Nodes may become swollen and painful
HOW IS GENITAL HERPES DIAGNOSED?
It is usually diagnosed according to symptoms. Blood test can be done to detect antibodies that are present.
HOW IS GENITAL HERPES TREATED?
There are antiviral drugs that can be prescribed to shorten an outbreak. However, there is no cure for herpes.