Genital herpes: symptoms, causes, to treatment

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What is genital herpes (genital herpes)

Genital herpes is a venereal disease caused by infection with the herpes simplex virus. This disease is usually characterized by blisters and pain in the genitals and around the anus.

However, people who are infected with genital herpes often don't notice because they don't have any symptoms for years. As a result, this venereal disease can spread easily without being noticed.

There are actually 2 types of herpes simplex viruses, namely herpes simplex type 1 and 2. Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) is the main cause of oral herpes, characterized by blisters (blisters) around the mouth and lips. HSV-1 can also spread and cause genital herpes.

Meanwhile HSV-2 is the main cause of genital herpes. This herpes virus can only be transmitted through sexual contact.

Herpes simplex infection lasts a lifetime, but treatment can both treat the symptoms you are experiencing and reduce the risk of transmitting the disease to other people.

How common is genital herpes?

Genital herpes is a venereal disease that can be experienced by both women and men. According to WHO, more cases of genital herpes are experienced by women than men. This is because the transmission of the herpes simplex virus type 2 is more at risk from men to women than women to men.

In addition, cases of herpes are also found from the transmission of mothers infected with herpes simplex type 2 to their babies during childbirth.

However, genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease that can be prevented by reducing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Genital herpes signs & symptoms

Most people infected with genital herpes don't know they are infected because they don't feel any signs or symptoms.

In some cases, the symptoms experienced are quite mild and are often mistakenly identified as common skin diseases.

The typical symptoms of genital herpes are:

• Pain or itching in the vagina, penis, genital area, or buttocks
• Blisters that form a red or white bumpy rash
• Sores or dry wounds
• Pain when urinating
• Headache
• Muscle and joint pain
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes in the groin

A red rash and blisters or herpes sores can appear around the genitals, anus, and mouth. Broken herpes can leave sore sores that may not heal for almost 1 week.

Well, in this condition flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, and swollen glands usually appear.

Reporting from the CDC, symptoms of genital herpes can disappear and recur many times. Some people experience recurrence of symptoms several times a year, but some have no recurrence at all.

However, when they recur, the symptoms of genital herpes are usually lighter and subside quickly, not as severe as when they were first experienced. Although herpes simplex virus infection lasts a lifetime, the frequency of recurrence of symptoms will decrease over time.

Symptoms of genital herpes that appear can vary from person to person. There may be signs and symptoms not listed above.

When should I see a doctor?

You should consult a doctor if you experience symptoms such as genital herpes or other venereal diseases, especially when sores or pain in intimate organs do not heal.

If you are sexually active, it is very important to have regular medical examinations or venereal screenings. This is so that genital herpes can be treated as early as possible and avoid spreading the disease to other people.

Causes of genital herpes

Genital herpes is a disease caused by the herpes simplex virus. Genital herpes disease can be transmitted through direct contact, sexual intercourse, oral sex, or from mother to baby.

In the book Herpes Juliet Spencer described the herpes simplex virus into the body through the skin to then move into nerve cells. During this initial infection, symptoms may not appear even though the virus has begun to multiply.

At the end of the initial infection, the virus will remain under the nerve cells in a dormant state or not actively replicating. In this condition, the immune system can completely control the viral infection.

However, the virus can re-actively infect and begin to multiply. The virus will return to the surface of the nerve cells and damage healthy cells, causing symptoms such as rashes and blisters (resilient herpes).

The type of herpes simplex virus causes genital herpes

There are 2 types of herpes simplex virus that can cause genital herpes, namely:

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)

This viral infection generally causes blisters around the mouth, but can spread to the genitals. The most common mode of transmission of HSV-1 is through kissing and touching the open sores around the mouth of an infected person.

In addition, you can catch it from a partner who doesn't have visible sores or doesn't feel infected. You can also get genital herpes if you give and receive oral sex with an infected partner.

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)

HSV-2 commonly causes genital herpes. This virus is transmitted through sexual contact with an infected partner.

The herpes virus usually does not survive long outside the body. The risk of transmission from touching the surface of an exposed object is very small compared to skin-to-skin contact. Likewise, using the same toilet seat, clothing, or towel as someone with genital herpes.

How can genital herpes come back?

As explained, genital herpes can recur several times a year. This is because the herpes simplex virus, which was dormant, has returned to active infection.

Most of the recurrences of skin herpes symptoms occur due to weakened immune system function. Some of the conditions that can trigger a genital herpes recurrence are:

• Experiencing infection due to other diseases.
• Experiencing inflammation due to accident, impact, swelling.
• Getting excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays and hot or cold air.
• Experiencing stress or hormonal disorders.
• Experiencing severe fatigue.

Risk factors for genital herpes

Some of the factors that can increase a person's risk of getting genital herpes are:

1. Gender

Based on the cases that have occurred, it appears that women are more prone to get infected with genital herpes than men.

2. Having more than one sexual partner

If you have more than one sexual partner, your risk of developing sexually transmitted diseases increases. It is important for you and your partner to be screened for venereal disease regularly.

3. Risk sex

Herpes simplex virus type 2 is transmitted through sexual intercourse that involves vaginal penetration.

Having risky sex without a condom can make it easier for a person to catch genital herpes. Likewise, when you have unprotected oral sex with a partner who is infected with genital herpes.

4. Weak immune system

A decreased immune system condition makes you more susceptible to viral infections. Weak immune system conditions can be caused by fatigue, autoimmune diseases, medications that affect the work of the immune system.

5. Use objects alternately

Although the likelihood of transmission is small, sharing items such as utensils, toothbrushes and towels with an infected person can increase the risk.

Diagnosis of genital herpes

Some of the tests that doctors can do to diagnose genital herpes are:

• Virus culture examination
  This examination uses a sample of skin ulcers or canker sores to confirm the presence of the herpes simplex virus.
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test
  This test checks your DNA from a blood sample for the presence of the herpes simplex virus and determines its type.
• Blood check.
  Blood test to check for HSV antibodies, which detect previous herpes virus infection.

Genital herpes treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

The virus that causes genital herpes will stay forever in the body. There is no drug that can completely remove the virus from the body.

However, taking herpes medications can help manage symptoms and prevent or reduce the chance of herpes recurrence.

When the virus is dormant and you don't have any symptoms, you don't need treatment.

Your doctor can administer antiviral drugs to relieve herpes symptoms. Antivirus given for the treatment of genital herpes aims to:

• Speed ​​up healing.
• Reducing the frequency of recurrences.
• Reducing the severity and duration of symptoms.
• Reducing the possibility of transmission to other people.

The types of antivirals that are often used for genital herpes are:

• Acyclovir
• Valacyclovir
• Famciclovir

These antivirals are usually available as creams or ointments that can be applied directly to cold sores. However, there are also antiviral herpes drugs in pills or infusions that can be more effective at relieving symptoms.

If you become pregnant you should tell your doctor. Your doctor can administer antiviral drugs near the end of your pregnancy to prevent transmission of the virus to the baby.

In some cases the doctor may recommend a caesarean section to deliver your baby to reduce the risk of transmission.

Home remedies

Genital herpes can cause sores and excruciating pain in patients with compromised immune systems.

Some of the following lifestyle changes and natural herpes treatments can help relieve symptoms of genital herpes:

• Take or apply the herpes medicine your doctor gives you according to instructions.
• Eat nutritious foods for genital herpes
• Keep your cold sore dry and clean.
• If you are pregnant, tell your doctor about treatments that can protect your baby.

How to prevent transmission of genital herpes

If you or your partner are infected with genital herpes, you can still avoid spreading the disease.

The risk of transmission will be higher if symptoms of sores or sores appear. Therefore, you need to take medication when you experience symptoms until they are completely cured.

Besides that, also do the following ways so that efforts to prevent genital herpes are maximized:

• Using a condom during sexual intercourse.
• Postpone sexual intercourse when you or your partner experience recurring symptoms of genital herpes or herpes.
• Avoid touching herpes sores too often. After touching the wound, you need to wash your hands.
• Do not use objects that are used on the mouth or on the skin with a healthy person.
• Checking sexually transmitted diseases regularly, every year.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.