One of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is called genital herpes. It occurs due to herpes simplex virus (HSV). It usually spreads to other people during sexual activity (through skin-to-skin contact).
While some people may not experience any symptoms still can spread the infection to other people. Some of them may experience the following symptoms. These include pain, itching, and sores near the genitals, anus, or mouth.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for genital herpes but with proper treatment, you can lessen the symptoms and prevent future complications. Moreover, medications used to treat genital herpes can help to reduce the risk of spreading the infection. In addition, it is advised to use condoms during sexual activity because it prevents the risk of spreading genital herpes to your sexual partner.
Symptoms
Commonly, people with this virus, do not know they have it. Furthermore, they do not experience symptoms at all or mild ones. In most cases, people with genital herpes begin to experience symptoms between 2-12 days after exposure to the virus. Examples include:
- Small blisters and bumps around the genitals, anus, or mouth
- Itching or pain near genitals
- Painful ulcers that usually appear when blisters break and ooze or bleed
- Pain during urinating
- Scabs (they usually appear when ulcers heal)
- Discharge from the vagina and urethra (a small tube that releases the urine from the body)
Sometimes, people experience flu-like symptoms when the first outbreak happens. Examples include:
In addition, sores often appear in the region where the infection enters the body. The infection can spread to other body parts by touching a sore and then rubbing or scratching another body part. Check below some body parts where sores can develop:
- Rectum
- Urethra
- Vagina
- Cervix
- Penis
- Scrotum
- Mouth
- Anus
- Thighs
- Buttocks
Recurrent Outbreaks
The symptoms can appear again after the first outbreak of genital herpes. This is called recurrent episodes or recurrent outbreaks. The frequency of the recurrent outbreaks fluctuates among people. In most cases, the recurrent outbreaks occur within the first year after you were exposed to the virus. Thereafter, the recurrent episodes gradually decrease and symptoms do not last long and are not severe compared to the first ones.
Some people may experience warning signs before a new episode begins (prodromal symptoms). These include:
- Tingling or shooting pain that occurs usually in the hips, buttocks, or legs
- Genital pain
Immediately contact your healthcare professional if you experience any of the previous symptoms or any other STIs.
Causes
This STI usually is provoked by 2 types of herpes simplex virus. For example herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Those who are exposed to the virus can pass a long time without knowing they have it and without symptoms.
HSV-1
This virus type usually provokes cold sores or fever blisters. Sometimes, children can become infected with this virus type due to close contact with someone infected.
If a person has this virus in the mouth tissues, it can spread to other people during oral sex. As a result, the new infection is called genital herpes infection. However, recurrent episodes of genital herpes provoked by the first type of HSV happen less frequently than those caused by HSV-2.
In addition, both types of the virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2) cannot survive at room temperature. Thus, the virus cannot spread through surfaces (including a faucet handle or a towel). Rather a person will get this virus through kissing or sharing a drink glass.
HSV-2
The second type of the virus is the most common cause of genital herpes. The virus is present in different parts of the body. For example:
- Fluids or moist lining of the vagina, rectum, or mouth
- On the ulcers and blisters or their fluid
In such cases, the virus spreads to other people during sexual activity. That’s why it is advised to practice safe sex using condoms or dental dams.
Risk Factors
The following factors are linked with an increased risk of getting genital herpes. For example:
- Multiple sex partners – People who have multiple sexual partners are at higher risk of getting genital herpes.
- Sexual partners that do not get treatment for genital herpes – While there is no way to cure genital herpes, medications can reduce the spreading of the infection.
- Certain groups – These include people with a medical history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), older people, Black people, and females. An increased risk of genital herpes also has men who have sex with other men diagnosed with this STI.
- Direct contact with genitals through vaginal, oral, or anal sex – Those who have unprotected sex are at higher risk of getting this STI. In addition, this virus can spread more easily from men to women than vice-versa.
Complications
The following health problems can happen if you do not receive treatment for genital herpes. Check below some of them:
- Other STIs – These include HIV/AIDS, chlamydia, and others.
- Newborn infection – Babies can get the virus during delivery. There are some cases when the virus passes to the baby during pregnancy but it is less common. Infants with this virus frequently experience infections of the internal organs or the nervous system. Unfortunately, even with treatment, these babies have an increased risk of developmental or physical problems and death.
- Internal inflammatory disease – Inflammation and swelling within the organs associated with sexual activity and urination can cause HSV infection. For example ureter, rectum, vagina, cervix, and uterus.
- Finger infection – This virus can spread to a finger through a break in the skin provoking discoloration, sores, and swelling. These infections are known as herpetic whitlow.
- Eye infection – This STI can also cause eye problems including pain, sores, blurred vision, and even blindness.
- Brain swelling – This complication occurs rarely but it is very serious because provokes inflammation and swelling of the brain. This condition is also known as encephalitis.
- Internal organ infection – In rare cases, the virus can pass into the bloodstream and cause infections of different internal organs.
Prevention
Preventing genital herpes is the same as preventing sexually transmitted infections. Check some tips below that could help to prevent or avoid STIs:
- Practice safe sex using condoms or dental dams during sexual intercourse. It helps to reduce the risk of getting an STI because the barrier methods prevent skin-to-skin contact.
- It is not recommended to have sex with a person with genital herpes symptoms.
Furthermore, if you are pregnant or want to become pregnant and have genital herpes, you should inform your doctor about it. Otherwise, it may spread to the unborn baby and provoke serious health problems.
In such cases, doctors prescribe antiviral medications that help to prevent an episode of genital herpes near delivery time. However, if you experience an outbreak of the STI, doctors may recommend a cesarean section. This procedure involves surgery to remove the baby from the uterus, which significantly lowers the risk of passing the virus to the baby.
Diagnosis
Doctors usually diagnose this STI by performing a physical examination and evaluating your history of sexual activity. However, to confirm the diagnosis doctors may take a sample of fluid from a blister or sore and send it to the laboratory. The results of these tests can help doctors determine which type of virus you have.
Sometimes, laboratory tests are done to exclude other conditions that provoke similar symptoms. Moreover, commonly doctors advise that your partner should be tested for genital herpes and other STIs.
Treatment
While it is not possible to cure this STI, proper treatment can provide the following benefits. For example:
- Reduce the severity and duration of the symptoms in recurrent episodes
- Decrease the chance of spreading the virus to other people
- Lower the frequency of the recurrent episodes
- Help to heal the sores
Check below the most common antiviral medications prescribed by doctors for people with genital herpes:
- Acyclovir
- Valacyclovir
- Famciclovir
The treatment your doctor will prescribe depends on different factors including the severity of the infection, other existing health problems, the type of HSV you have, sexual activity, and others.
Frequently Asked Questions
What usually triggers symptoms of genital herpes?
These include health conditions, stress, sunlight, and extreme tiredness (fatigue). However, menstrual periods are a trigger of the genital herpes symptoms in women.
What are the possible complications of genital herpes?
- Infections of the internal organs
- Encephalitis
- Eye infections
- Newborn infections
- Other sexually transmitted infections
- Finger infection
- Internal inflammatory disease
If you suspect you have any of the previous complications, you should see a doctor.
Does genital herpes cause odor?
Yes, it provokes a strong, foul, and pungent odor in both females and males. Generally, people describe this odor as “fishy”. Ask your healthcare provider if you have additional questions.
