Genital herpes
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's weight loss doctor NYC
Philadelphia GLP-1 weight loss and GLP-1 clinic NYC
| Genital herpes | |
|---|---|
| Genital herpes lesions on female genitalia | |
| Synonyms | Herpes genitalis |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Blisters, ulcers, pain, itching |
| Complications | Meningitis, neonatal herpes, urinary retention |
| Onset | 2 to 12 days after exposure |
| Duration | Chronic |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1, HSV-2) |
| Risks | Sexual contact, immunosuppression |
| Diagnosis | PCR, viral culture, serology |
| Differential diagnosis | Syphilis, chancroid, candidiasis |
| Prevention | Condoms, antiviral drugs, abstinence |
| Treatment | Antiviral drugs (e.g., acyclovir, valacyclovir) |
| Medication | Acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir |
| Prognosis | N/A |
| Frequency | 11.9% globally (2015) |
| Deaths | Rare |
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which can also cause oral infections commonly known as "cold sores" or "fever blisters". This virus exists in two main types, HSV-1 and HSV-2. Both forms of the virus can cause sores on the genitals, but HSV-2 is more commonly associated with genital herpes.[1]
Clinical Presentation[edit]
The hallmark symptoms of genital herpes are painful, watery blisters that develop on the skin or mucous membranes of the genitals. However, not everyone with genital herpes experiences symptoms, and the disease may remain asymptomatic in some individuals. When symptoms do appear, they are typically most severe during the initial outbreak and become less severe over time. The virus is highly contagious, especially during active outbreaks, but transmission can also occur in the absence of symptoms.[2]
Prevention and Management[edit]
Despite the lack of a definitive cure for genital herpes, the disease can be managed effectively with antiviral medications, which can reduce the frequency and severity of outbreaks and decrease the risk of transmission to sexual partners. Barrier methods, such as condoms and dental dams, can also help reduce the risk of transmission. Individuals diagnosed with the disease should avoid sexual activity during active outbreaks and should inform their partners of their status.[3] It is important to distinguish between herpes simplex virus infections and canker sores (also known as aphthous ulcers), which have a similar appearance but appear inside the mouth and are not caused by the herpes simplex virus.[4]
See Also[edit]
References[edit]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding the page. |
| Health Topics > A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
| View All Health Topics in one page! | Health Encyclopedia | Index of health articles |
Professions:Medicine | Nursing | Pharmacy | Healthcare science | Dentistry | Allied health professions | Healthcare
