If you have an active outbreak at the time of delivery, cesarean section C-section may be recommended. In fact, some people with the disease do not experience any symptoms for extended periods. They may still shed the virus, though, even when no symptoms are present. HSV I commonly causes oral herpes , or cold sores. This virus can show up as an upper respiratory tract infection during early childhood.
HSV II is the cause of most cases of genital herpes. Clinicians cannot tell the difference between the two types by physical examination alone, but there are differences between the two viruses. This diagnosis can be helpful in establishing a health care plan. You can catch genital herpes by having vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has the disease. The herpes simplex viruses are latent, meaning they can live in the body without causing symptoms.
After the initial infection, the virus gets into the nerve roots and spreads to the sensory nerve ganglia, the junctions where nerves from different parts of the body come together. For the genital area, the ganglia are adjacent to the spinal cord in the lower back. For orofacial herpes cold sores , the ganglia are located behind the cheek bone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , approximately 40 million to 50 million adults in the United States have genital herpes.
HSV II infection is more common in women and in people who have had more than five sexual partners. While some people with genital herpes will never have any symptoms, other people can develop symptoms within a few weeks of being infected.
Most people notice a group or cluster of blisters or ulcers lesions. These lesions burn and can be painful. They can appear on the buttocks, anus or thighs, on the vulva or vagina in women, and on the penis or scrotum in men. Often, before the lesions appear, patients describe a prodrome, characterized by a tingling or burning sensation in the area where the lesions will develop that can be noticed during urination, along with itching or discomfort in the genital area.
The symptoms of genital herpes often go away and come back as recurring outbreaks. For most people, the first outbreak is the worst, and can last from two to three weeks. Future flare-ups are often less severe and do not last as long. Still, some people shed the virus regularly. The following triggers can make outbreaks more likely to occur:. Recurrent genital herpes is most common in the first year after the initial infection and decreases as time goes on.
In many cases, anti-herpes medicine can help patients. When a person experiences a prodrome and suspects a recurrence is going to happen, they begin taking anti-herpes medications that lessen symptoms and shorten the time of the outbreak.
Having sores or other symptoms of herpes can increase your risk of spreading the disease. Even if you do not have any symptoms, you can still infect your sex partners. You may have concerns about how genital herpes will impact your overall health, sex life, and relationships.
It is best for you to talk to a health care provider about those concerns, but it also is important to recognize that while herpes is not curable, it can be managed with medication. Daily suppressive therapy i. Be sure to discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider.
Since a genital herpes diagnosis may affect how you will feel about current or future sexual relationships, it is important to understand how to talk to sexual partners about STDs external icon. Herpes infection can cause sores or breaks in the skin or lining of the mouth, vagina, and rectum.
This provides a way for HIV to enter the body. Even without visible sores, having genital herpes increases the number of CD4 cells the cells that HIV targets for entry into the body found in the lining of the genitals.
Box Rockville, MD E-mail: npin-info cdc. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Genital Herpes. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Minus Related Pages. Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease STD that any sexually active person can get. Even without signs of the disease, herpes can still be spread to sex partners.
Basic Fact Sheet Detailed Version Basic fact sheets are presented in plain language for individuals with general questions about sexually transmitted diseases. STDs Home Page. See Also Pregnancy Reproductive Health. Some experts have speculated that having oral herpes reduces the chances of acquiring genital herpes, but most authorities believe there is no significant cross-protection between the two types.
Jeanne Morrison, PhD. Just as there are different kinds of cold viruses, there are different kinds of herpes viruses. Does herpes simplex affect children differently than adults? Diana Meeks. Children are affected by herpes simplex in the same way as adults. Most people get exposed to HSV-1, While most outbreaks are mild, and many people are unaware that they even have the virus, some people can have severe reactions to it.
People who are immuno-compromised may experience outbreaks in less traditional locations, such as the esophagus or liver, and may even develop pneumonia precipitated by the virus. Even in those with uncompromised immune systems, the membranes surrounding the brain or spinal cord can become infected and inflamed, causing herpetic meningitis. To reduce the spread of HSV, always wash your hands after touching infected areas or fluids and avoid sharing utensils and other objects that enter your mouth during recurrences.
Always inform your partner if you have genital herpes, so you can make responsible decisions, and try to treat any outbreaks that occur. If you suspect you might have genital herpes, visit your health provider for examination or testing.
For more information about genital herpes, visit the CDC site. Media contact: Dee Dee Grays ,
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