Genital Herpes

Definition of genital herpes

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease or infection that is transmitted through vaginal, anal and oral sex. The symptoms that are felt will disappear by themselves, but can return at any time. Most people with the herpes virus do not have certain symptoms. However, this disease can still be contagious even though there are no signs and symptoms of herpes. This genital herpes causes painful blisters that can open and secrete fluid.
Additional explanation
The symptoms
The first symptoms that appear are blisters. These symptoms will appear first two days after contraction of the virus or no later than 30 days after infection with the herpes virus. Common symptoms of genital herpes are:

Crust on the wound within a week after the onset of herpes.
Blisters on the mouth, lips, face or other body parts that come in contact with the infected area. Blisters can become open sores and discharge.
The area affected by the infection will start to feel itchy or ticklish. This condition appears before the actual lamp.
Swollen lymph nodes that develop to fight infection or inflammation in the body.
Headaches, body aches and fever
In babies with herpes (which usually contracts after vaginal birth), ulcers will occur on the face, body and genitals. Babies born with genital herpes can experience serious complications such as blindness, brain damage, and even death. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor if you have genital herpes during pregnancy. It is therefore possible to take steps to prevent transmission to the baby. Caesarean section is an option to prevent transmission of genital herpes in infants.
In women, the most common symptoms are blisters around the vagina, anus and buttocks.
In men, common symptoms that occur are blisters on the penis, scrotum or buttocks.

The cause

There are two types of herpes simplex virus infections that can cause genital herpes, including:

Herpes simplex virus type 1
Causes oral herpes and can cause cold sores or cold sores (pimples that burn in or around the mouth due to herpes simplex virus infection). Oral herpes is very contagious and spreads through direct contact between the skin and can spread to the genital area through oral sex (saliva).
Herpes simplex virus type 2
Usually causes genital herpes. This virus is transmitted through sexual contact and direct contact between skin and skin. This virus is also very contagious and very common.

This virus can be transmitted by people with herpes without symptoms (visible blisters) or by people who do not know herpes. The virus can enter the body through the mucous membranes, a thin layer on the nose, mouth and genitals. This virus can not last long outside the body. Therefore, the spread is almost impossible through contact with toilets, towels, or other tools used by people infected with this virus.

Factors that increase the risk of genital herpes are:

type
Women are more likely to have genital herpes than men. Indeed, transmission of the virus occurs more easily from man to woman than vice versa.
Change your sexual partner
This behavior increases the risk of exposure to the herpes virus.

diagnosis
To diagnose herpes infections, doctors usually do a physical examination of herpes lesions. Laboratory tests are not always needed, but can be done to confirm the diagnosis. Blood tests can confirm the diagnosis of herpes before the appearance of symptoms (blisters).
treatment

Genital herpes cannot be cured, but there are drugs and creams to prevent or reduce symptoms.

Antiviral medicine
To accelerate wound healing in early infections, relieve symptoms, including the duration of repeated infections, reduce the frequency of recurrence, and minimize virus transmission
Cream
Relieve pain
Medication for pain

prevention

Prevention of genital herpes is the same as prevention of other sexually transmitted diseases. To do this, limit sex to only one person who is not infected or avoid sexual activity with multiple partners. In addition, you can use condoms during intercourse and avoid intimate contact if your partner has symptoms of herpes in the genital area or other body parts.

If you are pregnant and suspect herpes, ask your doctor for information about herpes. Notify your doctor immediately if you already know that you have herpes. If you suffer from herpes, doctors usually advise you to take antiviral medication. The goal is to prevent symptoms before work.

In addition, the doctor will recommend a cesarean section if the patient has herpes before work to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to the baby.
Doctor's information
When to see a doctor?

If you have genital herpes or other sexually transmitted infections, get immediate medical help.
What should be prepared before consulting a doctor?

Before consulting a doctor, you should prepare a list of information about symptoms, drugs, sexual activity, and certain questions, such as: