Genital herpes: Difference between revisions
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[[File:GenitalGerpes.gif|thumb | {{Infobox medical condition | ||
| name = Genital herpes | |||
| image = [[File:SOA-Herpes-genitalis-female.jpg|alt=Genital herpes lesions on female genitalia]] | |||
| caption = Genital herpes lesions on female genitalia | |||
| field = [[Infectious disease]] | |||
| synonyms = Herpes genitalis | |||
| symptoms = [[Blister]]s, [[ulcer (dermatology)|ulcers]], [[pain]], [[itching]] | |||
| complications = [[Meningitis]], [[neonatal herpes]], [[urinary retention]] | |||
| onset = 2 to 12 days after exposure | |||
| duration = [[Chronic (medicine)|Chronic]] | |||
| causes = [[Herpes simplex virus]] (HSV-1, HSV-2) | |||
| risks = [[Sexual contact]], [[immunosuppression]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Polymerase chain reaction|PCR]], [[viral culture]], [[serology]] | |||
| differential = [[Syphilis]], [[chancroid]], [[candidiasis]] | |||
| prevention = [[Condom]]s, [[antiviral drug]]s, [[abstinence]] | |||
| treatment = [[Antiviral drug]]s (e.g., [[acyclovir]], [[valacyclovir]]) | |||
| medication = [[Acyclovir]], [[valacyclovir]], [[famciclovir]] | |||
| frequency = 11.9% globally (2015) | |||
| deaths = Rare | |||
}} | |||
[[File:GenitalGerpes.gif|left|thumb]] | |||
[[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, [[Herpes simplex virus type 1|HSV-1]] and [[Herpes simplex virus type 2|HSV-2]]. Both forms of the virus can cause sores on the genitals, but HSV-2 is more commonly associated with genital herpes.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Genital Herpes - CDC Fact Sheet|url=https://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes.htm|accessdate=23 September 2021}}</ref> | [[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, [[Herpes simplex virus type 1|HSV-1]] and [[Herpes simplex virus type 2|HSV-2]]. Both forms of the virus can cause sores on the genitals, but HSV-2 is more commonly associated with genital herpes.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Genital Herpes - CDC Fact Sheet|url=https://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes.htm|accessdate=23 September 2021}}</ref> | ||
== Clinical Presentation == | == Clinical Presentation == | ||
[[File:Genital HPV infection incidence graph.png|thumb]] | [[File:Genital HPV infection incidence graph.png|left|thumb]] | ||
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.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Asymptomatic Shedding of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2|url=https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/201823|accessdate=23 September 2021}}</ref> | 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.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Asymptomatic Shedding of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2|url=https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/201823|accessdate=23 September 2021}}</ref> | ||
[[File:Herpes labialis - opryszczka wargowa.jpg|Herpes labialis|thumb]] | [[File:Herpes labialis - opryszczka wargowa.jpg|Herpes labialis|left|thumb]] | ||
== Prevention and Management == | == Prevention and Management == | ||
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.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Genital Herpes - CDC Fact Sheet|url=https://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes.htm|accessdate=23 September 2021}}</ref> | 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.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Genital Herpes - CDC Fact Sheet|url=https://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes.htm|accessdate=23 September 2021}}</ref> | ||
It is important to distinguish between herpes simplex virus infections and [[Aphthous stomatitis|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.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: A Review|url=https://www.jabfm.org/content/30/2/153|accessdate=23 September 2021}}</ref> | It is important to distinguish between herpes simplex virus infections and [[Aphthous stomatitis|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.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: A Review|url=https://www.jabfm.org/content/30/2/153|accessdate=23 September 2021}}</ref> | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
Herpes_zoster.png | Herpes_zoster.png | ||
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6493_lores.jpg | 6493_lores.jpg | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
* [[Herpes simplex]] | * [[Herpes simplex]] | ||
* [[Herpes labialis]] | * [[Herpes labialis]] | ||
Latest revision as of 20:07, 7 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Genital herpes | |
|---|---|
| |
| 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.<ref>,
Genital Herpes - CDC Fact Sheet, , Full text,</ref>
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.<ref>,
Asymptomatic Shedding of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2, , Full text,</ref>
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.<ref>,
Genital Herpes - CDC Fact Sheet, , Full text,</ref>
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.<ref>,
Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: A Review, , Full text,</ref>
See Also[edit]
References[edit]
<references/>
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