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Genital Herpes - Fact Sheet
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What is Genital Herpes
Genital herpes
is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the
herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2
(HSV-2). Most genital herpes is caused by HSV-2. Most
individuals have no or only minimal signs or symptoms
from HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection. When signs do occur, they
typically appear as one or more blisters on or around
the genitals or rectum. The blisters break, leaving
tender ulcers (sores) that may take two to four weeks to
heal the first time they occur. Typically, another
outbreak can appear weeks or months after the first, but
it almost always is less severe and shorter than the
first outbreak. Although the infection can stay in the
body indefinitely, the number of outbreaks tends to
decrease over a period of years.
How
Common Is Genital Herpes
Results of a nationally
representative study show that genital herpes infection
is common in the United States. Nationwide, at least 45
million people ages 12 and older, or one out of five
adolescents and adults, have had genital HSV infection.
Between the late 1970s and the early 1990s, the number
of Americans with genital herpes infection increased 30
percent.
Genital HSV-2 infection
is more common in women (approximately one out of four
women) than in men (almost one out of five). This may be
due to male-to-female transmissions being more likely
than female-to-male transmission.
How Do People Get Genital Herpes
HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be
found in and released from the sores that the viruses
cause, but they also are released between outbreaks from
skin that does not appear to be broken or to have a
sore. Generally, a person can only get HSV-2 infection
during sexual contact with someone who has a genital
HSV-2 infection. Transmission can occur from an infected
partner who does not have a visible sore and may not
know that he or she is infected.
HSV-1 can cause genital
herpes, but it more commonly causes infections of the
mouth and lips, so-called "fever blisters." HSV-1
infection of the genitals can be caused by oral-genital
or genital-genital contact with a person who has HSV-1
infection. Genital HSV-1 outbreaks recur less regularly
than genital HSV-2 outbreaks.
What are The Signs and Symptoms of Genital Herpes
Most people infected
with HSV-2 are not aware of their infection. However, if
signs and symptoms occur during the first outbreak, they
can be quite pronounced. The first outbreak usually
occurs within two weeks after the virus is transmitted,
and the sores typically heal within two to four weeks.
Other signs and symptoms during the primary episode may
include a second crop of sores, and flu-like symptoms,
including fever and swollen glands. However, most
individuals with HSV-2 infection may never have sores,
or they may have very mild signs that they do not even
notice or that they mistake for insect bites or another
skin condition.
Most people diagnosed
with a first episode of genital herpes can expect to
have several (typically four or five) outbreaks
(symptomatic recurrences) within a year. Over time these
recurrences usually decrease in frequency.
What are the Complications
of Genital Herpes
Genital herpes can
cause recurrent painful genital sores in many adults,
and herpes infection can be severe in people with
suppressed immune systems. Regardless of severity of
symptoms, genital herpes frequently causes psychological
distress in people who know they are infected.
In addition, genital
HSV can cause potentially fatal infections in babies.
It is important that women avoid contracting herpes
during pregnancy because a first episode during
pregnancy causes a greater risk of transmission to the
baby. If a woman has active genital herpes at delivery,
a cesarean delivery is usually performed. Fortunately,
infection of a baby from a woman with herpes infection
is rare.
Herpes may play a role
in the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Herpes
can make people more susceptible to HIV infection, and
it can make HIV-infected individuals more infectious.
How is Genital
Herpes Diagnosed
The signs and symptoms
associated with HSV-2 can vary greatly. Health care
providers can diagnose genital herpes by visual
inspection if the outbreak is typical, and by taking a
sample from the sore(s) and testing it in a laboratory.
HSV infections can be difficult to diagnose between
outbreaks. Blood tests, which detect HSV-1 or HSV-2
infection, may be helpful, although the results are not
always clear-cut.
Is There a Treatment that
can Cure Herpes
There is no treatment
that can cure herpes, but antiviral medications can
shorten and prevent outbreaks during the period of time
the person takes the medication. In addition, daily
suppressive therapy for symptomatic herpes can reduce
transmission to partners.
How Can Herpes be
Prevented
The surest way to avoid
transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, including
genital herpes, is to abstain from sexual contact, or to
be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with
a partner who has been tested and is known to be
uninfected.
Genital ulcer diseases
can occur in both male and female genital areas that are
covered or protected by a latex condom, as well as in
areas that are not covered. Correct and consistent use
of latex condoms can reduce the risk of genital herpes
only when the infected area or site of potential
exposure is protected. Since a condom may not cover all
infected areas, even correct and consistent use of latex
condoms cannot guarantee protection from genital herpes.
Persons with herpes
should abstain from sexual activity with uninfected
partners when lesions or other symptoms of herpes are
present. It is important to know that even if a person
does not have any symptoms he or she can still infect
sex partners. Sex partners of infected persons should be
advised that they may become infected. Sex partners can
seek testing to determine if they are infected with HSV.
A positive HSV-2 blood test most likely indicates a
genital herpes infection.
Where Can I get More Information
STD
information and referrals to STD Clinics
CDC-INFO
1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)
TTY: 1-888-232-6348
In English, en Espaņol
National Herpes Hotline
(919) 361-8488
National Herpes Resource Center
herpesnet@ashastd.org
CDC
National Prevention Information Network (NPIN)
P.O. Box 6003
Rockville, MD 20849-6003
1-800-458-5231
1-888-282-7681 Fax
1-800-243-7012 TTY
E-mail:
info@cdcnpin.org
American Social Health
Association (ASHA)
P. O. Box 13827
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-3827
1-800-783-9877
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