It is transmitted via skin-to-skin contact through vaginal, anal or oral sex. Once infected people may be asymptomatic for a long period of time, until the first flare up. Following the primary symptomatic infection, the virus can lie dormant until it recurs later in life causing recurrent outbreaks. In this article we will discuss the pathophysiology underpinning genital Herpes simplex infection, signs and symptoms, alternative diagnoses, investigations and management. HSV-1 causes genital herpes and additionally it can affect areas around the mouth and nose causing cold sores. HSV-2 also affects the genital and anal areas causing genital herpes.
Herpes On The Vagina - First Signs, Symptoms & Treatment
Before you start to worry that you might have an STI, first check if your symptoms could be caused by one of these six common conditions. You should still see a nurse or doctor, but this could give you some peace of mind in the meantime. Thrush is a yeast infection that can affect anyone. Although it can sometimes happen after having sex, thrush can also affect people who are not having sex. If you have a penis you might notice a rash, itchiness, and discharge under the foreskin. Thrush can be easily treated, either by seeing a nurse or doctor, or going to a pharmacy.
Clinical experience suggests that many doctors view genital herpes as an uncommon minor illness for which there is little effective treatment. Yet the converse is true. Patients often present having had frequent painful attacks of genital ulceration for many years, although effective antiviral drugs are available that dramatically reduce morbidity if used appropriately.
More than one in every six people between ages 14 and 49 living in the United States has genital herpes. If sores do arise, they typically go away within two to three weeks, but the virus stays in the body for life. Genital herpes can be treated, but it can't be cured.