Hsv 2 – Genital Herpes: Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention

There are two different types of genital herpes – HSV 1 and 2. HSV-2 is the most commonly acquired form of genital herpes. It can be transmitted mostly by sexual contact. It is highly contagious in the genital or mouth area.

HSV-2 is considered to be genital herpes, in which one in five people are correctly diagnosed.

An estimated 45 million (one out of four) Americans are infected with the HSV 2 virus.

The virus is transmitted mostly by sexual contact, and it is possible to spread it when one is feeling perfectly well. HSV 1 and 2 are highly contagious and either type can affect the mouth or genitals.

With HSV 2, primary infection occurs around the genital area two to eight days after contracting the virus. Symptoms such as weakness and fever, headache, nerve pain, itching, lower abdominal pain, urinary difficulties, and yeast infections and vaginal discharge (in women) are characteristics accompanying the eruptions on the skin. Studies have shown that both viruses can be spread when there are no symptoms present.

Further, there are atypical manifestations that are frequently misdiagnosed or not recognized; however, lesions that are not entirely on the genitals, but below the waist around the anus, lower back or thighs, should be considered genital herpes by the clinician.

Local symptoms are often more severe in women than in men. Women may include irritated and inflamed vulva and/or vaginal areas with blisters which will develop into painful ulcers. The rectal area may also be inflamed or contain blisters.

In men, the tip or the shaft of the penis and/or rectal area may have inflamed blisters and ulcers.

Approximately 40 million to 60 million Americans are infected with dormant HSV-2, and the number of new infections each year has been estimated at 500,000. The U.S. studies show that the risk of acquiring genital herpes increases with the number of sexual partners.

Women have higher rates of infection than men; the estimated risk of susceptible females contracting HSV from infected males is 80% following a single contact. It is thought that in 70% of cases, genital herpes is transmitted by sexual contact from a person who has asymptomatic shedding of the virus.

Individuals 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 and they should use condoms to reduce the risk. 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.

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Hsv 2 – Genital Herpes: Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention

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