This very contagious viral infection Overview of Viral Infections A virus is composed of nucleic acid, either DNA or RNA, surrounded by a protein coat. It requires a living cell in which to multiply. A viral infection can lead to a spectrum of symptoms from... read more is spread by direct contact with sores or sometimes contact with an affected area when no sores are present.
Genital herpes causes blisters or sores on or around the genitals and, often with the first infection, a fever and general feeling of illness.
The virus sometimes infects other parts of the body, including the mouth, esophagus, eyes, and brain.
Usually, doctors easily recognize the sores caused by herpes, but sometimes analysis of material from a sore or blood tests are necessary.
No drug can get rid of the infection, but antiviral drugs Antiviral drugs A virus is composed of nucleic acid, either DNA or RNA, surrounded by a protein coat. It requires a living cell in which to multiply. A viral infection can lead to a spectrum of symptoms from... read more can help relieve symptoms and help symptoms resolve a little sooner.
Herpes simplex is one of several types of herpesviruses Overview of Herpesvirus Infections Some common viral infections are caused by herpesviruses. Eight different herpesviruses infect people: Three herpesviruses— herpes simplex virus type 1, herpes simplex virus type 2, and varicella-zoster... read more . There are two types of herpes simplex virus (HSV):
HSV-1, which is the usual cause of cold sores on the lips (herpes labialis) and sores on the cornea of the eye (herpes simplex keratitis Herpes Simplex Keratitis Herpes simplex keratitis is an eye infection that involves the cornea (the clear layer in front of the iris and pupil) and is caused by herpes simplex virus. The infection commonly recurs and... read more
)HSV-2, which is the usual cause of genital herpes
This distinction is not absolute: Genital infections are sometimes caused by HSV-1.
After the first (primary) infection, HSV, like other herpesviruses, remains inactive (dormant or latent) in the body for life. A latent infection may not cause symptoms again, or it may periodically reactivate and cause symptoms.
The primary HSV infection produces an eruption of tiny blisters. After the eruption of blisters subsides, the virus remains in a dormant state inside the collection of nerve cells (ganglia) near the spinal cord that supply the nerve fibers to the infected area. Periodically, the virus reactivates, begins multiplying again, and travels through the nerve fibers back to the skin—causing eruptions of blisters in the same area of skin as the earlier infection. Sometimes the virus is present on the skin or mucous membranes even when no blisters can be seen.
The virus may reactivate many times.
Symptoms of Genital Herpes
The first genital HSV infection (genital herpes) can be severe and prolonged, with many painful blisters in the genital and/or anal area. In women, internal blisters may develop in the vagina or on the cervix. Internal blisters are less painful and are not visible. The blisters develop 4 to 7 days after people are infected. Blisters caused by a first genital infection are usually more painful, last longer, and are more widespread than those caused by a recurrent infection.
Fever and a general feeling of illness (malaise) are common, and some people have burning during urination, difficulty urinating, or constipation. Some people have no symptoms.
Recurrences of genital herpes often begin with symptoms (including tingling, discomfort, itching, or aching in the groin) that precede the blisters by several hours to 2 to 3 days. Painful blisters surrounded by a reddish rim appear on the skin or mucous membranes of the genitals. The blisters quickly break open, leaving sores. Blisters may also appear on the thighs or buttocks or around the anus. In women, blisters may develop on the vulva (the area around the opening of the vagina). These blisters are usually obvious and very painful. A typical episode of recurring genital herpes lasts a week.
Bacteria sometimes infect genital sores due to HSV infection. Such sores may appear more irritated or have a thick or foul-smelling discharge.
This photo shows blisters on the vulva of a woman who has genital herpes.
© Springer Science+Business Media
This photo shows open sores on the vulva of a woman who has genital herpes.
© Springer Science+Business Media
This photo shows a cluster of blisters on the penis of a man who has genital herpes.
© Springer Science+Business Media
Diagnosis of Genital Herpes
Testing of a sample taken from the sore
Herpes simplex virus infection is usually easy for doctors to recognize. If unsure, doctors may use a swab to take a sample of material from the sore and send the swab to a laboratory to grow (culture) and identify the virus.
Material from the sore can also be tested using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify the herpes simplex DNA. PCR is a more sensitive test than viral culture, which means that PCR will miss fewer cases of the virus.
Sometimes doctors examine material scraped from the blisters under a microscope. Although the virus itself cannot be seen, scrapings sometimes contain enlarged infected cells (giant cells) that are characteristic of infection by a herpes-type virus.
Blood tests to identify antibodies to herpes simplex virus can also be helpful. (Antibodies Antibodies One of the body's lines of defense ( immune system) involves white blood cells (leukocytes) that travel through the bloodstream and into tissues, searching for and attacking microorganisms and... read more 
are produced by the immune system to help defend the body against a particular attacker, such as herpes simplex virus.)
Certain blood tests can distinguish between HSV-1 infection and HSV-2 infection.
Prevention of Genital Herpes
Because HSV infection is contagious, people with genital herpes should use condoms Condoms Barrier contraceptives physically block the sperm’s access to a woman’s uterus. They include condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, contraceptive gels, contraceptive sponges, and spermicides (foams... read more 
at all times. Even when there are no visible blisters and no symptoms, the virus may be present on the genitals and can be spread to sex partners. Because condoms protect only the penis and areas touched by the penis, other areas on the genitals are still at risk even when condoms are used. For example, a herpes sore on a woman's labia may cause infection of skin near the penis.
Treatment of Genital Herpes
Antiviral drugs
Primary genital herpes simplex infections are treated with an antiviral drug such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir (see table Some Antiviral Drugs for Herpesvirus Infections Some Antiviral Drugs for Herpesvirus Infections 
). All three antiviral drugs can help improve symptoms and shorten the duration of the illness. No current antiviral drugs can get rid of HSV infection, and treatment of a first genital infection does not prevent the dormant infection of nerve cells.
Recurrent infections can be treated with antiviral drugs, such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir, which may relieve discomfort slightly and help symptoms resolve a day or two sooner (see table Some Antiviral Drugs for Herpesvirus Infections Some Antiviral Drugs for Herpesvirus Infections ). Treatment is most effective if started early, usually within a few hours after symptoms start—preferably at the first sign of tingling or discomfort, before blisters appear. For people who have frequent, painful attacks, the number of outbreaks can be reduced by taking antiviral drugs every day indefinitely (this is called suppressive therapy). However, taking antiviral drugs does not prevent infected people from transmitting the infection. These antiviral drugs are available by prescription only.
Severe HSV infections, such as can occur in immune suppressed individuals, are treated with acyclovir given intravenously.
Other treatments
For people who have minimal discomfort, the only treatment needed for recurring genital herpes is to keep the infected area clean by gentle washing with soap and water.
Pain relievers may be taken for pain.
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
| Generic Name | Select Brand Names |
|---|---|
acyclovir |
SITAVIG, Zovirax, Zovirax Cream, Zovirax Ointment, Zovirax Powder, Zovirax Suspension |
valacyclovir |
Valtrex |
famciclovir |
Famvir |
