What Is Genital Herpes?

Genital herpes is a disease that is caused by the virus known as herpes simplex. This is a result of an infection that is transmitted sexually. Almost 19,000 people fall prey to this disease in U.K. every year.

Causes of Genital Herpes

The virus is of two type namely 1 and 2. It is the type 2 virus which is generally responsible for causing the disease. It is also responsible for causing cold sores. Type 1 is mainly responsible for causing cold sores and herpes when it spreads due to oral sex. Genital herpes occurs during sexual contact and the virus spreads through the skin. If the virus is present in one partner it gets transmitted to the other partner when an intercourse takes place. It can also spread with the help of oral sex. One should practice a safer method of sex to reduce the risk of transmitting the disease. The safest option is to abstain from sex when the blisters are present.

Symptoms of Genital Herpes

When the disease genital herpes occurs, the condition of the patient becomes quite serious. Blisters occur which are filled with fluid. These blisters are quite painful and cause a burning sensation where the herpes has occurred. The affected area gets sore and the patient has a constant itching and tingling sensation in the affected area. The lymph glands become enlarged and are accompanied by constant pain. Passing of urine becomes a nightmare for the patient as it is accompanied with severe pain. Women suffering from this disease also experience from an abnormal vaginal discharge during this period. Though the herpes is quite painful the warts tend to disappear within 21 days.

Sometimes the virus reappears but it is not as painful as it is during the first attack. Recurrence of the virus is not common though it affects the same area. The presence of the blisters is not necessary for the spreading of virus.

Treatment of Genital Herpes

No specific treatment is required for curing the genital herpes. Though some sort of medication can be taken to reduce the discomfort and the infection. Doctors sometimes administer painkillers when the patient finds it difficult to bear the pain of the blisters. Bathing the affected area with cool water gives some relief. When the patient suffers an attack of genital herpes loose-fitting clothes should be worn. It would be advisable to drink a lot of water to get some relief. One can visit the doctor if the pain and the symptoms persist for a longer duration. Cleaning the genital area with cool and pure water is advisable. Ice pack can also be applied on the affected area.

Sometimes women get infected with genital herpes during their pregnancy. If the infection occurs during the last weeks of her pregnancy then the doctors generally opts for a caesarean section. The baby is delivered through the caesarean section because it then reduces the chances of the baby getting infected with the virus. It is not necessary that the delivery will always take place through the caesarean section. It generally depends upon the condition of the mother and the baby. Sometimes antiviral medication is administered during the last stage of pregnancy so that there is less risk of getting affected with herpes.

The genital herpes or warts generally occur in the form of clusters. These warts are very small in size but they spread in large area near the genital or the penis. It generally occurs around the vagina or the anus in women. Men also suffer from this disease though the symptom is less obvious in them. When men suffer from this disease the warts generally appears on the tip of the penis. If during this time the person indulges in oral sex then warts tend to grow in the mouth of the partner. The virus penetrates the skin and transmits the disease. Sometimes the virus can be present for more than 2 years without any occurrence of the symptoms.