Genital herpes
Genital herpes: Introduction
Genital Herpes is a common, sexually transmitted disease that affects the genitals and/or anus. It is an infectious condition, caused by viruses, known as herpes simplex viruses (HSVs). Genital herpes is highly contagious through sexual contact involving the genitals. Genital herpes infection can remain in the body indefinitely for long periods without symptoms. When there is an episode or "flare up" of genital herpes symptoms, they may include blisters to the genitalia and anus. Blisters break open, leaving sores (ulcers) that may take several weeks to heal. About one out of five adolescents and adult in the U.S. have had HSV infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Genital herpes infection may make people more susceptible to HIV infection, and it can make people with HIV more infectious.
Symptoms of Genital herpes
See full list of 27
symptoms of Genital herpes
Home Diagnostic Testing
Home medical testing related to Genital herpes:
- Home STD Testing
- Sexuality & Libido: Home Testing:
- Liver Health & Hepatitis: Home Testing
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Genital herpes: Complications
Review possible medical complications related to Genital herpes:
- Mother-infant transmission (see Birth symptoms) - a fetus can catch herpes and the baby is born with herpes. The risk is greatest if the mother's first outbreak was during pregnancy. Later outbreaks still pose some risk to the fetus.
- Neonatal HSV infection (type of Herpes)
- Premature birth - a fetus with herpes is often delivered early.
- Neonatal complications (see Birth symptoms) - a newborn may have various health problems.
- Neonatal death (see Death) - some newborns with herpes have a poor prognosis.
- more complications...»
Disease Topics Related To Genital herpes
Research the causes of these diseases that are similar to, or related to, Genital herpes:
Medical Textbooks Online about Genital herpes
Book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
Wrongly Diagnosed with Genital herpes?
Genital herpes: Medical Mistakes
Genital herpes: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers
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Genital herpes: Undiagnosed Conditions
Commonly undiagnosed diseases in related medical categories:
Hospitals & Clinics: Genital herpes
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Causes of Genital herpes
- HSV type 1 - though less common than HSV type 2, the HSV-1 virus from cold sores can also cause genital herpes.
- more causes...»
Read more about causes of Genital herpes
More information about causes of Genital herpes:
Treatments for Genital herpes
- Acyclovir (Zovirax®) - an antiviral drug
- Famciclovir (Famvir®)
- Valacyclovir (Valtrex®)
- Keep area clean and dry
- Avoid touching sores
- more treatments...»
See full list of 11
treatments for Genital herpes
Latest Treatments for Genital herpes
See full list of 10
latest treatments for Genital herpes
News Archives for Genital herpes
Medical news articles related to Genital herpes include:
Source: HealthDay News
Evidence Based Medicine Research for Genital herpes
Medical research articles related to Genital herpes include:
Click here to find more evidence-based articles on the TRIP Database
Videos for Genital herpes
Genital herpes remains one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases, but most don't know they are infected. Learn how to stay safe and...
Join our panel of experts for a discussion of herpes treatment and prevention.
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Patient Surveys for Genital herpes
Prognosis for Genital herpes
Prognosis for Genital herpes:
Although the infection
can stay in the body indefinitely, the number of outbreaks tends to go
down over a period of years. (Source: excerpt from Genital Herpes: DSTD)
...
HSV remains in certain
nerve cells of the body for life, and can produce symptoms off and
on in some infected people.
(Source: excerpt from Genital Herpes, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID)
More about prognosis of Genital herpes
Reseach about Genital herpes
Visit our research pages for current research about Genital herpes treatments.
Prevention of Genital herpes
Prevention information for Genital herpes has been compiled from various data sources
and may be inaccurate or incomplete.
None of these methods guarantee prevention of Genital herpes.
Read more about prevention of Genital herpes
Statistics for Genital herpes
Genital herpes: Broader Related Topics
Types of Genital herpes
Curable Types of Genital herpes
Possibly curable types of Genital herpes include:
- HIV related herpes
- Occupational exposure related herpes
- more types...»
Rare Types of Genital herpes:
Rare types of Genital herpes include:
- HIV related herpes
- Occupational exposure related herpes
- more types...»
Stories from Users Related to Genital herpes
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Article Excerpts about Genital herpes
Genital Herpes: DSTD (Excerpt)
Herpes is a sexually
transmitted disease (STD) caused by the herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV
-1) and type 2 (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 episode. Although the infection
can stay in the body indefinitely, the number of outbreaks tends to go
down over a period of years. (Source: excerpt from Genital Herpes: DSTD)
Genital Herpes, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID (Excerpt)
Genital herpes is an infection
caused by the herpes simplex virus or HSV. There are two types of
HSV, and both can cause genital herpes. HSV type 1 most commonly
infects the lips causing sores known as fever blisters or cold
sores, but it also can infect the genital area and produce sores
there. HSV type 2 is the usual cause of genital herpes, but it also
can infect the mouth during oral sex. A person who has genital
herpes infection can easily pass or transmit the virus to an
uninfected person during sex. (Source: excerpt from Genital Herpes, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID)
Definitions of Genital herpes:
An infection caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) that is usually transmitted by sexual contact; marked by recurrent attacks of painful eruptions on the skin and mucous membranes of the genital area
- (Source - WordNet 2.1)
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