Genital herpes | |
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Other names | Anogenital herpesviral infection, herpes genitalis |
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An outbreak of genital herpes affecting the vulva | |
Specialty | Infectious disease |
Symptoms | None, small blisters that break open to form painful ulcers, flu-like symptoms[1][2] |
Complications | Aseptic meningitis, increased risk of HIV/AIDS if exposed, neonatal herpes[1] |
Usual onset | 2–12 days after exposure[1] |
Duration | Up to 4 weeks (first outbreak)[1] |
Causes | Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1, HSV-2)[1] |
Diagnostic method | Testing lesions, blood tests for antigen[1] |
Differential diagnosis | Syphilis, chancroid, molluscum contagiosum, hidradenitis suppurativa[3] |
Prevention | Not having sex, using condoms, only having sex with someone who is not infected[2] |
Treatment | Antiviral medication[1] |
Frequency | 846 million (2015)[4] |
Genital herpes is a herpes infection of the genitals caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).[1] Most people either have no or mild symptoms and thus do not know they are infected.[1] When symptoms do occur, they typically include small blisters that break open to form painful ulcers.[1] Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, aching, or swollen lymph nodes, may also occur.[2] Onset is typically around 4 days after exposure with symptoms lasting up to 4 weeks.[1] Once infected further outbreaks may occur but are generally milder.[1]
The disease is typically spread by direct genital contact with the skin surface or secretions of someone who is infected.[1] This may occur during sex, including anal, oral, and manual sex.[1][5] Sores are not required for transmission to occur.[1] The risk of spread between a couple is about 7.5% over a year.[6] HSV is classified into two types, HSV-1 and HSV-2.[1] While historically HSV-2 was more common, genital HSV-1 has become more common in the developed world.[1][7] Diagnosis may occur by testing lesions using either PCR or viral culture or blood tests for specific antibodies.[1]
Efforts to prevent infection include not having sex, using condoms, and only having sex with someone who is not infected.[2] Once infected, there is no cure.[2] Antiviral medications may, however, prevent outbreaks or shorten outbreaks if they occur.[1] The long-term use of antivirals may also decrease the risk of further spread.[1]
In 2015, about 846 million people (12% of the world population) had genital herpes.[4] In the United States, more than one in six people between the ages of 14 and 49 have the disease.[8] Women are more commonly infected than men.[1] Rates of disease caused by HSV-2 have decreased in the United States between 1990 and 2010.[1] Complications may rarely include aseptic meningitis, an increased risk of HIV/AIDS if exposed to HIV-positive individuals, and spread to the baby during childbirth resulting in neonatal herpes.[1]
Genital herpes is common in the United States. More than one out of every six people aged 14 to 49 years have genital herpes.
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