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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

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Exp 50 years

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Article Home Adult and Senior Health Genital herpes: Overview and facts

Genital herpes: Overview and facts

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease which is caused by a virus called herpes simplex viruses? type 1 and type 2. It is characterized by formation of blisters or ulcers over the genitals or anal region. It is highly contagious and spread through intercourse.

 

  • Genital is chronic, lifelong infection. It can spread through vaginal sex, oral sex and also from having anal sex with the infected person.
  • Virus gain enters in to the human body by a crack in the skin or mucosa of the mouth or genital region.
  • Initially it appears as blisters over the genital region and the anal region. The blisters later break open to form ulcers which heal by 2-4 weeks. Genital herpes cause recurrent painful sores in the genital region in many individuals.
  • If a pregnant women contract genital herpes it can be fatal to the babies.
  • Herpes is more common in women than in men.
  • There is no cure for herpes; the symptoms can be brought down by using antiviral medications.
  • It remains in the body and is passed from one person to another person by any form of unprotected sex
  • Herpes simplex type 1 mainly causes infection of the mouth and lips which are commonly called as fever blisters.
  • Genital herpes with type 1 herpes is mainly due to oro -genital or genital-genital contact with the person who is infected with herpes.
  • Genital herpes can be spread to the sexual partner even when they have no symptoms.
  • The virus can remain dormant in nerve cells of the body for many years without any symptoms.
  • Condoms can be used to prevent the herpes.

 

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