Genital Herpes: What You Need to Know About It

What is genital herpes virus?

Genital herpes is one of the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted diseases. It is caused by the herpes simplex virus type 2: HSV-2. Many people are unknowing carriers and do not experience any clinical symptoms. The virus nests in the nerve ganglia and can be activated by:

• stress,
• decreased immunity,
• menstruation,
• cooling or overheating of the body (for example during sunbathing),
• hormonal fluctuations (which is why the virus often becomes active in pregnant people).

How do you get genital herpes?

Genital herpes is most commonly transmitted through sexual contact (via vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse) with a virus carrier. The virus enters the body through minor wounds in the mucous membranes and abrasions, then multiplies in the upper layers of the skin, causing inflammation.

Additionally, the risk of genital herpes infection is increased by:

• not using a condom during intercourse (using protection does not exclude infection, but significantly reduces its likelihood),
• weakness of the body,
• the presence of the Herpes simplex type 1 virus in the body (i.e. cold sores and oral herpes); infection is possible as a result of transmission of the virus from the mouth to the eyes or intimate areas.

Genital Herpes – How Does the Infection Occur? What Are the Symptoms?

Because it is impossible to completely eliminate the HSV virus from the body and genital herpes may be a recurrent condition, the history of the disease is divided into:

• Primary infection – i.e. the first illness; it usually progresses intensively and, in addition to skin lesions, is often accompanied by: weakness, fever, chills, enlarged lymph nodes (mainly in the groin).
• Secondary infections – after the HSV virus enters the skin for the first time and the symptoms associated with the primary infection, the virus moves to the sensory neurons in the sacral spine. There it remains “dormant”, but under the influence of the previously mentioned factors it can be reactivated – the disease rarely returns spontaneously.

People of all sexes can suffer from genital herpes.

In the case of people with vaginas, viral skin lesions usually appear on the labia , clitoris , and at the entrance to the vagina . Sometimes, however, herpes appears on the thighs, near the navel, on the cervix, and around the anus. Vaginal herpes can cause a purulent-mucous discharge. If the blisters are inside the vagina and are not accompanied by any alarming symptoms, the infection often goes unnoticed.

In people with penises, the herpes virus usually has a milder course. Lesions usually appear on the glans and shaft of the penis , less frequently on the buttocks, thighs, perineum or anus. They may be accompanied by pain during urination. The most aggressive and troublesome, however, is considered to be testicular herpes, which is very painful and requires long-term treatment.

The first symptoms of genital herpes usually appear 2 to 10 days after infection. They usually include:

• itching and burning in intimate areas,
• painful fluid-filled blisters in the perineum and genital area.

The blisters grow and after about 2 weeks they burst, creating painful ulcers and erosions (lesions of the mucous membrane) on the skin, which after some time are covered with a brown scab.

Genital herpes in pregnant women

During pregnancy, it doesn't matter which parts of the body are affected by herpes - the labial form can be just as disturbing and dangerous as the genital disease. It's worth remembering!

Viral infection of the genitals in pregnant women can lead to intrauterine infection. It most often results in premature birth and abnormalities in fetal development (hydrocephalus, microcephaly, meningitis).

Treatment of genital herpes during pregnancy is primarily focused on treating it before delivery. However, a woman is often advised to deliver by caesarean section. This is because perinatal (or postnatal) infection may occur during natural childbirth as a result of the newborn's contact with lesions caused by the HSV virus.

Genital Herpes – Treatment

Modern medicine is still struggling with the problem of curing people infected with the herpes virus. Any preparations that are supposed to stimulate the immune system to completely eliminate the virus (for example, vaccines) are still in the testing phase.

For this reason, the treatment of genital herpes is still based on alleviating its symptoms. You should immediately contact a specialist if you notice any of the worrying symptoms. After diagnosing the problem, the doctor decides on the therapy. The treatment itself usually lasts about 5 days, but it can be extended by the doctor in the case of a more severe course of the disease or during pregnancy to prevent further recurrence of the infection.

Two Ways to Treat Herpes

• Symptomatic treatment – ​​usually involves the use of oral preparations with general antiviral action. In case of severe symptoms, their action is supplemented by local antiviral drugs.
• Suppressive treatment – ​​is based on chronic (over a period of several months) use of the same drugs as above, only in a continuous regimen. The less frequently active disease outbreaks occur, the less damage they cause and the lower the risk of passing the virus on to someone else. Any recurrences of infection occur less frequently and are milder.

In addition to professional treatment, it is worth implementing certain practices into your daily routine. Genital herpes treatment can be faster and more effective if, in addition to drug therapy, you use home remedies.

• During an ongoing infection, you should choose breathable, cotton underwear so as not to irritate any ulcers or blisters. People who suffer from vaginal herpes may experience pain when inserting a tampon or menstrual cup, so cotton pads or natural panty liners are a better choice during menstruation .
• A bath with the addition of geranium oil can be helpful, as it has antibacterial and antiviral properties; it not only deals with genital herpes – it is also used to treat acne, swelling and shingles.
• It is worth using sitz baths (for example from bearberry leaves) 3 to 5 times a day, especially after the first symptoms of herpes appear.
• You can lubricate the affected areas with aloe vera gel, which relieves pain and speeds up the healing of wounds; it is worth noting that all such local products are applied with a disposable applicator!
• Remember that during treatment you should refrain from sexual contact!

Genital herpes prevention

We already know what causes infection, what its causes are, and how the disease progresses. But what about prevention? The issue of prevention is not made any easier by the fact that we are often unaware of when the virus is being transmitted, because it may not show any signs in the carrier.

So how can you prevent intimate herpes?

• The first, golden rule - we do not use the same towels, nor do we exchange underwear! It is worth keeping such items to yourself ;) And above all - take care of their cleanliness and frequent replacement!
• Sexually active people, even if they use oral contraception, should consider using condoms during sexual intercourse (including oral!). You can learn more about contraception in our article:All contraceptive methods – which to choose?
• You should refrain from sexual intercourse during an ongoing, visible infection – this is information from the “once again, for the back rows” type ;) We are not only talking about infecting your partner with herpes type 2; the HSV virus affecting the oral cavity and lips is also a contraindication to intimate intercourse due to the possibility of its transmission through touch.
• Talking (yes, simply!). It is somewhat related to the previous points; although it is sometimes difficult to open up, you should not hide your illness from your partner. Taking medication or visiting your doctor regularly, yes, means that the virus can be transmitted in a lesser spectrum, but it is worth warning the other person about the risk and thinking together about the issue of contraception and protection.

To reduce the risk and not get genital herpes (or prevent it from becoming severe), it is also important to take care of yourself from the inside. We know how a poorly chosen and poor in nutritional value diet can contribute to weakening the body and worsening mood. And from there it is only a step to infection! The best support and catalyst for the immune system are antioxidants (which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects).

• These antioxidants include vitamins A, E and C. They can be found in fresh fruits and vegetables (especially citrus fruits, berries, pumpkins, carrots, nuts and various types of oils).
• In order to maintain good skin condition, a good supplementation of vitamin B will be useful. Its natural version can be found in whole grain products, meat and dairy products.
• To strengthen the immune system, it is worth reaching for fermented products (pickled food). They contain beneficial bacteria that colonize in the intestines and influence the building and strengthening of immunity. And speaking of the intestines - their work is perfectly regulated by the consumption of fiber, which can be found in vegetables, bran and nuts, among others.

Genital herpes can significantly affect your health, well-being, and the quality of your sexual life. For this reason, as always, we encourage you to monitor your health, observe it, and seek professional advice and guidance on possible treatment from your doctor.