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Genital herpes - Infection
and Disease
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Herpes lesions on penis
Herpes lesions on scrotum
The variable and nonspecific clinical
manifestations of genital herpes are
common. The main mode of transmission of
infection by the herpes simplex virus (HSV)
results from contact during periods of
asymptomatic viral elimination.
Infection is more common with type II
virus, but occasionally can, too type I,
which is the most common cause of facial
herpes. Infection of HSV is spread by
direct contact with the virus infecting
the skin or mucosal surfaces. The most
common form of transmission is sexual
contact (including oral sex) when a
person is eliminating virus type I. Like
what happens with all herpes infections
after primary infection, the virus
remains dormant in the body and may
reactivate from time to time, to cause
episodes of clinical or subclinical
infection, probably for the rest of the
life of the infected person.
Genital infection may be symptomatic or
asymptomatic. Symptoms of infection are
described as genital herpes, and
includes the primary infection, the
first episode, and recurrent outbreaks.
When HSV enters the genital mucosa or
abraded skin, multiply to levels of
causing injury blistering classic,
besides the pain that accompanies the
general symptoms.
Only 40% of the infections caused by
type II are symptomatic, so that a
person may have been infected by the
virus type II and remain undisturbed for
some time before clinical signs appear.
Usually the primary
episodes are prolonged and very severe
symptoms. It says the disease is
recurrent exacerbations when presenting
symptom of the disease, caused by
reactivation of latent infection. These
are usually shorter, less severe
symptoms and more localized than that
seen in primary episodes. Either way,
the physical discomfort and frequent
exacerbations of recurrent genital
herpes can become a constant reminder of
the presence of the disease.
The variable prevalence
of infection with herpes virus between
countries and regions is mainly due to
the variation in demographic factors,
cultural and behavioral (age
distribution, sexual mixing patterns,
etc.). Knowledge of the local prevalence
of infection with herpes I and II, and
the study of individual risk profile of
each patient are important aids in the
diagnosis of genital infection caused by
herpes virus (HSV).
Most patients with genital HSV infection
are at this emotionally and
psychologically disturbing, many are
stigmatized, while others live in fear
of being discovered and thus judged or
rejected by their partner. For some
patients the disruption and anxiety
decreases over time, but for others,
feelings of isolation, low self-esteem
and depression may persist even after
years of living with the disease. The
rapid and accurate diagnosis allows
appropriate management, especially those
related to medical advice and
therapeutic treatment, in order to
alleviate the psychosocial weight that
leads to genital herpes.
The primary infection of genital herpes
during the third trimester of pregnancy
is at risk of infection to the newborn,
with the consequent risk of neonatal
herpes, which has one of the highest
mortality rates if untreated (over 60%)
than any other infection during the
neonatal period and survivors with
severe injuries such as mental
retardation and blindness. Antiviral
therapy reduces mortality to 10%, but
brain damage is a common sequela in
these patients.
A rapid and accurate diagnosis of
genital herpes lesions will: - An
effective treatment to relieve the
symptoms, - preventing the potential
impact of neonatal herpes, by
identifying patients at greatest risk
during the last trimester of pregnancy.
- Identify population groups at highest
risk of acquiring HSV infection.
Additionally, and as most cases of viral
transmission, occur during periods of
asymptomatic viral elimination, improved
accuracy and certainty of the diagnosis
helps to slow the spread of infection
with HSV.
