Beginning Stages Of Genital Herpes

What Are The Signs Of Herpes In Pregnant Women

If you are pregnant and have genital herpes, there may be a risk of your baby being infected with the virus during delivery. This condition is called neonatal herpes and can be serious or fatal.

Neonatal herpes can result in damage to the central nervous system and can cause mental retardation. Only about 0.1% of babies born in the United States are infected with neonatal herpes even though about 25% to 30% of pregnant women have genital herpes.

Generally, if you are infected with herpes, your doctor will deliver your baby by cesarean section to avoid any risk to your newborn infant.

Women who have herpes before becoming pregnant are at very low risk of transmitting the herpes virus to their babies. If a woman is infected with the herpes virus after becoming pregnant, her baby faces a higher risk of contracting neonatal herpes. Women who are newly infected havent had time to develop the antibodies against the virus and cannot pass them on to the baby for protection.

Talk with your OB/GYN and let them know if you have genital herpes. At the time of your delivery, ask your doctor to examine you early in labor to make sure you dont have any sores or signs of infection like pain, tingling, or itching.

What Is Herpes Simplex

Herpes simplex is a virus that causes skin infections. The infection lasts your lifetime, and it causes painful or itchy sores and blisters that come and go. Herpes simplex virus typically doesnt cause severe problems. But it can be dangerous in infants and people with weakened immune systems. There are two types of herpes simplex:

• Herpes simplex 1 tends to affect your mouth or face. It causes cold sores. HSV-1 spreads through contact with saliva .
• Herpes simplex 2 is a sexually transmitted disease . It causes sores on skin that comes in contact with the genitals of an infected person.

Sometimes a herpes infection can affect other parts of your body, such as your eyes or other parts of your skin.

Understanding Herpes With H Hunter Handsfield Md

Herpes expert H. Hunter Handsfield, MD, explains the basics about genital herpes, including the difference between genital HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection, testing options and the importance of knowing virus type, and the three-prong strategy for prevention. See more herpes videos at sexualhealthTV.com.

Have a question about herpes youd like Dr. Handsfield or our other experts to answer? Visit our Ask the Experts page to learn how.

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What Are The Types Of Herpes Viruses

Herpes is a group of contagious viruses. All of these viruses cause blisters and sores. Some of the more common herpes viruses include:

• Type 1: HSV-1, or oral herpes, causes cold sores to form on lips, gums, tongue and inside the mouth. It can cause genital herpes in some cases This type usually spreads through saliva when you kiss someone with open herpes sores. You can also get HSV-1 by sharing items like toothbrushes, lipsticks or eating utensils.
• Type 2: HSV-2 causes genital herpes.
• Herpes zoster: This virus causes chickenpox and shingles.

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Herpes Simplex Vs Chickenpox

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.

Getty Images / AlesVeluscek

Chickenpox is caused by a herpes virus called varicella-zoster virus . While chickenpox can cause blistering and crusting sores like HSV, there are certain tell-tale signs that differentiate them.

With the chickenpox, note that each blister in this photo has its own red base and is not clustered in a group like HSV.

And, unlike HSV, a chickenpox rash can leave behind scars after it heals.

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Im Pregnant What Do I Need To Know

To get the best care, tell your doctor you have genital herpes, because it could make you more likely to have a miscarriage or give birth too soon.

Its possible to pass along the virus to your baby. For infants, it can be life-threatening. Your doctor can talk to you about how to lower the chances that this will happen.

If you have an outbreak while youre pregnant, your doctor can give you medicine to treat your symptoms and stop them sooner.

Your doctor may give you a drug to prevent an outbreak as your due date gets closer. This is because your baby could get herpes by passing through your birth canal if youre having an outbreak when you go into labor. If thats a possibility, your doctor will most likely want to do a C-section, which is surgery to deliver the baby.

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Where Does The Herpes Virus Live In The Body

The herpes simplex viruses are latent, meaning they can live in the body without causing symptoms. After the initial infection, the virus gets into the nerve roots and spreads to the sensory nerve ganglia, the junctions where nerves from different parts of the body come together. For the genital area, the ganglia are adjacent to the spinal cord in the lower back. For orofacial herpes , the ganglia are located behind the cheek bone.

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Where Do Symptoms Appear

When a person has genital herpes, the virus lies dormant in the bundle of nerves at the base of the spine. When the virus reactivates , it travels nerve paths to the surface of the skin, sometimes causing an outbreak.

Genital herpes, regardless of whether it is HSV-1 or HSV-2, does not cause symptoms on the mouth or face. For more on oral-facial herpes, see the oral herpes page.

Canker Sores Arent The Same

Cold sores usually appear on your lip. Canker sores affect the inside of your mouth. They donât involve the herpes virus and arenât contagious. No one knows what causes them. Cold sores generally signal their arrival with a warning period of red, irritated skin. Blisters form, burst, and then crust over before they heal.

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I Had Lesions When I Was Evaluated But My Culture Was Negative Does This Mean That I Dont Have Herpes

Not necessarily. Although lesions can be caused by something other than herpes, false negative herpes tests can occur if the samples are not taken appropriately, if there is a long transport time between the clinic and the laboratory, or if cultures were taken late in the course of the lesions. Lesions that occur early in the course of a herpes outbreak are much more likely to have positive cultures than cultures taken after the lesions crust over.

Typical Healing Of Genital Herpes Sores

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DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND

In addition to pain, the oozing sores will often have a “fishy” smell in both females and males. The smell can increase after sex due to the abrasion of skin on skin.

The timeline of a genital herpes outbreak can vary. With primary herpes, the outbreak will usually occur within four days of exposure to the virus .

A genital herpes outbreak may last up to seven to 10 days, particularly with the first outbreak. After crusting, healing usually occurs within two to four weeks, typically with no scarring.

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Syphilis: A Greater Health Threat Than Herpes

Syphilis and genital herpes are both STDs that can cause sores in the genital area. Like oral herpes, syphilis can also cause mouth sores, which often clear without treatment. But despite these similarities in symptoms, the two diseases differ in their causes syphilis is caused by a bacteria and herpes by a virus and the health risks they pose.

For most people the exceptions being infants and people who have weakened immune systems or who are chronically ill herpes is more of an annoyance than a dangerous disease. But untreated syphilis can lead to severe complications, including bone, joint, liver, heart, and brain damage.

There are four stages of syphilis, according to the CDC, each with different signs and symptoms. In the primary stage, a painless sore or sores develop where the bacteria first entered the skin or mucous membrane. In the secondary stage, you may develop a skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, fever, and other flu-like symptoms. In the latent stage of syphilis, there are no signs or symptoms, and in the tertiary stage, the bacterial infection can damage the heart, brain, and other organs of the body.

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What Are The Early Stages Of Genital Herpes

The early onset of genital herpes can present in a number of different ways. Generally speaking, the first symptom that you are likely to notice is inflammation of the skin around your genitals, resulting in a burning or itching sensation.

Symptoms typically surface within 1-2 weeks of infection. This stage is identified as the prodrome or beginning stage. The appearance of inflammation indicates the virus has progressed to the surface of the skin.

Symptoms during the early stages can include:

• Burning or itching around the genitals
• Pain when urinating
• Fever and/or flu symptoms

For women, the first signs of genital herpes usually present inside the labia, are associated with painful urination and unusual vaginal discharge. Inflammation of the cervix can also be a sign of infection.

For men, the outbreak of genital herpes in the urethra results in the same symptoms, a burning feeling when urinating.

The incubation period is the time from exposure, to when symptoms will first appear. Whilst the average time is 1-2 weeks, this can vary with some people not displaying symptoms for months, or even years after becoming infected. Although rare, some people may never experience symptoms at all.

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The Third Stage Of Genital Herpes

The third stage of genital herpes infection is called the blister stage. As simple as its name, this is where blisters develop in the genital parts of your body. It sometimes begins with small red bumps that become noticeable for the following days. These bumps contain fluid-like pus that causes too much discomfort in the genitals. Avoid having sexual contact if these blisters are present.

Lastly is the healing stage. In the initial outbreak, the healing time can take two to four weeks using antiviral for herpes. However, it will take only a few days for the infected skin surface to retain its regular appearance in the subsequent outbreaks. While the skin is healing, it is necessary to protect it to avoid scarring.

Is Genital Herpes Infection Related To Hiv

Herpes and HIV are caused by different viruses. But patients infected with these viruses are more likely to transmit either disease to their sexual partners. Patients with herpes are more vulnerable to HIV infection. People newly diagnosed with herpes should be tested for HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections.

Patients who are infected with both herpes and HIV also may have a higher concentration of HIV viruses in their body because of the interaction between the herpes virus and the HIV virus. When HIV damages a persons immune system, the person may be more likely to shed herpes simplex virus asymptomatically.

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Herpes Stages: 3 Blisters

Once the virus reaches the surface of the skin, blisters begin to form. Blisters from the herpes virus begin as small red bumps that become fluid filled . Bumps and blisters can be sensitive or painful.

The skin around the blister appears red, and blisters commonly form in clusters. The appearance of blisters from herpes can be similar to pimples, ingrown hairs, jock itch, or razor burn. Because of these similarities, herpes is frequently mistaken for one of these other conditions.

Fever like symptoms can continue through this part of the herpes stages, but only if it is an outbreak associated with an initial infection.

These blisters contain virus-filled fluid, and grow to become very painful. This stage lasts for two to six days, and patients are advised to wear loose and comfortable clothing and avoid doing activities that may irritate the skin during this timeframe. The sores may stay open for one to four days.

What Are The Symptoms Of Herpes Simplex

Many people with the infection never experience any herpes symptoms. If you do notice symptoms, youll experience them differently depending on whether youre having your first herpes outbreak or a repeat outbreak. Recurring symptoms are usually milder than the first outbreak. Symptoms dont last as long with later outbreaks. Some people may only have one or two outbreaks during their lifetime. Others may have as many as four or five outbreaks a year.

People who do have herpes symptoms may experience:

• Cold sores around their lips, mouth or tongue. They may look crusty or like fluid-filled blisters.
• Tingling, itching or burning.
• Pain while urinating.

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Cold Sore Stages Images

• 1st Stage Itching and irritating nerve tingling that begin 24 hours before the eruption of blisters.
• 2nd Stage Appearance of fluid-filled blisters.
• 3rd Stage The blisters burst and ooze, forming painful sores.
• 4th Stage The sores dry up and start scabbing and may cause itching and cracking.
• 5th Stage The scab finally falls off, and the sore begins healing.

Atypical Forms Of Genital Herpes

Atypical forms occur obliterated, in the form of chronic inflammation of the external and internal genitalia . The diagnosis is based on laboratory confirmation of the presence of herpes infection. Atypical forms of genital herpes account for more than half of clinical cases 65%.

The atypical form is characterized by mild swelling, areas of erythema, small-point vesicles, persistent burning and itching, abundant, not amenable to therapy, white. With a prolonged course, there is an increase and soreness of the inguinal lymph nodes.

According to the localization of herpetic rashes , there are 3 stages:

• Stage I affects the external genitalia
• Stage III affects the uterus, appendages, bladder, prostate.

The higher the herpetic infection penetrates the genitourinary tract, the more serious the prognosis. An advanced form of genital herpes can lead to a state of immunodeficiency, and in women it increases the risk of infertility, cervical cancer. HSV is dangerous for people with weakened immunity , and who have undergone organ transplantation surgery.

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What Can I Do If I Have Herpes Simplex 2

Many people who find out they have herpes feel depressed knowing they’ll always have the virus and can give it to others. But you arent alone. Herpes is one of the most common STIs, both in the U.S. and worldwide. If you have herpes, you should:

• Learn all you can about it. Information will help you to manage your disease and feel better about yourself.
• Talk about your illness with your doctor.

If you have herpes, you can still:

• Have sex if you use a condom or dental dam , and you tell your partner about your illness. Some couples, who have sexual relations only with each other, may choose not to use condoms even though one partner has herpes. Because each situation is different, you should ask your doctor if this is the right choice for you in your relationship.
• Have children. People with herpes can still give birth to healthy babies. If you have herpes and plan to have children, discuss your illness with your healthcare provider.

If you have herpes, you should also get checked for HIV and other STIs .

More Questions From Patients:

Many people with genital herpes have no symptoms, or have very mild symptoms that go unnoticed.

The first time genital herpes symptoms appear is called the “first episode” or “initial herpes.” Initial herpes symptoms are usually more noticeable than later outbreaks.

Symptoms of genital herpes in men may include

• burning when you pee if you have sores

• trouble peeing if you have sores covering your urethra

• itching or pain around your genitals

During initial herpes, symptoms may also include

• swollen, tender glands in the pelvic area, throat, or under the arms

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Herpes Pregnancy And Newborn Infants

Herpes can pose serious risks for a pregnant woman and her baby. The risk is greatest for mothers with a first-time infection because the virus can be transmitted to the infant during childbirth. Guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend using specific diagnostic tests for women in labor to determine the risk of transmission. Babies born to mothers infected with genital herpes are often treated with the antiviral drug acyclovir, which can help suppress the virus.

Transmission Of Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease spread by skin-to-skin contact. The risk of infection is highest during outbreak periods when there are visible sores and lesions. However, genital herpes can also be transmitted when there are no visible symptoms. Most new cases of genital herpes infection do not cause symptoms, and many people infected with HSV-2 are unaware that they have genital herpes.

To help prevent genital herpes transmission:

• Use a condom for sexual intercourse.
• Use a dental dam for oral sex.
• Limit your number of sexual partners.
• Be aware that nonoxynol-9, the chemical spermicide used in gel and foam contraceptive products and some lubricated condoms, does not protect against STDs.

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Can Genital Herpes Be Treated

Your physician can prescribe different medications to help reduce your symptoms and speed up the healing of an outbreak. These medicines work best when you start them soon after an outbreak occurs.

To reduce pain during an outbreak:

• Sit in warm water in a portable bath or bathtub for about 20 minutes. Avoid bubble baths.
• Keep your genital area clean and dry, and avoid tight clothes.
• Take over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Avoid aspirin.

Let your physician know if you are worried about your genital herpes. He or she can recommend a support group to help you cope with the virus.