Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Genital Herpes
DESCRIPTION (Diagnosis must be confirmed by a physician.)
- About 2 to 14 days after sexual contact with an infected
person, a burning sensation, tingling, or itching of the
genitals begins.
- Twenty-four to 48 hours later, groups of fluid-filled
blisters appear on the genital area. These may become
very painful as they turn into ulcers.
- In females sores may appear around and in the vagina, on
the cervix, on the thighs and buttocks, or around the
anus.
- In males sores appear on the penis, in the urethra (the
tube urine passes through), on the thighs and buttocks,
or around the anus.
- A sensation of burning may be felt during urination.
- The infection can cause fever, headache, body aches, and
swollen lymph glands in the groin.
CAUSE
Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually
transmitted diseases. It is caused by a virus called the
herpes simplex virus (HSV).
There are two types of herpes simplex infections:
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 causes what is commonly
known as a cold sore or fever blister around the lips and
mouth. Factors that possibly trigger HSV type-1
infections are stress, sunlight, temperature changes, and
many different irritants.
- The sexually transmitted herpesvirus is HSV type 2. It
is also called genital herpes because it usually causes
sores on or near the penis or vagina. Herpes is highly
contagious through sexual contact. Herpes can be passed
to another person even if there is not an active blister
or sore; that is, even when the infected person (the
carrier) has no symptoms. For this reason and because
herpes sores may be hidden in the internal parts of the
genital area or may not be painful, a person may
unknowingly infect others.
HSV type-1 infections may also occur in the genital area,
and HSV type-2 infections may occur on the mouth. Oral-
genital contact is probably how this happens.
Active herpes infection can be transmitted from a mother to
her baby during birth. The herpesvirus can enter the baby's
bloodstream and sometimes causes permanent brain damage.
EXPECTED COURSE
The sores usually start to heal after about 5 days and
generally disappear in 1 to 3 weeks. Sometimes they may
last as long as 6 weeks.
Unfortunately, the long-term course of herpes cannot be
predicted for any one person. The disease often recurs,
with 50% of patients getting the sores again within 6 months
after the first appearance of the sores. Symptoms are
usually milder in recurring attacks.
TREATMENT
- Medication and sitz baths
There is no cure for herpes at this time. Although they
may recur, herpes sores do heal by themselves. The
following treatment can reduce pain and speed up the
healing process:
- Prescription medication. The following medicines are
all forms of a prescription drug called acyclovir.
If you start taking one of these medicines within 6
days after the sores appear, you can reduce the pain
of the initial infection and speed up the healing
process. Your doctor may give you one of the
following prescriptions:
- 400 mg of acyclovir three times a day for 7 to 10
days
- 200 mg of acyclovir five times a day for 7 to 10
days
- 250 mg of famciclovir three times a day for 7 to
10 days
- 1 gram of valacyclovir twice a day for 7 to 10
days.
Acyclovir may also be used for severe pain in
recurrent infections.
If you are pregnant, discuss the use of acyclovir
with your health care provider.
- Sitz baths two or three times a day in warm water
will help soothe the pain.
- Pain medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or
ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) can help relieve pain and
fever.
- Emotional effects
Although genital herpes itself is not usually a serious
disease, having it can lead to depression and other
emotional problems. Don't let herpes lower your
self-esteem. Recognize and avoid stress because stress
can decrease your resistance to reinfection.
There are many herpes counseling groups that give
support and help to herpes patients. Information can be
obtained by contacting the National Sexually Transmitted
Disease Hotline at 1-800-227-8922 (a toll-free number).
- Prevention
Don't expose others to your herpes. Tell any sexual
partners about your infection.
Both initial and recurrent sores shed virus. Avoid
sexual contact while sores are present. Using condoms
every time you have sexual intercourse to prevent the
spread of herpes can be almost as effective as
abstinence (not having intercourse). In addition, you
are less likely to get a sexually transmitted disease if
you have just one sexual partner.
Women should have a pelvic exam to find out if they were
exposed to any other sexually transmitted disease at the
same time as the herpes infection. Every woman (with or
without herpes) should schedule a yearly pelvic exam and
Pap smear.
CALL YOUR PHYSICIAN DURING OFFICE HOURS IF:
- Your symptoms worsen.
- You have other questions or concerns.
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