Herpes, or the Genital Herpes Virus

The genital herpes virus, caused by the herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2), is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). HSV-2 is the most common of the genital herpes virus. Most people have no, or very hard to detect, signs or symptoms from HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection. Typically herpes will appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. When the blisters break they leave tender ulcers (sores) which can take two to four weeks to heal the first time. usually another outbreak will appear weeks or months after the first and is almost always less severe and shorter than the first outbreak. Even though a herpes infection can stay in the body indefinitely, the number of outbreaks tends to decrease over a period of years.

Genital Herpes Virus

Recent studies show that on a national level, the genital herpes virus is so common that it is estimated that one out of five adolescents and adults have had a genital herpes infection, however, the percentage of those infections has been on a decrease due to increased awareness.

Genital Herpes Virus

Men are less likely to contract genital herpes virus, one in eight, and women are more at risk, one in four. This is probably due to the fact it is much easier for a woman to contract this infection from a man and less likely for a man to contract the infection from a woman.

In most healthy adults, the genital herpes virus doesn’t cause any other serious permanent complications besides the herpes sores. However, there are other complications that can occur

1. Your more at rist for contracting other STDs.Contracting other STDs.
2. Women who are pregnant and have an active herpes infection can transmit the infection to their newborn baby, but women who experience occasional or no outbreaks are much less likely to transmit the infection to their newborn.
3. In very rare cases, the HSV infection can lead to inflammation of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord, otherwise known as menengitist.
4. The herpes virus can lead to to difficulties with the urinary system, such as urine retention.
5. The herpes virus can lead to inflammation of the lining of the rectum, most commonly with men who have sex with other men.