Modern doctors divide the herpes virus into 2 types: labial herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) and genital herpes simplex virus (HSV-2). The first type is blistering formations, which can often be seen in patients with herpes on the face in the area of the nose, mouth and eyes. The second type is not so easy to visualize, because it is localized in the groin area of an infected person. This will be discussed in this article. Let's learn to recognize this virus. Let's find out how genital herpes is transmitted, what are the causes of infection and why it should be feared.
But first, it should be noted that 80% of humanity are carriers of HSV type 1, although it manifests itself only in 20-30%. As for HSV type 2, the numbers here are much more modest - approximately 20% of the total number of people. In some carriers of the virus, it never manifests itself even once in their entire lives. For others - from time to time. For others - in every case, be it stress, a cold or banal hypothermia.
Ways of transmission of genital herpes
Genital herpes is mainly transmitted through sexual contact.
Less often - through contact and household means.
The virus is unstable in the external environment.
Infection requires direct skin contact between an infected person and a healthy person.
Moreover, preferably multiple times, and at the time of the presence of rashes.
Theoretically, sexual intercourse itself is not important for genital herpes infection.
Because infection can occur, for example, if the skin of the pubis comes into contact with the skin of the patient’s perineum or his scrotum.
In practice, there is no reason for two people to touch their genitals other than to have sex.
Therefore, in reality, herpes in almost all patients is transmitted through sexual contact.
Any type of sexual activity leads to infection.
This is vaginal sex, anal, oral.
Penile penetration is not mandatory.
Even petting is enough to become infected with the herpes virus.
Immunomodulators
Herpes in the intimate area develops with a decrease in immunity, therefore, to quickly treat the disease in combination with antiviral drugs, it is necessary to use immunomodulators that enhance the body’s natural defenses and speed up the healing process.
Immunomodulatory agents that can be used in the treatment of genital herpes include:
- Immunal;
- Anaferon;
- Herpferon;
- Immunomax;
- Viferon;
- Genferon;
- Galavit (more details here);
- Kipferon;
- Amiksin;
- Ergoferon;
- Polyoxidonium;
- Isoprinosine (more details here);
- Lycopid.
Immunomodulators are produced not only in tablet form, but also in the form of rectal suppositories and solutions for intravenous injection. It is believed that the most effective drugs are those administered by injection. The appropriate type of medication, the required dosage and duration of use of immunomodulatory drugs for genital herpes are determined by the doctor.
You cannot take medications that stimulate the immune system without a prescription from a specialist - this can cause the development of severe adverse reactions.
Is herpes on the lips transmitted sexually?
There is an opinion that herpes infections on the lip and penis are caused by different viruses.
This is true, but only partly.
There are two types of herpes simplex virus.
They are genetically different from each other.
The difference can be detected through a test called PCR.
This test analyzes the DNA of the virus that is in the patient's body.
PCR distinguishes where herpes is type 1 and where it is type 2.
The first type mainly causes blisters to appear on the lips.
The second type is on the genitals.
It was like that before.
But now oral sex is becoming more and more common.
This raises the question: is herpes on the lips transmitted sexually?
Of course, infection is possible.
Herpes infection affects the skin.
The virus doesn’t care where it is.
Bubbles or other rash elements appear at the injection site.
Herpes on the lips and genitals can be caused by the same virus.
Infection occurs through oral sex.
There may be a rash on the lips caused by the herpes virus type 1.
In this case, he will move on to the genitals after appropriate sexual contact.
Conversely, if there are rashes on the genitals caused by herpes type 2, then as a result of oral sex they may appear on the lips.
Type 1 has a more favorable clinical course.
It used to cause about 10% of genital herpes cases.
Today its share has increased to 30%.
Type 2 is more severe.
It recurs more often, exacerbations last longer.
Symptoms are more severe and fever and general malaise are common.
It most often causes the genital form of herpes infection - in approximately 70% of cases.
Thus, herpes on the lips is transmitted to the genitals.
Therefore, you need to protect yourself not only during vaginal sex, but also during oral sex.
Especially if your partner has a suspicious skin rash.
How quickly is genital herpes transmitted?
There are cases when one of the spouses has a herpes infection, the other does not.
Naturally, in a family, two young people have sex.
And this means that sooner or later the second sexual partner will become infected.
Next we will talk about what to do to prevent this.
But for now, let’s discuss what will happen if no preventive measures are taken.
If a woman has regular sexual contact with an infected spouse, the risk of her infection within 1 year is 25%.
The risk is significantly lower in men.
His risk of contracting a herpes infection during the same period of time is only 5%.
That is, he can have sex all his life with his wife, who is a carrier of the virus, and not even become infected.
Naturally, these are averaged data.
They do not apply to an individual patient.
The risk of infection is significantly lower among those married couples who use condoms as the main method of contraception.
If birth control pills are used, but there is no barrier contraception, then the likelihood of contracting herpes increases.
In addition, some couples choose more favorable days for sex.
These should be considered those days when the carrier of the infection does not have symptoms of herpes infection.
That is, he has no rash, no fever or tingling in the genital area.
If a couple has sex, no matter what, genital herpes is transmitted much more often.
What is the danger? Possible complications
The psychosomatics of herpes is such that the consequences of the disease can negatively affect a person’s mental health. The patient experiences severe mental discomfort; he often experiences depression, nervous breakdowns, alternating with apathy.
Physiologically, herpes is fraught with:
- the formation of bleeding cracks in the mucous membrane of the genitals and anus. In addition to pain, this interferes with normal sex life, causing problems in the family;
- severe pain in the lower abdomen, which occurs due to herpes damage to the peripheral nervous system. Pain may radiate to the perineum and rectum;
- decreased immunity as a result of constant relapses. Because of this, the body becomes defenseless against other infections;
- in men – the occurrence of urethritis, prostatitis, cystitis;
- damage to the nervous system - the development of encephalitis, meningitis;
- decreased libido, which provokes difficulties in relationships with the opposite sex.
Herpes in newborns during pregnancy
Particularly severe consequences of the disease are herpes in newborns, which occurs if the child becomes infected during the mother’s pregnancy or during childbirth. A dangerous disease can lead to the death of the baby or the development of complex neurological disorders, liver damage, and heart disease.
How quickly do symptoms of genital herpes appear after transmission?
So, you know the causes of herpes on the genitals.
Now let's find out what happens if you do get infected.
Symptoms will appear within a short period of time after infection.
They appear on average after 6 days.
But this period of time varies significantly.
Sometimes symptoms appear within 1-2 days.
In some cases, the disease manifests itself only a month after sexual intercourse.
The length of the incubation period depends on many factors.
First of all, from taking medications and the state of the immune system.
It is also determined by the virulence of the microorganism itself – the causative agent of the infection.
There is a direct correlation between the incubation period and the severity of the clinical course of the infection.
Short incubation is an unfavorable sign.
It means that the infection:
- it will be more difficult
- the symptoms will be stronger
- the risk of complications is higher
- exacerbations will occur more frequently
- periods of remission are shorter
- relapses last longer
And vice versa - a long incubation period suggests that genital herpes after its transmission will be much easier.
It is likely that the symptoms will be so mild that you won't even notice them.
Only a few painless blisters or papules may appear on the genitals.
They will disappear in a few days without a trace.
Is it possible to avoid getting genital herpes?
Sometimes people start thinking about the possibility of infection only after sex.
Having completed sexual intercourse, they get scared and worry about whether an infection has been transmitted.
Of course, it is quite possible to have sex and not get herpes.
Moreover: most sexual contacts do not transmit the infection.
Mostly, regular sexual partners infect each other.
But the risk depends not so much on the number of sexual contacts, but on other factors:
- Is the infectious partner receiving treatment – if so, the risk of infection is minimal
- does he use a condom - barrier contraception reduces the risk of infection, but does not eliminate it completely
- is there a rash on the genitals - if not, then infection is unlikely, even with a positive PCR result and the presence of antibodies to herpes in the blood
It should be understood that a condom will not protect a woman 100%.
For a man, he is generally almost useless.
The problem is that the condom only covers the penis, and even then, not the whole thing.
But a man’s rash can be on the pubis or scrotum, in the groin or perineum.
Naturally, the contraceptive will not close all the bubbles located on the skin.
Likewise, a man himself cannot protect himself from infection in this way.
Let the herpes infection not invade the head of the penis or the urethra.
But it may well penetrate the skin of the pubis or scrotum.
Features of the course of the disease in men
Herpes in men is also accompanied by the appearance of rashes, and they are localized mainly on the head of the penis. Quite often, patients complain of pain that spreads to the perineal area.
If left untreated, the infection can lead to inflammation of the urethra. A fairly common complication is urethritis (inflammation of the urethra). Infection of the prostate gland with the herpes virus can lead to the development of acute prostatitis.
Prevention of genital herpes after sex
For most sexually transmitted diseases, emergency prevention is possible.
That is, the patient first has sex.
He then realizes that he may have contracted an infection.
A person goes to the doctor and receives medications.
Under their influence, those few bacteria that have not yet managed to multiply to a clinically significant population size are destroyed.
As a result, despite unprotected sex, the patient does not get a sexually transmitted infection.
Despite the fact that there are also effective drugs against herpes, emergency prevention carried out with their help does not give results.
If the recipient takes acyclovir after sex, this does not mean that he will not become infected.
Most likely, herpes will still penetrate his body.
In this way, you can only lengthen the incubation period and reduce symptoms.
Drug prevention of herpes exists.
But to prevent infection, the partner who is the source of the infection must take the drugs.
Suppressive therapy to prevent herpes infection
As you already know, the causes of herpes on the labia are that people become infected from each other through sexual contact.
Infection is possible only during periods when there is viral shedding.
If it is not there, then the probability of transmitting the disease tends to zero.
To reduce viral shedding, drugs that suppress viral replication are used.
These include:
- acyclovir
- valacyclovir
- famciclovir
To prevent transmission of infection, a person who has herpes on the lips and genitals must take the medications constantly.
This treatment method is called suppressive therapy.
As long as he takes his medications, he has virtually no exacerbations.
The rash does not appear, there is no release of the virus into the external environment.
However, after suppressive therapy is discontinued, herpes on the labia majora or other organs may reappear.
Therefore, the person will become infectious again.
Sometimes episodic therapy is used.
It is possible with irregular sex.
If a person has sexual intercourse, for example, once a month, then he does not need to take medication constantly.
It is enough to start taking them 3 days before planned sexual intercourse.
This will reduce the risk of infecting your partner.
How to protect yourself from primary and secondary infection
In order to prevent infection with a genital virus, it is necessary to use condoms every time you have sexual intercourse. The absence of promiscuity reduces the risk of any infection by up to 30%. It is important to observe basic rules of personal hygiene.
Prevention of relapse of the disease begins with maintaining immunity.
In the spring-autumn period, it is recommended to take a complex of vitamins, lead a healthy lifestyle, and avoid stressful situations. This will help significantly improve immunity and eliminate the risk of herpes infection.
You can also protect yourself by getting a herpes vaccine. The domestically produced Vitagerpavac vaccine will reliably protect the body and increase the body’s resistance to infection.
