Genital herpes a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) is brought on by herpes simplex virus (HSV). The virus may infect both men and women. It is a poor infection but it’s not as common as considered and is not as hazardous as well. Read to Learn More about outlook of Genital Herpes.
After the initial infection the virus stays in the individual’s body for life. The virus becomes dormant in the body following the first infection and may reactivate later. The reactivation of the virus triggers recurrence of symptoms (that is called “herpes epidemic”). Some people can have recurrence of symptoms several times in year whereas others might have recurrenceeven years apart.
Most recurrence of symptoms happen without an apparent cause. Some of these trigger factors for reactivation of the virus and “herpes outbreak” include:
- Fatigue
- other illness (Both moderate illnesses and serious ailments can cause recurrence of symptoms)
- immunosuppression (secondary to another disorder such as AIDS, cancer or medication like chemotherapy, medications)
- menstruation
- stress (physical or emotional)
- trauma to the affected area, including sexual activity.
If your immune system is normal and healthy, genital herpes remains localized, may cause complications and seldom becomes life-threatening. But in individuals with immunosuppression it can cause severe complications and can even be deadly.
Some of the complications related to genital herpes include:
- Other sexually transmitted diseases: People with genital sores are at greater risk of transmitting or contracting other sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS.
- Newborn disease: Babies born to infected mothers may get infected with virus through vaginal delivery. The disease can be severe and deadly in newborns. It may cause complications such as brain damage, blindness or death for your newborn.
- Bladder problems: Some people with sores of genital herpes can create inflammation around the cervix. Urethra is the tube which conveys urine from your bladder to the external world. The swelling and inflammation may cause painful micturition and if intense you will need insertion of a catheter to drain your bladder.
- Meningitis: This really is an uncommon complication of HSV infection. The brain andthe membranes and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord can become infected and inflamed.
- Rectal inflammation (proctitis): Anal sex can cause sores and inflammation of lining of the rectum.
The prognosis or outcome of genital herpes is usually good in individuals with healthy immune system. The severity and frequency of outbreaks can diminish with suppressive treatment (that is long term management of antiviral drugs such as acyclovir). However in individuals with immunosuppression (weakened immune system) because of any illness or drugs the outcome can be poor. They may create severe herpes infections that involve the brain, eyes, esophagus, liver, spinal cord, or lungs.
