What Does Genital Herpes Look Like?

Nearly 16.2 percent Americans carry a certain strain - the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-2) strain, which is primarily responsible for causing genital herpes. Yes, most people don't even know that they are carriers. One of the main obstacles in preventing genital herpes is the lack of information surrounding this particular disease. Studies have shown that around one in every six Americans (1 out of 5 women and 1 out of 9 men) carries the HSV-2 strain. So, while you may, in fact, feel alone and isolated because you are suffering from genital herpes, it is very likely that someone who you know is also in the same boat; even if they don't know it yet.

What is this dreaded disease, herpes?

Well, genital herpes, also known as herpes genitalis, is a particular virus that has no cure or vaccine. On entering the body through the minor cut or scratch on skin, this virus will then begin to multiply and will eventually cause a lot of irritation, sores and redness. When this initial outbreak subsides, the herpes virus will then travel through sensory and autonomic nerve endings to the spinal cord, to be more specific, to the dorsal root ganglion, a group of nerve tissue. Here it reproduces and rests until recurrence, which will occur periodically. Despite this, it is indeed possible to live a happy and normal life with the herpes virus, and this would also include having an active sex life and normal childbirth.

What is Genital Herpes?

Though genital herpes is not what you would call deadly, it is an emotionally debilitating and physically painful disease. Those suffering from the painful sores of genital herpes will experience feelings of regret, undesirability, shame and isolation.

As a society, people don't take well to STDs. When people suffer from a lifelong STD, they tend to feel damaged and dirty, unapproachable and undesirable. Yes, most people suffering from genital herpes experience a dramatic drop in their self-esteem.

Genital Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease that is caused by the HSV-2 virus or the herpes simplex virus. HSV belongs to that family of viruses that also causes chickenpox, mononucleosis and shingles. There are essentially two types of Herpes viruses: HSV-1 that affects over 50% of the certain populations in the United States, and HSV-2 that is generally found in the genitals. However, if a person with oral herpes (HSV-1) engages in oral sex, then it is very likely that his or her partner could contract HSV-1 genital herpes. And, HSV-2 could also infect a person's mouth through oral sex. There are more chances of an infected male spreading this microbe to his female partner than its spreading because of an infected female to her mate.

What Does Genital Herpes look like?

The HSV virus causes lesions or sores comprising inflamed papules and vesicles that appear around and even inside the vaginal area and cervix in women, and on the scrotum and penis for men. Both females and males could also get lesions and sores in the urinary tract, on the thighs and buttocks and around the anal opening. In some rare cases, sores and lesions have been discovered on other body parts as well.

The symptoms of genital herpes can vary in intensity and appearance. Most people don't have any symptoms or experience very mild symptoms, and they don't even suspect that they have been infected. However, for the others, the initial stages of genital herpes can cause one or more lesions and skin eruptions that are very painful.

For many people, this first episode or primary infection can be very severe and can have more distinct symptoms that in any of the following recurrent episodes. During the first episode, the lesions will generally be accompanied by certain flu-like symptoms like headache, fever and body ache. Some people even experience difficult and painful urination and swollen glands in the groin. Women might experience abnormal vaginal discharge.

The lesions of genital herpes usually appears anywhere from two to ten days after the person is infected by the virus, and can last anywhere from two to four weeks. The first few symptoms of genital herpes are the peculiar small red bumps that later on develop into blisters. These blisters will then become painful open sores that will eventually dry up, crust over and will then heal without leaving any scars. In some cases, a second round of lesions appear.

Of growing concern is the increasing evidence that people suffering from genital herpes are now at a much greater risk of contracting HIV if they do have any form of unprotected sex with someone infected with HIV. And likewise, HIV-infected people who also suffer from genital herpes may have severe outbreaks that are more frequent and their outbreak episodes may become increasingly difficult to treat.