An introduction to genital herpes infection

The causes of herpes are primarily because of a virus called herpes simplex and these are of two strains namely Type 1 or HSV1 and Type 2 or HSV2.

The type 1 results in cold sores and genital herpes is caused by type 2 variants of the virus. In the first type induced genital herpes infection, blisters occur around mouth and lips.

In the earlier days, HSV1 was not known to result in genetal herpes but these days with more young people having sex the transition to genital herpes does not take long. However, most of the time, studies on genital herpes reveal it to be caused by the second and not the first strain of the virus.

About HSV2

This virus causes genital herpes outbreak and the virus itself resides in nerves. When the virus gets active, it moves to infected skin areas and replicates itself. This process is also called shedding and is the most infectious stage because direct contact can easily trigger its spread. After shedding, the genital herpes virus moves down into nerve ganglions and stays dormant for sometime.

Who is a likely candidate?

As many as one in five persons from age 12 upwards is infected with HSV3 causing genital herpes infection. However, shockingly, as much as 90% of those infected are unaware that the condition actually exists in them! More genital herpes info and statistics will quickly reveal that as many as 50 or even 80% of all adults have cold sores and genital herpes of oral nature.

Women are more likely to get infected as compared to men. This explains why the genital infection spreads more easily to women compared to men. Ethnicity also plays a part as studies on genital herpes reveal that black people get it more compared to white people or Caucasians. Age also plays a part because the older you get the more chances of you contracting genital herpes. Sexual activity is also another contributing factor because the more sexually active you are the more you stand to get genital herpes infection.

How is it spread?

Genital herpes infection of the oral kind spreads because of kissing or any form of oral contact with the infected person. It can also infect a person during oral sex such as cunnilingus, analingus or fellatio. In this kind of transmission, it does not take long for the genital herpes infection to manifest itself.

Most strains of the HSV2 virus spread from anal as well as vaginal sex. Sometimes, the genital herpes infection can pass from the genitals of one partner to the other person’s mouth, causing oral herpes. Since the virus strains do not survive for long on inert surfaces, you cannot get genital herpes infection from a hot tub or the seat of a toilet.

Prevention

Dental dams and condoms or other such latex barriers are the best preventive measures against genital herpes infection. This is one of the most common facts about stds in general. However, this method only works as long as the barrier covers the infected surface.

If your partner has any visible sores you should refrain from sexual activity. If the person has cold sores and genital herpes symptoms, ensure you avoid oral sex. Since the virus takes time to show visible signs of the genital herpes infection, it is important to stay cautious because you could be infected even during this time.