HSV2 is a sexually transmitted virus that causes sores and blisters known as herpes lesions. In order to acquire HSV2, there has to be skin-to-skin contact between a person with the herpes virus and a partner. HSV2 is not transmitted through semen. Once HSV2 enters the body, it usually travels through the nervous system to the spinal nerves, where it typically comes to rest in the sacral ganglia, which is a cluster of nerve tissue located near the base of the spine.
When it becomes activated, a process known as viral shedding occurs. Viral shedding is when the virus replicates. Viral shedding may cause a herpes outbreak and symptoms such as herpes lesions. These usually occur in the genitals or rectum.
HSV2 can be asymptomatic, which means it may not cause any apparent symptoms. In order for HSV2 to be transmitted, there has to be contact between an area on a person who has the virus that would allow HSV2 to be transmitted to breaks in the skin or mucous membranes of their partner.
A mucous membrane is the thin layer of skin that covers the inside of your body and produces mucous to protect it. Areas from which HSV2 can be transmitted include:. Because it typically lives in nerves near the base of your spine, HSV2 is typically transmitted during vaginal or anal sex, leading to genital herpes.
This can happen if herpes sores or unnoticeable, microscopic viral shedding come into direct contact with tiny rips and tears, or mucous membranes.
The vagina and vulva are particularly vulnerable to HSV2 transmission. However, in some rare cases, HSV2 has been known to cause oral herpes because the inside of the mouth is also lined with mucous membranes. If the virus comes into contact with these mucous membranes during oral sex, it can pass through them and enter your nervous system.
It can establish dormancy in nerve endings located near the ear. This can lead to oral herpes cold sores or herpes esophagitis. Esophagitis is most often seen in immunocompromised patients, such as those with uncontrolled HIV or organ transplants. When this happens, the person who has HSV2 can also transmit the virus to their partner by giving oral sex, resulting in genital herpes. Herpes can only be passed through direct skin-to-skin contact with the infected area such as kissing, oral sex, genital-to-genital rubbing, vaginal, and anal sex.
This is called asymptomatic shedding. Suppressive antiviral therapy significantly reduces asymptomatic shedding and outbreaks. Herpes is a very manageable skin condition and does not cause any damage to internal organs. People with herpes have very normal romantic and sexual relationships. After diagnosis, you may feel like your life may never be the same again but you will feel better soon.
People infected with HSV-2 may experience sensations of mild tingling or shooting pain in the legs, hips, and buttocks before the occurrence of genital ulcers. For people with genital herpes caused by HSV-1, symptoms might return, but genital herpes caused by HSV-1 often does not recur frequently. Repeated symptoms of genital herpes may be painful, and the infection can lead to social stigma and emotional distress.
These factors can have an important impact on quality of life and sexual relationships. However, with time, most people with herpes adjust to living with the infection. Genital herpes increases the risk of getting HIV by about three times. Spread of HSV from mother to child during birth is a rare condition, happening in an estimated 10 out of every , births globally, but can lead to lasting disability or death.
The risk for giving herpes to the infant is greatest when a mother gets an HSV infection for the first time in late pregnancy.
Women who have genital herpes before they become pregnant are at very low risk of spreading HSV to their infants. Genital herpes infection is often diagnosed clinically by a qualified health provider through physical examination. When vesicles are not present, laboratory confirmation may also be needed to rule out other causes of genital ulcers. There have been major developments in the diagnosis of HSV-2 including using rapid molecular diagnostic tests, some prequalified by WHO.
Antiviral medications are the most effective medications available for people infected with genital herpes. These can help to reduce the severity and frequency of symptoms but cannot cure the infection.
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