LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Herpes: Genital Herpes
built 499 days ago
Herpes is a chronic, recurrent infection. The initial symptoms usually appear within 1 to 3 weeks of exposure to the virus and last 7 to 10 days (for oral lesions), 7 to 14 days (for genital lesions). Usually the number of outbreaks is greatest in the first year and higher for HSV-2 genital lesions than HSV-1 oral lesions. Each year after that, the number of outbreaks typically diminishes and they become progressively less severe. But, you can never completely get rid of the virus.
Source:
Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). A sexually transmitted disease is a disease that you get by having sex with someone who already has the disease. Genital herpes is a viral infection caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). Once you are infected with herpes, the virus stays in your body for life. You can give herpes to another person if you have sex when your herpes virus is active. Herpes simplex virus remains in certain nerve cells of the body forever, and can produce symptoms off and on in some infected people.
Source:
The common virus Herpes simplex, known as simply as herpes, can cause painful blister-like lesions around the mouth and in the genitalia. Slightly different strains of herpes predominate in each of these two locations, but the infections are essentially identical. In both areas, the herpes virus has the devious habit of hiding out deep in the DNA of nerve ganglia, where it remains inactive for months or years. From time to time the virus reactivates, travels down the nerve, and starts an eruption. Common triggers include stress, dental procedures, infections, and trauma. Flare-ups usually become less severe over time.
Source:
Herpes simplex 1 and 2 viruses are similar in that they are both transmitted by direct contact and can sometimes cause intensely painful fluid-filled blisters, containing millions of infectious virus particles. The primary difference between the two infections is the principal site of infection—mucous membranes of the lips and nearby oro-facial skin for HSV-1, and the genital skin for HSV-2. After initial infection, these viruses both travel to sensory nerves, where they reside as life-long, latent viruses. HSV-1 often lies dormant in the trigeminal ganglia that provides sensation to the lips, lower mouth and neck; while HSV-2 often resides in the sacral ganglia supplying sensation to the pelvic area including the genitals, perineum and upper legs. When the viruses reactivate to cause symptomatic disease, they travel back to the respective skin areas served by these nerves, leading to the different (oral vs. genital) distributions of cold sores.
Source:
Herpes is spread through direct contact. So, a genital herpes infection will stay in the area it originated unless transferred elsewhere via direct contact or skin-to-skin transference. Genital herpes won't just show up on its own somewhere else on the body. Because genital herpes is spread through direct contact, it is important to avoid contact with infected areas. If a genital herpes infection is not localized, further complications may occur. For instance, a herpes infection in the eyes can lead to severe complications, including blindness.
Source:
Genital Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus II (HSV-II). It is estimated that one million new cases occur each year in the U.S alone. The infection is transmitted during sexual intercourse or by other intimate contact with the genitals, mouth, or rectal area. Once you're infected, the virus remains in your body for the rest of your life. Usually it’s in an inactive state, which means it is not causing symptoms.
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Genital Herpes