What is genital herpes

Life throws up all kinds of unexpected diseases, and genital herpes is one problem that cannot be prevented. For male friends, genital herpes is a very painful disease symptom. It is undoubtedly some transparent bubbles growing on the genitals. Symptoms of itching and pain will occur, which will seriously affect men's physical and mental health. But what exactly is genital herpes?

1. Source of infection

Humans are the only natural host of the herpes simplex virus. Patients in the acute phase or recovery phase, as well as those infected with the virus without obvious symptoms, are the sources of infection of the disease. It is mainly transmitted through viruses present in blister fluid, local exudate, and the surface of lesioned skin and mucous membranes. The disease is mainly transmitted through sexual intercourse and less commonly through indirect transmission through contaminated objects. In addition, mothers with genital herpes can transmit the virus directly to their newborns through the birth canal during delivery, or if they become ill during pregnancy, the virus can be transmitted to the fetus through the placenta.

2. Transmission routes

Infected people mainly transmit the disease to their sexual partners through sexual contact. Men who have sex with men are also at great risk of infection. Sometimes a person with herpes on or around the lips can infect their partner with genital herpes through oral-genital sex. Therefore, different types of heterosexual or homosexual sexual behaviors can spread genital herpes. Since infectious viruses can survive for several hours in moist environments, indirect transmission via fomites is also possible in rare cases.

Causes

HSV-2 is the main pathogen of genital herpes (90%), which causes primary genital herpes after infection. After the initial genital herpes subsides, the remaining virus is transferred along the neural axis through the peripheral nerves to the sacral ganglia and remains latent for a long time. When the body's resistance is reduced or certain stimulating factors such as fever, cold, infection, menstruation, gastrointestinal dysfunction, trauma, etc. occur, the latent virus can be activated and the virus descends to the surface of the skin and mucous membranes to cause lesions and lead to recurrence. Humans are the only host of the herpes virus. The virus cannot survive outside the human body. Ultraviolet rays, ether and general disinfectants can inactivate it.

Clinical manifestations

1. Initial onset of genital herpes

Initial genital herpes is divided into primary genital herpes and non-primary initial genital herpes. The former is the first time that HSV is infected and the symptoms appear are primary genital herpes. His condition is relatively serious. Some patients who have had HSV-1 infection in the past (mainly oral or facial herpes) are reinfected with HSV-2 and experience a first attack of genital herpes. This is non-primary initial genital herpes and the condition is relatively mild.

(1) The incubation period is 3 to 14 days.

(2) There are clusters or scattered small blisters around the external genitalia or anus, which will break down after 2 to 4 days to form erosions or ulcers, causing pain.

(3) Inguinal lymph nodes are often swollen and tender.

(4) Patients may experience systemic symptoms such as fever, headache, and fatigue.

(5) The course of disease is 2 to 3 weeks.

2. Recurrent genital herpes

After the primary skin lesions subside, the rash will recur. Recurrent genital herpes has milder systemic symptoms and skin lesions than primary one, and the course of the disease is shorter.

(1) There is a local burning sensation, tingling sensation or abnormal sensation before the rash appears.

(2) Clusters of small blisters appear around the external genitalia or anus, which quickly rupture to form erosions or shallow ulcers. The subjective symptoms are relatively mild.

(3) The course of the disease is 7 to 10 days.

examine

1. Cytology (Tzanck smear)

Use a glass slide to make an impression at the bottom of the blister and then stain with Wright or Giemsa. Characteristic multinucleated giant cells or intranuclear viral inclusions may be seen under a microscope.

2. Detection of viral antigens

Specimens are taken from the skin lesions and tested for herpes simplex virus antigens using direct fluorescence monoclonal antibody or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

3. Virus Culture

Samples were taken from the skin lesions for viral culture, and herpes simplex virus and cytopathic effects were found.

4. Nucleic acid testing

HSV-2 nucleic acid is detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and other methods.