What is the incubation period of genital herpes?

Genital herpes is a common reproductive disease and is contagious, so we must pay attention to scientific understanding. The incubation period of genital herpes is usually 2 to 7 days, which seriously affects the patient's physical and mental health.

1. Primary GH

(1) Incubation period: 2 to 7 days, usually 3 to 5 days.

(2) Prevalent sites: In men, it often occurs on the glans penis, coronal sulcus, urethral orifice, penis shaft and scrotum. In women, it is more common in the vulva, vagina and cervix. It can be seen in both sexes around the anus, thighs and buttocks.

(3) Morphology and evolution of skin lesions: The affected area first experiences a burning sensation, followed by the appearance of multiple clusters of red maculopapules, which quickly turn into small blisters. The blister fluid is clear at first and then gradually becomes purulent. The blisters are easy to rupture, forming erosions or shallow ulcers, accompanied by obvious pain. The disease will then heal with scabs forming and the course of the disease is about 2 to 4 weeks.

(4) Systemic symptoms: Systemic symptoms may occur before or during the onset of the disease, such as fever, headache, general malaise, stiff neck and paresthesias of sacral segments 2 to 4, or difficulty urinating and increased leucorrhea. Almost all patients may have inguinal lymphadenopathy and tenderness.

2. Recurrent GH

It occurs about 1 to 4 months after recovery of primary GH. Nearly 60% of patients relapse within 1 year after the first HSV-2 infection, and the disease may relapse 4 to 6 times in the first year, and the number of relapses decreases thereafter. Eves et al. found that among those with genital infection, the recurrence rate for HSV-1 infection was 14%, while that for HSV-2 infection was 60%.

Patients with recurrent GH may have the above-mentioned stimulating factors, or have prodromal symptoms. The systemic symptoms are mild, the recurrence site is mostly in the original place, the course of the disease is also short, and the skin lesions disappear in about 10 days. Because the lesions recur repeatedly and are difficult to control, patients are prone to mental burden and sexual dysfunction, and even depression. But the damage is very similar to that of the primary one.

3. Special GH

(1) GH in homosexual men: This disease is second only to anorectal inflammation caused by gonococci. HSV-2 was detected in 29% of 62 male homosexuals with anorectal symptoms but negative gonococcal tests. The clinical manifestations are mostly severe anal and rectal pain. Other symptoms include constipation, secretions in the anus, tenesmus and fever. Some patients have blisters or ulcers around the anus.

(2) GH in pregnant women and newborns: When pregnant women suffer from GH, the consequences are serious. For pregnant GH patients who are HSV-2 carriers, the most important thing is transmission to the newborn. When HSV-2 is present in the birth canal, 40% to 60% of newborns may be infected, and severe infections may lead to death.