What are the symptoms and characteristics of genital herpes in women?

Many adults have experienced genital herpes, which is one of the common diseases. There are many causes of genital herpes and there are also many symptoms of genital herpes. So what are the characteristics of female genital herpes?

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), mainly HSV-2 and a few HSV-1. It is one of the common sexually transmitted diseases, most of which are transmitted through sexual contact. The presence of this disease can seriously endanger the health of men and women. 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.

Symptoms and characteristics of genital herpes in women

The most common sites for genital herpes are the foreskin, glans, coronal sulcus and penis of men, and occasionally at the urethral opening; in women, it is more common in the labia majora and minora, clitoris, mons pubis, cervix, and also at the urethral opening. Scattered erythema, papules, and blisters may appear in these areas, several, dozens, or more in number, and may then develop into pustules, erosions, or ulcers. Accompanied by itching or pain. After at least 1 to 2 weeks, the lesions will heal. The lesions usually disappear within 3-4 weeks, but new lesions may occur. Systemic symptoms often include fever, headache, fatigue, myalgia, and inguinal lymphadenitis.

Due to the particularity of women's physiological anatomy, it is generally difficult to detect the disease. Most of the time, it will only show an increase in vaginal discharge or some changes in color, but there will be no special external symptoms, so it is generally difficult to detect.

In addition, since the patient's symptoms are not very obvious and non-specific, it is difficult for female patients with this disease to be diagnosed. In many cases, a colposcopy is required to detect lesions of the reproductive system.

In addition, this disease is mainly active among women and has a direct relationship with sexual activity or pregnancy. When the cervix is ​​infected or the infection is not treated in time, it may cause other diseases. The pathogens may cause ascending infection and lead to other complications.

Six key points for women to prevent and treat genital herpes

Specific measures to prevent and treat genital herpes are for your reference:

1. Patients with primary infection before 28 weeks of pregnancy should terminate the pregnancy, and patients with infection in late pregnancy should undergo cesarean section before the amniotic fluid breaks. When medical staff treat neonatal conjunctivitis, they should pay attention to aseptic operation to avoid faster transmission.

2. For couples who are planning to get married or pregnant, it would be safer to wait until the disease is completely eliminated.

3. Daily necessities that are easily contaminated with viruses should be disinfected, washed and dried.

4. Since sexual partners are often asymptomatic virus shedders, they should be actively mobilized to undergo examination and treatment.

5. Patients do not need to be overly nervous. They should lead a regular life and strengthen exercise. After treatment, as the body's immune ability improves, the number of relapses will gradually decrease or no longer occur.

6. Avoid fatigue, drinking and sexual intercourse during treatment. Use condoms when necessary, but be aware that condoms cannot completely prevent the transmission of genital herpes.

7. Contact with items used by patients with genital herpes, such as toilet seats, towels, bath towels, bathtubs, etc., will cause infection with genital herpes. Therefore, it is recommended to take a shower instead of taking a bath in a tub. Do not sit directly on the seat in a public bath after bathing; try to use a squat toilet in a public toilet.

8. 60% of genital herpes patients are infected through sexual contact. If one person in a family contracts a disease from society, he or she may infect the spouse through sexual intercourse, and may also pass it on to other family members through close contact. This not only causes physical pain, but also causes family discord and mental stress. Therefore, improving sexual morality and avoiding extramarital sex are important aspects of preventing the occurrence of genital herpes.