Most people have heard about genital herpes; Many, however, have doubts about this disease, how it develops and is transmitted, what are its symptoms and possible complications.
João Serafim da Cruz Neto, coordinator of the Obstetrics and Gynecological Specialties Clinic, Hospital Santa Lucia, Brasilia, explains that genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by herpes simplex virus (type 1 and type 2). "This virus can affect males and females who have unprotected sexual contact (condom use)," he says.
Eurico Lopes, a urologist at Hospital Brasília, stresses that genital herpes is a highly contagious disease, mostly transmitted through sexual contact. "But there are also other ways to get the disease, such as direct contact with lesions or contaminated objects," he explains.
Check out more details about this disease, its causes and symptoms, and learn how to prevent it.
How does genital herpes develop?
João Serafim explains that this is a viral disease, which forms typical lesions on the genitalia and oral region. "Like other sexually transmitted diseases, risk factors are related to sexual practices without condom use," he says.
Read also: Vaginal Itching: Understand the Reasons of the Problem and Know How to Avoid
Eurico explains that in about 2 to 20 days after the infection, the individual begins to feel burning in the genital area. Next, tiny bubbles (vesicles) appear. Upon rupture, the wounds release a fluid that contains a large amount of the virus and is highly infectious. The small wounds (ulcers) burn, burn and bother ?, he says.
The urologist points out that, in the early stages, the disease is more easily transmitted due to the host's capacity for organic defense: that is, the lower the immune defense, the greater the chance of contracting the virus. "In addition, it is important to note that ulcers caused by herpes simplex are the main entry into the body for HIV," he says.
Main symptoms of genital herpes
In some cases, the disease may manifest without apparent symptoms, but this does not decrease the risk of transmission.
In women, emphasizes João Serafim, genital herpes manifests with the formation of small vesicles (water bubbles) grouped in the genital region (predominantly in the region of the small lips and region between the vagina and anus), which are usually accompanied of local ardor. • After rupturing the vesicles, a local ulceration may form (this in turn may serve as a gateway to other infections). These small ulcers are usually shallow and of regular edges. They do not have a foul odor unless they are infected ?, he explains.
Eurico Lopes reinforces the symptoms of genital herpes in women:
Read also: 7 vaginal problems and how to deal with each of them
- Burning in the genital area;
- Emergence of tiny bubbles (vesicles);
- Disruption of vesicles (which release a fluid that contains a large amount of the virus and is highly infective);
- Small ulcers usually appear on the outside of the vagina (but may also be found on the inside of the body).
- During the ulcer phase, there may be fever and languages on the body of the infected person.
In man, the symptoms are similar. "After the blazing phase and formation of vesicles, small ulcers usually form on the tip of the penis, but can occur in any region of the genital organ," says Lopes.
Considerations and Treatments for Genital Herpes
But anyway, are there treatments for genital herpes or is this a disease that has no cure? Check out the clarifications of the professionals:
No cure: Lopes points out that there are appropriate treatments to reduce the action of the virus, but the disease has no cure. "The drugs serve to ease pain, heal wounds and increase the time between episodes," he explains.
Spontaneous Improvement: Gynecologist João Serafim explains that this is a disease that usually manifests itself in a self-limiting manner, that is, usually has spontaneous improvement of symptoms after about 7 days of manifestation.
Relapses: The gynecologist points out that this is a condition that can recur (recurring over and over again), and these recurrences usually occur during some degree of impaired immunity.
Read also: Vaginal discharge: Ask questions and learn to identify each type
Low immunity: urologist Lopes stresses that recurrences are directly linked to stress, physical or mental tiredness, trauma or other infections.
Frequency: The recurrence period of the disease varies from person to person. "It can happen every month, quarter, semester or even year by year, but there's no way?" Can it happen again ?, highlights the urologist.
Treatments: João Serafim explains that the treatment is done with each episode of recurrence, and is based on the use of oral and local antivirals.
You may be asking yourself, but what are the risks of not treating genital herpes?
Gynecologist João Serafim replies that, in addition to discomfort at the site of injury, there is a possibility of simultaneous wound infections with other germs, such as bacteria, which can lead to delicate complications of the condition. "We should also investigate the possibility of contamination with other STDs in patients diagnosed with genital herpes, due to the possibility of simultaneous transmission of other diseases such as HIV, syphilis and hepatitis," he warns.
Also read: Does HPV have a cure? Learn how to prevent and treat it
Eurico Lopes also points out that one must keep in mind that there are pathological processes that occur during the evolution of herpes, such as meningoencephalitis and secondary infection. "Women can then have miscarriages, premature birth or even have womb infections," he says.
The greatest care concerns newborns. The baby can be contaminated at the time of birth if the mother presents at the time, the characteristic lesions of the disease. Cesarean section is indicated for these cases. Neonatal herpes is severe. Can it lead to death or cause neurological or visual sequelae ?, adds the urologist.
How to prevent genital herpes
Condom use in sexual intercourse is the best way to avoid contamination. But be careful: condoms only prevent transmission in the areas they cover. Neighboring regions that are unprotected? like scrotum, thighs, buttocks and lips? can be infected if they come into direct contact with the virus ?, says Lopes.
The urologist warns: • Avoid having sex if your partner has sores. Genital herpes, among the STDs, is considered the fastest growing numeric, he says.
However, João Serafim points out that prevention is based on condom use during sexual intercourse regardless of whether or not there is visible lesion in the genitals of the sexual partner, since transmission may occur even before the vesicles appear.
Now you know that while there is no guarantee of a definitive cure for genital herpes, every episode of recurrence should be properly treated with medical follow-up to avoid possible complications. And that goes for both men and women.
Moreover, it is worth reinforcing: is prevention always the best medicine? The use of condoms during sexual intercourse is essential to prevent this among other sexually transmitted diseases.
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