The genital herpes virus is transmitted to an infected person due to sexual intercourse, but what is its origin and source and how does it occur in the transmitting person?
Many health societies focus on sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis, while genital herpes is another common viral sexually transmitted disease; The number of people suffering from it is increasing day by day, most of them are young people. Dr. Hossein Karmi, a specialist in kidney and urinary tract surgery and an associate professor at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, says: “Perhaps the health community’s inattention to this disease is the fact that it is not fatal, but genital herpes is not just a simple herpes because the disease with frequent relapses will last until the end.” It affects the person’s life and really disturbs the patient’s quality of life. There is no cure for genital warts and the only way is not to get infected with it. Therefore, by giving complete information in this regard, we can prevent the spread of the virus from one person to another.
How does the genital herpes virus enter the human body?
There are two types of herpes virus in the human body. Herpes type 1 and 2 (scientific name is herpes simplex virus 1 and 2). We are all familiar with type one. It is the small blisters around the lips that are accompanied by burning, pain and redness. But type 2, which our discussion is dedicated to today, is genital herpes or type 2, which enters a person’s body through sexual intercourse.
Does genital herpes have the same symptoms as oral herpes?
In the genital area, moles are in the form of group-shaped watery blister lesions (4-5 blisters next to each other or more). When the blisters appear, other side symptoms such as chills, bone pain, and burning in the genital area are also seen in the patient. (Side symptoms are usually seen in patients who have recently been infected with the virus.) Laboratory tests show that the liquid from the blister is full of herpes virus. This virus can spread quickly and cause infection in humans.
Do you mean by contamination, virus transmission?
Genital herpes spreads through sexual intercourse and from a sick person to a healthy person. When the rashes are in the form of watery blisters, the transmission is very intense and it can be safely said that the contact of a healthy person with 100% liquid will cause him contamination.
These viruses are persistent guests and remain in the body until the end of life. So the best way is to prevent the entry of this disturbing and uninvited guest into the body.
Does that mean there is no definitive treatment?
So far, no treatment has been found to eliminate the genital herpes virus. Treatments only suppress the virus. Anti-herpes virus tablets and ointments are prescribed for patients, which eliminate the rash within 7 to 10 days.
In the beginning, you said that the disease is recurrent, can you explain more about this?
Genital herpes resolves with or without treatment. But the disappearance of the symptoms of the disease does not mean a cure because the virus remains inside the body and resumes its activity under certain conditions. Favorable conditions for resuming the activity of the virus are the weakening of the immune system, such as a cold, stress on the person carrying the herpes virus, the start of menstruation in women, and any change in mental and physical condition. Recurrence may be of the same intensity or milder. Recurrence of the disease may reach 8 times a year.
What should people infected with the virus do to prevent relapse?
These people should undergo maintenance treatment. It means that antiviral drugs should be taken in low doses and continuously. The only good news about genital herpes is that it never turns into cancer.
Why has this virus increased among young people?
Genital herpes virus is more common in people who are sexually promiscuous (statistics show that the number of young people infected with genital herpes virus is increasing). In short, all those who have sexual incontinence are suffering from one of the sexually transmitted diseases unless proven otherwise. But our goal is to provide more information to young people, because knowledge and fear of the disease will definitely limit the high-risk (sexual) behaviors of young people. Using a condom reduces the risk of infection with the virus, but does not eliminate it because the lesions are spread in the genital area.
