How is genital herpes transmitted? Ways of infection, signs of disease and methods of treatment

Genital herpes is a common problem. Statistical studies suggest that almost 20% of the world's population are carriers of the virus of this disease. In most cases, the infection is easily cured, especially with timely diagnosis. On the other hand, the development of inflammation of the urinary system and other complications is not excluded.

In the light of such facts, information about this viral disease will be useful for every person. How is genital herpes transmitted ? Are there effective methods of protection from the virus? What symptoms should I pay attention to? What kind of treatment can modern medicine offer? How dangerous is this disease? Many readers are looking for answers to these questions.

General information about genital herpes

It is not a secret for anyone that the herpesvirus family is quite large and unites more than 200 different types. And before considering the question of how the herpes virus is transmitted, it is worth knowing more about the causative agent of this ailment.

By the way, the "culprits" of the disease are two main types, namely: HSV-1 and HVS-2, which are commonly referred to as herpes simplex viruses. The virions of these two types are quite similar - the differences between them are only in the different composition of the glycoproteins of the protein membrane. Symptoms of genital herpes can develop with the infection of tissues by any of these types of herpes. Nevertheless, statistical studies confirm that lesions of the mucous membrane of the genital organs often appear in connection with the activity of herpes simplex of the second type.

How is genital herpes transmitted?

Herpetic viral infection is extremely common among the modern population. So how is genital herpes transmitted? The main way of infection is unprotected sex with infected people. At the same time, the probability of catching an infection is greater if your partner's herpes is in an aggravation stage. By the way, not only traditional vaginal contacts are potentially dangerous - viral particles can also pass from person to person during oral and anal intercourse.

Many people are interested in questions about whether genital herpes is transmitted by airborne droplets. The answer to this question is no, because in the external environment the virions are destroyed very quickly. Household transmission is possible, but the chance of catching an infection using towels or other things in conjunction with an infected person is much lower.

Is genital herpes transmitted through the blood? Of course, yes. And still possible infection of the fetus during pregnancy, if the mother is a carrier of viral particles. By the way, the activation of herpes in this period is quite dangerous, since it can harm the body of the mother and child.

How does the disease develop? Brief description of physiological changes

We have already considered the question of how the genital herpes is transmitted. Regardless of how the pathogenic virions got into the human body, the pattern of their development looks the same. Through the mucous membranes, the viral particles "migrate" to the tissues of the genital organs, after which they are introduced into the cells. Genetic material of the virus is included in the DNA of human cells, as a result of which they begin to synthesize not only their own, but also viral copies of genetic material. This is how the virus multiplies. When the number of infected cells rises sharply, the standard symptoms of herpes develop.

Moreover, viral particles spread to nerve fibers. And if after the treatment all the infected cells are destroyed and replaced with new and healthy ones, the viral particles remain in the nervous ganglia. That is why it is completely impossible to cure a person of herpes infection - there is always a risk of relapse.

Are there risk factors?

We found out the answer to the question about how the herpes virus is transmitted. But, according to research and statistics, there are groups of people who have this infection diagnosed more often than others. For example, it has been proved that in homosexuals and people of the Negroid race antibodies to the herpes virus are detected more often. This same can be attributed to the fair sex - women are much easier to pick up such an infection.

Naturally, the risk group can include people who lead a promiscuous sexual life, because the virus is most often transmitted sexually. Genital herpes is also often diagnosed in conjunction with other sexually transmitted diseases, since a weakened immune system is not capable of protecting the body from the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms.

It should also be said that not all carriers of this pathogen show symptoms of the disease. Many people for years do not suspect the presence of infection. The fact is that a healthy immune system clearly controls the amount of viral particles, not allowing the infection to multiply and spread.

As a rule, the appearance of symptoms of genital herpes is associated with a weakened immune defense, which in turn can be a consequence of avitaminosis, pregnancy, sudden climate changes, overheating and hypothermia, smoking. Also activation of the herpes virus is often observed in the presence of catarrhal diseases, which temporarily reduce the activity of the immune system. Do not forget that frequent stress, constant fatigue, emotional stress, nervous breakdowns - all this affects the state of immunity and can activate viral herpetic infection.

The main symptoms of the disease

Immediately it is worth noting that prolonged preservation of the symptoms of genital herpes is not necessary. Moreover, quite often the primary disease proceeds without any symptoms. In such cases, doctors talk about virus-carrying - a condition in which a person is the source of infection, but he himself has no complications or violations.

But another clinical picture is possible. Approximately 1-10 days after infection, there is an itch and a burning sensation in the genital area. Sometimes the swelling of the mucous membranes is also observed. This is the first signs of genital herpes.

After a while, a characteristic rash begins to appear on the mucous membrane, which looks like a bubble with watery contents. The skin around the rashes turns red, and the itch often becomes stronger.

As the disease progresses, the lymph nodes in the inguinal zone may increase, which confirms the presence of an infectious inflammatory process. In addition, some patients have other signs of intoxication, namely: fever, weakness, chills, fatigue, muscle aches. After several days (as a rule, 2-4) the bubbles begin to crack, their contents go outside, and small sores form on the site of the rashes.

This stage, as a rule, lasts about 2-5 weeks. With proper and timely treatment, the main symptoms of herpes are gone after 1-3 weeks. By the way, in some people the exacerbation of the disease passes by itself, without the use of any drugs.

Approximately 75% of patients have a so-called recurrent genital herpes, which is a recurring exacerbation of the disease from time to time. Passing such relapses is relatively easy - there is neither weakness nor fever. On the skin and mucous membranes of the genital organs, the same rash is formed, although in much lesser amounts. Eruptions disappear faster and do not cause such severe discomfort.

Features of genital herpes in women

Certainly, the features of the disease directly depend on the sex of the patient. For example, in women, the rash appears not only on the labia but also on the mucous membrane of the vagina, around the anus, sometimes even on the skin of the buttocks. To the general clinical picture, the woman is also added with pulling pains in the lower abdomen, which are intensified in the second half of the menstrual cycle. Sometimes the pain is quite noticeable, it can give to the rectum.

Complications of genital herpes can be dangerous. For example, patients are sometimes diagnosed with a so-called atypical form of the disease. The disease is not accompanied by a standard set of symptoms. There are no rashes, soreness and itching. Nevertheless, chronic chronic inflammation of the pelvic organs is observed. This affects the state of the reproductive system, and sometimes leads to complete infertility.

Peculiarities of the course of the disease in men

Herpes in men is also accompanied by the appearance of rashes, and they are localized mainly on the head of the penis. Quite often, patients complain of pain that spreads to the perineal region.

If untreated, the infection can lead to an inflammatory process of the urethra. A fairly common complication is urethritis (inflammation of the urethra). The defeat of the prostate with the herpes virus can lead to the development of acute prostatitis.

Modern diagnostic methods

Diagnosis of genital herpes is a rather lengthy process. If there is any suspicion of infection, you should immediately consult a doctor. As a rule, first you should collect anamnesis and examine the patient for the presence of the main external symptoms of the disease. For example, on the skin of the genitals you can detect characteristic vesicles.

By the way, sometimes the contents of the bubbles are taken for analysis, during which the virus particles are placed on the chick embryo, observing the development and death of the cells. Such a study is rather laborious, but it makes it possible to determine exactly the type of the virus and to determine its sensitivity to certain medications.

PTSR-diagnostics is considered quite accurate. Also in modern medicine, enzyme-linked immunoassays are often used, during which the presence of antibodies to the blood in the blood is determined, which indicates the previously transferred diseases and, accordingly, the presence of herpes virions in the patient's body.

What kind of treatment does modern medicine offer?

Undoubtedly, the treatment scheme is determined individually and directly depends on the severity of the disease, the age and sex of the patient, the individual characteristics of the organism, the presence or absence of complications. Nevertheless, some common features can be identified.

The basis of therapy is antiviral drugs. The most popular and effective include such drugs as "Acyclovir", "Valaciclovir", "Famciclovir", "Foscarnet" and many others. To date, these medications are available in various forms, including tablets, intravenous and topical solutions, ointments and gels that help relieve itching and burning. According to statistical studies, the level of effectiveness of these medicines is 60-70%. In most cases, therapy with antiviral drugs lasts 7-10 days.

Quite often, treatment is supplemented with drugs that stimulate the production of the body's own interferon. Such drugs activate the functioning of the immune system, speeding up the healing process. The most effective means include "Amiksin", "Arbidol", "Poludan". By the way, these drugs are prescribed for routine prophylaxis of recurrent genital herpes.

Genital herpes during pregnancy: what is the danger?

Infection with herpes during pregnancy is extremely dangerous, both for the woman and for the growing fetus. The consequences of the disease depend on many factors. For example, if a prospective mother was infected during the first trimester, then there is a high probability of spontaneous abortion. In addition, viral particles can penetrate into the fetal tissues, causing disturbances in its further development.

Activation of herpes in the later stages of pregnancy can lead to premature birth, which is fraught with complications, because it is a preterm infants. And there is a possibility of infection of the fetus during childbirth and the development of herpes in a newborn child, whose body tolerates this infection is quite difficult. The decision on how to treat genital herpes during pregnancy can be taken only by the attending physician, since not all antiviral medicines have been allowed during this period.

Basic preventive measures

Knowing how it is transmitted and how genital herpes arises, it's pretty simple to assume exactly how prevention looks. Since most virus particles are transmitted during sexual intercourse, it is extremely important to use condoms. Nevertheless, even they can not guarantee 100% protection, and therefore, during an exacerbation of the disease, experts recommend that they completely refuse contact with the partner.

From time to time, you can take a course of taking antiviral drugs, which reduce the likelihood of a relapse in an infected person and minimize the possibility of infection transmission to a healthy person. But, again, such drugs can be prescribed only by the attending physician.

After unprotected intercourse with the carrier of the virus, the external genitalia can be treated with an antiseptic. And of course, it's worth watching the diet, maintaining physical activity, walking in the fresh air, in short, strengthening the immune system.