Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infecting the genital area. It is generally transmitted through sexual contact. Unlike HSV-1, the main source of infection is genital herpes patients and asymptomatic carriers. The incidence of this disease ranks fifth among sexually transmitted diseases in my country.
Symptoms of genital herpes include:
(1) Primary infection: The first infection with HSV, the patient does not produce anti-HSV antibodies in the body, which is a primary infection. The incubation period of primary infection is about 1 week, and local symptoms are obvious. Various skin lesions such as scattered painful erythema, papules, clustered blisters, pustules, erosions, ulcers, etc. appear in the external genitalia. They are prone to occur on the glans penis, coronal sulcus, foreskin and penis skin, and can also be seen in the scrotum, inner thighs and buttocks, accompanied by discomfort such as itching and burning. Severe cases are accompanied by systemic symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. It may also be accompanied by symptoms of urethritis. The skin lesions will heal with scabs in 3 to 4 weeks.
(2) Non-primary infection: If the patient has been infected with HSV in the past, antibodies are already present in the body, the disease is mild, and the healing is fast. However, after the initial infection, the antibodies produced in the body cannot completely eliminate the virus, and the virus can remain dormant for a long time. When the patient's immunity is reduced and affected by certain inducing factors (cold, overwork, etc.), the disease will recur in the same area, and there is often an itchy feeling before the rash appears.
(3) Other manifestations: Male homosexuals may experience anorectal infection, which may manifest as pain, discharge of inflammatory secretions, tenesmus, constipation, and ulcers in the anorectum. When pregnant women are infected, the infection may be transmitted to the fetus through the placenta, causing malformation, miscarriage, or stillbirth.
