Genital herpes is mainly transmitted through sexual contact. Active skin lesions caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 contain live viruses and are highly contagious. Patients with recurrent genital herpes can asymptomatically excrete the virus from the penis, vagina, cervix, and rectum between attacks. Therefore, patients with genital herpes (symptomatic and with rash) and asymptomatic carriers are the main sources of infection. The herpes virus enters the human body through tiny breaks in the mucous membrane or skin, first growing and multiplying in the local area, and then spreading through the blood and nerve pathways. The genital herpes virus is highly contagious. Any woman who has sex with a man with penile genital herpes has a 60% to 80% chance of also becoming ill. The patient is highly contagious when symptoms are obvious, and less contagious when asymptomatic, but still possible. A few can also be transmitted through contaminated objects. Women with genital herpes can
The virus can be transmitted to the newborn through the birth canal during pregnancy, and can also be transmitted to the fetus through the placenta in the uterus.
What is the natural history of genital herpes?
Primary genital herpes refers to the first infection with the herpes simplex virus, with an incubation period of 3 to 9 ...