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The word "herpes" comes
from the Greek root meaning "to creep."
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Nationwide, 45 million people ages
12 and older, or one out of five of the total adolescent and adult population,
are infected with HSV-2.
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HSV-2 infection is more common in
women (approximately one out of four women) than in men (almost one out of
five).
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HSV-2 infection also is more
common in blacks (45.9%) than in whites (17.6%).
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Since the late 1970s, the number
of Americans with genital herpes infection has increased 30%.
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HSV-2 infection is now five times
more common in 12- to 19-year-old whites, and it is twice as common in young
adults ages 20 to 29 than it was 20 years ago.
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Antiviral medications can shorten
and prevent outbreaks.
What is
Genital Herpes?
Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the herpes simplex
viruses type 1 (HSV -1) and type 2 (HSV-2).
Most
individuals have no or only minimal signs or symptoms from HSV-1 or HSV-2
infection. When signs do occur, they typically appear as one or more blisters on
or around the genitals or rectum. The blisters break, leaving tender ulcers
(sores) that may take two to four weeks to heal the first time they occur.
Typically, another outbreak can appear weeks or months after the first, but it
almost always is less severe and shorter than the first episode. Although the
infection can stay in the body indefinitely, the number of outbreaks tends to go
down over a period of years.
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The gold standard for the antibody
test for Herpes infections is the Western blot (WB) analysis which
has the ability to distinguish between types 1 and 2 antibodies. However
due to its cumbersome nature WB is not a practical option for the
routine clinical laboratory. We at STDWeB are affiliated with the
University of Washington where our Client specimen are tested for
Herpes Type 1 and 2 with Western Blot Serology.
Recently, type-specific purified glycoproteins G (gG1 and gG2) have
been used to develop reliable type-specific immunoassays to detect
antibodies to herpes simplex. The tests we use are based on
these purified glycoproteins, and when compared to Western Blot, have a
sensitivity of 98% and
a specificity of 97% for HSV-2. |
How is
genital herpes spread?
HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be found and released from the sores that the viruses cause,
but they also are released between episodes from skin that does not appear to be
broken or to have a sore. A person almost always gets HSV-2 infection during
sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection. HSV-1 causes
infections of the mouth and lips, so-called "fever blisters." A person can get
HSV-1 by coming into contact with the saliva of an infected person. HSV-1
infection of the genitals almost always is caused by oral-genital sexual contact
with a person who has the oral HSV-1 infection.
How
common is genital herpes?
Results of a recent, nationally representative study show that genital herpes
infection is common in the United States. Nationwide, 45 million people ages 12
and older, or one out of five of the total adolescent and adult population, are
infected with HSV-2.
HSV-2
infection is more common in women (approximately one out of four women) than in
men (almost one out of five). This may be due to male-to-female transmission
being more efficient than female-to-male transmission. HSV-2 infection also is
more common in blacks (45.9%) than in whites (17.6%). Race and ethnicity in the
United States correlate with other, more fundamental determinants of health such
as poverty, access to good quality health care, behavior for seeking health
care, illicit drug use, and living in communities with a high prevalence of
STDs.
Since the late 1970s, the number of Americans with genital herpes infection has
increased 30%. The largest increase is currently occurring in young white teens.
HSV-2 infection is now five times more common in 12- to 19-year-old whites, and
it is twice as common in young adults ages 20 to 29 than it was 20 years ago.
Is
genital herpes serious?
HSV-2 usually produces only mild symptoms or signs or no symptoms at all.
However, HSV-2 can cause recurrent painful genital sores in many adults, and
HSV-2 infection can be severe in people with suppressed immune systems.
Regardless of severity of symptoms, genital herpes frequently causes
psychological distress in people who know they are infected.
In
addition, HSV-2 can cause potentially fatal infections in infants if the mother
is shedding virus at the time of delivery. It is important that women avoid
contracting herpes during pregnancy because a first episode during pregnancy
causes a greater risk of transmission to the newborn. If a woman has active
genital herpes at delivery, a cesarean delivery is usually performed.
Fortunately, infection of an infant from women with HSV-2 infection is rare.
In the
United States, HSV-2 may play a major role in the heterosexual spread of HIV,
the virus that causes AIDS. Herpes can make people more susceptible to HIV
infection, and it can make HIV-infected individuals more infectious.
What
happens when someone is infected with genital herpes?
Most people infected with HSV-2 are not aware of their infection. However, if
signs and symptoms occur during the first episode, they can be quite pronounced.
The first episode usually occurs within two weeks after the virus is
transmitted, and the sores typically heal within two to four weeks. Other signs
and symptoms during the primary episode may include a second crop of sores, or
flu-like symptoms, including fever and swollen glands. However, most individuals
with HSV-2 infection may never have sores, or they may have very mild signs that
they don't even notice or that they mistake for insect bites or a rash.
Most people diagnosed with a first episode of genital herpes can expect to have
several symptomatic recurrences a year (typically four or five). These
recurrences usually are most noticeable within the first year following the
first episode.
How is
genital herpes diagnosed?
The signs and symptoms associated with HSV-2 can vary greatly. Health care
providers can diagnose genital herpes by visual inspection if the outbreak is
typical, and by taking a sample from the sore(s). HSV infections can be
difficult to diagnose between outbreaks. Blood tests which detect HSV-1 or HSV-2
infection may be helpful, although the results are not always clear cut.
Is
there a cure for herpes?
There is no treatment that can cure herpes, but antiviral medications can
shorten and prevent outbreaks during the period of time the person takes the
medication.
How can
people protect themselves against infection?
The consistent and correct use of latex condoms can help protect against
infection. However, condoms do not provide complete protection because the
condom may not cover the herpes sore(s), and viral shedding may nevertheless
occur. If either you or your partner have genital herpes, it is best to abstain
from sex when symptoms or signs are present, and to use latex condoms between outbreaks.
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