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Herpes Simplex Virus

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Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease. That means that genital herpes can be only contracted through oral, anal, or vaginal sex. Genital herpes is spread through the herpes simplex virus. There are two different types of this virus; herpes simplex virus type one and herpes simplex virus type two (Engelkirk, 2011). Herpes simplex one usually affects the mouth in the way of cold sores or blisters. It is herpes simplex two that causes genital herpes. It will be Herpes simplex two that I will be focusing on for the duration of this paper. In the following paragraphs I will be going into further detail about mode of transmission, signs and symptoms, treatment, prevention, complications, and implications to the health of the community …show more content…
It is important to note that some people may be unaware they have genital herpes because some of the signs and symptoms can be easily dismissed or mistaken for the flu or the common cold. Genital herpes can be spread from an infected person to a susceptible person anytime sexual contact is made. However, “the risk of spreading the disease is highest when sores are present” (CDC, 2015). Signs or symptoms may take 3-7 days to appear and can last for 2-4 weeks. Symptoms someone may develop from genital herpes consist of: fever, headache, swollen glands, muscle aches, burning when voiding, foul smelling discharge, abnormal discharge, sores and painful blisters. Areas on the body where signs and symptoms may occur can vary by gender. In men some areas of infection could be penis and scrotum. For females places of infection consist of labia, vulva, and cervix. In both men and women areas of infection consist of “Tongue, mouth, eyes, gums, lips, fingers, thighs and buttock” (MedlinePlus, …show more content…
The biggest complication of genital herpes effects women who are pregnant. If you are pregnant and are positive for genital herpes you unwillingly put the unborn baby at risk for contraction of the infection. It is imperative that the mother be on medications, to treat genital herpes, prior to giving birth to the baby. The contraction of genital herpes, by a newborn during birth, can result in a fatal outcome for the child. Other complications consist of premature births of a baby and miscarriages. Some other serious but rare complications from genital herpes include blindness, encephalitis, and aseptic meningitis (CDC,

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