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or genital herpes as it's generally called is caused by the the pathogen Herpes Simplex Virus 2, is a sexually transmitted disease.
Genital herpes appears as blisters to the genitals which is called an outbreak.  When first coming in contact with the virus an individual may have an outbreak as early as 2 days or as late as 30 days or may even be asymptomatic, which is why the disease is wide spread.

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This STD causes sores that are painful blisters that can break. The viruses get into the body through the mucous membranes, thin layers of tissue that line the openings of your body. Herpes of the genitals can actually be caused by HSV-1 (cold sores) and HSV-2.  The virus is transmitted through:

saliva

semen

vaginal secretions

The virus can not be transmitted once it reaches room temperature or it has dried.

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Symptoms for men and women are generally the same and include the following:

Itching or tingling on the site before the blisters appear.

Painful blisters on the genitals, lips, inside mouth, and anywhere else the virus made contact with.

Blisters may become ulcerated (open sores) then crust appear within a week of the outbreak.

Swollen lymph glands because they help fight infection and inflammation in the body.

Headaches, body aches, and fever may also occur.

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Vagina

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Penis

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Cold sore or herpes labialis can cause herpes of the genitals with oral contact.

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HSV-1 (cold sores/oral) inside of mouth

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In pregnancy, herpes can cause intrauterine growth restriction (a condition in which a baby doesn't grow to normal weight during pregnancy) causing premature births. A mother's risk of transmitting to her child is 50% and should opt to have a cesarean section.  A vaginal delivery places the child at risk for blindness and active herpes present on the entire body. Also, it is believed that genital herpes may be associated with brain tumors in babies born vaginally from an infected mother.

Herpetic Whitlow (blisters on fingers)

Increased risk of HIV infection

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Genital herpes in the mother is associated with increased risk of brain tumors in babies. - Cancer Epidemiology (1)

Many mothers with genital herpes are concerned that their infection could harm their babies. They are right to be concerned.

Studies say that there is an increased risk of transmitting the herpes virus to the baby when the mother has active herpes lesions in the vagina. T he herpes virus can then cause brain tumors and brain damage in the newborn baby (1).

As Dr. Oksuzyan and colleagues wrote, "Genital herpes and blood and immunological disorders during index pregnancy were associated with marked increased risk of total CNS tumors (OR = 2.74 and OR = 2.28, respectively)." (1) Dr. Oksuzyan is from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health in Los Angeles.

"Neonatal herpes... is the most serious manifestation of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in the perinatal period. Although acyclovir therapy decreases infant mortality associated with perinatal HSV transmission, development of permanent neurological disabilities is not uncommon. " (2)

Another study noted that " Prevention of neonatal herpes depends on preventing acquisition of genital HSV infection during late pregnancy and avoiding exposure of the infant to herpetic lesions during delivery... Antiviral suppressive therapy is used from 36 weeks of gestation until delivery in pregnant women with recurrences to prevent genital lesions at the time of labor so reducing the need of caesarean sections." (3)

WebMD notes, importantly, that " A mother can infect her baby during delivery, often fatally ... women who don't have genital herpes should be careful about sex during the third trimester. Unless you know for sure that your partner is herpes free, avoid sex altogether during the third trimester. If your partner gets cold sores ( oral herpes), he or she should not perform oral sex on you during this time.

Some doctors think all women should be tested for herpes when they get pregnant, especially if their sex partners have herpes. Ask your doctor if you or your partner should be tested." (4)

References:

(1) S. Oksuzyana, C.M. Crespib, M. Cockburnc, G. Mezeid, L. Kheifetse, "Birth weight and other perinatal factors and childhood CNS tumors: A case-control study in California." Volume 37, Issue 4, August 2013, Pages 402-409

(2) CHERPES, THOMAS L. MD; MATTHEWS, DEAN B. BS; MARYAK, SAMANTHA A. BS "Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infection" Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology: December 2012 - Volume 55 - Issue 4 - p 938-944

(3) Guerra B1, Puccetti C, Cervi F. "The genital herpes problem in pregnancy." G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2012 Oct;147(5):455-66.

(4) WebMD.com - Pregnancy and Genital Herpes - Reviewed by Traci C. Johnson, MD, FACOG on September 30, 2014

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Maternal Genital Herpes May Lead to Brain Tumors in Babies

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Genital herpes in the mother is associated with increased risk of brain tumors in babies. - Cancer Epidemiology (1) Many mothers with genital herpes are concerned that their infection could harm their babies. They are right to be concerned.

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Infant born with herpes blisters

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Herpetic Whitlow

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Although, herpes can not be cured there are treatment options that will help reduce outbreaks.

Antiviral medicines that are taken at the initial sign of an outbreak may reduce the symptoms and shorten the outbreak.  If a person has frequent outbreaks they may choose to take the medication regularly.
Theses are some common prescription medicines: Famvir (famciclovir), Valtrex (valacyclovir), and Zovirax (acyclovir).

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Once diagnosed lifestyle changes should occur such as eating better, stop smoking, reduce alcohol consumption, get adequate rest, exercise, drink plenty of water, and taking additional supplements to minimize outbreaks.

Research has shown that people diagnosed added lysine as a supplement to prevent outbreaks. The individual should consume a lysine rich diet that includes: fish, poultry, beef, yogurt (no added sugars), papaya, mango, apples, figs, pears, cauliflower, broccoli, soybeans, beets, and potatoes. An alkaline diet and one that is rich in antioxidants help reduce outbreaks.

Foods that are high in arginine should be avoided because it promotes growth and replication of the virus in the body.  To avoid outbreaks limit consumption of: seeds, nuts, orange juice, chocolate, wheat products, oats, lentils, gelatin, caffeine, protein supplements, watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumbers, junk foods, and artificial sweeteners.

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The only absolute way of prevention is abstaining from sexual activity but there are ways to lessen the chances of transmission by using condoms.  If a person diagnosed with herpes have an interaction with someone who does not have herpes, the chance of transmission lessens, if the person with herpes is actively taking their medication and a condom is used.

After being diagnosed with herpes the individual needs to find what triggers their outbreaks and learn to avoid the triggers. Triggers could include: stress, weak immune system, certain foods, a cold, hormonal changes (menstrual cycle), surgery, over exposure to sunlight, tight clothes.

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According to the CDC website:

Genital herpes is common.

> 700,000 NEW cases are reported annually.
15.7% of persons 14 - 49 years old have HSV-2.
Women (20.3%) with HSV-2 is more common than men (10.6%), in the same age range, 14 - 49.
Blacks (39.2%) with HSV-2 is more common than Whites (12.3%).

The CDC estimates 87.4% of the population have not been clinically diagnosed because they are unaware of their infection.

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What is genital herpes?

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2).

How common is genital herpes?

Genital herpes infection is common in the United States. CDC estimated that there were 572,000 new genital herpes infections in the United States in a single year. Nationwide, 11.9 % of persons aged 14 to 49 years have HSV-2 infection (12.1% when adjusted for age). However, the prevalence of genital herpes infection is higher than that because an increasing number of genital herpes infections are caused by HSV-1. Oral HSV-1 infection is typically acquired in childhood; because the prevalence of oral HSV-1 infection has declined in recent decades, people may have become more susceptible to contracting a genital herpes infection from HSV-1.

HSV-2 infection is more common among women than among men; the percentages of those infected during 2015-2016 were 15.9% versus 8.2% respectively, among 14 to 49 year olds. This is possibly because genital infection is more easily transmitted from men to women than from women to men during penile-vaginal sex. HSV-2 infection is more common among non-Hispanic blacks (34.6%) than among non-Hispanic whites (8.1%). A previous analysis found that these disparities, exist even among persons with similar numbers of lifetime sexual partners. Most infected persons may be unaware of their infection; in the United States, an estimated 87.4% of 14 to 49 year olds infected with HSV-2 have never received a clinical diagnosis.

The age-adjusted percentage of persons in the United States infected with HSV-2 decreased from 18.0% in 1999-2000 to 12.1% in 2015-2016.

How do people get genital herpes?

Infections are transmitted through contact with HSV in herpes lesions, mucosal surfaces, genital secretions, or oral secretions. HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be shed from normal-appearing oral or genital mucosa or skin. Generally, a person can only get HSV-2 infection during genital contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection. However, receiving oral sex from a person with an oral HSV-1 infection can result in getting a genital HSV-1 infection. Transmission commonly occurs from contact with an infected partner who does not have visible lesions and who may not know that he or she is infected. In persons with asymptomatic HSV-2 infections, genital HSV shedding occurs on 10.2% of days, compared to 20.1% of days among those with symptomatic infections.

What are the symptoms of genital herpes?

Most individuals infected with HSV are asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms that go unnoticed or are mistaken for another skin condition. When symptoms do occur, herpes lesions typically appear as one or more vesicles, or small blisters, on or around the genitals, rectum or mouth. The average incubation period for an initial herpes infection is 4 days (range, 2 to 12) after exposure. The vesicles break and leave painful ulcers that may take two to four weeks to heal after the initial herpes infection. Experiencing these symptoms is referred to as having a first herpes "outbreak" or episode.

Clinical manifestations of genital herpes differ between the first and recurrent (i.e., subsequent) outbreaks. The first outbreak of herpes is often associated with a longer duration of herpetic lesions, increased viral shedding (making HSV transmission more likely) and systemic symptoms including fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, or headache. Recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes are common, and many patients who recognize recurrences have prodromal symptoms, either localized genital pain, or tingling or shooting pains in the legs, hips or buttocks, which occur hours to days before the eruption of herpetic lesions. Symptoms of recurrent outbreaks are typically shorter in duration and less severe than the first outbreak of genital herpes. Long-term studies have indicated that the number of symptomatic recurrent outbreaks may decrease over time. Recurrences and subclinical shedding are much less frequent for genital HSV-1 infection than for genital HSV-2 infection.

What are the complications of genital herpes?

Genital herpes may cause painful genital ulcers that can be severe and persistent in persons with suppressed immune systems, such as HIV-infected persons. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can also cause rare but serious complications such as aseptic meningitis (inflammation of the linings of the brain). Development of extragenital lesions (e.g. buttocks, groin, thigh, finger, or eye) may occur during the course of infection.

Some persons who contract genital herpes have concerns about how it will impact their overall health, sex life, and relationships. There can also be considerable embarrassment, shame, and stigma associated with a herpes diagnosis that can substantially interfere with a patient's relationships. Clinicians can address these concerns by encouraging patients to recognize that while herpes is not curable, it is a manageable condition. Three important steps that providers can take for their newly-diagnosed patients are: giving information, providing support resources, and helping define treatment and prevention options. Patients can be counseled that risk of genital herpes transmission can be reduced, but not eliminated, by disclosure of infection to sexual partners, avoiding sex during a recurrent outbreak, use of suppressive antiviral therapy, and consistent condom use. Since a diagnosis of genital herpes may affect perceptions about existing or future sexual relationships, it is important for patients to understand how to talk to sexual partners about STDs. One resource can be found here: www.gytnow.org/talking-to-your-partner

There are also potential complications for a pregnant woman and her newborn child. See " How does herpes infection affect a pregnant woman and her baby? " below for information about this.

What is the link between genital herpes and HIV?

Genital ulcerative disease caused by herpes makes it easier to transmit and acquire HIV infection sexually. There is an estimated 2- to 4-fold increased risk of acquiring HIV, if individuals with genital herpes infection are genitally exposed to HIV. Ulcers or breaks in the skin or mucous membranes (lining of the mouth, vagina, and rectum) from a herpes infection may compromise the protection normally provided by the skin and mucous membranes against infections, including HIV. In addition, having genital herpes increases the number of CD4 cells (the target cell for HIV entry) in the genital mucosa. In persons with both HIV and genital herpes, local activation of HIV replication at the site of genital herpes infection can increase the risk that HIV will be transmitted during contact with the mouth, vagina, or rectum of an HIV-uninfected sex partner.

How does genital herpes affect a pregnant woman and her baby?

Neonatal herpes is one of the most serious complications of genital herpes. Healthcare providers should ask all pregnant women if they have a history of genital herpes. Herpes infection can be passed from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth, or babies may be infected shortly after birth, resulting in a potentially fatal neonatal herpes infection. Infants born to women who acquire genital herpes close to the time of delivery and are shedding virus at delivery are at a much higher risk for developing neonatal herpes, compared with women who have recurrent genital herpes . Thus, it is important that women avoid contracting herpes during pregnancy. Women should be counseled to abstain from intercourse during the third trimester with partners known to have or suspected of having genital herpes.

While women with genital herpes may be offered antiviral medication late in pregnancy through delivery to reduce the risk of a recurrent herpes outbreak, third trimester antiviral prophylaxis has not been shown to decrease the risk of herpes transmission to the neonate. Routine serologic HSV screening of pregnant women is not recommended. However, at onset of labor, all women should undergo careful examination and questioning to evaluate for presence of prodromal symptoms or herpetic lesions. If herpes symptoms are present a cesarean delivery is recommended to prevent HSV transmission to the infant. There are detailed guidelines for how to manage asymptomatic infants born to women with active genital herpes lesions.

How is genital herpes diagnosed?

HSV nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) are the most sensitive and highly specific tests available for diagnosing herpes. However, in some settings viral culture is the only test available. The sensitivity of viral culture can be low, especially among people who have recurrent or healing lesions. Because viral shedding is intermittent, it is possible for someone to have a genital herpes infection even though it was not detected by NAAT or culture.

Type-specific virologic tests can be used for diagnosing genital herpes when a person has recurrent symptoms or lesion without a confirmatory NAAT, culture result, or has a partner with genital herpes. Both virologic tests and type-specific serologic tests should be available in clinical settings serving patients with, or at risk for, sexually transmitted infections.

Given performance limitations with commercially available type-specific serologic tests (especially with low index value results [<3]), a confirmatory test (Biokit or Western Blot) with a second method should be performed before test interpretation. If confirmatory tests are unavailable, patients should be counseled about the limitations of available testing before serologic testing. Healthcare providers should also be aware that false-positive results occur. In instances of suspected recent acquisition, serologic testing within 12 weeks after acquisition may be associated with false negative test results.

HSV-1 serologic testing does not distinguish between oral and genital infection, and typically should not be performed for diagnosing genital HSV-1 infection. Diagnosis of genital HSV-1 infection is confirmed by virologic tests from lesions.

CDC does not recommend screening for HSV-1 or HSV-2 in the general population due to limitations of the type specific serologic testing. Several scenarios where type-specific serologic HSV tests may be useful include:

Patients with recurrent genital symptoms or atypical symptoms and negative HSV NAAT or culture;

Patients with a clinical diagnosis of genital herpes but no laboratory confirmation; and

Patients who report having a partner with genital herpes.

Patients who are at higher risk of infection (e.g., presenting for an STI evaluation, especially those with multiple sex partners), and people with HIV might need to be assessed for a history of genital herpes symptoms, followed by serology testing in those with genital symptoms.

Providers are strongly encouraged to look at CDC's STI Treatment Guidelines for further diagnostic considerations.

Is there a cure or treatment for herpes?

There is no cure for herpes. Antiviral medications can, however, prevent or shorten outbreaks during the period of time the person takes the medication. In addition, daily suppressive therapy (i.e., daily use of antiviral medication) for herpes can reduce the likelihood of transmission to partners.

There is currently no commercially available vaccine that is protective against genital herpes infection. Candidate vaccines are in clinical trials.

How can herpes be prevented?

Correct and consistent use of latex condoms can reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of transmitting or acquiring genital herpes because herpes virus shedding can occur in areas that are not covered by a condom.

The surest way to avoid transmission of STDs, including genital herpes, is to abstain from sexual contact, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested for STDs and is known to be uninfected.

Persons with herpes should abstain from sexual activity with partners when herpes lesions or other symptoms of herpes are present. It is important to know that even if a person does not have any symptoms, he or she can still infect sex partners. Sex partners of infected persons should be advised that they may become infected and they should use condoms to reduce the risk. Sex partners can seek testing to determine if they are infected with HSV.

Daily treatment with valacyclovir decreases the rate of HSV-2 transmission in discordant, heterosexual couples in which the source partner has a history of genital HSV-2 infection. Such couples should be encouraged to consider suppressive antiviral therapy as part of a strategy to prevent transmission, in addition to consistent condom use and avoidance of sexual activity during recurrences.

Counseling those with genital herpes, as well as their sex partners, is critical. It can help patients cope with the infection and prevent further spread into the community. The STI Treatment Guidelines includes messaging broken down by herpes type.

Sources:

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2. McQuillan G, Kruszon-Moran D, Flagg EW, Paulose-Ram R. Prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 in persons aged 14-49: United States, 2015-2016. NCHS Data Brief, no 304. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2018

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Genital Herpes Fact Sheet from CDC. What is Herpes? How common is Herpes? How do people get Herpes? And more...

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Genital herpes caused by Herpes Simplex Virus-2 is a very common disease that affect men and women with painful blisters.  After initial infection the virus lies dormant in the body. Symptoms can then reoccur when an individual has triggers to reactivate the virus.  Antiviral medications and lifestyle changes can help reduce outbreaks. The only prevention of the virus (HSV-2 genital herpes) is abstinence which is 100% effective.