Genital Herpes - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment | Business Coaching & Consulting

Bisola has been feeling some pains and peppery sensations in her female genitals for a while now. She noticed there were some reddish rashes also that brought out the fluid on intense scratching. She became worried and resorted to self-help. 

After a few days of not getting better, she confided in her friend who told her that it could be any of the bad infections, including HIV. 

Bisola panicked and decided to visit the doctor and complained about the symptoms she noticed in her body. She told him that she also spent some days at her boyfriend’s place three weeks earlier.

The doctor ordered some laboratory tests to be carried out and diagnosed her with Genital herpes, telling her that it could have been worse if she didn’t show up when she did.

What could have been worse than the fire in my pants? she asked.

The doctor replied that the complications could be:

1. Other sexually transmitted infections ( STI). 
2. Meningitis. In rare cases, HSV infection leads to inflammation of the membrane and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the spinal cord and brain.
3. Rectal inflammation. It can lead to inflammation of the rectum lining, especially in men who have sexual intercourse with other men.
4. Bladder problems. It would cause swelling around the tube that sends urine from the bladder to the urethra and could close up the urethra -requiring the insertion of a Catheter to drain the fluid.

DEFINITION AND CAUSES

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease, common in sexually active people. It causes herpetic sores, which are fluid-filled bumps (painful blisters) that when it breaks open, ooze fluids. 

This Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) spreads primarily through sexual contact. After the initial infection, the virus lies dormant in the body and can reactivate several times in a year as health and environmental conditions permit.

There are two common types of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV):

1. HSV-1. This type causes cold sores but could also cause genital herpes
2. HSV-2. This type causes genital herpes but could also cause cold sores.

Note: This genital herpes can be easily transmitted from person to person by close and direct contact including:

1. Unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex.
2. Sharing sex toys that aren’t washed or covered with a new condom when used.
3. Genitals coming in contact with an affected person’s genital- meaning you can still get it without penetration, orgasm or ejaculation.
4. It can also be passed to newborn babies during childbirth and the newborn can develop severe complications such as blindness, brain damage or death from an infection that happened when it was in the womb. It is important to notify your doctor of your current genital herpes diagnosis during your pregnancy to enable safety precautions to be carried out.

PREVENTION

Herpes simplex viruses are among the most common viruses and usually last for a lifetime.

The virus can potentially be controlled with vaccines since humans are the only known hosts. However, despite the development and trial of many vaccines, this is not yet possible.

That is… THERE IS NO VACCINE yet.

The suggestions to prevent genital herpes are the same for other sexually transmitted infections viz:

1. Abstain from sexual activity or limit to one safe sexual partner.
2. Use of latex condoms
3. Avoid intercourse with an infected person. 
4. Take regular tests and visit your doctor.

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