Genital Herpes
Genital Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease ( STD), activated by the herpes virus. There are two strains of the Herpes Simplex Virus ( HSV) , Herpes Simplex Virus type 1( HSV-1) and Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 ( HSV-2) . HSV-1 produces painful blisters or cold sores on the lips. HSV-2 is responsible for Genital Herpes, which generates painful vesicles or ulcers in the genital area. Historically, it was thought that HSV-1 was specific for producing the oral lesions, and was not sexually transmitted. It has recently come to light that HSV -1 is increasingly isolated from genital lesions. In a study completed with college students in the United States in 1993, HSV-1 was a factor in 31% of genital lesions. By …show more content…
The major risk factors are unprotected sexual activity, starting sexual relations at a young age, multiple sex partners, drug or alcohol abuse, and living in an area that has s high prevalence rate. STD’s can strike at any age, however incidence rates are highest for those under the age of 25. The unique aspect genital herpes is that after the initial eruption or outbreak, the virus remains in the persons system, with the potential for transmission, and episodic eruptions. It can remain dormant for months or even years. Currently there is not a definitive cure for genital herpes. Consequently, it is a chronic STD. At this time treatment is aimed at decreasing the duration of the outbreaks, and preventing subsequent …show more content…
They were prescribed antiviral medication as directed, and not one was tested for the presence of HSV-1 or HSV-2 . The diagnosis was made by patient presentation and physical assessment. Several young girls presented with subsequent eruptions, and admitted to having unprotected sex. In, addition many were not compliant with the preventative medication. During our second clinical rotation, which was at a geriatric practice; many elderly patients presented with past histories of genital herpes. It became very clear that people of all ages were ill informed, and noncompliant with the long term prevention and treatment for genital
Genital Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease ( STD), activated by the herpes virus. There are two strains of the Herpes Simplex Virus ( HSV) , Herpes Simplex Virus type 1( HSV-1) and Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 ( HSV-2) . HSV-1 produces painful blisters or cold sores on the lips. HSV-2 is responsible for Genital Herpes, which generates painful vesicles or ulcers in the genital area. Historically, it was thought that HSV-1 was specific for producing the oral lesions, and was not sexually transmitted. It has recently come to light that HSV -1 is increasingly isolated from genital lesions. In a study completed with college students in the United States in 1993, HSV-1 was a factor in 31% of genital lesions. By …show more content…
The major risk factors are unprotected sexual activity, starting sexual relations at a young age, multiple sex partners, drug or alcohol abuse, and living in an area that has s high prevalence rate. STD’s can strike at any age, however incidence rates are highest for those under the age of 25. The unique aspect genital herpes is that after the initial eruption or outbreak, the virus remains in the persons system, with the potential for transmission, and episodic eruptions. It can remain dormant for months or even years. Currently there is not a definitive cure for genital herpes. Consequently, it is a chronic STD. At this time treatment is aimed at decreasing the duration of the outbreaks, and preventing subsequent …show more content…
They were prescribed antiviral medication as directed, and not one was tested for the presence of HSV-1 or HSV-2 . The diagnosis was made by patient presentation and physical assessment. Several young girls presented with subsequent eruptions, and admitted to having unprotected sex. In, addition many were not compliant with the preventative medication. During our second clinical rotation, which was at a geriatric practice; many elderly patients presented with past histories of genital herpes. It became very clear that people of all ages were ill informed, and noncompliant with the long term prevention and treatment for genital