It is common to
have watery discharge
and pain during
urination. This
may require a very
careful examination;
for example, during
delivery, examination
by use of a flashlight
may be necessary.
The
appearance of herpes
lesions and the
experience of outbreaks
in these areas vary
tremendously among
individuals. Herpes
lesions on/near
the genitals may
look like cold sores.
An outbreak may
look like a paper
cut, or chafing,
or appear to be
a yeast infection.
Women
are more susceptible
to acquiring genital
HSV-2
than men. On an
annual basis, without
the use of anti-viral
preparations or
condoms, the transmission
risk from infected
male to female is
approximately 8-10%.
This is believed
to be due to the
increased exposure
of mucosal tissue
to potential infection
sites.
It
is common among
men and women to
experience low-grade
fever, headache,
generalized muscle
aches, and tender,
swollen lymph nodes
in the groin. The
first visible outbreak
can last anywhere
from 3 to 6 weeks.
If
you are having an
outbreak, avoid
skin-to-skin contact
between the affected
areas and your partner.
Remember, a condom
does not prevent
the spread of genital
herpes when symptoms
are present, especially
if symptoms occur
in an area not covered
by the condom.
Screening
in Pregnancy
Unfortunately,
there is no evidence
that screening women
to identify at-risk
pregnancies (serologically
negative pregnant
women with HSV-infected
partners) will lead
to a reduction in
neonatal herpes.
To view more details
about Screening
in Pregnancy
click here
Pregnant
women who first
acquire genital
herpes during late
pregnancy can pass
the virus onto their
babies
- Pregnant
women who first
become infected
with HSV-2 during
the last third
of their pregnancies
have a low chance
of passing the
virus to their
babies; HSV-2
infection in newborns
can cause a serious
disease, called
neonatal herpes
- Passing
the virus onto
the baby is much
less likely if
the mother has
long-established
genital herpes
-
Women who have
an active case
of genital herpes
at the time of
delivery are usually
given a Cesarean
section to minimize
the risk of neonatal
herpes.
To
determine whether
the symptoms you
have just experienced
are in fact a herpes
virus, you can have
two separate blood
tests for herpes
viruses, one for
Herpes
I and one for
Herpes
II. This will
determine if herpes
is present and which
virus is active.
Frequently
Asked Questions
for Female Genital
Herpes
Will
I be Able to Have
Children without
passing the virus
on to them?
Yes, it is possible
to have children
without infecting
them with herpes.
However, there are
important considerations,
so learn more about
genital herpes and
pregnancy.
Can herpes
affect my pregnancy
and my unborn child?
Herpes
can affect the unborn
child at times and
can prove fatal
for the new born.
Hence, safety precautions
during pregnancy
are a must.
