​Infectious Diseases and Microbiology - Genital Herpes ( Herpes Simplex Virus)

​Infectious Diseases and Microbiology - Genital Herpes ( Herpes Simplex Virus) 
20% of instances of genital herpes are caused by herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2).
Direct contact with bodily fluids or secretions that carry viruses, such as saliva and vaginal secretions during sexual contact, is how HSV-1 and HSV-2 are spread.

Having several sexual partners, having intercourse too young (before the age of 17), and having a history of STDs are risk factors.
Even in the absence of clinical symptoms, infected people can nevertheless secrete infectious viruses.

A fever, dysuria, localized lymphadenopathy, malaise, and painful vesicular lesions of the penis, cervix, vulva, vagina, or perineum are the typical symptoms of genital herpes that last for one to two weeks.

Mucosal epithelial cells become infected with HSV locally and lytically. To create a latent infection, the virus travels to dorsal root ganglia via innervating neurons. External variables (heat, sunshine, stress, immunological suppression) that cause transit down the axon with infection of epithelial cells innervated by the sensory neuron can cause reactivation of latency. Reactivation causes vesicular lesions to reoccur.

 Multinucleated large cells are found in the Tzanck smear of the lesion's cells. HSV can be identified with HSV type-specific fluorescent antibody labeling and discovered by diagnosis culture.
 Acyclovir or the prodrugs valacyclovir and famciclovir are used to treat HSV infections. Safe sex practices and barrier contraception are preventive measures.