Genital herpes complications

Complications related to genital herpes

Like most diseases, there is the potential for complications to other body functions as a result of infection. Some of the more common complications from the contraction of genital herpes are as follows.
 

Pregnancy

Women suffering from the herpes simplex virus risk spreading the disease to their unborn baby during or shortly after delivery. Typically, this happens as the newborn baby passes through the birth canal during a vaginal delivery. Mothers who are having an active outbreak of the virus at the time of delivery are at the highest risk of transmitting the disease.  Known as neonatal infections, primary initial and non-primary initial herpes infections can be passed to the fetus. Studies have shown that primary initial infections increase the risk to the unborn child by 30% over non-primary initial infections.

Neonatal infections are classified into three categories:
• Disseminated Infections: primarily affecting the function of the baby’s liver
• Encephalitis: causing a swelling of the brain and spinal cord
• Dermalogical Infection: affecting the eyes, skin or mouth, usually marked by redness and swelling in these areas (This is the most common of the symptoms for infected infants.)

If the newborn is born with a dermalogical infection and it remains isolated to the skin, the baby will develop normally. If the disease should spread to the brain or internal organs, the mortality rate for infants rises substantially.

If you have been infected prior to or during conception, or if you contracted the disease while pregnant, be sure to talk to your health care provider. While healthy babies can be delivered vaginally without complication to woman suffering from genital herpes, delivering the baby though cesarean delivery (c-section) will help protect the newborn from contracting the disease.
 

Immune Disease Susceptibility

The symptoms that accompany the herpes simplex virus type-2, are classified into two categories: local and constitutional.
 

Local symptoms are generally confined to the outbreak area and include sores, irritation, itching and accompanying pain. Constitutional symptoms are those symptoms that can be confused with other illnesses and can include a fever, headache, malaise, muscle pain or soreness, meningitis, dysuria (difficult or painful urination), tender adenopathy (swollen lymph nodes) and urethral or vaginal discharge.

Immunosuppression is a disorder where the immune system’s ability to respond to infection is reduced or suppressed. For those sufferers who have a suppressed or weakened immune system, the local and constitutional symptoms of genital herpes can be more pronounced, particularly during a primary initial outbreak.
 

Incontinence

Incontinence is an involuntary discharge from the urinary track, which can vary in intensity, depending on the impact on the bladder. If the herpes simplex virus should affect the bladder, which is more likely for women who can have outbreaks internally, it could cause the involuntary release of urine.
 

Psychological Distress

It is not uncommon for people diagnosed with genital herpes to feel fear of the unknown or to be upset with themselves for being what they perceive as careless.   Your general health care physician can help alleviate your fears by educating you about the disease and discussing treatment options, as well as directing you to support groups, which are helpful for dealing with other psychological effects that may come from being diagnosed.
 

HIV

Becoming infected with the herpes simplex virus type-2 may lead to increased susceptibility to the HIV or AIDS virus.

 

Genital herpes: key points Overview of genital herpes Knowing the symptoms of herpes outbreaks Herpes transmission and how you can protect yourself Medical complications associated with the HSV II virus Treatment options available for genital herpes outbreaks Natural and herbal remedies that may offer relief