Genital herpes transmission

Herpes simplex virus variations

Genital herpes is a strain of the herpes simplex virus (HSV), from the viral family herpesveridae. There are two types of herpes simplex virus, HSV-1 and HSV-2.

Type 1, or HSV-1, is the most common strain of herpes, affects the lips, producing sores known as cold sores or fever sores. HSV-1 can also infect the genital area and produce sores. Transfer of HSV-1 to the genital area can occur during oral sex.

Type 2, or HSV-2, is the more common cause of genital herpes, but again, during oral sex with an infected partner, it can cause herpes of the mouth.
 

Transmission of genital herpes

If you have small breaks in your skin or mucous membrane when having sexual contact with an infected partner, you are susceptible to contracting the herpes simplex virus. This is particularly true if the virus is currently active in your infected partner and being shed. Since it is possible for the herpes virus to be active with no visible signs, you may contract the disease from an infected partner who shows no visible signs of genital herpes. Remember, this is a highly contagious disease that is transmitted through sexual contact such as vaginal, anal or oral sex.

It is, however, almost impossible to become infected with the herpes simplex virus through contact with toilets, towels or other objects that may have come in contact with an infected party. This is because the virus dies quickly outside of the body.

Once contracted, the herpes simplex virus remains in the nerve cells and may cause reoccurring outbreaks over the lifetime of the infected person. For genital herpes (Type-2), the virus remains at the base of the spinal cord. For oral herpes (Type-1), the virus remains at the base of the brain stem.
 

Genital herpes and pregnancy risks

Expecting mothers who have contracted the herpes simplex virus risk passing the virus on to their unborn child if the herpes simplex virus is active at the time of vaginal delivery. Known as neonatal infections, primary and non-primary herpes infections can also 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 a baby’s liver
• Encephalitis: causing swelling of the brain
• Dermalogical Infection: affecting the eyes, skin or mouth
 

Statistics on genital herpes

Based on reported cases, the herpes simplex virus currently infects 1 out of every 5 sexually active Americans, making it one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the country.

In the last three decades, the increase in reported cases of the herpes simplex virus has risen 30% and affects both men and women, although women are at a higher risk of contracting the disease. Despite the drastic increase in reported cases, less than 10% of those who have tested positive for genital herpes suspect that they might have it. This is because more than 80% of those people tested had no outbreak, leaving the infected person clueless to their condition. It is projected that at least 22% of the adult population in this country has the herpes simplex virus that is primarily responsible for genital herpes.