Complications of Genital Herpes

Most people infected with genital herpes are not aware of their infection. However, if signs and symptoms occur in the first outbreak, they can be very serious. The first outbreak usually occurs within two weeks after the virus is transmitted, and the sores heal within two to four weeks.

Other signs and symptoms during the first outbreak may include a second cycle of sores, or flu-like symptoms, including fever and swollen glands. However, most individuals with genital herpes may never have sores, or they may have very mild signs that they don't even notice or that they mistake for insect bites or a rash.

Most people diagnosed with a first episode of genital herpes can expect to have several outbreaks in a year. These recurrences are more noticeable during the first year of infection.

Genital herpes can cause recurrent painful genital sores. The disease can be severe in people with suppressed immune systems. Regardless of severity of symptoms, genital herpes causes high anxiety in people who know they are infected.

Genital herpes can cause fatal infections in infants if the mother has an outbreak during delivery of the baby. If a woman has active genital herpes at time of delivery, a cesarean delivery is usually performed.

In the United States, genital herpes increases the risk of heterosexual spread of HIV. Herpes can make people more susceptible to HIV infection, and it can also make HIV-infected individuals more infectious. People with suppressed immune systems, like those affected by HIV/AIDS, are affected more easily and intensely by genital herpes than other group of persons.

Genital herpes is a disease that should not be taken lightly. This is a serious disease that will affect you for a lifetime.