Genital herpes is usually just referred to simply as herpes, but in fact, the proper name is herpes simplex virus. Herpes is most often transmitted during intercourse through contact with the mucous covered linings of the vagina, male genital, or mouth the virus then travels to the nerve roots near the spine and will remain there. Periodically the virus will travel down the nerve endings resulting in an outbreak of the painful symptoms associated with herpes.

While there is no cure, symptoms can be controlled to some extent through the use of certain medications and changes in lifestyle. There are two types of medications normally used for the treatment of herpes including topical ointments that are applied to the area experiencing a breakout and oral drugs. Most who experience this condition believe that the oral medications are more effective.

The most important time to have medical treatment for herpes is during or if possible even before the initial outbreak really starts. At the first stage of the condition, symptoms reported are similar to the flu, and the there can be a tingling or burning sensation in the genital area. The first real outbreak is often the most severe episode, but if at this point antiviral medication is used it can reduce the severity of symptoms experienced from this point on.

Antiviral medications such as acyclovir sold as Zovirax, famciclovir listed under the label Famvir, and valacyclovir sold as Valtrex are the ones most commonly prescribed. In the initial outbreak, a doctor might prescribe oral treatments or if the symptoms are severe then intravenous forms of antiviral medications might be used.

Medications can reduce the pain and help to stop the virus from spreading, but this is not a cure. While the length of time the sores are present can be reduced the virus is still present in the body and will remain so for life. Anyone with herpes should also take care to know methods to keep the virus from being passed on while being intimate. Changes in lifestyle should include reducing stress and fatigue as this can trigger an outbreak.

It is normal, and natural for an expectant mother to have fears for her unborn child. For women with genital herpes their concerns are compounded. It is critical for an expectant mother to understand the consequences of the baby contracting the disease as it is her right to know these issues before the birth process begins. Should an infant contract neonatal herpes the results can be heartbreaking. Only half of the infants treated with an antiviral medication will respond well. In the case of the infants who do not respond to this medication, there is a chance of permanent damage including serious neurological impairment or retardation. With these complications as a possibility, doctors and parents must show serious caution during the birth.

The positive news is that research indicates a low probability of passing the infection. In the general population of the United States roughly 25% of pregnant women have genital herpes. Out of that 25%, only 0.1% of the infants contracted herpes. In other words, what an expectant mother should understand is that not only is it possible for her baby to remain healthy, it is the most probable outcome.

Perhaps the most often requested information an expectant mother with the infection will need to know is if she will require a caesarean. The answer to this depends on when the infection was acquired, and if an outbreak is either evident or impeding. If the infection was contracted before the pregnancy, or before the third trimester, and no symptoms of an outbreak, or warnings of a future outbreak are evident when the water breaks or labor begins than a vaginal delivery is possible.

There is currently no test to determine if someone with genital herpes is shedding contagious cells. If however, the infection is currently in outbreak at this time with symptoms such as sores anywhere near the vagina, cervix, or outer genitals than a caesarean is necessary. Also, if there are warnings of an impeding outbreak like burning, tingling, or itching a natural birth is not the best option. A caesarean birth should also be arranged in advance if the mother has experienced sudden outbreaks without warning.

Every mother wants a healthy child, so concern or even worry is perfectly understandable during the pregnancy. Speaking with the doctor, and other care workers who will be present during the birth can alleviate many of these fears.

References:

http://www.babycenter.com/0_herpes-during-pregnancy_1360877.bc

http://www.herpes.com/pregnancy.shtml

Causes of Genital Herpes

There are a few viruses that cause genital herpes. Herpes hides within the nerve cells, and the immune system is not able to reach and fight off the infection. This allows the virus to launch new attacks on the person who is infected and it is also why there is no cure for the herpes virus. There are two main strains of the herpes virus: HSV 1 that causes cold sores around lips and the mouth and HSV 2 that causes genital sores that can be painful. Either type of virus can affect the mouth and the genitals depending on when the break out occurs. This infection can be passed to the newborn child. There are many influences that can trigger outbreaks such as intercourse, stress, or heat. Four or five outbreaks annually should be expected in those who have herpes.

Risks During Pregnancy

Around one in four pregnant women is infected with the genital herpes virus. Most of these women do not know they are infected, and only a few of these mothers pass the infection to their babies. When the woman contracts the virus for the first time near the end of the pregnancy have a 40 percent chance of passing this infection along to the newborn during a vaginal delivery. This does not change whether or not they are having an outbreak at the time. The risk is higher at this time because the new infection has not produced disease fighting antibodies that could help protect the baby against the infection at this time. Around 2 percent of pregnant women contract genital herpes for the first time during their pregnancy.

If the infection was present before herpes, and have an outbreak during the time of delivery, they have only around a 3 percent chance of infecting their newborn. Blood tests can help determine if the woman has an old infection, or if the infection she is experiencing is a new one to help determine the best course of action for her unborn child.

Other Ways for the Infection to Spread

Most newborns contract the infection during delivery, although newborns can also contract the infection before birth. Sometimes children can become infected with the virus after birth such as when someone kisses the newborn when they have cold sores. If the person has cold sores, they should not touch or kiss the baby.

Symptoms of Infection in a Newborn

If the newborn is infected, they sometimes exhibit sores in the mouth or infections in the eyes. If the infection limits itself to these areas, then the infection cannot pose permanent damage to the nerve system or brain. Damage to the eyes might occur however. The herpes infection most of the time spreads to the brain and organs. These infants will show poor eating habits, irritability, and seizures. With treatment, only 30 percent of these infants with an infection in the organs die, and only around 4 percent of these end up with brain infections due to the spreading virus. The babies who do make it through end up with permanent and damaging infections and disabilities throughout their lifetime.

Treating the Infection in an Infant

There is a drug that is used to treat the infection in the infant. It is effective at treating a localized infection, but it cannot go much further than that. It is important to catch the infection early, and before it spreads to give the newborn life and options. This drug is not effective or less effective once the infection has spread to the nerves, brain, and internal organs.
It is important for mothers to educate themselves on genital herpes before having children. If they understand and know they are infected with the infection than they should take the necessary precautions to protect their newborn from getting the infection. It is also important for the mother to try to stay away from intercourse with others who might carry the virus while they are pregnant if they are not infected.

Risks and Dangers Involved with Genital Herpes and Childbirth

Women who have the genital herpes disease can in fact, have a safe and normal childbirth vaginally. Being tested early on in the pregnancy can help determine what your risks are, and how to treat the disease without passing it to the unborn child. A blood test should tell you whether or not you’re positive for the herpes virus, or the most advanced tests would be the Western Blot. This will give more accurate results and is more widely available.

20 to 25% of pregnant women have the genital herpes disease. When a woman has genital herpes before she become pregnant, she has a lesser chance of passing it onto her child during childbirth. Antibodies are present in the blood once the virus has been in the system for awhile. These antibodies can actually prevent and protect the baby from contracting the disease. Recurrent genital herpes presents a minimal risk to pregnancy, and if the woman becomes crossed with the virus during pregnancy, there is a chance that the disease can interfere with the baby’s health through the placenta. This only happens in around 5% of cases.

If the virus is transmitted to the unborn child, this can cause neonatal herpes which can be potentially fatal to the child. The pregnant women are at the highest of transmitting the disease to their unborn child is those women who contract the virus later on in pregnancy.

During Delivery

The spread of herpes during delivery is rare, but not unheard of. If the woman has an outbreak, or active herpes during delivery, a c section is performed for minimal risks. The risk of passing it onto the unborn child is higher if the mother is having an outbreak at the time of delivery. There are small risks that include asymptomatic shedding which is when an outbreak occurs without any symptoms. Around 10 to 14% of women who have the herpes virus have an active lesion during the time of delivery. If the woman has had the virus for 6 years or more, she is at a decreased risk for passing it on; if the woman contracted it during pregnancy she is at a higher risk.

Less than 0.1% of babies become infected with neonatal herpes. This happens when the baby becomes in contact with the virus during delivery through the birth canal. Babies can get this infection when the mother has not had the virus for long enough to build up antibodies to protect against it. When a baby is born prematurely, they are at a slightly higher risk of contracting the disease from the mother during delivery. This is because the antibodies needed to protect the infant from the virus begin forming around 28 weeks of pregnancy.

Herpes After Birth

Herpes can be spread to the infant after birth if someone with a cold sore kisses the child. When an infant has herpes, it can be a serious condition with eye infections, throat infections, central nervous system damage, mental retardation, and even death. Once the baby reaches around six months old, they can better handle the virus because of the antibodies they have built up. If there is an outbreak of herpes, make sure to always wash your hands before handling the baby to prevent it from spreading. If the infected area does not come into direct contact with the child, there is no risk when it comes to breastfeeding, laying in bed with the baby, or even holding the baby.

There are a lot of things to think about when it comes to having genital herpes, and thinking of becoming pregnant. You also want to ensure that you do not contract the virus while pregnant since this can lead to worse chances of spreading the virus. There are ways to prevent it from spreading, and taking precaution during these times is advised when coming in contact with the newborn.

Most women and most men become aware of the infection when blister-like sores appear on and around the genitals. These symptoms are usually accompanied by flu-like symptoms of headaches, fever, and muscle ache. In women as the sores sometimes develop in the vagina symptoms also included discharge. If sores do not appear outside the vagina then a misdiagnosis of yeast infection or pelvic inflammatory disease is often given, and this can delay treatment.

During pregnancy, it is critical that women with the herpes virus seek medical treatment immediately. The doctor will need to know from the moment that the pregnancy is confirmed of the genital herpes virus diagnosis. The virus does increase the chances of miscarriage and premature labor. Other complications are also a possibility, but the statics are still on the baby’s side. While between 20% to 25% of all pregnant women are infected with genital herpes, only 0.01% or less have complications because of the virus.

Most at risk for complications are women who are infected with herpes during the last trimester or experience the first episode of genital herpes late in the pregnancy. Because of the short time left before the birth few if any antibodies will have had time to pass to the baby.

The birth process itself is the time of most risk for the baby. If the child passes through the birth canal, when the mother is experiencing an outbreak, is about to experience an outbreak, or contracted the infection during the second or third trimester than a cesarean is necessary, as this rules out any possibility of the infection being transmitted to the baby.

Another factor that can increase the baby’s risk of contracting the disease is premature birth, since again there’s less chance of receiving antibodies from the mother. Very rarely, does the virus transfer to the child through the placenta to the fetus. In those cases where it does occur, it is known as congenital herpes.

Seeking treatment early in pregnancy is again, of utmost importance as the virus warrants extra monitoring by a health care professional as early as possible. When there is no outbreak at the time of delivery, or there are no symptoms of a possible outbreak then it is safe to have a vaginal birth.

Most herpes medications to suppress symptoms cannot be used during pregnancy, although some mother’s are prescribed acyclovir during the third trimester to help suppress an outbreak near the time of birth. As the FDA does not approve the drug for use during pregnancy, a doctor will only prescribe it if the benefits of taking it, will out weight any possible risks.

The Spreading of the Genital Herpes Virus

The genital herpes infection is the most common throughout the United States of America. One out of six people in the United States between the ages of 14 to 50 years old have the genital type 2 infections. The percentage of people who have genital herpes has remained stable over the past 10 years or so. The herpes type 2 infection is the most common in women, and around one out of five women have the infection. It is more likely for a woman to catch the virus from a male, than a male to catch the virus from a female. This is due to the opening of the women, and the male having a closed genital area. The herpes virus can still be transmitted to the male from the female, it less common but not unheard of.

Catching Genital Herpes

The genital herpes virus can be transmitted from the sores that the virus causes. It can be released through outbreaks in the skin, even if there is not a sore present at the time. Usually, genital herpes can only be transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person. If the person does not know they are infected, and there are no sores on the person, the infection can spread to the person who does not have the virus. The genital herpes virus type 1 is more common in the mouth and lips of an infected person. It can be found on the genitals, but it has to be through oral transmission to the genital area from the infected person. The outbreaks from the type 1 virus occur less frequently than the type 2 virus.

Signs and Symptoms of the Virus

A lot of people that have the herpes virus 2 are not aware that they have the infection in their systems. The first signs and symptoms that appear in the beginning are the most pronounced, and this first outbreak usually occurs within two weeks once the virus is transmitted. The sores that appear will usually heal within two to four weeks within the breakout. A second outbreak of sores and blisters may appear after the first one. You might also experience flu like symptoms during the beginning with a fever, the chills, and swollen glands. A lot of times however, people do not present any symptoms and might have not noticed any changes. This can cause complications since they do not know they have the virus so they cannot be treated for it. They might mistake the sores or blisters for a skin infection or condition.

When you’re diagnosed with genital herpes, you will usually have around four to five outbreaks a year. Some people may experience more or less depending on their individual case. Over time, the outbreaks may decrease in frequency. Sometimes the first episode or outbreak might not occur until years after the person has contracted the infection.

The Complications Involved with the Virus

There are a few complications that come with the genital herpes virus. The virus can cause painful genital sores in adults, and can be a severe infection in those who have suppressed and compromised immune systems. Regardless of how bad the symptoms are in a patient, the virus can cause psychological stress in people who know that they carry the virus. The virus can also lead to dangerous infections in infants that can be fatal. If the infection is contracted later on in a pregnancy, there is more of a chance that the baby can become infected due to the newly acquired infection. If the woman is having an outbreak during delivery of the baby, a c section may need to be performed to minimize the chances of the baby contracting the virus from the mother. However, infection from the mother to the baby is rare. Herpes might have a role in the spreading of the HIV virus. Having herpes makes you more susceptible to contracting the HIV virus; it also makes individuals with the HIV virus more infectious.

Diagnosis of the Herpes Virus

The symptoms that show up with the herpes virus can vary from person to person. Usually a visual inspection can diagnose whether or not a person has the herpes virus. Having a sample taken from the sores can also diagnose the herpes virus in a patient by testing in a lab. Herpes can also be diagnosed by a blood test between outbreaks. The results for blood tests of herpes might not always be clear though.

Herpes is a serious sexually transmitted disease that medication can be taken to reduce outbreaks, but cannot cure them. The medication can also reduce the transmission from a infected partner to a non infected partner although it is not guaranteed. The only sure way to not transmit herpes from one person to another is stop engaging in sexual activity. Another way is to engage in a long term sexual relationship with a partner who knows they are not infected when you’re not infected as well. The herpes virus can still be transmitted from one partner to another when using condoms and birth control methods. Even if there are no open sores or blisters, a person can still become infected with the virus from an infected person.

Symptoms of Oral Herpes

The severity of the symptoms of oral herpes can vary depending on the stage and degree of the oral herpes infection at the time of the outbreak. One of the most common symptoms of oral herpes is the outbreak of cold sores or fever blisters. Before the blisters go away, the person can feel symptoms of the cold sores that include, but are not limited to burning, pain, itching, or tingling near the lips and mouth. Once a day or two passes, the blisters will then appear and erupt after time which can cause pain.

The sores that erupt the most are usually in the mouth area, rather than around the lips. They erupt around the gums, tongue, throat, inside the cheeks, and on the roof of the mouth. One of the most severe symptoms that oral herpes has is the feeling that they get while eating and drinking while the sores are present in and around the mouth. There is extreme pain during this time. Cold sores can migrate to the chin, neck, and throat areas. The lymph nodes in the throat can swell and become extremely painful during this time because of the sores and the infection.

Cold sores appear as small red spots on the lip area in the beginning stages. The red spots will then become fluid filled after a few days which are known as fever blisters. The blisters will break down rapidly, and appear as a small, gray ulcer over a red backing. Within a week, they will crust over and scab. They appear yellowish in color and are dry. Other symptoms besides the cold sores that come with the oral herpes virus is tiredness, fever, irritability, and muscle pain.

The Virus

Once oral herpes is contracted, the virus does not go away and there are no cures to remove it from the system. Once the cold sores leave, the virus lies dormant in the body until the next outbreak. The next outbreak can be anytime that the virus is triggered by sickness or outside factors beyond your control. Oral herpes is contagious, even if there are no symptoms present. These people are not to come in contact with others once they get the blisters on their face and mouth. This is because they can spread it even by their hands. Sharing other items with the person such as toothbrushes, spoons, lipstick, and other items for the mouth can cause the virus to spread. When there is an outbreak of sores, kissing and nuzzling are highly discouraged.

Genital herpes are caused by the herpes virus 2. This is a variant of the first virus, and both viruses have slight differences. Cold sores can be transmitted from the mouth to the genitals, and the genitals to the mouth. Genital herpes usually only spreads through sexual contact, while oral herpes can spread in other ways through the mouth. Oral herpes is usually painful, and extremely uncomfortable. The sufferers of oral herpes also have a harder time hiding the oral sores. There are ways to manage the virus however, and prevent outbreaks in the future.

Having oral herpes does not have to be the end of the world since there are treatments to help manage and prepare for the outbreaks. There is nothing that can cure oral herpes, but knowing the best ways to take care of it is beneficial when suffering from them. The blisters and sores can be uncomfortable and painful, and the pain can be managed. Speaking to a healthcare provider once you have a breakout will allow you to get diagnosed with oral herpes, and also help you come up with the best plan of action in treating them. You might be able to find a way to prevent outbreaks from happening, or prevent the outbreaks from being severe.

Cold sores are usually found near the mouth, most commonly on the lips, but they can also occur near the nose, cheek or on the chin. Rarely, a cold sore will develop on the fingers, and in these incidents, the condition is often referred to as Herpes Whitlow. Very infrequently, cold sores can show up on the gums or on the roof of the mouth, but often such a lesion is found to be a canker sore. Once a cold sore strikes in one area, it will often reappear in new outbreak in the same location.

One of the misconceptions about cold sores can make it even more difficult for a sufferer to face a day in public while enduring an outbreak. The reality is that cold sores and genital herpes are caused by a type of Herpes simplex, but are not directly related. Genital herpes a very painful condition that strikes with lesions and sores below the waist is caused by HSV-2 or Herpes simplex virus type 2. Cold sores are most often the result of a Herpes type 1 infection. HSV-1 and HSV-2 are typed by where the infection is found in the body. One important fact is that is possible to transfer the different viruses to other areas of the body. For instance, if experiencing a cold sore it is possible to transfer the infection to a partner’s genital during sex, and in the same way, HSV2 can be transmitted to the mouth. Mouth to mouth contact is however the most common way the cold sore virus is transmitted.

Cold sores are very common, and in the United States statistical data has produced estimates that 80% of the American population has been exposed to the virus. Not everyone exposed will show symptoms.

During an outbreak stopping the pain, is the most important objective. Ice applied to sore will numb the area, and lower the temperature, inhibiting the virus from spreading. A warm compress once an hour dulls the pain. Tea bags such as Earl Grey are very good for this purpose. Keeping the area of the sore moisturized with petroleum jelly, or another type of lip moisturizing gel can also prove beneficial.

Causes

At least 80% of American adults are carriers. The virus is common and affects approximately fifty million American adults annually. The herpes simplex virus can cause cold sores to occur as many as twelve times per year, but most people who have a proclivity to develop cold sores have three outbreaks per year. Up to 90% of sufferers of the HSV-1 are under the age of fifty and have been in close contact with a symptomatic person. Once HSV-1 enters the body, it results in a life long stay. Cold sores are the result of the virus reactivation.

Symptoms

Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 don’t always produce symptoms of the infection. In the case that symptoms do appear, they consist of the following:
• acute herpetic gingivostomatitis (inflammation of the mucosa of the cheek and gums)
• headache
• nausea
• dizziness
• painful ulcers (confused with canker sores)
• fever
• sore throat
• dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
• lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes)

In adolescents, a primary herpes simplex virus infection can become severe pharyngitis with the cheeks and gums being covered in lesions. In adults, primary infections manifest pharyngitis that appears similar to glandular fever, also known as the contagious form of mononucleosis.

The first symptoms of cold sores resulting from the HSV-1 or 2 consist of the following:
• pain around the mouth or lips
• fever
• sore throat
• swollen glands (neck or other parts of the body)
• drooling (in children)
• blisters appear
• blisters break & leak
• crusting/scabbing

Stages

There are eight stages to a cold sore:
1. Latent (weeks to months symptom free), aka the remission period
2. Prodromal (day 0-1) – Symptoms appear in the form of itching, tingling, red skin at infection sight; can last for a few hours to a few days
3. Inflammation (Day 1) – Viral reproduction
4. Pre-sore (Day 2-3) – Fluid filled blisters appear
5. Open lesion (Day 4) – Most painful and contagious stage when blisters break open and leak clear fluid
6. Crusting Day (Day 5-8) – A scab forms from the syrupy exudate (crust not made from active virus)
7. Healing Day (Day 9-13) – New skin forms under scab as the virus retreats back to stage one, latency.
8. Post Scab (Day 12-14) – Skin redness lingers and virus shedding can still occur.

Recurrent infection is referred to as herpes simplex labialis. Recurrences rarely occur inside the mouth, affecting the gums, back of the tongue, hard palate and alveolar ridge.

Triggers

Cold sore outbreaks can have many triggers:
• stress
• menstruation
• sunburn
• fever
• local skin traumas
• surgical procedures (dental or neural)
• lip tattooing
• dermabrasion

The virus can be transmitted to newborns and can result in Neonatal herpes simplex, a severe disease.

Treatment

Cold sore treatment consists of allowing healing to take place on its own or through the use of skin creams, ointments, and sometimes medication. Treatment only reduces the infection by two days, but it’s beneficial for pain management or other uncomfortable symptoms.

Prevention

There are many ways to avoid contracting or transmitting the herpes simplex virus, such as avoiding contact with an infected individual. Do not share eating utensils, avoid the triggers, use sunscreen and lip balm when in the sun, frequently washing hands, and avoiding touching cold sores when they appear. If the infection is recurring, then it is ideal to speak to your doctor about your treatment options.

Incidence Among Women

According to the most recent statistics, women have a much higher chance of contracting herpes than men. 1 in five men over the age of 12 have herpes, in contrast to 1 in 4 women nationwide. Contrary to popularly held belief, women who contract herpes don’t necessarily have more sexual partners than the average man. Herpes is primarily spread through breaks cuts on the surface of the genitals. Women are more likely to have small cuts, allowing more opportunities for the herpes virus to gain a foothold.

Types of Herpes

Herpes comes in two, distinct forms: HSV-1 and HSV-2. 80% of the population carries the HSV-1 virus, and it primarily makes its appearance in the form of cold sores. An HSV-1 infection isn’t contracted through sexual activity. It’s been shown, however, that HSV-1 can cause a genital infection if oral sex is performed by someone with an HSV-1 cold sore in their mouth or on their lips.

HSV-2 virus is the version of the herpes virus most commonly associated with genital herpes. As previously mentioned, the HSV-2 virus primarily infects its host through tears or small cuts in the skin of the genitals. For this reason, HSV-2 infection is generally assumed to be an STD, or a product of unprotected sexual intercourse.

The First Outbreak

Sufferers of herpes exhibit a range of symptoms, usually within two to twenty days of initial contact with the virus. While some of these symptoms occur across infected groups; others are primarily experienced by female sufferers.

Initial outbreaks of herpes are especially difficult for individuals who have never been exposed to any form of the herpes virus (i.e. HSV-1, or cold sores). The initial outbreak can last anywhere from 10 to 21 days.

It’s important to note that up to 60% of infected individuals don’t experience any symptoms of being infected with herpes. In fact, many herpes sufferers have herpes outbreaks, or viral shedding events, and don’t realize they’re contagious. This is more likely to happen after the initial herpes outbreak has already occurred, and can generally be controlled with prescription anti viral medications.

Herpes Symptoms

Before any actual external sores or blisters appear, initial symptoms —also called prodromal symptoms— may occur. These are more likely to appear after the initial outbreak has occurred and subsided. For patients who have chosen to forego sexual activity during an outbreak, prodromal symptoms provide an early warning system, allowing them to predict the outbreak before it happens. Here’s a list of the most common prodromal symptoms and how they manifest in women:

Prodromal Symptoms

1. Patients experience a tingling, numb, itching sensation in the buttocks, thighs, and vulva.
2. Lymph nodes under the armpits and in the groin become swollen.
3. Flue-like symptoms are reported, including fatigue, headache, and a low-grade fever.
4. Urination can become painful. Approximately 70% of women suffering from an initial herpes outbreak report problems urinating, whereas only 40% of men report a similar experience.

After the prodromal symptoms make their appearance, the primary herpes symptoms follow in their wake.

Primary Herpes Symptoms

1. Inflammation flares up around the affected area. Burning and sensitivity is common.

2. Red bumps appear in the affected area. These soon turn into clusters of blisters. When the blisters rupture, they form open sores. During the first, or primary, herpes outbreak, there’s a much greater likelihood that large numbers of blisters will appear. Later outbreaks will often include fewer actual blisters.

3. Women will often experience a watery vaginal discharge during the second phase of the herpes infection. In women who are otherwise asymptomatic, irregular vaginal discharge might be the only symptom of an ongoing herpes outbreak.

During their first year with herpes, most patients experience at least four outbreaks. These outbreaks are generally much shorter than the initial outbreak, and generally only last 3 to 5 days. Responding to the effects of menstrual hormones, some women experience herpes symptoms on a monthly basis. The best treatment for recurring outbreaks is prescription suppression therapy.
Triggering Future Outbreaks

Continued herpes outbreaks can be triggered by a variety of factors. A few examples of these include:

- Stress
- Physical Exertion
- Sunlight
- Illness With Fever
- Surgery
- Poor Diet
- Asthma Medication/Steroids

While avoiding all of these factors isn’t always a viable option, understanding the factors that influence outbreak occurrence can make future outbreaks easier to predict.

Pregnancy and Herpes

Pregnancy and its immunosuppressive effects can trigger a herpes outbreak during the second or third trimesters. Many first-time herpes outbreaks are triggered by pregnancy. A first-time outbreak during pregnancy is particularly dangerous if the woman hasn’t had any reason to produce antibodies to fight the virus in the past. American doctors don’t routinely test for herpes infections when a woman goes in for her annual gynecological exam, and very few test for herpes at the onset of pregnancy.

Birth Control Concerns

A herpes diagnosis has an impact on many aspects of a woman’s life, including her choice in birth control. Some doctors suggest avoiding IUD use, and some types of birth control pills can trigger future outbreaks. Discussing birth control options should be a primary concern immediately after herpes diagnosis.

Every year, herpes becomes more prevalent in The United States. A woman under the age of 30 is 20 times more likely to have herpes than a woman of the same age thirty years ago. Medical professionals and private health organizations are now suggesting that sexually active women ask for a herpes test with their yearly exam or when they find out they’re pregnant.