Causes of Genital herpes
List of causes of Genital herpes
Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions
(see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Genital herpes)
that could possibly cause Genital herpes includes:
- HSV type 1 - though less common than HSV type 2, the HSV-1 virus from cold sores can also cause genital herpes.
Genital herpes Causes: Book Excerpts
What causes Genital herpes?
Causes: Genital herpes:
Genital herpes is caused by two viruses, herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Most cases of genital herpes are caused by HSV-2, which can be spread through secretions from the mouth or genitals. HSV-1 is the same virus that causes cold sore on the mouth. It can be transmitted from the mouth to the genitals during oral sex and result in genital herpes.
HSV-1 and HSV-2 are present in visible sores, rashes, or blisters and are spread through skin-to-skin contact with the affected areas. Current research points to the possibility that genital herpes can also be spread when no visible symptoms, such as sores, are present. Before visible symptoms develop, there are often sensations of pain, burning, iching or tingling in the affected area.
Only a thorough evaluation by a qualified health care professional can determine what is causing your particular symptoms and make a diagnosis of genital herpes.
Article excerpts about the
causes of Genital herpes:
Most people get genital
herpes by having sex with someone who is having a herpes “outbreak.”
This outbreak means that HSV is active. When active, the virus
usually causes visible sores in the genital area. The sores cast off
(shed) viruses that can infect another person. Sometimes, however, a
person can have an outbreak and have no visible sores at all. People
often get genital herpes by having sexual contact with others who
don’t know they are infected or who are having outbreaks of herpes
without any sores.
A person with genital herpes also can
infect a sexual partner during oral sex. The virus is spread only
rarely, if at all, by touching objects such as a toilet seat or hot
tub.
(Source: excerpt from Genital Herpes, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID)
What triggers Genital herpes?
The following conditions are listed as possible triggers
for Genital herpes:
- Triggers of an outbreak may include:
Medical news summaries relating to Genital herpes:
The following medical news items are relevant to causes of Genital herpes:
Related information on causes of Genital herpes:
As with all medical conditions,
there may be many causal factors.
Further relevant information on causes of Genital herpes may be found in:
Causes of Genital herpes: Online Medical Books
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE!
Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration,
for more information about the causes of Genital herpes.
Herpes simplex:
Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
About 85% of all HVH infections are subclinical; the others produce localized lesions and systemic reactions. After the first infection, a patient is a carrier susceptible to recurrent infections, which may be provoked by fever, menses, stress, heat, and cold. However, the patient usually has no constitutional signs and symptoms in recurrent infections.
Primary HVH is the leading cause of childhood gingivostomatitis in children ages 1 to 3. It causes the most common form of nonepidemic encephalitis and is the second most common viral infection in pregnant women. It can pass to the fetus transplacentally and, in early pregnancy, may cause spontaneous abortion or premature birth.
Herpes infection is equally common in males and females. Worldwide in distribution, it's most prevalent among children in lower socioeconomic groups who live in crowded environments. Saliva, stool, skin lesions, purulent eye exudate, and urine are potential sources of infection.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Genital herpes:
Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Genital herpes is usually caused by infection with herpes simplex virus Type 2, but some studies report increasing incidence of infection with herpes simplex virus Type 1. This disease is typically transmitted through sexual intercourse, orogenital sexual activity, kissing, and hand-to-body contact. Pregnant women may transmit the infection to neonates during vaginal delivery if an active infection is present. Such transmitted infection may be localized (for instance, in the eyes) or disseminated and may be associated with central nervous system involvement.
An estimated 86 million people worldwide are thought to have genital herpes.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Herpes simplex:
Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)
Herpes simplex is caused by Herpes-virus hominis (HVH), a widespread infectious agent. Type 1 herpes, which is transmitted by oral and respiratory secretions, affects the skin and mucous membranes and commonly produces cold sores and fever blisters.
Type 2 herpes primarily affects the genital area and is transmitted by sexual contact. Cross-infection may result from orogenital sex.
Incidence
Primary HVH is the leading cause of gingivostomatitis in children ages 1 to 3. It causes the most common nonepidemic encephalitis and is the second most common viral infection in pregnant women. It can pass to the fetus transplacentally and, in early pregnancy, may cause spontaneous abortion or premature birth.
Herpes is equally common in males and females. It occurs worldwide and is most prevalent among children in lower socioeconomic groups who live in crowded environments. Saliva, stool, urine, skin lesions, and purulent eye exudate are potential sources of infection.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Herpes Simplex Virus:
Herpes Simplex Virus - pathophysiology
(The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult)
- Initial viral replication occurs at the portal of entry.
- Vesicular fluid contains infected epithelial cells.
- After primary HSV infection, the virus remains latent in sensory neural ganglia innervating portions of the skin or mucous membranes originally involved. The virus can be reactivated by an appropriate stimulus such as sunlight or immune suppression.
- HSV can be replicated easily in the laboratory in tissue cultures.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, 2008
Smallpox (Variola Virus):
Smallpox - pathophysiology
(The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult)
- The virus infects the upper respiratory tract and replicates. Rarely, primary infections via skin, conjunctiva or placenta can occur.
- The virus then enters the bloodstream causing primary viremia and is taken up by macrophages.
- Patient is asymptomatic during this time.
- Next the virus enters the reticuloendothelial system where it continues to replicate.
- Secondary viremia occurs as the virus enters the bloodstream and the organs.
- Virus enters the epidermis causing necrosis and swelling.
- Virus infects the bone marrow, kidneys, liver, lymph nodes, spleen, and other organs.
- The virus causes coagulopathy and multiorgan system failure,
- Exact mechanism of viral toxicity is not understood but may involve both direct viral cytopathic effects and inflammatory mediators.
Smallpox - etiology
- The variola virus, a member of the poxvirus family and the orthopox genus, causes smallpox.
- Variola is a double-stranded DNA virus. Usually transmitted during face-to-face contact via respiratory aerosol or direct contact with the virus via skin lesions.
- Transmission of the virus via air in enclosed settings or via infected fomites is uncommon.
- Humans are the only vectors.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, 2008
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