What Are the Causes of Vaginal Herpes?
Vaginal herpes, also known as genital herpes, can affect both men and women, although when it comes to women, it is gender biased. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of four women has genital herpes, compared with one of eight men. Nationally, at least 45 million people over the age of 12 has had a genital herpes infection, making it an extremely common sexually transmissible disease.
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The Herpes Virus
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The virus that causes vaginal herpes is a member of the Herpesviridae family, of which there are 25. Eight of these viruses typically cause infections in humans. According to Dr. Robert Hunt of University of South Carolina's School of Medicine, the herpes virus is responsible for most cases of human viral infections, more so than those that cause influenza and the common cold. The viruses that fall under the family Herpesviridae can also cause shingles, chicken pox, Epstein-Barr syndrome and Kaposi's sarcoma. Once infected with the herpes virus, it remains with the individual for life; the difference between the various types of herpes viruses is in the part of the body in which they lay latent until they are activated (or reactivated).
Herpes Simplex 2
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Herpes simplex 2 (HSV-2) is associated with genital herpes and is transmitted through skin-to-skin sexual intercourse. Once infected, the virus sets up a "site of preference" in the sacral ganlion located at the base of the spine. A woman infected with HSV-2 may not experience an outbreak for many years after becoming infected. However, the first outbreak of herpes lesions is usually the worst and the longest. Even in the absence of an outbreak, the virus "sheds" in the vaginal walls and therefore can be passed to sexual partners.
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Herpes Simplex 1
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Herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1), which affects the oral region (cold sores and fever blisters) and sometimes the rest of the face, can also result in a herpes outbreak in the genital region. HSV-1 makes its home in the nerve centers next to the ear known as the trigeminal ganglion. It is possible for someone with an active outbreak of HSV-1 to perform oral sex on a partner who doesn't have HSV-2 and pass along the HSV-1 virus. According to the CDC, genital herpes outbreaks that result from the HSV-1 virus are less frequent than those caused by HSV-2.
What Causes an Outbreak of Vaginal Herpes?
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According to the Mayo Clinic, there are various factors that can cause an initial or subsequent outbreak of vaginal herpes. Some triggers include stress, menstruation, illness, surgery or suppression of the immune system caused by certain medications and infections, such as AIDS. Even friction caused by sexual intercourse can trigger an outbreak.
Treating Vaginal Herpes
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Although there is no cure for vaginal herpes, prescription oral antiviral medications can provide a measure of relief. These drugs, which go by the trade names of Zovirax, Famvir and Valtrex, provide quicker healing of herpes lesions, reduce frequency and severity of outbreaks, and minimize the possibility that the herpes virus may be passed along to a sexual partner. According to the Mayo Clinic, daily use of these medications is recommended for anyone who has had five or more outbreaks yearly.
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