Genital Herpes: A Sexually Transmitted Disease

Genital Herpes is a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD), which has no curative treatment. But, its symptoms can be managed with the help of certain medicines and by following some safety measures. To understand further, ETV Bharat Sukhibhava team spoke to the Medical Head of Kaya Clinic India, Dr. Sushant Shetty.

Generally, herpes is an infectious disease, which can happen in any part of the body. But when it begins to occur in the male or female genitalia, it is considered to be a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) and is referred to as Genital Herpes. Genital Herpes is a disease that has no curative treatment, but it can be controlled with the help of medicines. So why does it happen, what are the symptoms, and can it spread from one person to another? To get answers to all these questions, ETV Bharat Sukhibhava team was in conversation with Dr. Sushant Shettym, Medical Head of Kaya Clinic India.

What Is Genital Herpes?

Herpes is a form of ringworm that appears in the form of pimples, blisters or ulcers on the skin. It is generally considered to be a bacterial skin infection, as it is caused by the herpes simplex virus. But sometimes this infection can also be transferred genetically in people.

Dr. Shetty explains that this infection is viral in nature and the effects of this disease can be seen on the skin of the genitals of men and women. Herpes is considered contagious and it can spread through touching an infected person’s affected area, their clothes, or any other objects they have touched previously. Similarly, genital herpes too is contagious and can spread from a person to another through sexual intercourse.

Dr. Shetty explains that although this infection can occur at any age, once it enters the body, the infection resides there permanently. Also, if someone has had the problem of chickenpox earlier, their risk of suffering from this infection is relatively higher.

As mentioned above, it has no permanent treatment.it can be controlled with medicines, but the disease can show its effects on the skin at any time. Therefore, if people have had the problem of genital herpes even once, it becomes important for them to be even more cautious about cleanliness and hygiene throughout their life.

Symptoms Of Genital Herpes

Dr. Shetty explains that usually in the early stages of the infection people do not pay much heed to it since its symptoms are not so severe at that time. However, genital herpes can cause an itchy or painful rash, pimples or blisters around the genitals. Apart from this, sometimes symptoms like fever, pain in urinating, swelling or redness in genitals, headache and fatigue also start appearing in the person.

What Is More?

Genital herpes is categorized under STDs since it can spread from a person to person through sexual intercourse. Moreover, Dr. Shetty says that after this, one’s sexual life gets affected too. Hence, the one suffering from it must avoid any kind of direct skin-to-skin, mouth or genitals contact. Also, even after the symptoms of the disease have subsided, proper precautionary measures must be taken during sexual intercourse. It is advised that people must avoid oral sex, anal sex, and the use of sex toys during intercourse.