GENITAL HERPES

Definition

A sexually transmitted viral infection characterized by repeated episodes of painful blisters on the genitals.

CLINICAL FEATURES

The initial infections characterized by systemic and local symptoms and signs.

SYSTEMIC FEATURES

Fever,

Malaise.

Bodyache.

Loss of appetite.

Local features:

Primary lesion: vesicles itching, tingling and burning.

Men: Shaft or glance penis, scrotum, inner thighs and anus.

Females: labia, vagina, cervix, anus and in- ner thighs.

These vesicles enlarge to become painful blis- ter.

Blisters merge to become larger ones.

Blisters rupture to become ulcers and are cov- ered with yellow crust.

Healing takes place after 2-3 weeks.

Painful regional lymph nodes in 20%.

Complications

Urethritis.

Proctitis.

Cervicitis.

Dissemination of infection in immune com- promised subject.

Recurrence; triggered by stress, illness, trauma and no obvious cause.

Miasmatic cleavage

An acute miasmatic disorder.

Therapeutic aim

To treat symptomatically.

Prophylactic Measures

Immediate:

Avoid direct contact with open lesions.

Avoid sexual contact when active lesions are present.

Long term:

Prevent close contacts; use barrier protecti i.e., condemns to prevent the spread.

Pregnant female with active lesions at cervi is recommended cesarean delivery to avoid infecting the newborn.

ETIOLOGY

Causative organism is virus:

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).

– 10-20% of genital herpes is caused by HSV- 1. Usually associated with oral cold sore.

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).

Most infections are caused by HSV-2.

Transmission:

By sexual contact.

Incidence:

About I in 1,000 people.

Recurrence:

After an initial attack virus reaches sacral ganglion and remains dormant. Recurrent episodes take place due to the activation of virus.

General Measures

Ice packs applied to the sacral area for geni tal lesions may help reduce pain and inflam mation.

Teach stress reduction techniques, i.e., medi- tation and yoga, to improve immune func tion and help to reduce frequency of out- breaks.

Medical Treatment

Following homeopathic remedies are used in clinical practice for the treatment of genital herpes.

Kali-i: Herpes at prepuce.

Sarsaparilla: Herpes at prepuce.

Apis mellifica: Stinging and burning pain in the lesions which is relieved by cold applications.

Graphites: Genital herpes on inner thigh with tremendous itching.

Petroleum: Genital herpes that spread to anus and thighs. Scrotum; herpes.

Dulcamara Scrotal herpes.

Female genitalia; herpes.

Bufo rana: Herpes; female genitalia.