Genital Herpes Specialists in Delhi

What is Genital Herpes?

Genital herpes is a common, lifelong viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, typically type 2 though increasingly also type 1, which establishes a permanent presence in the nerve tissue near the base of the spine after initial infection and can periodically reactivate to cause recurrent outbreaks. The first outbreak is often the most severe, involving painful blisters or sores in the genital area along with flu-like symptoms, while subsequent recurrences tend to be milder and less frequent over time as the immune system develops a partial response. The virus can be transmitted even when no visible sores are present, through a process called asymptomatic viral shedding, which contributes significantly to its widespread transmission. While there is currently no cure, antiviral medications can effectively reduce the frequency, severity, and transmission risk of outbreaks.

Causes of Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is caused by infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 or type 2, transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sexual activity with an infected partner, including contact with the genital area during periods when no visible sores are present. Once acquired, the virus remains dormant in nerve cells and can reactivate periodically, triggered by factors such as stress, illness, hormonal changes, or a weakened immune system, causing recurrent outbreaks. The virus can also be transmitted from a mother to her baby during childbirth if active lesions are present at delivery.

Symptoms of Genital Herpes

painful blisters or sores in the genital or anal area, itching or tingling sensation before an outbreak appears, pain during urination if sores are near the urethra, flu-like symptoms such as fever and body aches during the first outbreak, swollen lymph nodes in the groin, recurrent outbreaks that are typically milder than the initial episode, some infected individuals experience no noticeable symptoms at all

Treatment & Types of Genital Herpes in Delhi

Antiviral medications, taken either during an active outbreak to speed healing and reduce symptom severity, or continuously as suppressive therapy to reduce the frequency of recurrences and lower the risk of transmission to partners, are the mainstay of treatment. There is currently no cure that eliminates the virus from the body, so management focuses on controlling outbreaks and reducing transmission risk over the long term. Supportive measures such as keeping the affected area clean and dry and using pain relief medication help manage discomfort during active outbreaks.

Genital herpes is caused by two virus types: herpes simplex virus type 2, traditionally the more common cause of genital infection with more frequent recurrences, and herpes simplex virus type 1, increasingly responsible for genital infections through oral-genital contact, typically causing milder and less frequent recurrences. Episodes are also classified as a primary outbreak, the first and usually most severe episode, versus recurrent outbreaks, which tend to be progressively milder and shorter over time.

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