הרפס גניטלי

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection caused primarily by the herpes simplex virus type 2.

HSV-2 commonly spreads through direct sexual contact. Transmission can occur even without visible symptoms due to asymptomatic viral shedding.

After initial exposure, symptoms usually appear within 4 to 7 days as painful vesicular lesions on the male and female genitals and the anal area.

These vesicular lesions contain clear fluid that is rich in infectious viral particles. When the vesicles rupture, they form ulcers, and contact with the fluid increases the risk of transmission.

After the first infection, HSV-2 travels to the sensory neurons located in the sacral dorsal root ganglia, where it can remain dormant for months or years.

Reactivation of the virus is triggered by physical or emotional stress, fatigue, or immune suppression, leading to milder recurrent outbreaks.

In rare cases, HSV-2 can be transmitted from mother to child during childbirth, especially if the mother contracts HSV-2 for the first time in late pregnancy.