According to the American Academy of Dermatology, between five and 20 million Americans are infected with the herpes 2 virus. Between 200,000 and 500,000 new people are infected each year, often by people who are unaware that they have the disease. Learning the signs of herpes 2 can help you protect yourself and others.
Genital Lesions
According to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine," genital lesions are the single-most common sign of HSV-2 infection. In women, genital lesions may be located on the vulva, vagina and cervix. In men, they may be located on the head or shaft of the penis and the scrotum. Both men and women may have lesions on the perineum, rectum, buttocks and thighs. Genital and peri-anal lesions often complicate urination and defecation during the acute episode.
Genital lesions from HSV-1 and HSV-2 are clinically indistinguishable. However, sometimes the two can be distinguished by their recurrence. According to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine," the 12-month recurrence rate for genital lesions among patients with first-episode HSV-2 and HSV-1 infections is approximately 90 percent and 55 percent, respectively. People with HSV-2 genital lesions had a median of four recurrences, in contrast to less than one for people with HSV-1.
Oral-Facial Lesions
Oral-facial lesions are usually associated with HSV-1. However, they can also be signs of HSV-2 infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the first outbreak, lesions may appear on the lips, gums, lining of the mouth and throat. In recurrent outbreaks, lesions are usually confined to the lips. Oral lesions caused by HSV-2 tend to recur less frequently than oral lesions caused by HSV-1.
Flu-Like Illness
In an Oct. 15, 2005, article in the journal "American Family Physician," flu-like illness preceded the appearance of lesions in approximately 80 percent of people with herpes. Common symptoms included fever, headache, muscle pain, joint pain and lack of appetite. Flu-like illness in the absence of the characteristic respiratory symptoms of flu, such as cough and sore throat, may be a sign of HSV-2 infection.
References
- American Academy of Dermatology: Herpes Simplex
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 17th edition;" Herpes Simplex Viruses (Chapter); L. Corey; 2008
- "American Family Physician;" Genital Herpes: A Review; J.G. Beauman; Oct. 15, 2005
