Herpes symptoms: The lesser-known sign of the ‘common’ STI that can affect mealtime
Genital herpes Marian's story NHS
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The NHS defines genital herpes as “a sexually transmitted infection, passed on through vaginal, anal and oral sex”.Symptoms of the infection typically include blisters that leave “red, open sores around the genitals, anus, thighs and bottom”, explains the health body. These signs usually occur four to seven days after incubation, but in some cases take months to appear. Once the outbreak has cleared, future episodes may occur as a result of lowered immunity.
This is because the virus resides in nearby cells, where it can be triggered by weakened immune defences, stress, being unwell, or drinking a high amount of alcohol.
The condition can be broken down into two different forms, the first of which (HSV-1) affects seven in 10 people in the UK, according to Nuffield Health.
Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can cause oral and genital infections.
According to UCLA, symptoms of the condition may include flu-like symptoms, which some people may notice during an initial outbreak, or occasionally with recurrences.
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Swollen and tender lymph nodes, painful blisters or open sores in the genital area, maybe preceded by a tingling or burning sensation.
If sores occur in the mouth this can make eating and drinking difficult, but genital herpes may also affect hunger.
Occasionally, people may experience decreased appetite during an initial outbreak, which may be accompanied by a general sick feeling, according to the University of Florida Health.
Alongside the loss of appetite, the website DRUGS.COM, explains that individuals may experience an unwillingness to eat or drink.
Some people may have only one outbreak in their lifetime, while others may experience numerous episodes annually.
For those who experience recurring outbreaks, symptoms become less intense and less frequent over time.
Although the infection is deemed more transmissible during an outbreak, it can sometimes be transmitted during dormant periods, when no symptoms are visible.
When the virus is passed on to a partner during a dormant period, this is due to symptomatic shedding.
The risk of transmission during dormant periods is significantly less.
Certain medications such as suppressive antiviral therapy, however, can significantly reduce asymptomatic shedding and outbreaks, by as much as 50 percent.
Researchers believe that halting the spread of the condition remains a distant prospect due to the absence of an effective vaccine.
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