Prognosis of Genital herpes
| About prognosis: The 'prognosis' of Genital herpes usually refers to the likely outcome of Genital herpes. The prognosis of Genital herpes may include the duration of Genital herpes, chances of complications of Genital herpes, probable outcomes, prospects for recovery, recovery period for Genital herpes, survival rates, death rates, and other outcome possibilities in the overall prognosis of Genital herpes. Naturally, such forecast issues are by their nature unpredictable. |
Prognosis for Genital herpes: Although the infection can stay in the body indefinitely, the number of outbreaks tends to go down over a period of years.1 ... HSV remains in certain nerve cells of the body for life, and can produce symptoms off and on in some infected people. 2
Duration of Genital herpes: last an average of 2 to 3 weeks.3
Complications: see complications of Genital herpes
Recurrence of Genital herpes discussion: In genital herpes, after invading the skin or mucous membranes, the virus travels to the sensory nerves at the end of the spinal cord. Even after the skin lesions have disappeared, the virus remains inside the nerve cells in an inactive state. In most people, the virus reactivates from time to time. When this happens, the virus begins to travel along the nerves to the skin, where it multiplies on the surface at or near sites of the original infection, in genital or oral secretions, or from unapparent lesions. This shedding is infrequent, however, and usually lasts only a day, but it is sufficient to infect a sex partner.
The frequency and severity of the recurrent episodes vary greatly.
While some people recognize only one or two recurrences in a lifetime,
others may experience several outbreaks a year. The number and pattern of
recurrence often change over time for an individual. Scientists do not
know what cause the virus to reactivate. Although some people with herpes
report that their recurrences are brought on by other illness, stress, or
menstruation, recurrences often are not predictable. In some cases,
exposure to sunlight is associated with recurrence.
3
Footnotes:
1. excerpt from Genital Herpes: DSTD
2. excerpt from Genital Herpes, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID
3. excerpt from Genital Herpes: NWHIC
Last revision:
April 11, 2003
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