Introduction
Herpes genitalis is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. The contagious disease is triggered by an infection with the herpes simplex virus type 2 or 1. In genital herpes, the vagina, penis or rectum are affected. After unspecific symptoms such as itching or burning, small blisters appear on the mucous membrane in the genital area, which are filled with fluid and can burst open. Even after the disease has healed, relapses can occur again and again, as the viruses remain in the body for a lifetime and rest there until they are reactivated.
How long does genital herpes last?
In case of a first-time infection, the incubation period is about two to twelve days. After that, the first symptoms develop and sore spots appear at the entry point. Often the initial infection with genital herpes is asymptomatic and goes unnoticed by those affected.
The herpes virus enters the body through small injuries to the mucous membrane and attacks the sensory nerves, where it later implants itself in nerve ganglia (nerve nodes). There they are not recognised by the immune system and remain dormant until the next outbreak. Normally, the typical symptoms of genital herpes do not appear until the second infection.
After a few hours or days, highly infectious blisters form, the affected areas are reddened and itchy. The blisters contain fluid that is highly infectious. Gradually the blisters burst open and become encrusted.
The duration of genital herpes after initial infection is usually one to two weeks. However, the course and duration of the disease depend on many factors and so it can take up to four weeks for the infection to heal. Treatment of genital herpes is done with acyclovir, which is applied as a cream to the affected areas and causes the infectious blisters to dry out.
In severe cases, Aciclovir can also be administered orally by tablets or intravenously by an infusion. Aciclovir inhibits viral replication and thus leads to an alleviation of symptoms and accelerated healing. Depending on the dosage, Aciclovir must be used for five to ten days and can thus accelerate the healing process by about one week.
In healthy people, genital herpes usually heals spontaneously without medical treatment. However, this process then takes longer than without treatment and the blisters only heal after about two to three weeks. However, it is recommended to start antiviral treatment as early as possible to reduce the risk of infection and ease the pain.
In an acute infection with genital herpes in men, infectious blisters form on the limb and glans after an incubation period of one week. However, the infection can spread throughout the entire genital area and also affect the anus and rectum. If treated early with antiviral drugs, the lesions can heal after 7 – 10 days.
The incubation period of genital herpes in women is one week. After that, the typical painful blisters and swellings develop in the entire genital area, but especially in the vagina, cervix and urethra. Therapy with antivirals (drugs against viruses, e.g. Aciclovir) should be started at the first signs, as rapid treatment can inhibit the reproduction of the viruses and thus reduce the duration of the disease to one week.
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