Hello and welcome to the zero to finals podcast. My name is Tom and in this episode I'm going to be

talking to you about genital herpes. And you can find written notes on this topic at zero definals.com

slash genital herpes or in the genitow urinary medicine section of the zero to finals obstetrics and

gynecology book. So let's get straight into it. The herpes simplex virus or HSV is commonly responsible

for both cold sores referred to as herpes labialis and genital herpes.

There are two main strains, HSV-1 and HSV-2.

Both strains are common in the UK and many people are infected without experiencing any symptoms.

After an initial infection, the virus becomes latent in the associated sensory nerve ganglia.

Typically, this is the trigeminal nerve ganglion with cold sores and the sacral nerve ganglia with genital herpes.

The herpes simplex virus can also cause apthus ulcers, which are small painful oral sores inside the mouth.

Herpes keratitis, which is inflammation of the cornea in the eye, and herpetic whitlow,

which is a painful skin lesion on a finger or a thumb.

The herpes simplex virus is spread through direct contact with affected mucus membranes

or viral shedding in mucus secretions.

The virus can be shed even when no symptoms are present,

meaning it can be contracted from asymptomatic individuals.

Asimomatic shedding is more common in the first 12 months of infection

and where recurrent symptoms are present.

HSV-1 is most associated with cold sores.

It's often contracted initially in childhood before five years

and remains dormant in the trigeminal nerve ganglion

and then reactivates as cold sores, particularly in times of stress.

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