From the Guidelines
Yes, HSV-1 can manifest on female genitalia, with 5% to 30% of first-episode cases of genital herpes being caused by HSV-1. While HSV-1 traditionally causes oral herpes (cold sores), it can be transmitted to the genital area through oral-genital contact 1. Genital HSV-1 infections present with painful blisters or ulcers on the vulva, vagina, or cervix, accompanied by flu-like symptoms during the first outbreak.
- Key characteristics of genital HSV-1 infections include:
- Painful blisters or ulcers on the genital area
- Flu-like symptoms during the first outbreak
- Fewer recurrences compared to HSV-2 infections
- Treatment for genital HSV-1 infections typically involves antiviral medications, although the specific treatment regimen may vary depending on the severity and frequency of outbreaks.
- It is essential to note that identification of the type of infecting strain has prognostic importance and may be useful for counseling purposes 1.
From the Research
HSV1 Infection
- HSV1 can cause genital herpes, which is typically characterized by vesicular and erosive localized painful genital lesions 2
- Genital herpes is caused by herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) or 2 (HSV-2) 2
Manifestation on Female Genitalia
- There is evidence that HSV-1 can manifest on female genitalia, as genital herpes can occur in both men and women 2, 3
- The study found that 54% of the participants in the trials were female, and the mean age was 35 years, with a mean number of recurrences per year of 11 2
Treatment and Prevention
- Suppressive antiviral therapy with acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir can decrease the number of patients with at least one recurrence of genital herpes per year 2
- Valacyclovir is safe and effective in the therapy of patients with herpes simplex and herpes zoster, and may be useful in other viral infections 3