Genital Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by two strains of herpes simplex virus. HPV2 is the more frequently observed strain and is associated with symptoms of genital herpes. Estimates from the United States suggest that about one in five people is infected by herpes and is characterized by sores on the skin.
Herpes simplex Type 2 is more frequently observed form of herpes and is associated with formation of ulcers and sores around the affected area (i.e. the genitals). In most cases, these sores or ulcers resolve spontaneously without any treatment, but leaving herpes untreated can be associated with severe consequences on the individual’s health.
In most cases, untreated herpes may result in reappearance of the sore every few weeks. Further, the sores become more severe with stress and may occasionally itch and burn. The scabs over the sore may be offensive, but the site usually heals without leaving scars.
What Happens If Herpes Goes Untreated?
The biggest danger to untreated herpes is the risk of transferring the infection to your sexual partner.
Further, untreated herpes in pregnant women is associated with higher risk of transmission of the virus to her unborn child. This can lead to severe complications like blindness, brain damage or even death of the newborn baby. Herpes is also linked with premature delivery and miscarriages.
In addition herpes can also contribute towards weakening your immune system. A weakened immune system may leave you exposed to other opportunistic infections like tuberculosis, etc. A weakened immune system may be characterized with other symptoms like fever, generalized weakness and body ache, headache and swollen glands.
Complications Of Untreated Herpes
Herpes causes infection of the mucus membrane and the skin and at times the condition may spread to other parts of the body. While there is no cure for the condition, medications and treatment may often help in reducing the severity of the symptoms and also reduce the risk of transmission of the virus to others.
Untreated herpes may be associated with a host of complications, most of which are characterized by skin and mucus membrane ailments. These symptoms include formation of blisters or ulcers which are caused due to inflammation and accumulation of fluids. If the condition remains untreated, the virus particles then spread from the skin to the nerve tissue and lie dormant in the nerve cells.
Untreated herpes is associated with sudden appearance of symptoms of herpes, which is characterized by multiplication of the cells that lie dormant in the nerve tissue cells. At this stage the virus is active and can spread to other individuals. The condition is associated with formation of ulcers on the skin, mucus membrane and around the genitals.