What is herpes on the labia?

The labia is a relatively private part of women. Generally, if there are abnormal symptoms in this part, it must be actively treated. Some women have herpes on their labia. Most of these symptoms are caused by viral infection. It is best to go to the hospital for relevant examinations. Do not use medicine blindly. This part is a special part. If you don't pay attention, the condition will worsen and bring great pain to women's health. So what is the matter with herpes on the labia?

What causes herpes on the labia?

If there is herpes on the labia, it may be a simple genital herpes. If you want to treat it, it is best to go to a professional and regular hospital for active treatment.

The dangers of genital herpes in women

1) Symptoms of discomfort recur. If your sexual partner has a first-time outbreak of genital herpes, in addition to symptoms such as burning and pain in the genital area, genital warts may also cause general discomfort, fever, headache, and joint and muscle pain throughout the body. The blisters then burst, often leaving ulcers. The latter gradually heals with a scab and usually leaves no scar.

2) Heavy psychological burden. Genital herpes often places a heavy psychological burden on patients due to its repeated attacks and the lack of effective drugs to control it, as well as the unbearable burning local pain that even drugs cannot stop. Primary or recurrent genital herpes may be accompanied by dysuria, acute urinary retention, herpetic whitlow, encephalitis, and endometritis.

3) Cause serious complications. Genital herpes can cause a series of complications such as disseminated herpes, herpes meningitis, prostatitis, male infertility, and spinal nerve root disease. In addition, genital herpes is often co-infected with other sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea, non-gonococcal urethritis, syphilis, genital warts, candidiasis, trichomoniasis, etc.

How to prevent genital herpes in women

1. Consultation

(1) Explain the natural history of the disease, emphasizing its recurrence and the possibility of asymptomatic shedding of the virus, during which HSV transmission can occur.

(2) Inform the patient of the common triggers of relapse and encourage them to avoid negative emotions such as psychological tension, depression or anxiety. Relapse can be reduced by avoiding the triggers of relapse.

(3) Inform patients of childbearing age (including male patients) about the risks of HSV infection in the fetus and neonate.

(4) Inform newly diagnosed patients that antiviral treatment can shorten the course of the disease and antiviral suppressive therapy can reduce or prevent relapses.

(5) Obtain the patient’s active cooperation in treatment to reduce the further spread of the disease.

2. Health education

(1) Emphasize that patients should inform their partners of their condition, obtain their understanding and cooperation, avoid genital contact when prodromal symptoms or skin lesions appear, or better use barrier contraceptive measures to reduce the risk of HSV transmission to partners.

(2) Barrier contraceptive measures such as condoms are recommended. Condoms can reduce the risk of genital herpes transmission, but HSV transmission may occur during sexual intercourse when lesions appear, even with the use of condoms.

(3) Changing the behavior of couples, avoiding extramarital behavior, and eliminating polyamorous partners are fundamental measures to prevent genital herpes.