Genital herpes infects as many as 45 million individuals in the United States every year. This picture is even more problematic as far as women are concerned as the female genital herpes cases are quite high. Around 1 in every 4 women in America is infected by the HSV-2 virus. Around 45% of the black population is infected with this virus along with 18.3% of the white population.

The HSV 2 virus is responsible for genital herpes cases and this virus remains within the body in the nerve roots and is reactivated from time to time. Female genital herpes is contagious and this virus can be transmitted by saliva, sex and touching of the area that is infected. The outbreak of genital herpes is accompanied with a tingling sensation in the genital areas. This is the prodrome stage.

Female genital herpes is marked by eruption of blisters or lesions that appear to resemble small reddish bumps. These lesions are observed in the regions around the vagina, cervix and the anus along with the thighs and buttocks in some cases. As the infection develops the blisters are filled with fluid and are painful and itchy.

With time the blisters open and this results in formation of open sores in the affected areas. These sores can be extremely painful to touch. Eventually the lesions scab over and heal without scarring. Some other symptoms that accompany an outbreak of female genital herpes include pain and tenderness of lymph nodes in the groin region, headache, vaginal discharge and pain during urination.

Treatment of female genital herpes includes taking antiviral drugs. These antiviral drugs may be taken in an episodic manner where the drugs are taken at the time of outbreak based on the direction of the physician. In suppressive treatment plan the antiviral medication is often taken every day. Suppressive treatment plan is followed if a person experiences more than 6 outbreaks every year.

Female genital herpes is quite common primarily because the transmission of this virus from men to women is higher as compared to the transmission from women to men. Most of the transmission occurs by way of sexual contact between an infected individual and someone who is not infected. The first outbreak of this virus is observed in two weeks after the transmission of the virus.

One complication of female genital herpes includes the possible transmission of this virus from a woman to her child. A woman who is pregnant and who has genital herpes may transfer the virus to the child during the process of birth. This is particularly possible if the woman has sores at the time of the delivery. In such cases a caesarean section may be needed.

To prevent transmission of this virus you should avoid sexual contact or use condoms to reduce the possibility of transmitting this virus. It is also advisable to refrain from sexual contact when the lesions or blisters associated with female genital herpes are present. It is important to understand that even if a person has no outward symptoms of an outbreak transmission of the virus can still occur.