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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffIn healthy adults, genital herpes generally doesn't cause other serious permanent complications besides the sores. However, sometimes these complications may occur:
- Contracting other STDs. Having genital herpes can increase your risk of transmitting or contracting other sexually transmitted diseases, including the AIDS virus.
- Newborn infection. A mother with open sores can spread the infection to her newborn as the infant passes through the birth canal. Mothers experiencing their first outbreak of herpes at the time of delivery are the most likely to transmit the infection to their babies. Genital herpes may result in brain damage, blindness or death for the newborn.
- Meningitis. In rare instances, HSV infection leads to inflammation of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord.
- Urinary bladder retention. In women, HSV infection can lead to difficulties with the urinary system, such as urine retention.
- Proctitis. In men, HSV infection can lead to inflammation of the lining of the rectum, particularly in men who have sex with men.
References
- Goade D. Genital herpes. In: Cohen J, et al. Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: Mosby; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/130330290-4/0/1209/247.html?tocnode=49353813&fromURL=247.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-02407-6..50078-7_2618. Accessed April 7, 2009.
- Gupta R, et al. Genital herpes. Lancet. 2007;370:2127.
- Albrecht MA. Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of genital herpes simplex virus infection. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 7, 2009.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2006. MMWR Recommendations and Reports. 2006;55:1. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5511a1.htm. Accessed April 8, 2009.
- Xu F, et al. Trends in herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 seroprevalence in the United States. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2006;296:964.
- Wald A. Prevention of genital herpes virus infections. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 7, 2009.
- Genital herpes. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp054.cfm. Accessed April 6, 2009.
