HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Hello Im Sorry I Ask Question Later - But I

default
Posted on Thu, 31 Aug 2023
Question:
Hello
Im sorry i ask question later - but i had busy time with work - and once more question about HSV 2 and genital herpes and meningitis !
As there are one - only one study that shows how much those who get genital herpes of HSV2 will get meningitis
As those who had HSV 2 genital herpes in old literature said

in old literature it is said that 2 % man and 6 % woman will HSV 2 genital herpes will get meningitis for hospital admission
You can look here -
https://sci-hub.se/10.7326/0003-4819-98-6-958

most of genital herpes is causes by HSV 1 - 63 % but meningitis is caused by HSV2
Herpes simplex (genital) in XXXXXXX 2018

63% of cases were laboratory confirmed as herpes simplex virus type 1 and 36% as
herpes simplex virus type 2; virus type was unknown for 1% of cases

https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/sexuallytransmittedinfections/publications/stireports/2018reports/Herpes%20simplex%20(genital)%20in%20Ireland%202018_v1.0.pdf

In CDC it is said that

HSV-2 meningitis is a rare complication of HSV-2 genital herpes infection that affects women more than men

https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/herpes.htm

And you said that you have treated lot of genital herpes - but you have treated thousands of genital herpes - but no one cases of meningitis. And you said that you have participated in many conferences - and you have not seen anything that genital herpes HSV2 common cause meningitis

And also in literature only one publication about genital herpes HSV 2 and meningitis


The reason for that is ?

To my mind - only sever genital herpes could cause meningitis ?

Or most case genital herpes is cause by HSV 1 that dont cause meningitis ?

Statistic is like that

The notification rate was 33.4 per 100,000 population in 2018;
https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/sexuallytransmittedinfections/publications/stireports/2018reports/Herpes%20simplex%20(genital)%20in%20Ireland%202018_v1.0.pdf


But HSV meningitis - 2.2/100,000 population
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC0000/



I live and enjoy life - i follow my health and do regular STD test - everything is all right
I have more than 10 sex partners i my life - im sure i carry HSV2 virus - but i dont have any symptoms - and never had !

As in literature its is said only small % will get genital herpes symptoms

So from you and CDC and all literature I understand - genital herpes HSV 2 only very small % will get meningitis and it is much smaller than 2% in man and 6% in woman that it is from its old study

https://sci-hub.se/10.7326/0003-4819-98-6-958

So i dont need stress about that !

Thank you very much



doctor
Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (12 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Women with HSV 2 needs admission sometimes, not so with in men

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome once again to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
Once again I am clinician and not a statistician.
I can talk only from my experience, what I am seeing and hearing from my colleagues of this part of world and on the basis of information those I have come across through literature.
In my experience men with genital herpes never need any admission as an inpatient treatment whereas Genital herpes in women would be more severe and needs admission in many occasions.
Regarding the causative agent for Genital Herpes, as per text books and study materials and to my knowledge, more than 80% of genital herpes are caused by HSV 2 and rest is caused by HSV 1, that too following oral sex.
But in any general population, HSV 1 infections are more common causing oral and nasal manifestations and almost 40-50% of these individuals in any community will have Ig G antibodies against HSV 1 and whereas it s very less with HSV2 infection. HSV2 is classified under STI organism whereas HSV1 does not come under STI.
As I had mentioned previously, I had not encountered any case of meningitis due to HSV 2.
I cannot give more information in this regard.
Dr S. Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Saisudha Kotla
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (3 days later)
Hello
I have question about your last answer -

As in first answer about genital herpes meningitis that it is very rare -

1. But in last letter you answered that - Genital herpes in women would be more severe and needs admission in many occasions !

How do you mean many occasions - how often ?

In literature it is said - possible complications include vaginal yeast infections (“thrush”), bladder problems with trouble urinating
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525769/

and 2 % of woman could have urine incontinence - from literature

These numbers make 2 % from woman genital herpes - not more

Some people during their first infection will also experience fever and body aches, and difficulty passing urine, requiring admission to hospital (though this is uncommon).

https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/sex-sexuality/sexually-transmitted-infections/genital-herpes

So in conclusion in woman not more than 2% from genital herpes - it is logic - not like woman wit genital herpes need hospitalisation in many occasions

2. And your answer as - there are rare HSV2 infections ( your answer - whereas it s very less with HSV2 infection)
Studies show that
in US
Among unpartnered 45-49 year olds, HSV2 seroprevalence was 55.3% in women
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC0000/

And results in the world are the same.

https://academic.oup.com/jid/article/186/Supplement_1/S3/836780

So by older age about 50 % carry HSV2 but more than 90 % are asymptomatic - all these data from literature

So in conclusion HSV2 antibody (infection) prevalence is common !

Thakyou very much
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Women needs admission for HSV infection often than with HSV in men

Detailed Answer:
hi,
Welcome back.
In men genital herpes usually confined to be localized grouped vesicles or ulcers unless these individuals are having some immunocompromised conditions like HIV infection or diabetes Mallitus whereas in women, the manifestations are extending both sides of vulva and pubic region and painful during walking even without immunodeficiency or diabetes mallitus. Urinary retention also can occur rarely.
At the same time, thousands of women with HIV are living without aware of the infection as the lesions inside the vagina and cervix are not visible or annoying to them.
I meant that women needs admissions for HSV 2 in many occasion, is a comparative statement with that of men who usually never needs admission. That is all. The statistics mentioned by may be true.
Even though, Fever and other constitutional symptoms with primary episode is described, we are coming across only occasionally. We came across the urinary retention in HSV ulceration in women but very rare, that is mainly due to vulval dysuria due the last part of urine dribbles over their external genital ulcers and producing severe disability..
Are you doing research in HSV?
Dr S. Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Saisudha Kotla
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (4 hours later)
Thank you !
1.I m just smart person who reads and understand !
Yes Hiv compromise immune system - but diabetis not so much - as diabetis is so common and HSV 2 prevelance also but we dont see that diabetis is risk factor for severe HSV 2 infection or genital herpes outbrake ! And CDC does not indicate that diabetis is risk for sever genital herpes - and genital herpes as condition.
2. HSV 2 urine retention is disabilty at time of first genital herpes outbrake - that resolve after treatment


doctor
Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Presence of uncontrolled diabetes may cause a florid lesions in HSV.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Diabetes Mallitus is a risk factor for Candidal fungal infection of genitals.
Though Diabetes is not included as a risk factor for HIV, I am seeing cases of HSV2 lesions in patients with diabetes, have little more fulminant course and they need antiviral drugs for more than a week.
Almost all infectious organisms (bacteria, virus and fungus) will thrive better in the presence of increased blood glucose level with florid manifestations than the patients without diabetes mallitus.
Urinary retention can occur whenever there are more number of lesions in and around vulva and vestibule can cause vulval dysuria and subsequently urinary retention and in HSV 2 more common during primary episode as the course of primary episodes are more severe than the recurrent episodes.
Dr S. Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (2 days later)
Thank you doctor !

I m just person who think positive -
As i have read those who get urinary retention - from genital herpes recover very good after period of treatment !
So thinking positive is very important !

As in literature it is said that urinary retention go away after treatment !

Than you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You are absolutely correct

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
welcome back.
Exactly. you are correct!
Dr S. Murugan
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan

HIV AIDS Specialist

Practicing since :1974

Answered : 3112 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Hello Im Sorry I Ask Question Later - But I

Brief Answer: Women with HSV 2 needs admission sometimes, not so with in men Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome once again to HCM. Thanks for posting your query. Once again I am clinician and not a statistician. I can talk only from my experience, what I am seeing and hearing from my colleagues of this part of world and on the basis of information those I have come across through literature. In my experience men with genital herpes never need any admission as an inpatient treatment whereas Genital herpes in women would be more severe and needs admission in many occasions. Regarding the causative agent for Genital Herpes, as per text books and study materials and to my knowledge, more than 80% of genital herpes are caused by HSV 2 and rest is caused by HSV 1, that too following oral sex. But in any general population, HSV 1 infections are more common causing oral and nasal manifestations and almost 40-50% of these individuals in any community will have Ig G antibodies against HSV 1 and whereas it s very less with HSV2 infection. HSV2 is classified under STI organism whereas HSV1 does not come under STI. As I had mentioned previously, I had not encountered any case of meningitis due to HSV 2. I cannot give more information in this regard. Dr S. Murugan