GENITAL ULCER DISEASE Flashcards
What is the 3 most common STI causes of genital ulceration?
Genital herpes
Primary syphilis
Lymphogranuloma venereum
What are the viruses responsible for genital herpes?
Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1)
Herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2)
What is the most common type of transmission of HSV-1 in the UK?
Orogenital route in sexual contact
What is the incubation period of herpes simplex viruses?
5-14 days
What proportion of people will develop signs or symptoms of HSV infection during the initial acquisition?
Less than half
Where do the HSV viruses initial reside and travel to in the body?
Enters into the distal axonal processes of the sensory neuron and travels to the sensory (dorsal root) ganglion where it remains dormant.
How does a herpes virus reactivate after a latent stage?
Travels back down axons to basal skin layers. Some of these episodes will result in symptoms, others will be asymptomatic. In this way patients may not know they are infected and may therefore pass on virus unaware.
What is the prevalence of HSV-2 infection in the UK?
9%
Which type of HSV infection recurs more frequently?
Type 2
What groups have higher rates of HSV infection?
Sex workers
MSM
How often does HSV-2 typically recur in the first year?
4
10% may experience more than 10 episodes per year
How often does HSV-1 typically recur?
Once every 18 months
What is the definition of the first episode of genital herpes?
This is the first time a person has clinical features of genital herpes
What are the clinical features of genital herpes?
Lesions start as vesicles
Then become superficial very painful ulcers
Ulcers may coalesce to form larger superficial lesions
These form the characteristic serpiginous edges
Local tender lymphadenopathy
Muscle aches in lower limbs
Systemic features (reported in 10%) - headache, malaise and photophobia
Fissures
Erythema
Dysuria
How long does a typical first episode of genital herpes last for?
3 weeks
What are the local complications of HSV infection?
Superinfection of lesions with streptococci and/or staphylococci
Adhesion formation
Vaginal candida infection exacerbation symptoms
External dysuria can lead to urinary retention
What are the distant complications of HSV infection?
Myalgia
Dissemination (rare outside of neonates and pregnancy)
Autoinoculation to distant sites
Erythema multiforme
What are the neurological complications of HSV infection?
Headaches
Encephalitis
Radiculitis
Transverse myelitis
Autonomic neuropathy
What are the prodromal symptoms of a recurrent episode of HSV?
Itch
Tingling
These can be false prodromes where no lesions then occur