# Genital Herpes: Useful info for those looking for answers like me! **URL:** \ **Category:** Sexual health\ **Tags:** Genital herpes simplex\ **Created:** [20 October 2015 08:10 UTC](https://community.patient.info/t/genital-herpes-useful-info-for-those-looking-for-answers-like-me/482438 "2015-10-20T08:10:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 27
**Author:** ![anon53727290](https://community.patient.info/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/67e7ee/32.png) [@anon53727290](https://community.patient.info/u/anon53727290)\ **Post date:** [26 October 2015 04:56 UTC](https://community.patient.info/t/genital-herpes-useful-info-for-those-looking-for-answers-like-me/482438/27 "2015-10-26T04:56:29Z")
**Possible complications of genital herpes** **HSV-1** _ **Herpetic whitlow/gladiatorum** _\* - Herpes on the finger/body; usually caused by HSV-1 _**Occular (eye) herpes**_\* - Can resemble conjunctivitis (pink eye) and lead to blindness in some cases; usually caused by HSV-1 _ **Herpetic encephalitis** _ - Potentially fatal inflammation of the brain that is considered a medical emergency; usually caused by HSV-1; symptoms include confusion, seizures and drowsiness _ **Respiratory tract disease** _ - In immunocompromised individuals, there is a risk of HSV-1 causing respiratory tract disease _ **Increased risk of Alzheimer's Disease** _ - Some studies have linked HSV-1 (oral, but possibly genital as well) to Alzheimer's Disease \* _Most likely to occur via autoinnoculation during a primary outbreak and before sufficient antibodies have been established (typically 3-4 months from exposure)._ **HSV-2** _ **Aseptic meningitis** _ - Inflammation of the brain lining that usually resolves on its own; more common during a primary outbreak and does not typically recur; symptoms include headache, neck stiffness and light sensitivity _ **Liver disease** _ - In immunocompromised individuals, there is a risk of HSV-2 causing liver disease (herpetic hepatitis) _ **Increased risk of HIV** _ - HSV-2 increases the risk of acquiring HIV by 2-3 times in \*both\* men and women, \*regardless\* of the presence of visible lesions or other symptoms and HSV antiviral meds (see above section) _ **Increased risk of cervical cancer** _ - HSV-2 has been linked to an increased risk of cervical cancer, \*if\* co-infected with high-risk HPV Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can cause systemic disease and complications in immunocompromised individuals. Potentially fatal **neonatal infection** (herpetic infection in newborns) can also be caused by both types, although HSV-2 is the more common and serious of the two. Fortunately, preventative measures can be taken during pregnancy and delivery. **Emis Moderator comment: all of these can be read about on patient.info for which I've included search result links below.** Patient leaflets - [https://patient.info/search.asp?searchTerm=herpes&collections=Condition\_Leaflets](https://community.patient.info/search.asp?searchTerm=herpes&collections=Condition_Leaflets) PatientPlus articles aimed at GPs - [https://patient.info/search.asp?searchTerm=herpes&collections=Prof\_Ref](https://community.patient.info/search.asp?searchTerm=herpes&collections=Prof_Ref) HSV-1 and Alzheimer's Disease - [http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cold-sore-virus-linked-with-alzheimers-disease](http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cold-sore-virus-linked-with-alzheimers-disease)/ GH, HPV and cervical cancer risk - [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23080497](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23080497) --- _[View the full topic](https://community.patient.info/t/genital-herpes-useful-info-for-those-looking-for-answers-like-me/482438)._