Final answer:
Almost all patients with symptomatic first-episode genital HSV-2 infection will likely face recurrent outbreaks of blisters, with a reduction in frequency and severity over time. The virus becomes latent and can be reactivated, particularly during the first year. Serious complications are rare but possible.
Step-by-step explanation:
Almost all patients with symptomatic first-episode genital HSV-2 infection subsequently experience recurrent outbreaks of blisters. These outbreaks are particularly common during the first year of infection. Over time, the number, duration, and severity of these outbreaks tend to decrease. Rare but serious complications of HSV-1 or HSV-2 infections may include conditions like blindness, encephalitis, or meningitis.
Genital herpes is predominantly caused by HSV-2, which is known to stay in the body indefinitely, with the virus becoming latent in the spine's ganglia. Recurrence can be triggered by various factors, including stress or environmental conditions, and even during periods without visible lesions, the virus is still transmissible.
Among the symptoms, patients may experience blisters on or around the genitals, rectum, or mouth that can break open and result in painful ulcers. Various systemic symptoms such as fever and swollen lymph nodes might accompany the initial outbreak. Though most genital herpes infections are asymptomatic or exhibit mild symptoms, in women, the lesions typically develop on the vulva and may cause urinary discomfort, while in men, they often form on the and may be accompanied by a watery discharge.