Herpes Simplex type 1 (genital herpes)

The following question was previously posted:
Question Posted By: ED on Monday, November 27, 2000

Can Herpes Simplex (genital herpes) cause postherpetic neuralgia?

Answer Posted By: CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS on Monday, November 27, 2000

Dear Ed:

The answer to your question is yes. There are treatments available and would seek medications from your family physician.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD
--------------------------------------------------->
My Question is:

What is the cause (or causes) including the specific mechanism for Herpes Simplex ( genital herpes) giving an adult female Postherpetic Neuralgia? How wide spread can the neuralgia be in the female reproductive system? What is the range of severity of symptoms? Should a woman with a combination of Herpes Simplex 1 (genital herpes) and Postherpetic Neuralgia avoid childbirth? Can this condition lead to further complications? Is there a cure? If there is no cure, how long can the symptoms persist especially in severe cases?

[Forum-M.D.-DT]

Thank you for visiting the family practice forum.
Post-herpetic Neuralgia is typically a complication of Herpes Zoster. Women with a history of Herpes Zoster or Herpes Simplex II may have children, however if their are active lesions, it is possible to transmit the virus to the newborn.
Herpes Zoster (Shingles) is an infection caused by the varicellazoster virus (VZV) affecting mainly adults. It causes painful skin blisters that follow the underlying route of spinal nerves which have been infected by the virus. The pain and blisters usually only occur on one side of the body. Any sensory nerve may be affected. The pain, which may be constant or intermittent, superficial or deep, usually occurs before the rash begins. Other symptoms present may include fever, nausea and headache. The blisters usually evolve from small red bumps along the path of the nerve and the overlying skin is very sensitive. Sores may appear in a matter of hours, however they usually appear over the course of several days. The bumps swell and thicken and by the end of the first week, crusting is seen. The symptoms usually begin to resolve within 2 weeks but may persist up to 5-6 weeks.
Treatment includes cool compresses, calamine lotion to relieve itching and pain medication. Skin medications such as Capsaicin cream is quite helpful as is the use of medications such as Acyclovir, Valtrex or Famvir given for 7 days.  

[Ammee]

Viridae Clinical Sciences is a virology research and treatment center in Vancouver, British Columbia. They are one of the leading virology specialists in North America. The head of the Clinic, Dr. Stephen Sacks, has written extensively on the subject of genital herpes. He is also Professor of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine. Dr Sacks has written that both herpes Zoster and herpes simplex cause postherpetic neuralgia. Your reply seems be avoiding the specific question that I asked about herpes simplex causing genital postherpetic neuralgia.

[freckles645]

A related discussion, Postherpetic neuralgia from herpes? was started.

[Dugall]

A related discussion, Postherpetic Neuralgia was started.