1. The client/caregiver can define herpes genitalis.
    1. Is a sexually transmitted disease caused by herpes simplex viruses.
    2. It is recognized as a chronic, lifelong infection.
    3. Herpes simplex viruses have two types: HSV-1 and HSV-2.
    4. Most genital herpes is caused by HSV-2.
    5. HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, but it more commonly causes infections of the mouth and lips. HSV-1 infections of genitals can be caused by oral–genital or genital–genital contact with a person infected with HSV-1.
    6. The infection can stay in the body indefinitely.
  2. The client/caregiver can recognize signs and symptoms of genital herpes.
    1. Symptoms can range from none to various types.
    2. Early symptoms include the following:
      • Burning sensation in the genitals
      • Low-back pain
      • Flu-like symptoms
      • Symptoms that appear with 2 to 20 days after exposure
    3. Secondary symptoms
      • Small, red bumps appear.
      • They develop into painful vesicle or blisters.
      • Then they crust over, scab, and heal.
      • The virus remains in body and episodes of active disease can recur.
  3. The client/caregiver can list measures to treat and manage genital herpes.
    1. There is no treatment to cure herpes, but the use of antiviral medications can shorten and prevent outbreaks.
    2. Persons with herpes should abstain from sexual activity when lesions or other symptoms are present.
    3. Sex partners of infected persons should be advised that they may become infected. Sex partners can seek testing to determine whether they are infected.
    4. Even if a person does not have any symptoms, they can still infect sex partners.
    5. During an outbreak
      1. Keep affected areas clean and avoid touching lesions.
      2. Wash hands after contact with lesions to prevent spread.
  4. The client/caregiver can list complications of genital herpes.
    1. They can cause recurrent painful genital sores.
    2. They can cause psychological distress.
    3. Genital HSV can cause potentially fatal infections in babies.
    4. There can be a spread of virus to lips, fingers, or breasts.

Resources

Support groups

Counseling

National Herpes Resource Centerwww.ashastd.org/hrc/E-mail: herpesnet@ashastd.org

Healthy People 2010www.health.gov/healthypeople

Centers for Disease Control and Preventionwww.cdc.gov/std/

References

Ackley, B. J., & Ladwig, G. B. (2006). Nursing diagnosis handbook: A guide to planning care. Philadelphia: Mosby Inc.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2002). Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines. MMWR 2002;51 (no. RR-6).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2005, September). Sexually transmitted disease surveillance. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Cohen, B. J., & Taylor, J. J. (2005). Memmler’s the human body in health and disease (10th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Hunt, R. 2005. Introduction to community based nursing. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Perry, A., & Potter, P. (2006). Clinical nursing skills & technique. St. Louis: Mosby Inc.

Timby, B. K., & Smith, N. C. (2003). Introductory medical-surgical nursing (8th ed.). Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott

Credits

Client Teaching Guides for Home Health Care, 2nd ed.

© 2008 Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc.

www.jbpub.com

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