DEAR DR. GOTT: Can herpes simplex II be the cause of peripheral neuropathy?

DEAR READER: Herpes simplex type 2 is a common sexually transmitted infection that generally affects the genitalia; however, the disorder can be spread to the mouth during oral sex. For women, the most common area to be affected is the cervix, anus, buttocks and external genitals. For men, the buttocks, anus, penis, scrotum, and thighs will most commonly be affected. The virus spreads easily through intimate contact with an individual who is infected; it can also be acquired by an act as simple as touching an infected razor.

Most of the individuals infected don’t even know they have the disorder because they either have extremely mild symptoms or none at all. When they are present, they can include pain or itching a week or two following exposure from an infected partner. [Read more...]