Final answer:
Genital herpes, usually caused by HSV-2, is a sexually transmitted infection that leads to painful, recurring vesicular eruptions. The virus can become latent, hiding in nerve ganglia and reactivating during stress, leading to outbreaks. While condoms can reduce risk, transmission can occur even without visible lesions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The form of the herpes virus that is transmitted through sexual contact and causes recurring, painful, vesicular eruptions is herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Although HSV-1 is more traditionally associated with oral herpes, such as cold sores, it is now increasingly responsible for genital herpes as well. Genital herpes is characterized by vesicles that can appear on the genitals or surrounding areas and are often accompanied by discomfort or urinary symptoms.
The herpes simplex viruses can become latent, residing in nerve ganglia for extended periods before being reactivated, usually by stress or other triggers, causing new lesion outbreaks. Infections are very common and can even be transmitted when no visible sores are present because the virus can shed from normal-appearing body surfaces. Furthermore, genital herpes can also be contracted from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth.
Infection with HSV-2 can lead to recurrent infections because the virus has the ability to enter a latent state after the initial infection. During latency, the virus resides in spinal ganglia and produces few to no viral proteins, escaping immune detection. However, factors like physical or psychological stress can lead to reactivation and subsequent outbreaks. Condom use may not always prevent transmission effectively, as lesions can occur on areas not covered by condoms.