Genital Herpes

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is herpes? " пїЅ Herpes is a disease that can cause blisters and open sores on the genital area. Herpes is caused by a virus that is passed from person to person during vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Sometimes, people do not know they have herpes because they do not have any symptoms. пїЅ пїЅ

Herpes cannot be cured. But the disease usually causes problems only during the first few years. After that, the virus is still there, but it causes few to no symptoms. Even when the virus is active, people with herpes can take medicines to reduce and help prevent symptoms. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of herpes? " пїЅ Some people with herpes never have any symptoms. But other people can develop symptoms within a few weeks of being infected with the herpes virus. пїЅ пїЅ

Symptoms usually include blisters in the genital area. In women, this area includes the vagina, butt, anus, or thighs. In men, this area includes the penis, scrotum, anus, butt, or thighs. The blisters can become painful open sores which then crust over as they heal. пїЅ пїЅ

Sometimes, people can have other symptoms that include: пїЅ пїЅ

Blisters on the mouth or lips
Fever, headache, or pain in the joints
Trouble urinating

In people with herpes, symptoms usually go away and come back. A return of symptoms is called an "outbreak " пїЅ. Outbreaks usually include blisters and open sores in the genital area. In most people, the first outbreak is the worst and can last as long as 2 to 3 weeks. Outbreaks that happen later are usually not as severe and do not last as long. пїЅ пїЅ

Outbreaks might occur every month or more often, or just once or twice a year. Sometimes, people can tell when an outbreak will occur, because they feel itching or pain beforehand in the legs, hips, or butt. Sometimes they do not know that an outbreak is coming because they have no symptoms. Whatever your pattern is, keep in mind that herpes outbreaks usually become less frequent over time as you get older. пїЅ пїЅ

Certain things, called "triggers " пїЅ, can make outbreaks more likely to occur. These include stress, sunlight, menstrual periods, or getting sick. пїЅ пїЅ

Is there a test for herpes? " пїЅ Yes. If you have blisters or ulcers when your doctor or nurse examines you, he or she can order a "culture " пїЅ test for herpes. For a culture test, the doctor or nurse takes a sample of cells or fluid from a sore and sends it to the lab. пїЅ пїЅ

Should I see a doctor or nurse? " пїЅ See your doctor or nurse the first time you have symptoms, or if your symptoms are severe. пїЅ пїЅ

How is herpes treated? " пїЅ Your doctor can prescribe different medicines to help reduce symptoms and speed up the healing of an outbreak. These medicines work best when people start them soon after an outbreak starts. You and your doctor should work together to decide which medicine is right for you. пїЅ пїЅ

Is there anything I can do on my own to feel better? " пїЅ Yes. To reduce the pain during an outbreak, you can: пїЅ пїЅ

Use a portable bath (such as a "Sitz bath " пїЅ) where you can sit in warm water for about 20 minutes. Your bathtub could also work. Avoid bubble baths.
Keep the genital area clean and dry, and avoid tight clothes.
Take over-the-counter pain medicine such as acetaminophen (brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin). But avoid aspirin.

You should also let your doctor or nurse know if you are worried or upset about your herpes. He or she can talk with you about your feelings. Plus, you might want to join a support group for people with herpes. пїЅ пїЅ

What if I am pregnant? " пїЅ If you are pregnant, talk with your doctor. It is possible for a baby to get herpes from its mother during birth if the mothers first outbreak starts near the time of delivery. Talk with your doctor or nurse about things you can do to help prevent this. пїЅ пїЅ

Can future outbreaks of symptoms be prevented? " пїЅ Some people with herpes take a medicine every day to help prevent future outbreaks. пїЅ пїЅ

What can I do to prevent spreading herpes to my sex partner? " пїЅ People can spread herpes to a sex partner when they have blisters and open sores on their body. But people can also spread herpes to their sex partner when they do not have any symptoms. That is because herpes can be present on the body without causing any symptoms, like blisters or pain. You can decrease the risk of spreading herpes to your partner by taking an antiviral medicine every day. пїЅ пїЅ

You can also reduce the chance of your sex partner getting herpes by: пїЅ пїЅ

Telling your sex partner that you have herpes
Using a condom every time you have sex
Not having sex when you have symptoms
Not performing oral sex if you have blisters or open sores around your mouth

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 15442 Version 7.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ

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Genital Herpes

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

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