What is genital herpes?
Genital herpes is a sexually transmissible infection (STI), also known as herpes simplex virus, HSV. There are two types of herpes that can affect the genitals: HSV-1 and HSV-2. Herpes may also affect the mouth, lips, anus and rectum.
How do I know if I have genital herpes?
The symptoms of genital herpes can vary widely.
Symptoms may include genital:
- pain
- itch
- blisters, ulcers, sores
- skin splits or cracks
Other symptoms may include:
- pain or difficulty when passing urine
- fever, headache, pain in the joints/lower back/legs
- rectal pain
Some people may experience recurrent symptoms.
Herpes is best diagnosed by swabs collected by your doctor/nurse. Blood tests are not recommended as they are not a reliable method of diagnosing herpes.
How can I get genital herpes?
Herpes is transmitted from skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the infection. Herpes can be transmitted by people who do not know they are infected or people who do not have symptoms. This is known as asymptomatic viral shedding.
What is the treatment for genital herpes?
Antiviral medications may reduce the severity and duration of symptoms. People who experience frequent recurrences should consider talking to their General Practitioner about suppressive therapy. Suppressive therapy also reduces risk of passing herpes on to your sexual partners. While treatment can greatly control and help symptoms, it does not cure the virus.
Do sexual partners need treatment?
If your partners have symptoms they should be assessed by a doctor or nurse. There is no need for testing or treatment if they do not experience any symptoms.
What else should I know?
Herpes can be passed on to babies during childbirth, causing a serious infection. A pregnant person who experiences recurrent symptoms may be recommended by their doctor to commence suppressive therapy in the final weeks of pregnancy. This will greatly lower risk of recurrences and subsequent caesarean delivery. Partners who have recurrent herpes may also consider suppressive therapy throughout their partner’s pregnancy.