Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a virus called the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of the virus and they can infect the mouth and nose (cold sores), the genital and anal area and the skin around your fingers (whitlows).
What causes genital herpes and who can get them?
Genital herpes is caused by a virus which can be passed on through skin-to-skin contact with an infected person.
Anybody can get genital herpes if they come in contact with an infected person. People that have close genital contact with a partner they do not know very well are especially at risk. It’s important to know that a condom will not fully protect you as the virus is transmitted via skin contact and the condom will not cover the entire genital area.
What are the signs and symptoms of the first outbreak of genital herpes?
The trouble with genital herpes is that after the first outbreak the virus hides away and can stay undetected in your system. Many people do not have any visible signs or symptoms, or if they do they may not be aware of them.
If you do get signs or symptoms, these can be all or some of the things below:
Feeling unwell with flu-like symptoms like fever, tiredness, headache, and aches and pains in your lower back and groin.
Stinging, tingling or itching in your genital or anal area.
Small, fluid-filled blisters in your genital or anal area, on your buttocks and the tops of your thighs. The blisters burst quickly leaving small painful sores.
It can also hurt when passing urine (weeing) as the urine passes over the sores.
Symptoms will usually appear 4-5 days after coming into contact with the virus. Sometimes they do not appear for weeks, months or possibly years later.
How is it normally diagnosed and treated?
Your doctor, local sexual health or genitourinary medicine clinic (GUM clinic) will be able to take a swab from the infected area and confirm whether you have caught genital herpes.
During a swab test, a sample of fluid will be taken from a blister and sent away for analysis. This fluid will show whether you have the herpes simplex virus (HSV) in your system.
If you have genital herpes antiviral medication is available as tablets. These stop the virus from spreading in your system and help to relieve the pain but do not clear the virus from your body completely. There is no cure for genital herpes at the moment but the symptoms often clear up on their own.
Antiviral medication is most effective during the first instance of genital herpes when the symptoms tend to be at their worst.
If your sores are very painful keep the infected area as cool as possible by wearing loose cotton underwear. An icepack, wrapped in a clean tea towel and held against the area for a few minutes, can also help to soothe the sores. Avoid using scented soaps, shower gels, or bubble bath, as well because they can irritate the sensitive affected area.
Episodes of genital herpes will vary in length for different people; how long they last depends on your general state of health and whether it is an initial or recurrent outbreak.
Can it be prevented?
Herpes is very infectious and is passed on easily through all forms of sexual or close physical contact.
The best way to stop this from happening is to avoid:
Having unprotected sex with a new partner. Always use condoms!
Kissing when you or your partner have cold sores around the mouth.
Having oral sex when you and your partner have mouth or genital sores.
Having any genital or anal contact, even with a condom, when you or your partner have genital sores.
Using saliva to wet contact lenses if you have sores around your mouth.
When should I seek medical help?
If you think that you may have genital herpes, you should see your GP as soon as possible. Diagnosis is easier and more accurate when you have the symptoms.
Looking forward
There are some ‘myths’ about genital herpes that a lot of people worry about but….
It doesn’t affect a girl’s fertility
It is not hereditary
And it is not linked to cervical cancer.
Once you have the virus in your system you will be susceptible to recurrent episodes but the signs and symptoms are usually milder and will go away more quickly.
Occasionally the blisters caused by the virus can become infected by other bacteria. This can lead to a skin infection that can spread to other parts of the body but this is rare
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