Herpes Viruses

What is genital herpes?

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex viruses (HSV). There are two types of HSV— type 1 and type 2. Most genital herpes infections are type 2 (HSV-2) and is the usual cause of genital herpes, but type 2 can also infect the mouth. Type 1 (HSV-1) commonly infects the lips, causing sores known as fever blisters or cold sores, but it can also infect the genital area.
Return to Top

How do I know if I or a partner has genital herpes?

Many people infected with genital herpes are not aware they have been infected. The first outbreak, consisting of herpes sores, usually occurs within two weeks after the virus is transmitted; sores typically heal within two to four weeks. Other symptoms during the outbreak may include sores, fever, and swollen glands. Many women with HSV-2 might not remember ever having an outbreak or sore. Even when they have an outbreak, they might not notice that it is herpes and think they just scratched themselves. The symptoms can be pain and burning, or they can be so mild that they are missed altogether. Women diagnosed with a first episode can expect to have up to four or five more outbreaks within a year.
Return to Top

How do women get genital herpes and how is it diagnosed?

Generally, a woman can become infected with genital herpes only during sexual contact with a partner who has a genital HSV-2 infection.

The type 1 and type 2 herpes viruses are released from the sores that the viruses cause. But the herpes virus can also be released between outbreaks from skin that does not appear to be broken or to have a sore. A woman or man can become infected from a partner who has no visible sores and who may not know there’s an infection present. You can get either or both types of herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2) at the same time in the mouth, anus, and genital area. The sores look the same no matter what type of virus you have. Many, many people have cold sores—that’s oral herpes. But you should avoid having sex when your partner has a cold sore. It is important to abstain from sexual contact when an outbreak is occurring as this greatly reduces the risk of your partner becoming infected. However, the risk of infection remains even between outbreaks.

The signs of genital herpes infection vary greatly from woman to woman. If you have a sore, go to your health care provider as soon as possible so they can swab the sore and see if it is genital herpes. The longer you wait, the less virus is in the sore and the more likely the test will not be accurate. If you don’t have a sore, it is hard to tell whether you have genital herpes or not. You can have a blood test which will show whether you were ever exposed to HSV-1 or HSV-2, but the blood test will not tell if you have genital herpes or if you can spread it to someone else.
Return to Top

What are the complications of untreated genital herpes?

Genital herpes can cause recurrent painful genital sores, and herpes infection can be severe in people with suppressed immune systems. Genital herpes can also cause potentially fatal infections in babies. If a woman has an active genital herpes outbreak at the time of delivery, a cesarean-section delivery is usually performed. Herpes may also play a role in the spread of HIV and can make people more vulnerable to HIV infection, as well as make HIV-infected individuals more infectious.

Return to Top

What is the treatment for genital herpes?

There is no treatment that can permanently cure genital herpes. Once you have herpes you are always infected with herpes. However, the goal is to reduce the number of outbreaks—both for your comfort and to reduce the chance of spreading it to others. Some people have outbreaks rarely, others can have it every month. Some people feel that stress can make these outbreaks more common. If you have frequent outbreaks, you can take a medication daily to reduce the chance of getting outbreaks and to make them shorter. These medications reduce the amount of virus that is in the sore and make it less likely to pass the infection from one person to another.

Antiviral medications can shorten and prevent outbreaks during the period of time a woman takes the medication. In addition, daily medication for herpes symptoms can reduce transmission of the infection to sexual partners.

Genital herpes can occur in both male and female genital areas that are covered or protected by a latex condom, as well as in areas that are NOT covered. Even correct and consistent use of latex condoms cannot guarantee complete protection from genital herpes. All vaginal, oral, and anal sexual contact should be avoided during an outbreak.
Return to Top