What is genital herpes?

Genital herpes is an STD caused by two types of viruses. The viruses are called herpes simplex type 1 and herpes simplex type 2.

Signs and Symptoms

• Most people may never develop symptoms, or the symptoms are too mild to notice.
• Develop within 2-30 days, or longer, or not at all.
• Small, painful, fluid-filled blisters on genitals, mouth, or anus.
• Blisters progress to open sores that crust over and heal within 1-2 weeks.
• Blisters may be “hidden” in the vagina.
• The first episode is most severe, and subsequent episodes are milder.
• Itching or burning on the skin in the area where blisters are about to appear.
• Initial infection is often accompanied by fever, headache, and swollen lymph nodes.
• Blisters go away, but infection is still in the body.
• Blisters can return periodically, but usually with shorter duration and less severity.

Transmission

Genital herpes is spread by:

• Vaginal sex
• Oral sex
• Anal sex
• Contact with infected person’s lesions
• Infected mother to newborn

Herpes can also be spread from one area of the body to another via contact with or touching an infected area.

Viral shedding may occur in the absence of blisters, so transmission is possible when lesions are absent. Most transmission occurs in the absence of sores.

Complications

Genital herpes can:

• Spread to sex partners
• Make infection by other germs, like HIV, easier, as the blisters provide easy entry to other STD germs
• Cause recurrent painful outbreaks

Genital herpes and pregnancy

• Most pregnant women with recurrent genital herpes deliver normal infants.
• Newborns may acquire an infection from the mother during delivery.
• Infection in newborns may cause death or severe damage to the brain, lungs, and liver.
• Risk is highest for infants born to mothers who have the first episode of genital herpes during pregnancy.

Prevention

• The surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases is to abstain from sexual contact or to be in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected.
• Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of transmission only when the infected areas are covered or protected by the condom.
• Use a new latex condom properly for any sexual contact.
• Limit the number of sex partners.
• Notify sex partners immediately if infected.
• Make sure partners are tested and treated.

Testing and Treatment

• Get a test from a medical provider if the infection is suspected.
• No cure is available; infection persists for life.
• Recurrent episodes of blisters can be decreased by taking antiviral medication each day.
• Treatment of recurrent episodes generally shortens the length of outbreaks.
• Comfort measures are available for recurrent episodes.

Contact Information

STD Prevention
4815 W. Markham St., Slot 33
Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: 501-661-2408
Fax: 501-661-2082
[email protected]