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Canberra Health Services
Health Information Sheet | Canberra Health Services

Genital herpes

Genital herpes is an infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV). It causes blisters and sores on your genitals and surrounding areas. HSV is the same virus that causes cold sores.

There are two types of HSV: type 1 (HSV 1) and type 2 (HSV 2). Genital herpes can be caused by both types, and they look the same and are managed in the same way.

How do you get genital herpes and how common is it?

Genital herpes is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the infection. This usually happens during vaginal, anal or oral sex. If you have sex with someone who has herpes symptoms (including oral sex while your partner has a cold sore), you can easily become infected. You can also be infected by someone who has no symptoms.

The virus enters your body through the moist, thin skin of your genital tract, anus or mouth, or through tiny skin abrasions (scratches and cuts). It then crosses into your nerves where it remains inactive but can reactivate from time to time. Many people don’t know they have HSV.

What are the symptoms of genital herpes?

Some people with genital herpes do not have any symptoms and do not know they have the virus. Others will have symptoms as early as 4-7 days after being exposed to the virus. For some people, symptoms may not occur for months or even years after being exposed to the virus. When you have symptoms of genital herpes this is called an “outbreak”.

First outbreak:

Symptoms are often worse with your first outbreak of genital herpes. These symptoms can include:

  • a tingling or itching sensation in your genital or anal region or down your leg, which sometimes starts in the 24 hours before blisters and sores appear (this is called a “prodrome”)
  • painful blisters or sores in the genital and anal areas
  • an increase in vaginal discharge
  • pain passing urine
  • headache
  • fever
  • general aches and pains

Further outbreaks (recurrence):

After the initial infection, the virus stays in your nervous system and can reactivate another time. This causes further outbreaks when the virus travels along your nerves to your genital skin. This is more likely to happen in the first year and if you have HSV 2. Recurrences may be triggered by illness, sunlight, fatigue, skin damage, and alcohol, or there may be no clear trigger.

Further outbreaks (recurrence) are usually less severe than a first outbreak as your immune system produces protective antibodies in response to the first infection. Over time, recurrences become less frequent and less severe.

How do I know when I became infected with genital herpes?

As there can be a delay between being exposed to the virus and having your first symptoms, it is often not possible to know when infection first occurred.

How is genital herpes diagnosed?

Genital herpes can only be diagnosed when you have an outbreak. It is important to see your health professional as soon as you start to get symptoms. To diagnose HSV, a swab is used to collect fluid from a blister or lesion. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for testing.

Is there treatment for genital herpes?

Yes. There are several antiviral medicines that can be used to manage genital herpes symptoms. Antivirals work by stopping the virus from multiplying. Treatment works better the earlier it is started during an outbreak.

Treatment for first outbreak:

  • Antiviral medicine for 5-10 days to reduce the severity of symptoms

Treatment taken when you have further outbreaks (recurrence):

  • Antiviral medicine taken to reduce the severity and length of symptoms
  • Treatment is most effective if taken within the first 24 hours of symptoms starting.

Treatment to stop you having frequent outbreaks:

  • If you have outbreaks frequently, you may be given antiviral medicine to take daily (“suppressive therapy”)

What can happen if genital herpes is not treated?

It is okay not to treat herpes if the symptoms do not worry you.

How can I protect my sexual partner(s) from getting genital herpes?

Avoid having vaginal, anal and oral sex when you have any symptoms of genital herpes. Condoms have been shown to reduce the transmission of genital herpes from the penis, and they also provide protection from other sexually transmissible infections. The virus can be transmitted if it is present in other genital areas not covered by a condom.

As HSV survives in the nerves of the skin, the virus may occasionally be present even if a person has no symptoms (“called asymptomatic shedding”). This means there is still a small chance that it can be passed to someone when you don’t have an obvious outbreak.

Your partner(s) do not need testing for HSV unless they develop symptoms. If your partner is worried about catching genital herpes, encourage them to talk to a health professional.

Where can I get more information and support?

If you need more information or have any questions, please contact the Canberra Sexual Health Centre on (02) 5124 2184 or talk to your GP.

Other resources:

References:

canberrahealthservices.act.gov.au