Introduction

Genital herpes is an infection of the genitals that is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The herpes simplex virus can also affect the skin on the face, causing cold sores to develop, usually around the mouth area.

There are two types of HSV:

* type 1 (HSV-1), and
* type 2 (HSV-2).

Genital herpes is caused by type 1 and type 2 HSV equally.

In most cases, genital herpes is a chronic (long-term) condition. Many people with HSV have frequently recurring genital herpes, recurring an average of four to five times in the first two years after being infected. However, the incidence of genital herpes decreases over time, and the condition becomes less severe with each subsequent occurrence.

The herpes simplex virus (HSV)

HSV is highly contagious and it can be easily passed from person to person by close, direct contact. Genital herpes is usually transmitted by having sex (vaginal, anal or oral) with an infected person.

Once someone has been exposed to HSV, it remains dormant (inactive) most of the time. At least 80% of people who carry the virus are unaware that they’ve been infected because there are often few or no initial symptoms. However, every so often the virus can be activated, causing an outbreak of genital herpes.

How is genital herpes treated?

When genital herpes does cause symptoms, they appear as painful blisters on the genitals and surrounding areas. However, even if someone with genital herpes doesn’t have any symptoms, it’s possible for them to pass the condition on to a sexual partner.

There is no cure for genital herpes, but the symptoms can usually be effectively controlled using anti-viral medicines. The symptoms of genital herpes also tend to become less frequent and less severe with each recurring bout of the condition.

Symptoms of genital herpes

Most people with the herpes simplex virus (HSV) do not experience any symptoms of genital herpes when they are first infected and, as a result, do not know that they have the condition.

It is important to note that symptoms of genital herpes may not appear until months, or sometimes years, after you are exposed to HSV (usually by sexual contact with someone who already has the virus).

If you do experience symptoms when you are first infected, they will usually begin to appear between 4-7 days after you have been exposed to the virus. A case of genital herpes that occurs when you are first infected is known as a primary infection. If there are symptoms with a primary infection, they are usually more severe than those of recurrent infections.

Symptoms of a primary infection

If you have a primary infection of genital herpes, you may have several symptoms, including:

* painful red blisters, which soon burst to leave ulcers on your external genital area, rectum (back passage), thighs, and buttocks,
* blisters and ulceration on the cervix (lower part of the womb) in women,
* vaginal discharge (in women),
* pain when you pass urine,
* fever, and
* generally feeling unwell.

The symptoms of a primary genital herpes infection may last for up to 20 days. However, the ulcers will eventually dry out and heal without leaving any scarring.

Symptoms of recurrent infections

Once a primary infection of genital herpes has subsided, your symptoms will have gone, but HSV will still be present in a nearby nerve. It is likely that the virus will be ‘reactivated’ from time to time, travelling back down the nerve to your skin, causing recurrent infections.

If you have a recurrent infection of genital herpes, your symptoms may include:

* a tingling or burning sensation around your genitals before your blisters appear (this can signal the onset of a recurrent infection),
* painful red blisters, which soon burst to leave ulcers on your external genital area, rectum (back passage), thighs, and buttocks, and
* blisters and ulceration also on the cervix (lower part of the womb) in women.

Recurrent infections of genital herpes are usually shorter and less severe than primary infections. This is because your body has produced antibodies in reaction to the primary infection, and can now fight HSV more effectively.

Your symptoms may last for 7-10 days and, in most cases, you will not have any of the other symptoms of a primary infection, such as a fever, or generally feeling unwell. Your blisters and ulceration may occur in the same area each time you have a recurrent infection.

Over time, you should find that any recurrent genital herpes infections become less frequent and less severe. Genital herpes that is caused by type 1 (HSV-1) tends to recur less often than infections that are caused by type 2 (HSV-2).


To learn more about Genital Herpes, the Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Complications and Prevention please visit the NHS website by clicking HERE