Genital Herpes

Caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)

Between 50 and 80 percent of American adults have HSV-1

Approximately 25 percent of American adults have HSV-2

Reproductive Organs Affected

Women

Vagina, vulva, cervix, buttocks, or anus

Men

Penis, buttocks, or anus

Transmission

• Transmitted through kissing, touching, and sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal, or oral) with an infected partner
• Brief skin to skin contact is all that’s needed to pass the virus
• Can be passed from an infected mother to baby during vaginal childbirth

Signs/Symptoms

Most people with genital herpes have no symptoms or have very mild symptoms that go unnoticed or are not recognized as being a sign of infection

The most common symptom is a cluster of blistery sores — usually on the vagina, vulva, cervix, penis, buttocks, or anus

Symptoms may last several weeks and go away. They may return in weeks, months, or years.

The first episode of symptoms of a genital herpes infection is also called "initial herpes." The symptoms of first episodes are usually more severe than later outbreaks.

Symptoms may include :

• Blisters
• Burning feelings if urine flows over sores
• Inability to urinate if severe swelling of sores blocks the urethra
• Itching
• Open sores
• Pain in the infected area
• Severe first episodes may have symptoms that include
• Swollen, tender lymph glands in the groin, throat, and under the arms
• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• General run-down feelings
• Achy, flu-like feelings

Treatment

There is NO cure for Herpes however outbreaks become fewer and weaker over the course of a few years

Anti-herpes drugs to reduce frequency and duration of recurrences

A good diet, enough rest and sleep, and effective stress management may help prevent stress recurrences

Prevention

The best way to avoid contracting Herpes is abstaining from sexual contact.

There are three main ways to prevent spreading genital herpes:

• Stop having sexual contact as soon as you feel warning signs of an outbreak. Do not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex — even with a condom. Wait until seven days after the sore heals. The virus can spread from sores not covered by the condom. It can also spread in sweat or vaginal fluids to places the condom doesn't cover.
• Use condoms between outbreaks to reduce the risk of transmission.
• Take anti-herpes drugs. The risk of transmission can be greatly reduced if the partner with herpes takes a small daily dose of anti-herpes medication.
• Touching any type of herpes sore may spread the virus from one partner to another or from part of the body to another, especially during initial herpes. If you have herpes sores .

Don't touch the sores. If you do, wash your hands with soap and water — this kills the virus. Wash your hands :

• after going to the bathroom
• before rubbing your eyes
• before touching a contact lens

Don't wet contact lenses with saliva — especially if you have oral herpes.

If you have a cold sore on your mouth, don't kiss anyone — especially infants, children, or pregnant women.

Correct and consistent use of latex condoms can reduce the risk of genital herpes only when the infected area or site of potential exposure is protected.

Since a condom may not cover all infected areas, even correct and consistent use of latex condoms cannot guarantee protection from genital herpes.