Genital herpes facts

Signs and symptoms

• Most people only have mild symptoms or symptoms they do not think could be herpes
• If symptoms occur, they usually begin within 1-2 weeks of infection
• Blisters in the genital or anal area
• Genital or anal itching or irritation
• Pain or trouble peeing
• Swelling and soreness in genital area
• Cuts or sores in genitals or anal area
• Flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, swollen glands)

Transmission

• Oral, anal or vaginal sex
• Infected mother to baby at vaginal birth

Prevention

• Abstain from oral, anal and vaginal sex.
• Use condoms/barriers consistently and correctly during oral, anal or vaginal sex.
• Maintain a mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested for herpes and is not infected.
• Get early treatment for STDs.
• If someone has herpes, taking medication daily can reduce the risk of giving it to partners; however, this is not 100% effective.

Treatment

• See a health care provider for exam and tests to figure out the best treatment.
• There is no cure for herpes. Anti-viral medicines can prevent and shorten outbreaks. Medicine may lower the risk of giving herpes to others.

If not treated...

• Can increase risk for getting HIV
• Recurrent, painful genital sores
• Infections in newborns if not treated during pregnancy

If you have genital herpes...

• Refrain from sex (oral, anal or vaginal sex) if there are symptoms.
• Learn about herpes and get support from local groups or websites.
• Use condoms/barriers consistently and correctly during oral, anal or vaginal sex.
• Seek medical care including STD tests.
• Discuss the best course of treatment with a health care provider.
• Notify recent sex partners that they were exposed to herpes and talk to all new partners about it.
• Consider taking medication to prevent giving herpes to others.
• If pregnant, get tested for STDs and HIV.