Genital herpes
Overview
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) passed on through vaginal, anal and oral sex. Treatment from a sexual health clinic can help. Symptoms clear up on their own but can come back.
Symptoms
Symptoms of genital herpes include: small blisters that burst to leave red, open sores around your genitals, anus, thighs or bottom – the sores may be less red on brown or black skintingling, burning or itching around your genitalspain when you peedischarge that is not usual for you
Causes
You can see a GP, but they'll probably refer you to a sexual health clinic if they think you might have genital herpes. Sexual health clinics treat problems with the genitals and urine system. Many sexual health clinics offer a walk-in service, where you do not need an appointment. They'll often get test results quicker than GP practices and you do not have to pay a prescription fee for treatment. Find a sexual health clinic Genital herpes is caused by a virus called herpes simplex. Once you have the virus, it stays in your body. It will not spread in your body to cause blisters elsewhere. It stays in a nearby nerve and causes blisters in the same area. If you can, avoid things that trigger your symptoms. Triggers can include: ultraviolet light on the affected area – for example, from sunbathing or sunbedsfriction in your genital area – for example, from sex (lubricant may help) or tight clothingsmokingdrinking alcohol Some triggers are unavoidable, including: being unwellstressduring the menstrual cyclesurgery on your genital areaa weakened immune system – for example, from having chemotherapy for cancer
Treatment
There's no cure for genital herpes. Symptoms clear up by themselves, but the blisters can come back (an outbreak or recurrence). Treatment from a sexual health clinic can help. You may be prescribed: antiviral medicine to stop the symptoms getting worse – you need to start taking this within 5 days of the symptoms appearingcream for the pain If you've had symptoms for more than 5 days before you go to a sexual health clinic, you can still get tested to find out the cause. Go to a GP or sexual health clinic if you've been diagnosed with genital herpes and need treatment for an outbreak. Antiviral medicine may help shorten an outbreak by 1 or 2 days if you start taking it as soon as symptoms appear. But outbreaks usually settle by themselves, so you may not need treatment. Recurrent outbreaks are usually milder than the first episode of genital herpes. Over time, outbreaks tend to happen less often and be less severe. Some people never have outbreaks. Some people who have more than 6 outbreaks in a year may benefit from taking antiviral medicine for 6 to 12 months. If you still have outbreaks of genital herpes during this time, you may be referred to a specialist. You may be offered antiviral treatment: to treat outbreaks in pregnancyfrom week 32 of pregnancy to reduce the chance of an outbreak during birthfrom diagnosis until the birth if you first get herpes after week 28 of pregnancy Many women with genital herpes have a vaginal delivery. You may be offered a caesarean, depending on your circumstances.
Prevention
Condoms (reduces risk); avoid sex during outbreak/tingle presence. Tell partners.
When to see a doctor
See GP/Sexual Health clinic if: blisters/sores appear; pain peeing.