About Genital Herpes

Herpes is a contagious viral infection that is caused by two types of the herpes virus: herpes simplex I and herpes simplex II. Both virus types can cause sores on the mouth, lips, thighs, genitals, and buttocks. Once you have been infected, the virus remains in the body for life, but you may or may not develop active symptoms or sores.

Herpes is spread through skin to skin contact, genital intercourse, anal intercourse and oral sex. There is no evidence that herpes is transmitted through toilet seats, infected towels, washcloths, toothbrushes, and any other objects.

Symptoms

If exposed, you may develop painful blisters within five to ten days after being exposed to the virus. In women, these blisters can appear on the vulva (vaginal lips), inside the vagina, on the cervix, on the thighs, on the buttocks or in the anal area. Men may notice blisters on the penis, the scrotum, the thighs, the buttocks or in the anal area. You may feel a tingling sensation and itching in the genital area before an outbreak occurs. Both men and women may be infected and show no symptoms but transmission can still occur.

The first episode of herpes is usually the most painful and may be accompanied by headache, fever, muscle aches, fatigue, and swollen, tender lymph nodes in the groin. This usually lasts one to three weeks. Eventually the blisters crust over and heal, usually without scarring. If a woman has blisters on her cervix, she may also notice some bleeding.

Future outbreaks of herpes may or may not occur, if they do, they are usually milder than the first episode. Factors such as stress, menstruation, pregnancy, poor diet, sun exposure, and illness can make you more susceptible to an outbreak.

Diagnosing Herpes

If there are symptoms, herpes may be diagnosed by a visual exam or culture. If no symptoms are present, the virus may be detected through a blood test.

Treating Herpes

Unfortunately, there is no cure for herpes, but your clinician can prescribe medications that can shorten, prevent outbreaks and reduce the chance of transmission.

You should always tell your partner(s) if you have a herpes infection. Your partner(s) should also have an evaluation if he or she shows any symptoms. You should not have sex during an outbreak. To relieve discomfort, you can:

• Take warm baths.
• Apply Betadine (povidone-iodine) ointment to the herpes sores. This is available over-the-counter at the pharmacy.
• Apply Nupercainal (dibucaine), 1 percent hemorrhoidal and anesthetic ointment to the affected area 3 to 4 times a day as needed. This is also available over-the-counter at the pharmacy.
• Urinate while in the bathtub or pour water over the vulva or penis while urinating in the toilet.
• Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
• Avoid tight clothing.
• Dry the genital area with a cool hair dryer after bathing.
• Apply wet tea bags to the sores. Pour boiling water over an orange pekoe tea bag, allow to cool, then apply tea bags to sores.
• Wearing cotton underwear.

You should also do your best to stay healthy. Good nutrition, exercise, rest, and stress reduction may decrease the frequency of recurrences. In addition, try to avoid drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, which can worsen or increase the likelihood of an outbreak.

Complications

Pregnant women with genital herpes may transmit the virus to a baby during delivery. This is a very rare occurence.

Studies also show that having a genital ulcer disease, like herpes, may increase the risk of getting Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Preventing the spread of herpes

There are steps you can take to prevent giving the herpes infection to others and spreading it to other sites on your body:

• Don't touch the sores. If you do, wash your hands with soap and water.
• Always wash your hands with soap and water after going to the bathroom.
• Wash your hands with soap and water before touching your eyes.
• Wash your hands with soap and water before touching a contact lens.
• Never use saliva to wet a contact lens.
• If you have a sore in your mouth or on your lips, don't kiss anyone or have oral sex.
• If you have a genital sore, don't have sex—even with a latex barrier (condom,dental dam, gloves). Herpes can be spread from sores not covered by the latex barrier. Having sex, even with a latex barrier, can irritate the sores, which may take longer to heal.
• Remember, herpes can be spread even when you don't have symptoms. Using latex barriers (condoms, dental dams, gloves) even when you don't have symptoms may reduce the risk of spreading herpes, but does not provide complete protection against herpes.

How to Protect Against STIs and HIV/AIDS

The only way to guard against getting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is not to have sex or to have sex only with partners who you know are free of infection. If you do have sex, you should use a latex barrier, such as a male condom, a female condom, or a dental dam, every time. Condoms provide protection against STIs, including HIV, the virus that causes AIDs. Tapestry Health clinicians recommend using such barriers even in combination with other methods of birth control. Latex condoms are preferred to lambskin condoms for the prevention of STIs.

If you have questions about Genital Herpes or any STI, talk to your clinician.