Genital Herpes

Genital Herpes This infection is caused by a virus, not bacteria, and is transmitted through direct contact with an infected person.

What is it?

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection that is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The virus is transmitted through unprotected sex and through any form of direct contact with the symptoms of an infected person. HSV has two forms – HSV-1 and HSV-2. The HSV-1 strain causes oral herpes and appears in the form of cold sores around the mouth. The HSV-2 strain is different because it affects the genital area and appears as fluid-filled blisters on or around the genitals, anus, buttocks or thighs. That said, the HSV-1 strain may also cause genital herpes if active cold sores on the mouth come into direct contact with the genitals during oral sex.

The virus is commonly contracted through vaginal, oral or anal sex, but can be passed on through contact with any area with active symptoms, which aren't always visible. Anyone who is sexually active can contract the herpes virus, but it's been found to be most common amongst men and women between the ages of 20 and 24.

What are the symptoms?

Not everyone who contracts genital herpes will get symptoms right away; it may be months or years before some people experience an outbreak.

A genital herpes infection appears as red sores, which generate fluid filled blisters. A painful or burning sensation is also common during urination, as well as a swelling in the glands or the groin and an unusual urethral discharge. An itching and/or tingling sensation, as well as redness and discomfort are other commonly reported symptoms of HSV.

The virus sometimes goes through a 'shedding phase' when the virus is active on the skin. Few or no genital herpes symptoms are apparent during this time, but the virus can still be passed on during this phase.

What are the risks?

Genital herpes can be very painful and uncomfortable. Because the virus doesn't live for very long outside the body, it's quite unusual for the infection to be spread through shaking hands, for example. However, herpes can easily be spread through mouth-to-mouth, mouth-to-genital or genital-to-genital contact because of the contact with bodily fluids in these areas.

Herpes blisters will initially break open and possibly bleed, but if left untreated they will eventually scab over and heal. However, it's always advised that you seek treatment for this infection as soon as possible, as treatment can significantly reduce the pain and symptoms that are associated with an outbreak, or may even prevent an outbreak from occurring.

Because the herpes simplex virus is spread through skin-to-skin contact, you don't have to have penetrative sex to catch it. It can be passed on during oral sex, causing a partner to develop colds sores. A new case of genital herpes, contracted at the end of pregnancy, could be passed on to a baby during a vaginal birth.

Can it be cured?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for an HSV infection. The virus never leaves the body and can become active again, causing new outbreaks of symptoms. Some people are unlucky enough to experience several outbreaks a year, although they decrease in frequency and severity over time.

Genital herpes treatments can be used to reduce painful symptoms and push the virus back into remission. The most widely prescribed genital herpes treatment is Aciclovir for first-time infections. Other prescription medications such as Valtrex and Famvir can also be used to treat recurrent outbreaks.

Aciclovir is an anti-viral medication that is commonly used for the treatment of viral infections such as genital herpes, cold sores and shingles. This medication can also be used as a preventative treatment for people who experience symptoms and herpes outbreaks quite regularly and want to keep the virus at bay.

To treat outbreaks of genital herpes, one 200mg Aciclovir tablet should be taken five times a day for five consecutive days to treat the symptoms and help to ease any discomfort. If you continuously have outbreaks of genital herpes, you can also take a single 200mg tablet four times a day for up to a year to prevent them from occurring.

Taking a genital herpes test

If you would like to get tested for genital herpes, you have a choice of three tests. You could choose to take a genital herpes test as part of the Full STI Screen test. Alternatively, there are two individual tests for genital herpes. The first is the standard Genital Herpes test, which requires a urine sample. The second is the Symptomatic Lesion Swab test, which involves taking a swab of the lesion itself. If you order any of these tests online, you will receive the test kits in the post. After you have followed the instructions for the test you choose, seal the items in the pre-paid envelope and post it to our laboratory. The test results will be available to you within two to three days. If you do test positive for genital herpes, we will help you to find an effective genital herpes treatment.