Genital Herpes: Key Q&A

Reviewed By:
Timothy Yarboro, M.D.

What is genital herpes?

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that involves the eruption of blisters on the genitals, buttocks or anal area. It is caused by the herpes simplex virus.


How common is genital herpes?

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approximately 45 million people ages 12 and older in the United States have been infected with genital herpes.


How do people get genital herpes?

Genital herpes can be transmitted from an infected sexual partner through vaginal, anal and oral sex but can also be passed from an infected mother to her newborn during vaginal childbirth.


What are the signs and symptoms of genital herpes?

The symptoms of genital herpes vary from person to person, and some people don't have any symptoms. When present, early signs include itching or burning in the genital or anal area and flu-like symptoms, such as fever and muscle aches. These symptoms may diminish with subsequent outbreaks.

The classic symptom of genital herpes is the appearance of sores near the area where the virus entered the body, such as the mouth, vagina or penis. The sores are small red bumps that may turn into blisters or painful open sores. Over time, the sores become crusted and usually heal without scarring within 2 to 12 days. Some people experience mild symptoms that are often mistaken for insect bites, yeast infections, razor burn, ingrown hairs or hemorrhoids.


How does genital herpes affect a pregnancy?

Genital herpes can be passed during childbirth from a mother to a baby as the baby passes through the birth canal. Although this occurrence is uncommon (because mothers pass antibodies to their babies during pregnancy) it is a cause for concern. A baby born with herpes can also experience serious health problems, such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), severe rashes and eye problems. Herpes can also be life threatening to an infant.

Pregnant women whose virus is active late in pregnancy may be put on suppressive therapy to help prevent transmission to their babies. Women with sores detected in or near the vagina at the time of labor may be advised to have a cesarean delivery to avoid exposing her infant to the herpes virus. Even women with a history of genital herpes but without lesions may be treated with antiviral medication prior to delivery.

If a newborn is infected, treatment with antiviral medications can greatly improve the baby's health, particularly if treatment starts immediately.


How is genital herpes diagnosed?

If a person has active sores, genital herpes may be diagnosed by identifying symptoms associated with it and by obtaining a sample from a suspected lesion to culture. If there is no outbreak, laboratory tests such as viral cultures or blood tests may be performed to confirm diagnosis, although their results may not be conclusive. Blood tests may also be ordered when symptoms are not present. However, blood tests may not always be reliable in making a diagnosis of a herpes infection.


What is the treatment for genital herpes?

There is no cure for herpes, but antiviral medications can ease symptoms, reduce the number of outbreaks and significantly reduce the risk of transmission of the virus.


How can genital herpes be prevented?

Abstinence (abstaining from sexual activity) is the safest way to prevent infection with herpes. People with herpes should abstain from sex with uninfected partners if they have an active outbreak. At other times, the risk of transmission may be reduced by using condoms and limiting your number of sexual partners. Even with these safer sex practices, herpes can still be transmitted on areas of the skin not covered by condoms.


Who is most likely to get genital herpes?

Women are infected more often than men. People with multiple sex partners or high-risk partners are also at increased risk, as are those who have unprotected sex. In addition, people with impaired immune systems, such as HIV patients, are more likely to contract the disease.


How can people who have genital herpes avoid spreading it?

Couples should avoid sexual contact when symptoms are present and use condoms between outbreaks. Because herpes can be passed to the genitals from oral contact, couples should also abstain from oral sex when one of the partners has a cold sore.


Is it possible to contract genital herpes from an object?

It is possible for HSV-1 to be transmitted through touching contaminated objects such as towels, bedding, utensils, toothbrushes or toilet seats. However, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there are few if any cases of genital herpes being spread through contact with contaminated objects.