HERPES: GENITAL

There are two types of herpes virus, Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 most often grows on the body above the waist. It causes cold sores or fever blisters. Type 2 occurs most often below the waist, and causes genital (sex organ) herpes. Either virus can be transmitted to the opposite area through oral sex. Genital herpes commonly produces sores in and around the vaginal area, on the penis, around the anal opening, and on the buttocks or thighs. Sores may appear in other areas if the virus has come in contact with breaks in the skin.

Most often, when a person becomes infected with herpes for the first time, the symptoms will appear within 2 to 10 days, or they may have no symptoms at all. These first episodes of symptoms usually last 2 to 3 weeks.

Symptoms of genital herpes may include the following:

soreness or tingling of the skin
small red bumps that later turn into blisters filled with fluid
itching or burning in the genital or anal area
pain in the legs, buttocks, or genital area
tender, swollen glands in the genital area
discharge of fluid from the vagina and
feeling of pressure in the abdomen

Once the blisters break, the fluid drains out and the blisters turn into sores that are covered with a yellowish dried crust. The blisters may be painful and seep fluid. Usually the sores are gone within 2 weeks, but can sometimes last longer. They may return several times a year or a few years later.

The sores appear near where the virus has entered the body, such as the mouth, penis, or vagina. They also can occur inside the vagina and on the cervix in women, or in the urinary passage of women and men.

Once a person has herpes they have the virus for the rest of their life. The herpes virus remains inactive and is located inside a nerve. It can reactivate or come back again. The number of outbreaks varies from person to person, but usually averages 4 to 5 per year. Recurrences happen for many reasons, including being sick, friction from tight clothing or intercourse, emotional stress, poor diet, and heat.

The herpes virus is passed by direct contact with an infected person. The fluid within the blisters is very contagious. Remember, a person may be infected, but have no symptoms. This means that a person with no obvious sores can spread the disease. People often get genital herpes by having sexual contact with others who don't know they are infected or who are having outbreaks of herpes without any sores.

Prevention of this disease is important. To prevent spreading the virus to other areas of the body or to another person, take the following steps:

keep the infected area clean and dry to prevent other infections from developing
avoid touching the sores
wash your hands after contact with the sores
avoid sexual contact from the time you first feel any symptoms until the sores are completely healed (that is, the scab has fallen off and new skin has formed where the sore was) and
between outbreaks, use latex condoms during sexual intercourse for added protection from the virus

Treatment includes a medication called acyclovir that stops the virus from reproducing itself. It does not eliminate the virus from the body. Treatment may help shorten the length of any single outbreak. Some people take the medicine daily to stop outbreaks from recurring.

If you think you have symptoms of herpes, contact a healthcare provider to discuss evaluation and treatment.

For more information about sexually transmitted diseases, call the 24-hour National STD and AIDS Hotline at (800) 227-8922 or (800) 342-2437. The Spanish speaking Hotline at (800) 344-7432 is available between the hours of 8:00 AM and 2:00 AM eastern standard time 7 days a week. The TTY line for the hearing impaired is (800) 243-7889 between 10:00 AM and 10:00 PM Monday through Friday eastern standard time. These hotlines are provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Information can also be obtained from their website at www.cdc.gov.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File SEXU4953.RF2 VRS# 4953 Data Version 7.0