Herpes

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  What Is Herpes?

  Herpes is a very common infection. It is caused by two different but closely related viruses. The viruses are herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Both are easy to catch. They remain in the body for life and can produce symptoms that come and go.

  Both forms of herpes can infect the oral area, the genital area, or both. When the infection is on or near the mouth, it is called oral herpes. Oral herpes is caused most often by HSV-1. When a herpes infection is on or near the sex organs, it is called genital herpes. Genital herpes is caused most often by HSV-2. Up to 8 out of 10 American adults have oral herpes. And about 1 out of 4 American adults have genital herpes. Millions of people do not know they have herpes because they never had, or noticed, the herpes symptoms.

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  What Are the Symptoms of Herpes?

  Oral Herpes Symptoms

  When a person has oral herpes, "cold sores" or "fever blisters" can show up on the lips or around the mouth. These sores may also show up inside the mouth, but this usually only happens the first time oral herpes symptoms appear. Symptoms may last a few weeks and go away. They may return in weeks, months, or years. They are annoying but usually harmless in children and adults. But cold sores can be very harmful to a newborn.

  Genital Herpes Symptoms

  Most people with genital herpes have no symptoms, have very mild symptoms that go unnoticed, or have symptoms but do not recognize them as a sign of infection. The most common herpes symptom is a cluster of blistery sores — usually on the vagina, vulva, cervix, penis, buttocks, or anus. Symptoms may last several weeks and go away. They may return in weeks, months, or years.

  The first time that genital herpes symptoms appear is called "first episode" or "initial herpes." The initial herpes symptoms are usually more noticeable than later outbreaks.

  Genital herpes symptoms may include

  • blisters
  • burning feelings if urine flows over sores
  • inability to urinate if severe swelling of sores blocks the urethra
  • itching
  • open sores
  • pain in the infected area

  During initial herpes, symptoms may also include

  • swollen, tender glands in the pelvic area, throat, and under the arms
  • fever
  • chills
  • headache
  • general run-down feelings
  • achy, flu-like feelings

  When there are initial herpes symptoms, they usually appear from 2 to 20 days after infection. But it may be years before the first symptoms appear.

  Initial herpes sores usually heal in about 2 to 4 weeks. But the virus stays in the body. It can flare up and cause sores again. Symptoms from flare-ups usually heal in 10 to 14 days. Herpes symptoms may be more painful and last longer in women or men with illnesses that weaken the immune system — like leukemia and HIV.

  Herpes and HIV If you have herpes or HIV, it is especially important to practice safer sex. Studies show that all sexually transmitted infections can increase the risk of getting HIV. People with genital herpes have at least twice the risk of getting HIV if exposed to it than people without herpes. And people with HIV and genital herpes are more likely to pass HIV to their partners than people without genital herpes.

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  How Can I Know If I Have Herpes?

  Only a health care provider can diagnose herpes by performing a physical exam and tests. A blood test can tell if you are infected with oral or genital herpes — even if you don't have symptoms. Health care providers can also confirm herpes infection by testing fluids taken from the sores.

  If you think you have herpes sores, get them checked out as soon as possible. It's important to be sure that the sores are herpes. Other serious sexually transmitted infections, like syphilis, may look like herpes but need different treatment.

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  Is There a Treatment for Herpes?

  Yes. If you have herpes, you can take certain medications to help manage the infection. Using herpes treatments is usually very effective in speeding up the healing of sores and preventing them from returning frequently.

  Warm baths may give some pain relief. Cotton clothes will help prevent chafing. Keep the sores dry — moisture can slow healing. Holding cool compresses or ice packs to the sores may be soothing. Pain relievers such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen may help relieve discomfort and fever.

  Although herpes treatment is helpful, there is no cure. However, in most cases outbreaks become fewer and weaker over the course of a few years.

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  Where Can I Get a Test or Treatment for Herpes?

  Your local Planned Parenthood health center, many other clinics, private health care providers, and health departments offer herpes tests and herpes treatments.

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  How Is Herpes Spread?

  Herpes is spread by touching, kissing, and sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It can be passed from one partner to another and from one part of the body to another. Brief skin-to-skin contact is all that's needed to pass the virus. Because herpes may have no symptoms for years, sometimes it is very difficult to know who passed it to whom.

  Although it is rare, genital herpes can also be spread from a pregnant woman to her baby during vaginal birth.

  Herpes is most contagious when sores are open, moist, or leaking fluid — until the scabs heal and fall off. But herpes can also be spread when no symptoms are present — most people get genital herpes from people with no symptoms. And most people with oral herpes were infected as children.

  The lining of the mouth, vagina, penis, anus, and eyes can become infected with herpes easily. Skin can be infected if it is cut, chafed, or burned, or has a rash or other sores.

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  How Can I Prevent Getting or Spreading Herpes?

  There are three main ways you can prevent spreading genital herpes.

  • Stop having sexual contact as soon as you feel warning signs of an outbreak. Warning signs may include a burning, itching, or tingling feeling. Do not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex — even with a condom. Wait until seven days after the sore heals. The virus can spread from sores not covered by the condom. It can also spread in sweat or vaginal fluids to places the condom doesn't cover.
    
    
  • Use condoms between outbreaks to reduce the risk of transmission.
    
    
  • Use herpes treatments. The risk of transmission can be greatly reduced if the partner with herpes takes a small daily dose of anti-herpes medication.

  Touching any type of herpes sore may spread the virus from one partner to another or from part of the body to another, especially during initial herpes. If you have herpes sores

  • Don't touch the sores. If you do, wash your hands with soap and water — this kills the virus. Wash your hands after going to the bathroom, before rubbing your eyes, and before touching a contact lens.
    
    
  • Don't wet contact lenses with saliva — especially if you have oral herpes.

  If you have a cold sore on your mouth, don't kiss anyone — especially infants, children, or pregnant women.

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  Does Herpes Always Come Back? Can I Prevent It from Coming Back?

  When herpes flares up again, it is called a "recurrence" or "outbreak." Herpes does not always recur, and if it does recur, the timing and severity are different from person to person. Some people rarely have recurrences. Others have them often. Herpes is most likely to recur in the first year after infection. Recurrences may be more frequent for people with weakened immune systems.

  You may have some early warning signs before an outbreak occurs, like tingling, burning, or itching where sores were before. The warning signs may start a few hours or a day before the sores flare up. When symptoms recur, they are usually not as severe as symptoms during an initial herpes outbreak.

  Oral herpes recurrences may be caused by sunburn, injury to the lips, or other infections. No one is sure what causes genital herpes to recur. Other infections, stress, surgery, menstruation, sexual intercourse, and skin irritations may bring on recurrences.

  • You can take anti-herpes drugs to treat individual outbreaks. They are not as effective during recurrences as they are with initial herpes, but they may be helpful to some people.
    
    
  • You can take anti-herpes drugs every day to help reduce the frequency and duration of recurrences. They are most effective in people with frequent outbreaks. Daily use of these medicines is called "suppressive therapy."
    
    
  • A good diet, enough rest and sleep, and effective stress management may help prevent herpes recurrences.
    
    
  • If you have oral herpes, avoid getting sunburned.

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  Where Can I Learn More About Herpes?

  Many Planned Parenthood health centers have support groups for people living with herpes.

  The American Social Health Association sponsors a program that assists people with herpes — the Herpes Resource Center. It publishes a quarterly newsletter, operates a telephone hotline, and organizes help groups. The International Herpes Resource Center is  another great place to check out for more information and support.