Genital Herpes
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Genital herpes is a sexually transmissible infection (STI) known as the herpes simplex virus (HSV) — the same virus that causes cold sores around the mouth.
HSV is really common. About 1 in 3 adults carry the virus, and many have never had any symptoms. Most people who get HSV get it from people who have had no symptoms at all — meaning that people who pass it on may have no idea. Once you have HSV, it remains in the body for life. From time to time it can become active and cause symptoms.
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What is genital herpes?
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Genital herpes is an infection on the genitals caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).
There are two types of the virus:
- HSV1 most commonly affects the mouth (cold sores) and genital area (50% of genital herpes is caused by HSV1)
- HSV2 most commonly affects the genital area.
Both viruses look the same, and the only way to tell them apart is by lab testing when you have symptoms.
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How do you get genital herpes?
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You can get HSV from having vaginal, anal, or oral sex, or close skin-to-skin contact with someone.
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What are the symptoms of genital herpes?
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About 80% of people with genital herpes have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.
Common symptoms of genital herpes are: painful blisters, ulcers, or sores in the genital area. You can even get sores on the buttocks and upper thighs.
The first time you have a genital herpes outbreak is usually the most severe. As well as blisters and ulcers, you may also feel generally unwell with:- Tiredness
- Fever
- Muscle aches
You will be most infectious:
- Just before you get a sore
- When you have a sore
- Just after you have a sore
However, people can spread the virus even if they have no symptoms. This is due to viral shedding.
Viral shedding is when the virus becomes infectious even if you have no symptoms.
Viral shedding is thought to happen about 5% of the year (you are not infectious all the time). These episodes of viral shedding without symptoms are more frequent:
- With genital HSV-2 rather than genital HSV-1 infection.
- During the first 12 months after acquiring HSV.
- In people who have more frequent symptomatic episodes.
- Within a week before or after a symptomatic episode.
- In people with HIV infection.
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How is genital herpes tested for?
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You can test for genital herpes when you have symptoms.
Testing for genital herpes is done by:
- An external or internal examination, to check the visible signs of infection
- Taking a sample from the infected area using a swab
Your nurse or doctor will take this sample.
Your test samples will be sent to a laboratory for testing. You should be contacted with your test results within a week.
Book an appointment with us — we can test for genital herpes if you are symptomatic.
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How is genital herpes treated?
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Genital herpes is treated with anti-viral medication. This medication will make your sores go away faster.
Antiviral medications can you used in two ways.
1. To treat outbreaks as they happen. This is known as ‘episodic’ treatment when the aim is to shorten the time each outbreak lasts and to relieve symptoms. You can ask for a “repeat” on your prescription so that you have medication ready to take as soon as you get symptoms.
2. To prevent or reduce recurrences. This is known as ‘suppressive’ therapy. Suppressive therapy is taken daily and you can continue with this treatment for months or even years.
You can also help your symptoms by:- Wrapping ice in a cloth and placing it over the area for a few minutes. Do not put ice directly onto the skin.
- Wearing loose clothing and cotton underwear — to help with healing
- You can squirt water over the area while you mimi — if it's painful to mimi. Drinking a lot of water can help dilute your mimi and make it sting less to mimi
- Taking pain relief such as paracetamol and ibuprofen
- Washing the area with warm salty water
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How do you protect yourself from genital herpes?
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Condoms and oral dams can provide some protection against genital herpes, and other STIs. Using lube with condoms can make sex more pleasurable for some people, and can prevent the condom from breaking by reducing friction.
Lots of STIs don’t have obvious symptoms — so it’s important to get tested for STIs before and after unprotected sex, or anytime you have sex with a new person.
If you’re having sex with several people — or the person you have sex with is having sex with several people — talk to us about how often you should be screened for STIs or if you have any symptoms of HSV.
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What do I need to do if I get genital herpes?
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If you develop symptoms of genital herpes, there are a few really important things that you need to do:
- Get tested and treated. Book an appointment with us — one of our nurses or doctors will help you
- Get advice from the NZ Herpes Foundation if you decide you want to disclose to past, present or future partners.
- Do not have sexual contact with the affected area while you are symptomatic
- Use protection. It’s a good idea to use condoms or oral dams when you have sex with new partners — this will help reduce the spread of genital herpes from person to person
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