What Is Genital Herpes?

Herpes come in many forms, in fact there are 8 known types of herpes and 2 types that are responsible for genital herpes (HSV-1 & HSV-2).

HSV-2 is the more common out of the 2 genital herpes types. Generally HSV-1 infects the mouth area and causes cold sores, where as HSV-2 infects the genitals and anus. With oral sex becoming more and more popular between teenagers the HSV-1 virus is now accounting for a much higher ratio of genital and anus infections, previously these were only infected by the HSV-2 virus.

It is estimated that 80% of genital herpes infections go un-noticed, this is because it is common for the infected person to not receive any major side effects, because of this, herpes is easily spread amongst teenagers without anyone even realising.

Signs and symptoms

Herpes symptoms are only ever mild at best, if they do appear for you they will usually appear with a week of exposure to the virus and last for up to a month.

• Itching/tingling in the genitals or anal area.
• Small blisters that leave painful sores.
• Pain when passing urine over the open sores. (more common in females)
• Headaches/Backaches.
• Swollen glands or fever.

Treatment for genital herpes

There is no cure for herpes, if infected by the virus your body will usually fight of the infection by itself, the doctor may also prescribe a course of anti-viral tablets to help lower the severity of the outbreak.

With or without anti-viral tablets the virus itself never dies, once you have the infection it remains with you forever, once the outbreak is over, the virus hides away inside nerve fibres and remains dormant.

The chance of the herpes virus reactivating itself and causing an new outbreak varies from person to person, some may never see it again, some will have it a handful of times a year. Usually the second outbreak does not require any treatment.

Preventing herpes

Herpes can be passed on in a variety of way, and no actual sex needs to take place to become infected. The sores produced by an outbreak are highly infectious and simple skin to skin contact can transmit the disease to someone else.

You should avoid kissing when you have a cold sore, and wash your hands every time you touch the sore.

You should also avoid sexual contact if any sores are visible in private areas.

You should also avoid licking your fingers and touching your eyes if you have a cold sore.