The first time someone has an outbreak they may also have flu-like symptoms such as fever, body aches, or swollen glands. You can get genital herpes by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has it. It is also possible to get genital herpes if you receive oral sex from a sex partner who has oral herpes.
The likelihood of contracting herpes from toilet seats, bedding, or swimming pools, or from sharing objects such as silverware, soap, or towels is low, but it is possible, says Dr.
While an outbreak isn't necessary for herpes transmission, herpes is most contagious about 3 days before an outbreak; this usually coincides with an itching or burning sensation or pain in the area where the outbreak will occur.
Having a conversation with a primary care doctor is a great place to start understanding herpes, says Dr. A primary care doctor will be able to guide patients through the whole process and create a treatment plan that includes recognizing the symptoms, preventing outbreaks, recommending medication, discussing how to approach their partner or a future partner, and, if it becomes too much of a stressor, help accessing mental health resources.
Skip to content. Herpes may be more common than you think. What is herpes? There are two types of herpes simplex virus HSV : HSV-1 is most often responsible for oral herpes, which can cause cold sores , aka fever blisters, on or around the mouth HSV-2 is most often responsible for genital herpes, which is sexually transmitted through skin-to-skin contact Both are highly contagious. If you do experience an outbreak, a skin swab — not a blood test — is your best bet for confirmation. If you have the virus, your doctor may prescribe a medication like Zovirax or Valtrex to keep on hand in case of a flare-up.
And if you experience outbreaks often, your provider may recommend daily dosing. The main issue is to have productive conversations around these issues. Michelle Konstantinovsky is an experienced writer, regularly producing content on a variety of wellness-oriented topics ranging from breaking health news to fitness and nutrition. To read more of her work, visit www. Any general advice posted on our blog, website, or app is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace or substitute for any medical or other advice.
If you have specific concerns or a situation arises in which you require medical advice, you should consult with an appropriately trained and qualified medical services provider. Learn More Opens in a new window. They can appear on the buttocks, anus or thighs, on the vulva or vagina in women, and on the penis or scrotum in men. Often, before the lesions appear, patients describe a prodrome, characterized by a tingling or burning sensation in the area where the lesions will develop that can be noticed during urination, along with itching or discomfort in the genital area.
The symptoms of genital herpes often go away and come back as recurring outbreaks. For most people, the first outbreak is the worst, and can last from two to three weeks. Future flare-ups are often less severe and do not last as long.
Still, some people shed the virus regularly. The following triggers can make outbreaks more likely to occur:. Recurrent genital herpes is most common in the first year after the initial infection and decreases as time goes on.
In many cases, anti-herpes medicine can help patients. When a person experiences a prodrome and suspects a recurrence is going to happen, they begin taking anti-herpes medications that lessen symptoms and shorten the time of the outbreak. Herpes can be spread when an infected person has lesions — blisters and open sores — on their body or when you do not have any symptoms.
Taking antiviral medicine can help you reduce the risk of spreading genital herpes to your sexual partners. You can also:. Many new herpes infections occur from partners who are shedding the virus asymptomatically, so condoms are highly recommended. Condoms may not be an attractive option for monogamous couples or for couples who desire to become pregnant.
Couples may opt to have serological tests to determine if either partner has an asymptomatic infection. In close monogamous relationships, the risks of transmission can be weighed against other relationship issues, such as intimacy and pregnancy.
Genital herpes cannot be transmitted to another part of your body such as your arm, leg or hand after the first infection occurs. The immune system produces antibodies that protect other parts of your body from infection. However, there are cases where a person has multiple site infections from the same virus.
This is usually acquired at the time of the first infection. For example, if someone has never had herpes but then has oral and genital sex with an infected partner, they can acquire the infection at both sites. Yes: Genital herpes types I or II can be transmitted by oral sex. Cold sores are usually caused by HSV I. If you have blisters in your genital region, your physician can order a test to determine if you have genital herpes.
Your physician may take a sample of cells from the fluid inside the blister or order a blood test. Not necessarily. Although lesions can be caused by something other than herpes, false negative herpes tests can occur if the samples are not taken appropriately, if there is a long transport time between the clinic and the laboratory, or if cultures were taken late in the course of the lesions. Lesions that occur early in the course of a herpes outbreak are much more likely to have positive cultures than cultures taken after the lesions crust over.
Your physician can prescribe different medications to help reduce your symptoms and speed up the healing of an outbreak. These medicines work best when you start them soon after an outbreak occurs.
Let your physician know if you are worried about your genital herpes. He or she can recommend a support group to help you cope with the virus. This is an option for couples who are interested in having unprotected sex or who are planning to become pregnant. If you are entering into a new relationship and are aware that you have herpes simplex infection, you owe it to your partner to notify them before having sex.
Suppressive therapy can address frequent outbreaks. You can take suppressive therapy for long periods of time, or gradually taper off. The medications used to treat herpes have extremely low side effects.
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