Overview
Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). The herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes genital herpes. Genital herpes can often be spread by skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity.
Some people infected with the virus may have very mild symptoms or no symptoms. They can still able to spread the virus. Other people have pain, itching and sores around the genitals, anus or mouth.
There is no cure for genital herpes. Symptoms often show up again after the first outbreak. Medicine can ease symptoms. It also lowers the risk of infecting others. Condoms can help prevent the spread of a genital herpes infection.
Symptoms
Most people infected with HSV don’t know they have it. They may have no symptoms or have very mild symptoms.
Symptoms start about 2 to 12 days after exposure to the virus. They may include:
- Pain or itching around the genitals
- Small bumps or blisters around the genitals, anus or mouth
- Painful ulcers that form when blisters rupture and ooze or bleed
- Scabs that form as the ulcers heal
- Painful urination
- Discharge from the urethra, the tube that releases urine from the body
- Discharge from the vagina
During the first outbreak, you may commonly have flu-like symptoms such as:
- Fever
- Headache
- Body aches
- Swollen lymph nodes in the groin
Differences in symptom location
Sores appear where the infection enters the body. You can spread the infection by touching a sore and then rubbing or scratching another area of your body. That includes your fingers or eyes.
Sore can develop on or in the:
- Buttocks
- Thighs
- Rectum
- Anus
- Mouth
- Urethra
- Vulva
- Vagina
- Cervix
- Penis
- Scrotum
Repeat outbreaks
After the first outbreak of genital herpes, symptoms often appear again. These are called recurrent outbreaks or recurrent episodes.
How often recurrent outbreaks happen varies widely. You’ll usually have the most outbreaks the first year after infection. They may appear less often over time. Your symptoms during recurrent outbreaks usually don’t last as long and aren’t as severe as the first.
You may have warning signs a few hours or days before a new outbreak starts. These are called prodromal symptoms. They include:
- Genital pain
- Tingling or shooting pain in the legs, hips or buttocks
When to see a doctor
If you suspect you have genital herpes, or any other STI, see your health care provider.
