Genital Herpes

Overview

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease that is usually spread by sexual contact with someone who has herpes blisters or sores. It is one of the most common STDs in North America. Canada does not have a formal reporting system for herpes but to get an idea of how widespread this condition is approximately 50 million Americans above the age of 12 are infected with the genital herpes virus.

Causes

Approximately 80 per cent of genital herpes cases are caused by the herpes simplex 2 (HSV2) virus. The remaining cases are caused by herpes simplex 1 (HSV1)·the same virus that causes cold sores. You can develop HSV1 on your genitals if someone with cold sores performs unprotected oral sex on you. You can also develop HSV2 in your mouth if you receive oral sex from someone with visible blisters or sores on their genitals.

Sexual intercourse is the most common form of transmission. If you have vaginal anal or oral sex with someone who has visible sores you have a very high chance of developing genital herpes. Even the smallest break in your skin can allow the virus to get into your system.

Here are some factors that can increase your risk:

  • Having sex with a high-risk partner (someone who's had multiple sex partners or who has had sex with someone infected with genital herpes)
  • Having unprotected sexual contact
  • Having sex before 18
  • Having an impaired immune system
  • Being a woman. Women are at greater risk of contracting genital herpes and have more severe and longer-lasting symptoms than men.

Symptoms

One of the problems with genital herpes is that you could be infected and not have any apparent symptoms or your symptoms could be so mild that you don't even notice you're having an outbreak. The unfortunate reality about genital herpes is that there is no cure. Once you get it you've got it for life. But if you are otherwise healthy it shouldn't cause you any serious long-term problems.

Some people will experience very mild symptoms and others will have very painful outbreaks. Your first outbreak of genital herpes is usually more severe than outbreaks that follow. Symptoms of an initial outbreak may include:

  • Painful itchy small blisters visible on the vulva or inside the vagina anus buttocks inner thighs penis or scrotum. They may appear in clusters or alone and can be as large as a coin or barely noticeable.
  • Flu-like symptoms such as fever headache and muscle aches which get better within 5-7 days.
  • Tingling burning or itching sensation in the area where the outbreak is about to occur
  • Blisters that break and ooze fluid becoming painful sores
  • Painful urination
  • Swollen and tender lymph nodes in the groin
  • Abnormal discharge from the vagina or urethra

If you have genital herpes it's important to remember that it's possible to pass it on to someone else whether you are exhibiting symptoms or not. But you are most likely to spread it if you visibly have blisters or sores present. If you have frequent outbreaks it's very possible for you to spread it to someone a week prior to an outbreak or as long as a week after an outbreak without blisters or sores being present.

Treatment

If your doctor has diagnosed genital herpes and your outbreaks are frequent and severe she may prescribe antiviral medication. Drugs such as acyclovir famciclovir or valacyclovir work well to reduce the severity and duration of outbreaks. Taking daily doses of antiviral medication is known as suppressive therapy. Suppressive therapy is very helpful for those who experience frequent outbreaks.

Prevention

The most effective way to prevent getting genital herpes is to abstain from sex. But if you're sexually active there are things you can do to lower your risk.

Talk to your partner about STDs before having sex. It's important to find out if he or she has an STD or has engaged in prior sexual activity that may have put them at risk for developing an STD.

If you know your partner has genital herpes avoid all intimate sexual contact while blisters or sores are present and always use a condom once the outbreak has healed.

Only have one sexual partner at a time. Your risk for contracting an STD increases with every additional sexual partner you have at the same time.

Additional Resources

For more information on sexually transmitted diseases and infections call 416-392-2437 in Toronto or 1-800-668-2437 elsewhere in Ontario.

Health Canada

Sexual Health and Sexually Transmitted Infections