In this STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) Special we’re looking at Genital Herpes. Herpes is a common condition and there is no cure.
Sex on Female First
Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 or type 2 and can be passed by sexual contact. It causes painful blisters around the genital areas as well as the anus and mouth.
The infection is most common between 20 and 24 year olds and nearly 29,000 people visited a clinic in 2008 with the initial symptoms.
The HSV virus is highly contagious and is passed by easily from person to person by direct contact. It’s usually transmitted by vaginal, anal and/or oral sex.
The dangerous thing about this infection is that it lies dormant in your body and so you’re usually unaware that you have it due to no symptoms initially showing. Eight out of ten people don’t know that they have the virus until certain triggers activate the virus causing an outbreak.
The primary infection is the first outbreak you’ll have after contracting Genital Herpes. The symptoms are:
- Painful red blisters that burst to leave open sores around your genitals, rectum (back passage), thighs and buttocks
- Blisters and ulcers on the cervix (lower part of the womb) in women
- Vaginal discharge in women
- Pain when you pass urine
- A high temperature (fever) of 38°C (100.4°F) or over
- A general feeling of being unwell, with aches and pains
The symptoms can last for up to 20 days and the sores will eventually scab and heal leaving no scarring.
You will also suffer from recurrent infections, which is when the virus that has been dormant is then reactivated.
The symptoms of recurrent infections are:
- A tingling, burning or itching sensation around your genitals, and sometimes down your leg, before your blisters appear (this can signal the onset of a recurrent infection)
- Painful red blisters that soon burst to leave sores around your genitals, rectum (back passage), thighs and buttocks
- Blisters and ulcers on the cervix (lower part of the womb) in women
These symptoms often last for less time, around 10 days, and you don’t get as many as you do with the primary infection.
Over time the outbreaks become less severe and occur less often as your body makes antibodies to fight the infection.
Unfortunately there is no cure for Genital Herpes but it can be controlled using antiviral medicines.
You can have sex, but always use a condom to prevent passing the infection on and avoid having sex when suffering from the symptoms.
If you think you may be suffering from Genital Herpes then you should get treatment from your GP or local GUM clinic.
For more information visit www.nhs.uk