Viruses

HIV/AIDS • HIV & STIs • Genital herpes • Genital & anal warts • Hepatitis A • Hepatitis B • Hepatitis C • Molluscum contagiosum

Genital Herpes

Description

There are two types of herpes simplex viruses:

Type 1 is usually found around the mouth and is commonly known as a cold sore.

Type 2 is usually found around the dick and arse areas and is commonly known as genital herpes.

Transmission

Herpes can be passed on both sexually and non-sexually during skin to skin contact, by direct contact with a sore on the mouth, dick or arse. It can also be transmitted when there are no obvious symptoms present.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms may not always be present but can include:

Itching or tingling feeling around the infected area;
An outbreak of painful blisters or sores which later form scabs; and
Flu-like symptoms may be present.

If symptoms do appear they will generally show 2 – 30 days after exposure but they can take months to years to appear.

Testing

A physical examination of the affected area can detect a herpes outbreak.

Treatment

There is no cure but there are treatments that can reduce symptoms and speed up recovery. The possibility of repeated outbreaks varies from person to person, but outbreaks may become less frequent and over time may stop altogether.

If You’re HIV Positive

Outbreaks of HSV can be more severe and last longer for those with HIV. HIV viral loads can peak during outbreaks, and increase transmission risk to partners of both HSV and HIV.

Prevention

Condoms can reduce the risk of transmission. There is strong evidence that taking anti-HSV medications greatly reduces the chances of passing herpes to partners.

View example (Warning: graphic images)

This page lat updated 23 July 2008