Most Common Genital Herpes FAQs Answered

Tuesday, July 29 2008

Reviewed by:  Daniel Williams, MD

What is Genital Herpes
Genital Herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease, usually caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus -2, which results in blisters or open sores, also called ulcers, around the genitals or other parts of the body. It is acquired through skin-to-skin contact, sexual contact or exchange of body fluids from infected persons. The majority of affected persons do not experience any symptoms of the disease, thus they are not even aware that they have it.

While infection with the virus is incurable for life, there is medicine available that is FDA-approved to reduce the frequency and severity of outbreaks.

Below is some more information about the disease, which may help answer your questions.

When can a herpes outbreak first occur?
An outbreak can occur two weeks after having sex with an infected person, if you have become infected. It can also lie dormant for up to six months, but is easily found by conducting STD testing at a sexual health clinic.

What signs and symptoms should I watch out for?
Sores that develop in groups or crops, fever, swollen glands, severe headaches, muscle aches, vaginal discharge and painful urination are indicative of the infection.

What other factors can bring the on an outbreak of genital herpes?
Stress, the menstrual cycle, excessive alcohol consumption, exposure of infected area to UV rays, surgery and weakened immune systems from any cause.

What do herpes blisters or sores look like?
Before blisters or sores appear, a person will feel a discomforting sensation like tingling, itching or burning. This will be followed by red spots, which turn into clear, fluid-filled blisters in a day or two. After that, the blisters will end up being a whitish-yellow color. When the blisters burst, they will heal and eventually will become a dry scab. If the blisters do not occur, small cuts or cracks on the skin may surface instead.

How long do the sores last?
The sores heal in a span of two to four weeks.

How often do outbreaks occur?
People who experience their initial outbreak can expect for it to happen four or five times in a year. Over time, the outbreaks will lessen.

How will I know when an outbreak is about to begin?
Recurrent outbreaks start when a person feels an itching, tingling or burning sensation in the infected areas. There are those that experience a sharp pain in their pelvis or lower leg, this pain is caused by irritation and inflammation of the nerves and infected skin areas.

What tests can I have done to find out if I have herpes?
The appearance of sores usually indicates the presence of the virus. Doctors take a swab of the sore to confirm the diagnosis. It can take a few days for laboratories to analyze the swab sample and determine if it is the virus herpes.

What are the complications of genital herpes?
Recurrent genital herpes can be very painful and mentally challenging to the sufferer. It can also cause life-threatening infections in newborn babies if herpes sores appear during active labor with a vaginal delivery. For this reason cesarean deliveries are the standard of care.

Is there a cure or treatment for genital herpes?
Herpes can only be controlled. So far, there is no permanent cure for it but you can prevent and treat genital herpes. Antiviral medications can shorten and prevent numerous outbreaks from occurring. Valtrex, for instance, reduces the number of genital herpes outbreaks. Medications such as Valtrex also decrease the chance that the disease will be transmitted to one's partner. Valtrex also aids in healing sores faster and prevents the development of painful outbreaks when taken before an outbreak.

Clinical tests have also shown that Valtrex shortened the healing time in 33% of patients who took the medicine within 24 hours of noticing the first symptoms of the outbreak, compared to those who took a placebo. For Valtrex to be effective as an episodic treatment, it has to be taken twice a day. If it is prescribed as a suppressive treatment, you only need to take Valtrex once a day, or twice a day if outbreaks are frequent. The Side effects can include headache or nausea.

Another great option is daily “suppression” dosing of Valtrex. This had been shown to reduce the risk of outbreak occurrence by 78%.

How long can I use Valtrex?
Long-term studies have shown it to work up to 10 years and counting.

What other steps can I take when I am experiencing an outbreak?
Avoid using scented or antibacterial soaps, feminine deodorant, or douches. Comfortable, loose cotton clothing lessens irritation. Aspirin, Tylenol or Advil can be taken to ease the pain. Cool cloths placed on affected areas may soothe the pain. Salt baths can clean, soothe and dry the sores. The application of any cream can relieve pain and dry the sores, but should be used sparingly.
How can herpes be prevented?

Abstinence is the only way to prevent contracting any kind of STD. Otherwise the best method of prevention is through the use of condoms during vaginal, anal or oral sex. You can also use an application of a dental dam when engaging in oral sex.  However, the use of a condom does not guarantee that the disease will not spread because not all sores and contagious fluids are covered by the condom.

What other ways can I prevent herpes from being passed on to my partner?
You should avoid touching any herpes sores. If intercourse irritates your skin and results in triggering symptoms, use a water-based lubricant to reduce irritation. Do not use a lubricant that contains the spermicide nonoxynol-9, because it can irritate mucous membranes, like the lining of the vagina. Avoid oil-based lubricants because they weaken latex, making condoms more likely to break.