Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is caused by either herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).

Either virus type can cause genital or oral infection.

Like many sexually transmitted infections, genital herpes may not cause symptoms right away.

How It’s Transmitted

You can get genital herpes by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the infection, or if you have contact with:

• Skin in the genital area of a partner with genital herpes
• A herpes sore
• Saliva from a partner with an oral herpes infection
• Genital fluids from a partner with a genital herpes infection
• Skin in the oral area of a partner with oral herpes

Even if you or your sexual partner aren’t experiencing an active genital herpes outbreak, there is still a risk of transmission. Condoms can help prevent transmission, but only in the area the condom covers. (Need condoms? Find free condoms.)

Symptoms

If genital herpes sores (“outbreaks”) are present, they’re often mistaken for other skin conditions, like a pimple or ingrown hair. 

Herpes sores usually appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals, rectum or mouth, often accompanied by flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever, body aches, or swollen glands). After the blisters break, they leave painful sores that may take a week or more to heal.

Although genital herpes is a lifelong infection, the number and severity of additional outbreaks may decrease over time.

Treatment

Although there isn’t a cure for genital herpes, there are medicines your healthcare provider can prescribe to prevent or shorten outbreaks. 

You can also talk to your healthcare provider about daily medicine that can make it less likely to pass the infection on to your sexual partner(s).

For more information about genital herpes, visit the CDC website.