Fast facts

• What is genital herpes?
• How common is it?
• The symptoms of genital herpes
• Genital herpes transmission
• Diagnosis
• Herpes treatments

What is genital herpes?

• Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection ( STI Glossary: STI
  A sexually transmitted infection. ).
• It is caused by the herpes virus, which also causes cold sores, chicken pox and shingles.
• The herpes simplex virus (HSV) is the most common of the herpes family of viruses.
• HSV occurs in two forms; herpes simplex virus type 1 ( HSV-1 Glossary: HSV-1
  Herpes simplex virus type 1. The virus that usually causes cold sores. ) and herpes simplex virus type 2 ( HSV-2 Glossary: HSV-2
  Herpes simplex virus type 2. The virus that usually causes genital herpes. ).
• HSV-1 usually causes cold sores.
• HSV-2 usually causes genital herpes.

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How common is it?

• Genital herpes affects 1 in 8 Australian adults.
• It is twice as common in adult women (1 in 6) as in adult men (1 in 12).
• Genital herpes is most prevalent amongst women aged 35 - 44 years.

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The symptoms of genital herpes

• Eighty percent of people with genital herpes don’t realise that they have it.
• This is because the symptoms of genital herpes can range from non-existent, to mild, to severe.
• The symptoms of genital herpes can appear outside of the genital region. This includes in and around the anus, on the buttocks, on the lower back, on the thighs, behind the knees and on the backs of the fingers.
• The most common symptoms of genital herpes include tingling, itching and redness.
• In severe outbreaks this may be followed by localised chafing, a distinct rash, small cracks in the skin, tiny sores, and blisters that burst and become painful ulcers.
• Most people have 4 – 6 outbreaks of genital herpes in the first year they acquire the virus.

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Genital herpes transmission

• Genital herpes can be transmitted from one person to another through any form of sexual contact. This includes vaginal sex, oral sex and anal sex.
• Seventy per cent of people with genital herpes report getting it from a partner who did not have an outbreak at the time of sexual contact (via viral shedding Glossary: Viral shedding
  The shedding of the herpes virus from the skin surface – even if there are no symptoms present. ).
• Condoms reduce the risk of passing on genital herpes but are not 100 per cent effective.
• Suppressive therapy can help reduce the risk of transmission by reducing viral shedding .
• If you or your partner has genital herpes it is important to avoid sex during an outbreak and always use a condom during sexual activity.

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Diagnosis

• Genital herpes is frequently misdiagnosed (or dismissed) because the symptoms are similar to those of other STI s and non-sexually transmitted conditions such as thrush.
• If you experience recurrent genital symptoms speak your doctor and get it checked.
• Your doctor may recommend a STI test to help diagnose your symptoms.
• A blood test can confirm if you have HSV-1 or HSV-2 . It cannot confirm which part of the body you have the virus in. For example your genital region or facial region.
• A swab is the only way to confirm where the virus is.
• A swab is best taken within three days of an outbreak of symptoms.

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Herpes treatments

• Genital herpes cannot be cured, however it can be effectively treated and managed using antiviral therapy Glossary: Antiviral therapy
  The use of medication that aims to reduce outbreaks and symptoms of genital herpes. .
• Antiviral therapy stops the herpes virus from multiplying which reduces the length and severity of an outbreak.
• Antiviral therapy can be used in three ways; as suppressive therapy Glossary: Suppressive Therapy
  The daily use of antiviral therapy. , as pre-emptive suppressive therapy Glossary: Pre-emptive suppressive therapy
  The selective use of antiviral therapy when anticipating a genital herpes outbreak. or as episodic therapy Glossary: Episodic therapy
  Taking anti-viral tablets when symptoms appear. .
• Suppressive therapy refers to the ongoing use of antiviral therapy to reduce the number and severity of genital herpes outbreaks.
• antiviral therapy refers to the selective use of antiviral therapy .
• Episodic therapy refers to the use of antiviral therapy during a genital herpes outbreak.
• If you have been diagnosed with genital herpes speak to your doctor about which treatment option is best for you.

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