Herpes Facts
- Genital herpes is a common STI
- Around 80% of people infected with genital herpes don't know they have the virus.
- 1 in 8 adult Australians have genital herpes
- Genital herpes is twice as common in women than in men
- 80% of people with genital herpes don't realise that they have it
- 70% of people with genital herpes get it from a partner who didn't have an outbreak at the time of sexual contact
- The most common symptoms of genital herpes are redness, tingling and itching
- If you experience recurrent genital symptoms see your doctor and request a STI test that includes genital herpes
- Genital herpes treatments can be tailored to suit your lifestyle
- There are simple treatments available to reduce genital herpes outbreaks
- Suppressive therapy helps to reduce viral shedding
- Reducing viral shedding lessens the risk of genital herpes transmission
Glossary
Antiviral therapy: The use of medication that aims to reduce outbreaks and symptoms of genital herpes.
Episodic therapy: Taking antiviral therapy when symptoms appear.
HSV-1: Herpes simplex virus type 1. The virus that usually causes cold sores.
HSV-2: Herpes simplex virus type 2. The virus that usually causes genital herpes.
Pre-emptive suppressive therapy: The selective use of antiviral therapy when anticipating a genital herpes outbreak.
Promiscuity: Promiscuity refers to casual sex with many partners.
Sexual health clinic: Sexual health clinics specialise in sexual issues including STIs, contraception and pregnancy testing.
STI: A sexually transmitted infection.
STI Test: A test that checks for specific sexually transmitted infection. The diseases that a STI Test checks for can vary depending on your symptoms and doctor. Speak to your doctor for more information.
Suppressive therapy: The daily use of antiviral therapy.
Thrush: A common infection that is caused by an overgrowth of yeast in the vagina. Symptoms include vaginal discomfort – including itching or burning, a thick white discharge with a ‘cottage cheese’ appearance, redness or swelling of the vagina or vulva and stinging or burning while urinating and during sex.
Transmission: Passing the virus on.
Viral shedding: The shedding of the herpes virus from the skin surface – even if there are no symptoms present.
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