Health A-Z

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It can cause painful genital sores and is highly contagious. Here's a breakdown of symptoms, treatment plans, and diagnosis/testing for genital herpes.

1. Genital Sores: The hallmark symptom of genital herpes is the appearance of painful, fluid-filled blisters or sores on or around the genitals, anus, or buttocks. These sores may break open, ooze fluid, and then crust over.
2. Pain and Itching: The genital sores are often accompanied by pain, burning, itching, or tingling sensations in the affected area.
3. Flu-like Symptoms: Some individuals may experience flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes, during the initial outbreak.
4. Recurrent Outbreaks: After the initial outbreak, genital herpes can recur periodically, with the frequency and severity of outbreaks varying among individuals.

1. Antiviral Medications: Antiviral medications, such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir, are commonly prescribed to manage genital herpes. These medications can help reduce the severity and duration of outbreaks, relieve symptoms, and reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to sexual partners.
2. Pain Relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, may be used to alleviate discomfort and reduce pain associated with genital herpes outbreaks.
3. Topical Treatments: Topical antiviral creams, such as penciclovir or docosanol, may be applied directly to the genital sores to help speed up healing and reduce symptoms.
4. Suppressive Therapy: In individuals with frequent or severe genital herpes outbreaks, long-term suppressive antiviral therapy may be recommended to reduce the frequency and severity of outbreaks and decrease the risk of transmission to sexual partners.
5. Preventive Measures: Practicing safe sex, including consistent and correct use of condoms, can help reduce the risk of transmitting genital herpes to sexual partners. Avoiding sexual activity during outbreaks and disclosing herpes status to sexual partners are also important preventive measures.

1. Physical Examination: A healthcare provider may perform a physical examination to assess the genital sores and other symptoms.
2. Laboratory Tests: Laboratory tests, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests or viral culture, may be performed to confirm the presence of HSV in genital secretions or lesion samples.
3. Blood Tests: Blood tests, such as type-specific HSV serology tests (IgG antibodies), can detect antibodies to HSV and help differentiate between HSV-1 (typically associated with oral herpes) and HSV-2 (typically associated with genital herpes).
4. Screening: Genital herpes may be diagnosed through routine STI screening, particularly in individuals with multiple sexual partners or a history of STIs.