Genital herpes is far more common than most people realise, and carries far more stigma than it deserves. The World Health Organization estimates that hundreds of millions of people worldwide have genital herpes, and many have no idea because they have no symptoms. It’s manageable, and people with herpes have healthy relationships.
Imagine noticing painful blisters in your genital area and feeling a wave of panic and shame. At the sexual health clinic, a nurse confirms herpes and calmly explains how common it is, how treatment works, and how outbreaks usually become milder and less frequent over time. You leave feeling far less alone.
Symptoms
- Tingling, itching or burning before an outbreak
- Small painful blisters or sores around the genitals, anus or thighs
- Pain when peeing
- The first episode may come with flu-like symptoms
Treatment
- Antiviral tablets such as aciclovir shorten outbreaks, especially if started early
- Daily suppressive treatment for people with frequent outbreaks
- Salt baths, petroleum jelly and painkillers for comfort
The virus stays in the body, but many people have fewer and milder outbreaks over time.
But how do I protect partners?
Avoid sex during outbreaks and when you feel early tingling, use condoms, and consider suppressive treatment, which lowers the risk of passing it on. Tell your midwife or doctor if you’re pregnant and have herpes, or if a first outbreak happens in pregnancy, as extra care around birth may be needed.
Your next step: If you have genital sores, visit a sexual health clinic while the sores are present, as swabs are most accurate then. It’s confidential, and you’ll be treated with respect.
Sources: World Health Organization (Herpes simplex virus), US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Genital herpes), NHS (Genital herpes), British Association for Sexual Health and HIV. This guide is for general information and does not replace advice from your own nurse, doctor or sexual health clinic.
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