A flare-up of genital herpes is never nice, and if it’s your first experience of the virus, it can be a little scary. The sexually transmitted infection causes small, fluid-filled blisters to appear on and around your genitals and anus. These painful blisters cause stinging and burning sensations and can be pretty uncomfortable. Unfortunately, once you’ve caught this highly infectious virus, it’s with you for life and you’re likely to have recurrent episodes over the years. Taking regular pain relief will help you manage your symptoms, but if that doesn’t do the trick, our team can prescribe tablets to help your body keep the virus at bay.
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Genital herpes is a common infection that can be passed from person to person via intimate sexual contact. It is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV type 1 and type 2). Most people will catch it at least once in their lifetime, although the majority of infected people won’t even realise they have it:
The herpes virus (HSV 1 & 2) can infect any mucus membrane in the body. When it affects the mouth it produces cold sores. When it affects the genitals it can cause genital herpes; painful blisters and ulcers on and around the genital area. The viruses that cause genital herpes are relatively harmless and will not affect fertility or future health.
Genital herpes is a chronic condition. After the initial infection, the virus will remain in the body, where it can periodically reactivate and cause another outbreak of symptoms. On average the rate of recurrence is between four to five times in the first two years following initial infection. Over time the rate of recurrence becomes less frequent with the symptoms becoming less severe.
The majority of people infected with the genital herpes (herpes simplex virus 1 & 2) will experience very mild symptoms, if any at all. Many won’t even realise they have the condition. If symptoms do present it can be months or sometimes even years before they develop. However, most people who suffer symptoms will usually experience them between four to seven days after having been exposed to HSV. The symptoms are usually more severe during your first bout of genital herpes.
The symptoms of genital herpes can include:
These symptoms can last up to twenty days with the sores eventually scabbing over and healing. After the initial breakout has cleared up, the HSV virus will remain dormant in the body. This virus can reactivate periodically, causing future outbreaks. The symptoms of a recurrent outbreak of genital herpes will typically include:
Recurrent bouts of genital herpes are typically less severe and clear up faster. This is due to the antibodies produced after the initial infection. These protective proteins are now able to identify and combat HSV more efficiently.
You should always have the primary (first) infection of genital herpes diagnosed by a healthcare professional. If you develop any symptoms of genital herpes it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. This is because the infection is much easier to diagnose when it’s still active. If the HSV has reverted to a dormant state then the laboratory analysis may come back as negative, meaning a conclusive diagnosis will not be possible until you suffer a recurrent outbreak.
Your doctor or sexual health specialist may ask:
For a conclusive diagnosis, a swab will be used to collect a sample of fluid from one of the blisters. This sample will then be sent to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory will be able to identify the presence of the herpes simplex virus.
Recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes can then be self-diagnosed and treated as long as the symptoms remain the same and the outbreaks do not get worse.
The treatment for genital herpes varies between an initial outbreak (primary infection) and a recurrent attack. If you are suffering from a primary infection of genital herpes then it is likely you will be prescribed an antiviral medication, for example, Aciclovir 400mg tablets.
Aciclovir works by preventing the herpes simplex virus from multiplying. Aciclovir, and other antivirals, are unable to completely eradicate the infection from the body. The dose of Aciclovir when treating genital herpes is typically one 400mg tablet, five times a day after your initial outbreak. You will need to take Aciclovir for at least five days or longer depending on whether new blisters are still forming when you start treatment. For subsequent outbreaks of genital herpes, you only need to take one Aciclovir 400mg tablet, three times a day for five days. Other antiviral medications used to treat genital herpes include Valaciclovir, which works in a similar way to Aciclovir.
Lidocaine 5% ointment is an anaesthetic ointment used to know the area of genital herpes to relieve the pain and irritation of blistering during the outbreak. It does not treat the infection itself, however, it helps to relieve the symptoms whilst the outbreak clears on its own.
Recurrent outbreaks may require a course of Aciclovir however, if your symptoms are mild, you may wish to use some self-help techniques to ease the symptoms. These can include:
By following the advice below you can help reduce the risk of developing genital herpes:
Some Non-Prescription Alternatives for treating a Genital Herpes outbreak include;
Genital herpes is a common infection typified by blisters on the genitals and nearby areas. It is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The herpes virus can impact any mucous membrane on the body; this includes the moist lining of the mouth, where HSV manifests as cold sores.
Genital herpes is most often transmitted through sexual contact, and so is commonly classified as a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Like many STIs, HSV is highly contagious, and can be spread by any direct contact with the affected areas.
Two types of HSV exist, type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). Genital herpes is caused both by type 1 and by type 2 HSV.
At first, many people with the herpes simplex virus will not experience symptoms. There can be a gap of months or even years between the initial infection and the first appearance of symptoms. As such, many people are unaware that they have the condition.
If symptoms do appear following the initial infection, they most often become visible between four and seven days following the exposure to the virus. Symptoms of a primary infection tend to be more severe than for a recurrence.
Symptoms of a primary genital herpes infection include:
Any of these symptoms can last up to 20 days. When the sores do scab and heal, they will do so without scarring.
When these initial symptoms clear, HSV will remain dormant (inactive) in a local nerve. It may occasionally reactivate, returning to the skin to cause a recurrent outbreak.
Symptoms of these recurrences may include:
Frequently, these recurrent outbreaks will be shorter and less severe, because the body will have produced protective antibodies in response to the primary infection. The body now has the appropriate proteins to fight the infection more effectively. Going forward, further recurrences should appear less frequently and be less severe.
HSV can spread in many ways:
Herpes is most frequently spread either right before, during, or just after an outbreak or recurrence. HSV can be both caught and spread by both men and women. However, it cannot be acquired from baths or swimming pools, from hugging, or from sharing towels, drinks or cutlery.
The factors that cause recurrences of herpes are not fully understood. However, there are various triggers that may cause HSV to reactivate. These can include:
Genital herpes is most often treated with antiviral medication, such as aciclovir and valaciclovir. A local anaesthetic, lidocaine ointment, can also be used on the affected skin.
Upon experiencing genital herpes symptoms for the first time, talk to your GP or visit a local GUM clinic, also known as a sexual health clinic. They will likely prescribe medication such as aciclovir, an antiviral tablet which you will be required to take five times daily. This dose must be continued for at least five days. If new blisters and sores are forming when treatment begins, the prescription will be for a longer period of time. Importantly, aciclovir does not eliminate the virus from the body; it simply prevents it from multiplying.
Possible side effects of aciclovir include nausea and headaches. Your prescription may be for another similar antiviral medication, such as famciclovir or valaciclovir.
With more severe symptoms, antiviral tablets such as aciclovir will again be prescribed. The dosage will be the same as for a primary infection: five times daily for at least five days. Other recommendations include:
If you experience fewer than six recurrences within a year, a GP will likely prescribe episodic treatment. This entails a five-day course of aciclovir each time tingling or numbness occurs, before the full symptoms begin.
Long-term treatment plans for genital herpes involve taking aciclovir every day. This should occur only if you experience more than six recurrences within a year, or if the symptoms are especially distressing or severe.
This is called a suppressive treatment. Its aim is to prevent further outbreaks from developing. Importantly, this treatment can only reduce the chance of HSV being spread to a partner; it cannot prevent infection altogether.
A suppressive treatment will often involve taking aciclovir twice per day for up to twelve months. After this period, aciclovir will only be taken as needed, in episodic treatments. At this stage, outbreaks should be infrequent and mild. If severe outbreaks recur in future, suppressive treatment can be restarted.
Recurrent outbreaks of herpes can occur due to a weakened immune system. This can be an indicator of other viruses, such as HIV. So, if frequent recurrences continue, consider also being tested for HIV.
It is strongly advised to refrain from any sexual activity (i.e. oral, vaginal or anal sex) if there are any indications that an outbreak will soon occur if any symptoms are present, and for one week after all symptoms have gone. This is necessary to prevent the infection from being spread to a partner. Sexual activity whilst having blisters or sores can also delay their healing.
You should seek immediate medical attention following symptoms of a primary infection because herpes is most easily and accurately diagnosed whilst the infection is active.
A doctor or nurse will often diagnose genital herpes by examining the afflicted areas of skin. If possible, they will take a sample of fluid from the affected area, and send it to a laboratory to confirm the presence of HSV. This confirmation will most often take 1-2 weeks. A negative sample does not guarantee the absence of HSV. A full diagnosis will need to be confirmed by future recurrent outbreaks.
This process may include screening for other STIs. If you test positive for an STI, recent sexual partners will also need to be tested. They may require treatment to prevent further spreading of the infection. GUM clinic staff will suggest which of your previous partners require testing.
Genital herpes is especially common in young people aged 20 to 24.
In England in 2013, over 32,000 people were diagnosed with a primary infection of genital herpes at sexual health clinics.
Whilst no cure exists for genital herpes, symptoms can often be managed with antiviral medication. It remains important to contain the spread of HSV by abstaining from sexual activity until all sores have cleared. For added prevention, condom use should continue even after symptoms have cleared.
HSV can cause complications during pregnancy. It can sometimes be conferred to the child near the time of birth.
The risk to the baby is low if the primary infection occurred before the pregnancy. This is because mothers pass protective antibodies to the baby during the final few months of gestation. As a result, the baby will be protected both during birth and for the subsequent months.
Even if genital herpes recurs during the course of the pregnancy, the risk to the baby remains low. As a precaution, aciclovir may be prescribed from week 36 until birth, in order to reduce the extent of symptoms.
The chance of passing on HSV to the baby rises to three per cent if genital blisters and sores are present at the time of birth.
Aciclovir has been approved for use while breastfeeding by the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is present in breast milk, but the amount ingested by the baby is low and safe. Indeed, aciclovir is commonly given to newborns and rarely causes problems.
On average, genital herpes will recur four to five times in the two years following the primary infection. Symptoms, however, will gradually become less severe, and outbreaks will occur less frequently.
Authored by
Andy is a co-founder and the Superintendent Pharmacist and Director at The Independent Pharmacy.
Reviewed by
Dan is an experienced pharmacist having spent time working in both primary and secondary care. He currently supports our clinical team by providing robust clinical governance review of our internal processes and information.
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