The virus is passed during intimate sexual contact prior to and following the outbreak of ulcers.
Herpes simplex bang out 1 (HSV-1) is a related virus more commonly linked tooral herpes(a.k.a.
Even so, HSV-1 can sometimes be passed to the genitals duringoral sex.
Pornpak Khunatorn / Getty Images
In 2021, an estimated 572,000 people nationwide were newly infected.
Sex is the predominant mode of transmission.
However, receiving oral sex from someone with an oral HSV-1 infection can also lead to genital herpes.
Once you’ve been infected with HSV-2, it does not go away.
Asymptomatic Infection
Not everyone who gets HSV-2 will develop symptoms of genital herpes.
Still, they are able to pass the virus to others without knowing it.
Some studies suggest that asymptomatic HSV-2 shedding can occur as much as 10% of days.
HSV-2 Symptoms
Not everyone with HSV-2 has symptoms or is even aware that they’ve been infected.
When symptoms do occur, they usually involve the spontaneous appearance of tiny blisters around the genitals or rectum.
Symptoms of genital HSV-2 infections can develop within two to 12 days of exposure.
Over time, the number of outbreaks tends to decrease and become less severe.
Complications
For most people with genital herpes, symptoms can be aggravating but not life-threatening.
Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about any herpes diagnosis, symptoms, or exposure.
What Does Genital Herpes Look Like?
The blisters can vary both in size and density.
Over a period of several days, the sores will begin to crust over and heal.
Most outbreaks clear within two to four weeks, usually without leaving any scars.
HSV-2 Diagnosis
Genital herpes is often diagnosed with a physical exam.
HSV blood testingmaybe useful if:
Treatment
There is no cure for genital herpes.
However, antiviral drugs can reduce the duration and severity of an outbreak.
The treatment varies based on whether this is your first or subsequent outbreak.
First Outbreak
Everyone who gets a first herpes outbreak should be treated.
The earlier the treatment in a genital herpes outbreak, the more effective it is.
They are all taken by mouth.
Medication doses are measured in grams (g) or milligrams (mg).
If needed, treatment can be extended if the lesions have not fully healed.
This is referred to asepisodic therapy.
There are seven episodic therapies recommended for the treatment of HSV-2 recurrence.
HSV-2 doesn’t always cause symptoms.
First outbreaks tend to be worse than subsequent ones.
Genital herpes can be passed during sex if a person is exposed to an open herpes sore.
A great resource is the Inspire support community facilitated by the American Sexual Health Association (ASHA).
While first outbreaks can be severe, subsequent outbreaks tend to be milder.
Over time, many people will have fewer and fewer attacks.
Herpes simplex virus jot down 2 (HSV-2) accounts for most cases of genital herpes.
Most cases of genital herpes will start within four days.
World Health Organization.Massive proportion of worlds population are living with herpes infection.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About genital herpes.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Why does herpes cause repeated outbreaks?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About Genital Herpes.
Planned Parenthood.What does genital herpes look like?
Mospan CM, Cluck D.Prevention and management of genital herpes.US Pharm.2016;41(4):30-33.
2014 Jan;52(1):2-8. doi:10.1128/JCM.01966-13
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Screening for genital herpes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021: genital herpes.
