What is genital herpes?

Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus. There are two types of the virus, which can affect the mouth and nose (known as cold sores) or the genital and anal area, fingers or hands. This information is about genital herpes.

How is it passed on?

It is passed on by kissing, unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex, through sharing sex toys or through direct skin-to-skin genital contact.

Signs and symptoms

Often symptoms don't show or are very mild and go unnoticed, but typical signs of infection with the virus include:

• Blisters on or in the vagina, cervix, urethra, rectum, anus or penis (or mouth if passed on through oral sex) that leave painful sores when they burst.
• Tingling or itching feeling in the affected area.
• Flu-like symptoms such as swollen glands, 
• Backache 
• Headache
  

Tests and treatment

A swab is taken from one of the sores and a sample of urine may be taken. The swab may feel uncomfortable but should not be painful.

• Left untreated, the symptoms may last about 2-3 weeks. Genital herpes does not cause serious health problems and it doesn't affect fertility.
• If the infection reoccurs, symptoms are usually milder. The virus always remains in the body and no treatment can remove it completely.
• Some people find that different things can trigger an attack. These include stress, tiredness, illness, alcohol and smoking. Avoiding these helps reduce the number of attacks.

Dietary Information

Although herpes cannot be cured some foods are claimed to reduce the risk or prevent severe attacks:

Eat plenty of:

• Fresh fruit and vegetables
• Shellfish, lean meat, nuts and seeds for zinc

Cut down on:

• Alcohol
• Caffeine in tea, coffee and colas
• Smoking

For more STI info: www.ruthinking.co.uk, www.fpa.org.uk, STD Factfile