Genital Herpes: Taking Care of Yourself

Genital herpes is caused by a virus. It spreads through sex or close sexual contact. The virus causes outbreaks of sores that come and go. There is no cure for herpes, but medicines can help prevent outbreaks and make them less severe if they do happen. These medicines also can help prevent the spread of herpes to others.

Treatment:

• Take any medicines as prescribed. The two types of medicines for herpes are: 

  • Medicines taken every day to prevent outbreaks or help stop the disease from spreading to sexual partners.

  • Medicines taken at the first sign of an outbreak (tingling, itching, or burning before sores develop) to make it less severe.

• To help with pain, you can: 

  • Place a bag of ice wrapped in a towel on the sore area for 5–10 minutes every few hours. Don't put ice directly on the skin.

  • Sit in a small amount of cool or lukewarm water (no soap or bubble bath).

  • Wear cotton underwear and avoid clothes that are tight or that rub.

  • Take acetaminophen (such as Tylenol® or a store brand) OR ibuprofen (such as Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand) if the health care provider says it's OK.

Follow up:

• Herpes can spread to partners during sex, even if you don't have sores. Before you have sex, tell all your partners that you have herpes.

• To lower the chance of spreading herpes, you should: 

  • Avoid sex during outbreaks.

  • Take antiviral medicine every day if prescribed by the health care provider.

  • Use a condom every time you have sex and for every form of sex (vaginal, oral, or anal).

• Follow the health care provider's instructions about getting tested for other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

• If you haven't already, get all doses of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (shot). HPV is an STD that can lead to some kinds of cancer and genital warts.

• You have signs of an STD (abnormal discharge, belly pain, or pain when peeing).

• You can't pee.

• You get a bad headache and/or stiff neck.

What brings on a herpes outbreak? Outbreaks can be brought on by stress, illness, being overly tired, or being in sunlight. Women can have outbreaks when they get their periods.

How is the herpes virus spread? The herpes virus spreads most easily by touching the fluid from a sore. This can happen during sex or when touching the genital area. But even when there are no sores, the virus is still active in the body and can spread to another person.

Condoms can't always prevent the virus from spreading because they don't cover all areas where the virus can live.

Is genital herpes caused by the same virus that causes cold sores? Usually not. Genital herpes is usually caused by a herpes virus called HSV-2. Cold sores are usually caused by HSV-1. But sometimes HSV-1 can spread to the genitals through oral sex.