HiTOPS.org ~ Herpes

Herpes

What is it?

Herpes Simplex is a virus and estimated to affect 30 million people in the United States. There are approximately 200,000 - 500,000 new cases of herpes diagnosed each year.

How do you get it?

Spread by skin to skin contact or during vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse with someone who has herpes.

Incubation period

Symptoms show up 2 - 30 days after having sex, with the average being 6 days. Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) produces a wide range of clinical manifestations. Many HSV infections are without symptoms. Some patients may be infected for weeks or months before suffering the first episode of herpes lesions.

Symptoms

Symptoms range from mild to severe. Symptoms include:

flu-like feelings; swollen lymph nodes in groin.
itching or burning before the blisters appear.
small, painful blisters on the sex organs or mouth.
blisters last an average of 10 days.
blisters go away, but herpes is still present; blisters may appear again.

Diagnosis

To test for genital herpes, a health care provider swabs some of the fluid and cells from the lesion. The culture is then sent to a lab. Blood tests are helpful in some cases.

Treatment

There is no cure for herpes but anti-viral medication can lessen the severity and duration of the first and subsequent outbreaks. Medication can also decrease transmission to sexual partners and may decrease the frequency of outbreaks.

What happens if you don't get treated?

You can give herpes to your sexual partner(s).
A mother with herpes can give it to her baby during childbirth and therefore must have a cesarean section if she has an active lesion at the time of labor.

Note: All sexual partners of anyone treated for an STD must also be treated. If you are treated for an STD and do not tell your partner(s) to get treatment, the STD will spread rapidly and you could be re-infected. Using a condom every time you have sex can help keep you well.