What is herpes

In the shedding stage, the virus starts multiplying in the nerve endings. If these nerve endings are in areas of the body that make or are in contact with body fluids, the virus can get into those body fluids. This could include saliva, semen, or vaginal fluids. There are no symptoms during this stage, but the virus can be spread during this time.

This means that herpes is very contagious during this stage. Many people have blisters and sores that come back after the first herpes attack goes away. This is called a recurrence. Stress, being sick, or being tired may start a recurrence. Being in the sun or having your menstrual period may also cause a recurrence. You may know a recurrence is about to happen if you feel itching, tingling, or pain in the places where you were first infected.

The virus that causes genital herpes is usually spread from one person to another during vaginal, oral, or anal sex. The virus can enter your body through a break in your skin.

It can also enter through the skin of your mouth, penis, vagina, urinary tract opening, or anus. Herpes is most easily spread when blisters or sores can be seen on the infected person. Herpes can also be spread from one place on your body to another. If you touch sores on your genitals, you can carry the virus on your fingers.

Then you can pass it onto other parts of your body, including your mouth or eyes. Your doctor will do a physical exam and look at the sores. He or she can do a culture of the fluid from a sore and test it for herpes. Blood tests or other tests on the fluid from a blister can also be done.

The best way to prevent getting herpes is to not have sex with anyone who has the virus. There is no time that is completely safe to have sex and not spread herpes. If you have herpes, you must tell your sex partner. You should avoid having sex if you have any sores. Herpes can spread from one person to another very easily when sores are present. You should use condoms every time you have sex. They can help reduce the risk of spreading herpes.

If you think you have herpes, see your doctor as soon as possible. You can start treatment sooner and perhaps have less pain with the infection. But medicines can help. They may be provided as a pill, cream or a shot. Medicines such as acyclovir and valacyclovir fight the herpes virus. They can speed up healing and lessen the pain of herpes for many people.

They can be used to treat a primary outbreak or a recurrent one. If the medicines are being used to treat a recurrence, they should be started as soon as you feel tingling, burning, or itching.

They can also be taken every day to prevent recurrences. Your partner could pass the infection to you even if he is not currently experiencing an outbreak.

If there are visible sores, avoid having sex completely until the sores have healed. He or she will give you an antiviral medicine. This will make it less likely that you will have an outbreak at or near the time you deliver your baby.

If you have an active genital herpes infection at or near the time of delivery, you can pass it to your baby. When the baby passes through the birth canal, it may come in contact with sores and become infected with the virus. This can cause brain damage, blindness, or even death in newborns.

Some people also find that stress , being tired, illness, skin friction, and sunbathing can trigger recurrences of symptoms. Read the article in Spanish. Find information on cost and valacyclovir, how generic and brand-name prices compare, what financial assistance is available, and more. What are female genital sores, and what are the main causes? This article looks at the causes, their symptoms, and some treatment and prevention….

Many people develop pimples on their genitals. Sometimes, these pimples resemble lesions caused by the herpes simplex virus. Although genital pimples…. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection. It can cause blisters and sores around the genitals and anus, but it may cause no symptoms. Anal herpes is a form of genital herpes. Like genital herpes, it is caused by HSV-2 and is passed on through sexual contact. Anal herpes causes….

Symptoms, causes, and treatment of herpes. Pictures Symptoms Causes Treatment Prevention tips We include products we think are useful for our readers. Prevention tips. Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Related Coverage. Valacyclovir Valtrex and cost. Medically reviewed by Purva Singla, PharmD.

What causes genital sores in females? Medically reviewed by Carolyn Kay, MD. Telling the difference between genital pimples and herpes. Sores appear where the infection entered your body.

You can spread the infection by touching a sore and then rubbing or scratching another area of your body, including your eyes. Men and women can develop sores on the: Buttocks and thighs Anus Mouth Urethra the tube that allows urine to drain from the bladder to the outside Women can also develop sores in or on the: Vaginal area External genitals Cervix Men can also develop sores in or on the:. Genital herpes is different for each person. The signs and symptoms may recur, off and on, for years.

Some people experience numerous episodes each year. For many people, however, the outbreaks are less frequent as time passes. However, recurrences are generally less painful than the original outbreak, and sores generally heal more quickly. If you suspect you have genital herpes — or any other sexually transmitted infection — see your doctor. Because the virus dies quickly outside of the body, it's nearly impossible to get the infection through contact with toilets, towels or other objects used by an infected person.

The suggestions for preventing genital herpes are the same as those for preventing other sexually transmitted infections: Abstain from sexual activity or limit sexual contact to only one person who is infection-free. Short of that, you can:. If you're pregnant and know you have genital herpes, tell your doctor. If you think you might have genital herpes, ask to be tested for it.

Your doctor may recommend that you start taking herpes antiviral medications late in pregnancy to try to prevent an outbreak around the time of delivery. If you're having an outbreak when you go into labor, your doctor will probably suggest a cesarean section to reduce the risk of passing the virus to your baby. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.

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