Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection STI passed on through vaginal, anal and oral sex. Treatment from a sexual health clinic can help. Symptoms clear up on their own but can come back. Call a sexual health clinic if you need help or advice. Only go to a clinic if you've been told to. Find sexual health clinic contact details.
Go even if you have not had sex for a long time, as blisters can take months or years to appear. You can see a GP, but they'll probably refer you to a sexual health clinic if they think you might have genital herpes.
Many sexual health clinics offer a walk-in service, where you do not need an appointment. They'll often get test results quicker than GP practices and you do not have to pay a prescription fee for treatment. Find a sexual health clinic. Symptoms might not appear for weeks or even years after you're infected with the herpes virus. If you have genital herpes, your previous sexual partners should get tested. The doctor or nurse at the clinic can discuss this with you and help you tell your partners without letting them know it's you who has the virus.
There's no cure. Symptoms clear up by themselves, but the blisters can come back an outbreak or recurrence. If you have had symptoms for more than 5 days before you go to a sexual health clinic, you can still get tested to find out the cause.
HSV infection is very common Around 90 per cent of adults have herpes simplex antibodies in their bloodstream, which means that they have been infected with the virus at some time.
These can include: fever tiredness blisters lesions and ulcers in and around the mouth swelling pain inside the mouth and on the gums a sore throat swollen neck glands.
Triggers for cold sores In some people the HSV infection causes cold sores, which erupt following a trigger event such as a cold. Other triggers that may cause an attack of cold sores include: feverish illnesses, like influenza, or chest infections sunlight exposure to windy conditions hormonal changes, such as the menstrual period emotional or physical stress. Cold sore symptoms Cold sores usually develop as follows: Most people experience localised itching and tingling a day or two before the cold sore appears.
A collection of small blisters forms. These blisters can be accompanied by pain, tenderness and a sensation of heat and burning. The blisters burst after a few days. The site develops a crust. The crust dries up and eventually falls off after about 10 days. Cold sore complications Cold sores are an annoying problem for most people who get them, but they get better without any specific treatment. Uncommon complications that require medical attention include: bacterial infections — possible symptoms include redness around the blisters, pus in the blisters and fever cold sores that spread to the eyes, fingers or other parts of the body — a cold sore in the eye causes a painful red eye.
Immediate medical attention should be sought, as the herpes virus causes an ulcer on the cornea that can damage sight. However, permanent damage can usually be prevented by early treatment, including medication to suppress the virus. There are other more common causes of a painful red eye, which also require medical review. There is more than one type of herpes infection There are two types of herpes simplex infection: herpes simplex virus type 1 HSV-1 and herpes simplex virus type 2 HSV How HSV is transmitted The herpes simplex virus spreads between people, usually through contact with saliva or direct contact with a blister.
How to avoid transmitting HSV If you have a cold sore, be sure to wash your hands after touching it and be especially careful to avoid touching your own eyes after touching your cold sore.
While you have a cold sore it is also important to avoid: sharing toothbrushes sharing drinking glasses or bottles sharing cutlery sharing towels or other personal items close contact such as kissing and hugging with newborn and young babies kissing others close contact with children with burns or eczema close contact with people with suppressed immune systems. Preventing the transmission of HSV among children If young children with a cold sore are unable to follow good hygiene practices, it is recommended that they be excluded from childcare or school until the blister stops weeping.
Treatment for cold sores Cold sores are generally not dangerous and do not cause any permanent damage to the skin. Preventing a cold sore outbreak There is no cure for cold sores.
Suggestions to reduce the number of outbreaks include: Avoid known triggers, if possible. Wear sunblock on your face and lips when outdoors. Pay attention to your general health and stress levels. Avoid getting ill or run down. Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful? Yes No. View all mouth and teeth. Related information. Mayo Clinic — Cold sore. The symptoms include sores that come and go over time. Different types of herpes affect different body parts. This article will explain what herpes is, how people get it, and what herpes looks like with pictures.
Most people with HSV are asymptomatic, meaning they will not experience any symptoms. Others will notice sores or lesions. These sores look like blisters filled with fluid. Over a few days, the sores break open, ooze, and form a crust before healing. People may also notice a tingling, itching, or burning feeling a few days before the sores appear. Some people may also experience flu-like symptoms, such as:. Someone who has contracted the virus will usually have their first sores, or an outbreak, between 2 and 20 days later.
The sores may last up to a week or 10 days. An outbreak may involve a single sore or a cluster of sores. They often affect the skin around the mouth, the genitals, or the rectum. The blisters can take between 2 and 4 weeks to heal. The symptoms will usually reappear from time to time, though they do not tend to be as severe as the first time. The following sections discuss the symptoms of herpes that arise on commonly affected body parts.
People develop herpes after being exposed to the herpes simplex virus HSV. There are two types of this virus:. People can contract both herpes viruses through bodily fluids, including genital fluids and saliva. Once someone has the virus, the symptoms can flare up from time to time for the rest of their life.
While the sores can be uncomfortable and even painful, they are not usually dangerous for otherwise healthy adults. In oral herpes , most blisters appear on the lips or mouth. They can also form elsewhere on the face, especially around the chin and below the nose, or on the tongue. At first, the sores look similar to small bumps or pimples before developing into pus-filled blisters. These may be red, yellow or white.
Once they burst, a clear or yellow liquid will run out, before the blister develops a yellow crust and heals. Females with genital herpes may develop sores on the vulva, which is the external part of the genitals that includes the outer lips labia , or inside the vagina.
It may be difficult to see sores that develop inside the vagina. Genital sores vary in size and number, but as with oral herpes, they look like pimples or blisters filled with fluid.
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