Frequently Asked Questions
GENITAL HERPES

What is GENITAL HERPES?			Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) 	
					caused by the herpes simplex viruses. There are two types of 
					genital herpes (type 1 called HSV -1 and type 2 called HSV-2).

How do people get 			HSV-1 causes “fever blisters” on the mouth and lips, or genital 
genital herpes?				area. HSV-1 is spread by coming in contact with the saliva of 
					an infected person, such as kissing or having oral sex with an 
					infected person. HSV-2 is spread during sex with someone 
					who has a genital HSV-2 infection. HSV-2 is released from 	
					sores as well as from skin that does not appear to be 	
					broken or have sores. This is called viral shedding.

What are the signs and			HSV-2 usually produces only mild symptoms or signs or 
symptoms of genital			no symptoms at all. Most people infected with HSV-2 are 
herpes?					not aware of their infection because initial symptoms are 	
					flu-like, including fever and swollen glands. However, many 
					adults seek medical help two to four weeks after HSV-2 	
					infection as they develop painful genital blisters on or around 
					the genitals or rectum.  When the blisters break, they leave 
					tender ulcers (sores) that take two to four weeks to heal. 

How is genital herpes			Health care providers diagnose genital herpes by visual 
diagnosed?				inspection if the outbreak is typical, and by taking a sample 
					from the sore(s). 
					Blood tests which detect HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection may be 
					helpful although the results are not always clear. 

How is genital herpes			There is no treatment that can cure herpes, but antiviral
treated?				medications can shorten and prevent outbreaks during the 	
					period of time the person takes the medication. In addition, 
					daily suppressive therapy for symptomatic herpes can 	
					reduce transmission to partners.

What are the complications		Genital herpes can cause recurrent painful genital sores            
from genital herpes?			in many adults, and herpes infection can be severe in people 
					with suppressed immune systems. Regardless of severity of 
					symptoms, genital herpes frequently causes psychological 	
					distress in people who know they are infected. 
					In addition, it can cause potentially fatal infections in 	
					infants if the mother is shedding virus at the time of 		
					delivery. It is important that women avoid contracting 	
					herpes during pregnancy because a first episode during 	
					pregnancy causes a greater risk of transmission to the 	
					newborn. If a woman has active genital herpes at delivery, 	
					a cesarean delivery is usually performed. Fortunately, 	
					infection of an infant from women with HSV-2 infection is 	
					rare.

How can people protect			Consistently and correctly using latex or polyurethane 
themselves against   			condoms can help protect against infection. However, 
infection?				condoms do not provide complete protection because the 	
					condom may not cover the herpes sore(s), and viral 	
					shedding may nevertheless occur. If either you or your 	
					partner have genital herpes, it is best to abstain from sex 	
					when symptoms or signs are present, and to use latex 	
					condoms between outbreaks.

For more information:			Call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at                   
					1-800-232-4636, TTY: 1-888-232-6348 In English and Spanish.

 
 

Contact Number: STD Program, (302) 744-1050
Revised: 03/2007   Doc.# 35-05-20/07/03/08