Genital Herpes – CDC Fact Sheet.

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National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention

Division of STD Prevention

Genital Herpes – CDC Fact Sheet

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that any sexually active

person can get. Most people with the virus don’t have symptoms. Even without signs of

the disease, herpes can still be spread to sex partners.

What is genital herpes?

Genital herpes is an STD caused by two types of viruses. The viruses are called herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-

1) and herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2).

What is oral herpes?

Oral herpes is usually caused by HSV-1 and can result in cold sores or fever blisters on or around the mouth.

However, most people do not have any symptoms. Most people with oral herpes were infected during

childhood or young adulthood from non-sexual contact with saliva.

Is there a link between genital herpes and oral herpes?

Oral herpes caused by HSV-1 can be spread from the mouth to the genitals through oral sex. This is why

some cases of genital herpes are caused by HSV-1.

How common is genital herpes?

Genital herpes is common in the United States. More than one out of every six people aged 14 to 49 years

have genital herpes.

How is genital herpes spread?

You can get genital herpes by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the disease.

If you do not have herpes, you can get infected if you come into contact with the herpes virus in:

• A herpes sore;

• Saliva (if your partner has an oral herpes infection) or genital secretions (if your partner has a genital

herpes infection);

• Skin in the oral area if your partner has an oral herpes infection, or skin in the genital area if your

partner has a genital herpes infection.

You can get herpes from a sex partner who does not have a visible sore or who may not know he or she is

infected. It is also possible to get genital herpes if you receive oral sex from a sex partner who has oral herpes.

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You will not get herpes from toilet seats, bedding,

or swimming pools, or from touching objects

around you such as silverware, soap, or towels. If

you have additional questions about how herpes

is spread, consider discussing your concerns with a

healthcare provider.

How can I reduce my risk of getting genital

herpes?

The only way to avoid STDs is to not have vaginal,

anal, or oral sex.

If you are sexually active, you can do the following

things to lower your chances of getting genital herpes:

• Be in a long-term mutually monogamous

relationship with a partner who is not infected

with an STD (e.g., a partner who has been tested

and has negative STD test results);

• Use latex condoms the right way every time you

have sex.

Be aware that not all herpes sores occur in areas that

are covered by a latex condom. Also, herpes virus can

be released (shed) from areas of the skin that do not

have a visible herpes sore. For these reasons, condoms

may not fully protect you from getting herpes.

If you are in a relationship with a person known

to have genital herpes, you can lower your risk of

getting genital herpes if:

• Your partner takes an anti-herpes medication

every day. This is something your partner should

discuss with his or her doctor.

• You avoid having vaginal, anal, or oral sex when

your partner has herpes symptoms (i.e., when

your partner is having an outbreak).

I’m pregnant. How could genital herpes

affect my baby?

If you are pregnant and have genital herpes, it is very

important for you to go to prenatal care visits. Tell your

doctor if you have ever had symptoms of, or have been

diagnosed with, genital herpes. Also tell your doctor if

you have ever been exposed to genital herpes. There

is some research that suggests that genital herpes

infection may lead to miscarriage, or could make it

more likely for you to deliver your baby too early.

Herpes infection can be passed from you to your

unborn child before birth but is more commonly

passed to your infant during delivery. This can

lead to a potentially deadly infection in your baby

(called neonatal herpes). It is important that you

avoid getting herpes during pregnancy. If you are

pregnant and have genital herpes, you may be

offered anti-herpes medicine towards the end of

your pregnancy. This medicine may reduce your risk

of having signs or symptoms of genital herpes at the

time of delivery. At the time of delivery, your doctor

should carefully examine you for herpes sores. If you

have herpes symptoms at delivery, a ‘C-section’ is

usually performed.

How do I know if I have genital herpes?

Most people who have genital herpes have no

symptoms, or have very mild symptoms. You may

not notice mild symptoms or you may mistake

them for another skin condition, such as a pimple or

ingrown hair. Because of this, most people who have

herpes do not know it.

Herpes sores usually appear as one or more blisters on

or around the genitals, rectum or mouth. The blisters

break and leave painful sores that may take a week or

more to heal. These symptoms are sometimes called

“having an outbreak.” The first time someone has an

outbreak they may also have flu-like symptoms such

as fever, body aches, or swollen glands.

People who experience an initial outbreak of herpes can

have repeated outbreaks, especially if they are infected

with HSV-2. Repeat outbreaks are usually shorter and less

severe than the first outbreak. Although the infection

stays in the body for the rest of your life, the number of

outbreaks may decrease over time.

You should be examined by your doctor if you notice

any of these symptoms or if your partner has an STD

or symptoms of an STD. STD symptoms can include an

unusual sore, a smelly genital discharge, burning when

urinating, or (for women) bleeding between periods.

How will my doctor know if I have herpes?

Your healthcare provider may diagnose genital herpes

by simply looking at your symptoms. Providers can

also take a sample from the sore(s) and test it. In

certain situations, a blood test may be used to look for

herpes antibodies. Have an honest and open talk with

your health care provider and ask whether you should

be tested for herpes or other STDs.

Please note: A herpes blood test can help determine if

you have herpes infection. It cannot tell you who gave

you the infection or how long you have been infected.

Last reviewed: August 2017

Can herpes be cured?

There is no cure for herpes. However, there are medicines that can

prevent or shorten outbreaks. One of these anti-herpes medicines can be

taken daily, and makes it less likely that you will pass the infection on to

your sex partner(s).

What happens if I don’t get treated?

Genital herpes can cause painful genital sores and can be severe in

people with suppressed immune systems.

If you touch your sores or the fluids from the sores, you may transfer

herpes to another part of your body, such as your eyes. Do not touch

the sores or fluids to avoid spreading herpes to another part of your

body. If you do touch the sores or fluids, immediately wash your hands

thoroughly to help avoid spreading your infection.

If you are pregnant, there can be problems for you and your developing

fetus, or newborn baby. See “I’m pregnant. How could genital herpes

affect my baby?” above for information about this.

Can I still have sex if I have herpes?

If you have herpes, you should talk to your sex partner(s) and let him or

her know that you do and the risk involved. Using condoms may help

lower this risk but it will not get rid of the risk completely. Having sores

or other symptoms of herpes can increase your risk of spreading the

disease. Even if you do not have any symptoms, you can still infect your

sex partners.

You may have concerns about how genital herpes will impact your

overall health, sex life, and relationships. It is best for you to talk to a

health care provider about those concerns, but it also is important

to recognize that while herpes is not curable, it can be managed

with medication. Daily suppressive therapy (i.e., daily use of antiviral

medication) for herpes can also lower your risk of spreading genital

herpes to your sex partner. Be sure to discuss treatment options with

your healthcare provider. Since a genital herpes diagnosis may affect

how you will feel about current or future sexual relationships, it is

important to understand how to talk to sexual partners about STDs.

What is the link between genital herpes and HIV?

Herpes infection can cause sores or breaks in the skin or lining of the

mouth, vagina, and rectum. This provides a way for HIV to enter the

body. Even without visible sores, having genital herpes increases the

number of CD4 cells (the cells that HIV targets for entry into the body)

found in the lining of the genitals. When a person has both HIV and

genital herpes, the chances are higher that HIV will be spread to an

HIV-uninfected sex partner during sexual contact with their partner’s

mouth, vagina, or rectum.

Where can I get more

information?

Division of STD Prevention

(DSTDP)

Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention

www.cdc.gov/std

CDC-INFO Contact Center

1-800-CDC-INFO

(1-800-232-4636)

wwwn.cdc.gov/dcs/ContactUs/

Form

CDC National Prevention

Information Network (NPIN)

npin.cdc.gov/disease/stds

P.O. Box 6003

Rockville, MD 20849-6003

American Sexual Health

Association (ASHA)

www.ashasexualhealth.org/

stdsstis/

P. O. Box 13827

Research Triangle Park, NC

27709-3827

1-800-783-9877