Did you know that...? - Both Genital Herpes and Cold Sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus.
- Genital Herpes is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) while Cold Sores are caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2).
- Genital herpes and Cold Sores are caused by a virus which always remains in your body. That means that the blisters may recur (keep appearing and disappearing).
- Herpes is highly contagious, especially when a person has blisters or sores.
Genital Herpes - Each year some 12,000 people contract Genital Herpes in the Netherlands.
- Symptoms of an outbreak are: one or a group of blisters on the penis and base of the penis, inside and around the vagina, or in and around the anus.
- Herpes is passed on through contact with the rash on the skin, or with the mucous membranes of mouth, penis, rectum or vagina of a person who has herpes.
- The first outbreak is generally the worst, lasting for weeks until the blisters break, release pus, and begin to heal.
- Future outbreaks tend to lessen in severity and heal at a much faster rate over time.
- The blisters don't have to be present in order to spread the virus, making it hard to control because you never know if your sexual partner is carrying the virus.
- Your doctor will give you medication that has to be taken each time you have an outbreak.
- You should avoid sexual contact when you have an outbreak as the blisters are extremely contagious.
- If you must have sex when you have an outbreak, then make sure to use condoms. Condoms will however not guarantee the protection of your uninfected partner as herpes is not transmitted through body fluids, but through (skin to skin) contact. This means it can also be transmitted when one partner touches the blisters of another.
Cold Sores - Herpes Simplex Virus-1 is essentially the cold sores people get on there lips and mouth.
- It really should not be considered an STI as it can be contracted in many ways other than through sexual contact.
- The virus that causes cold sores can be passed on through oral sex or through touching with fingers to the genitals, where it can cause genital herpes.
- The reverse is also possible: Genital Herpes can appear in another person as cold sores.
What will someone notice? - Genital herpes causes blisters on or around the vagina, penis or anus.
- This often itches. Or it may give a burning sensation.
- Around a week after you have become infected with the herpes virus, you may observe the first symptoms. Or it may take longer.
- The first infection is usually the most severe.
- When the blisters have healed, the symptoms are over, but this doesn't mean that the virus has left your body.
- The symptoms can come back, even without sexual contact.
- The virus usually reappears at a time when your resistance is low.
Treatment: - There is no cure for HSV 1 or HSV 2. So if you become infected with Herpes you will have it for the rest of your life.
- Even though treatment will not get rid of the virus in your body it is important as it will alleviate the symptoms and limit the number of attacks.
- Many times a visual inspection is all that is needed to diagnose Genital Herpes as the doctor can see the blisters.
- The doctor can take a culture sample from the infected area of the skin and test it in a lab for (confirmation of ) HSV.
Do you have any symptoms? Or do you think you might have been exposed to unsafe sex? It is important to have yourself tested as soon as possible. For assistance, you can go to: your general practitioner (GP, huisarts in Dutch), the GGD or the AIDS STI Help Line (0900 20420440 (10 ct/min); Monday 10:00-22:00. Tuesday-Friday 14:00-22:00. Mail: infolijn@soaaids.nl) |
