Genital herpies (genatal herpes) FAQ

Genital herpies is a virus infection of the gentals which can also in some cases be found on the buttocks or in the anal area. The infection originates from the herpes simplex virus, often abbreviated HSV. The HSV virus causing the gental herpees can be of two different types, both with somewhat different characteristics.

What are the symptoms of genital herpies?

The symptoms of a herpes infection is usually to start with, a general feeling of unpleasant discomfort genitals area. Following upon that, typically not very long after feeling discomfort only, there are often small bumps or dimples appearing in the area of infection (the genitals etc). These will later develop into blisters, they will break and in the end scab over and go away without leaving any scars. The time frame of this scenario is up to 2 weeks. Using different types of herpees treatment, it is possible to shorten this time span and to offer some relief as well during the outbreak.

How will a doctor diagnose genetal herpes?

There are two very reliable standard tests that are normally used (one of them that is). The two are; Blood Test of Swab Test. The highest reliability is achieved with the swab method if the herpes infection is in its active phase. Blood testing is better and more reliable in other phases of the infection. As a general advice and recommendation, doctors should not use blood testing any sooner than three or four months into a suspected infection.

Is there a home test for genital (gental) herpes?

Unfortunately, there are no good home tests that can be used in testing for genitile herpees. The diagnose and treatment of the herpes infection should be handled by a doctor.

Will gential herpes spread via a toilet seat etc?

Luckily, most herpes viral strains like the HSV no 1 and 2, do not live very long in the free, outside of the body. Although it is of course  theoretically a possibility to get herpes via a toilet seat, it is very unlikely. There is no guarantee that it will not happen, but then again, getting struck by lightning is also a possibility. In normal everyday life though, you will only get infected via sexual contact with someone who is already infected.

How long before I see genitle herpes symptoms?

It is a tricky question with no standard answer. As a matter of fact, some people can become infected and never show symptoms at all. There are extreme cases in the other directions as well where the first symptoms may be visible in a few days only. Most infected with herpes have no idea that they are infected, because symptoms are either not there, or they did turn up but only briefly and not very heavy. Relying on infection symptoms as an indication to whether you are infected or not, is not a safe enough indicator - the only trustworthy diagnosis is genuine medical testing performed by a doctor. This could be one of the two standard methods - the swab test or a the blood test.

Will herpes transfer via oral sex?

Nothing can be said with certainty here. Risk of infection is maximum when your partner is just going through an outbreak, but unfortunately there is still a certain infection risk even between outbreaks. It is also possible to get infected even when having sex with someone who is totally without symptoms. With a normal health though, a virus infection is not a major problem, it is a skin condition, one of many such problems and they can be handled and it is possible to live with this type of problem just as it is with other types of minor skin problems.

Will genitile herpies spread to other body parts?

Possible yes - probable not very. If you are infected, your immune system has not been idle, it will have developed antibodies. These will fight the transmission to other parts. Using normal body hygiene, you should not have any problems at all with this except for in the most extreme cases (of bad luck). Excerting extreme hygiene is completely unnecessary, just keep a good sound and normal hygiene, that will do well.

How common is genital herpies?

A lot of people in teenages or above will have Herpes Simplex 1 - this is the very common oral herpes, mainly known as "cold sores" and symptoms of this such as blisters will occur in or just outside of the mouth. Herpes Simplex 2 is the traditional genital herpes and this condition is not as common as type 1. About one in five American teenagers or older have this infection so it is not very uncommon.

Can "cold sores", i.e Herpes Simplex 1 spread to the genital area?

This can happen, yes. It is very common though but it has gotten more common in later years. Most genital herpes have traditionally been of the HSV-2 virus type. Getting affected by HSV-1 in the genital area is obviously more probable if you enjoy oral sex with a partner who has cold sores. Once the infection has taken place in the genitals, HSV-1 will spread like any herpes virus via sexual contact.

Compare genital HSV1 and HSV2?

HSV-1 is known to have fewer outbreaks and longer between them, than HSV-2 infections. Normally though, the type 1 thrives best above the waist and type 2 fares better below. 

Will condoms protect me against genetal herpes?

With an infected penis, yes the condom will protect against transfer and it is also a very good protection. If the female is the infected party though, the condom is less effective (but still offers a level of protection).

Can I get genatal herpees in the eyes?

This is one of the known sites of infection of the herpes virus. When it happens, it is called ocular herpes. The ocular herpies is almost always of the type 1 (HSV-1) as type 2 virus has great difficulties infecting an eye. To avoid getting ocular herpes it is thus important to avoid transfers from the type 1 areas such as your mouth (or someone elses mouth) especially if there are cold sores present.

Is genital herpees dangerous?

Genetal herpes is not a very dangerous condition. What it is - is a skin condition, one of many and you can very likely have it without going through many major problems. Ocular herpes needs treatment though or it can lead to blindness.

Will herpes spread by kissing?

Oral herpes - absolutely! Kissing is the way it is designed to spread! Oral sex is also a risk factor for spreading the infection.

Can herpes be cured?

For the moment, there is no treatment that will cure herpes, whether type 1 or 2. Research on treatment and cure for the condition is very intense though and possibly a vaccine for HSV-2 could be developed.

Is gential herpiees dangerous when pregnant?

If diagnosed with gential herpes, you MUST inform your doctor about this fact so any transmission to the baby during delivery can be avoided. To an infant, an infection with genitle herpes can be very dangerous and this rism should be avoided at all cost. One method is to use a c-section, but your doctor will choose whatever method is best for your pregnancy and the herpes as long as you make sure to inform him properly in time about your condition.

How is genital herpes spread?

Genitile herpes normally spreads via unprotected sex. Most infected with herpees will have got infected while having sex with someone who either has been going through an outbreak, or who was at the time shedding the herpies virus - with visible symptoms or without symptoms. Because many people have infections and no symptoms, not even during the actual outbreak or the shedding, this is an important source of infection transmission. The infection can also be spread during other types of close body contact such as oral sex. As luckily the herpes virus has a very short life span when it is outside the host (that is your body), it is very unlikely that it will spread via objects such as toilet seats or towels.

What can I do to avoid spreading genital herpies?

Avoid touching the infected surface during an outbreak. If it is necessary to touch it, make sure you wash your hands very carefully afterwards and ideally disinfect them as well. Avoid all sex (whether oral, anal or vaginal) in the time between the genital herpies symptoms first appearance and until all signs have gone away, typically a time of 1-2 weeks. Genital herpies (gental herpes) FAQ.

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