Genital Herpes STD Test
You need answers to questions about sexual health.
Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused primarily by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which has two types: HSV-1 and HSV-2. Testing for genital herpes can help diagnose the infection, especially if symptoms are present. About 16% of Americans aged 14–49 have the HSV-2 virus, and many are unaware of their condition until painful breakouts begin.
Basic Knowledge
- Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection.
- It is prevalent among both men and women in the U.S.
- About 1 in 6 people are infected with HSV-2.
- Often, symptoms are absent, leaving many unaware of the infection.
- When symptoms occur, they include small, painful blisters or sores on the genitals or anus.
- Infected individuals can transmit the virus to their sexual partners, often unknowingly.
- While there is no cure, antiviral medications can help manage symptoms.
- Genital herpes does not cause long-term serious health issues.
Details
- Name: Genital Herpes
- Category: Treatable, not curable
- Lab Test: Blood Specimen
- Treatment: Antiviral Medications to shorten or prevent outbreaks
Genital Herpes Facts
Description:
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted viral infection that affects the skin or mucous membranes in the genital area. It is caused by:
- Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) – responsible for most genital herpes cases and spreads through genital or oral secretions.
- Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) – commonly causes oral herpes but can spread to the genitals during oral sex.
Statistics:
- Over 16% of Americans aged 14–49 have HSV-2.
- 1 in 5 women and 1 in 9 men in the U.S. have HSV-2.
Exposure:
- HSV spreads during sexual contact, often through skin-to-skin interaction during an active outbreak (visible sores, blisters, or rashes).
- Transmission is possible even without symptoms, via saliva or vaginal fluids.
Incubation:
- 2–12 days after exposure.
Symptoms
Many people with HSV-2 infection have no symptoms or confuse them with routine skin irritations.
General Symptoms:
- Muscle and body ache (lower back and legs).
- Reduced appetite, fever, and general malaise.
Genital Symptoms:
- Small, painful blisters filled with clear or straw-colored fluid.
- Women: Blisters may appear on vaginal lips, vagina, cervix, anus, thighs, or buttocks.
- Men: Blisters may appear on the penis, scrotum, anus, thighs, or buttocks.
- Both sexes: Blisters may appear on the tongue, mouth, eyes, gums, lips, fingers, or other areas.
Before Blisters:
- Tingling, burning, itching, or pain at the site of future blisters.
After Blisters:
- When blisters break, they leave painful ulcers that crust over and heal within 7–14 days or longer.
Other Symptoms
- Enlarged and tender lymph nodes in the groin during an outbreak.
- Painful urination.
- Vaginal discharge (in women).
- In rare cases, women may require a urinary catheter due to difficulty emptying the bladder.
Recurrent Infections
- A second outbreak may occur weeks or months after the first, but it is generally less severe and shorter.
- Over time, outbreaks tend to decrease in frequency.
- Once infected, the virus remains dormant in nerve cells but can reactivate, causing flare-ups.
Triggers for Reactivation:
- Fatigue.
- Genital irritation.
- Menstruation.
- Physical or emotional stress.
- Trauma.
Frequency of Outbreaks
- Recurrences vary from once per year to nearly continuous symptoms.
- Men generally experience milder and shorter recurrences than women.