genital herpes

The following are some facts you should know about genital herpes:

Genital herpes, caused by the herpes virus, is one of the most common sexually transmissible infections (STIs).
It's spread through vaginal, anal and oral sex or by genital skin-to-skin contact.
You can have genital herpes and have no symptoms.
Symptoms can show up at any time, not necessarily straight after you've been infected.
The infection usually appears as small, painful genital blisters which turn into shallow ulcers that scab over and heal up.
It can also appear on the skin of the buttocks or thighs.
It's diagnosed by having a swab test.
Genital herpes can't be cured, but the symptoms can be treated with anti-viral tablets.
Although the sores can disappear, the herpes virus will stay in your body for life.
You're most infectious to your partner when you have sores, but can pass the infection on when you don't have any.
Symptoms can come back after the infection has been treated.

For more information, read our brochure on genital herpes.

sexual health info