Pre-test education and counseling messages
- Genital herpes is a common infection caused by one of two viruses: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).4
- Recurrent cold sores or fever blisters (oral herpes) are caused by HSV-1. Canker sores are not oral herpes. If you have oral herpes, you can transmit this infection to partner(s) by giving them oral sex.4
- Genital herpes is transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact through sexual activities, such as penile-vaginal intercourse, oral-genital contact (oral sex), or penile-anal insertion (anal sex).
- HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections are very common; over the course of a lifetime, the average person is likely to test positive for at least one type of HSV. HSV-2 infection is more common in women compared to men, and among African Americans compared to Caucasians or Asian Americans.14
- Almost 9 out of 10 people who have genital herpes do not know it, because signs and symptoms can be mild or confused with other conditions.1
- The virus can be transmitted (spread) even when there are no signs and symptoms.This occurs when virus is present on the skin without noticeable lesions (called asymptomatic viral shedding). Although there are no signs or symptoms, it is potentially contagious.15
- Signs or symptoms may appear within a few weeks after first becoming infected. Not everyone who becomes infected with herpes has symptoms, and in some, symptoms can first appear anywhere from months to years after the initial infection. Though they vary greatly from person to person, symptoms or signs of an outbreak can include: sores or blisters (lesions) along with fever and/or swollen glands. A first outbreak may take two or three weeks to heal, but later outbreaks heal more quickly, often in a matter of days.16
- There are different types of tests to detect herpes infection. Some tests (swab tests) require visible sores (lesions) or redness to look for the virus. New, highly sensitive HSV DNA tests can also be done with lesions; compared to viral culture tests, HSV DNA tests tend to have quicker turnaround from labs. Type-specific serologic tests (blood tests) can detect antibodies that over time build up in the blood in response to the virus, and indicate infection with herpes virus.
- If a patient has had lesions or symptoms that might suggest a genital herpes infection, test results that recognize the difference between HSV-1 and HSV-2 are helpful in making a definitive diagnosis and deciding on a treatment strategy, if appropriate. An HSV-1 positive blood test does not tell whether one has oral herpes or genital herpes, only that one has HSV-1 infection.
- In most cases, there is no way to tell who gave you the infection or how long the infection has been present.
- For some people, a herpes diagnosis carries significant emotional burdens–usually short-lived. There are resources for patients who would like additional emotional, social, or educational support, such as the American Social Health Association website.
- There are several approaches to managing herpes. There are antiviral medications that reduce viral shedding, the frequency of outbreaks, transmission to partners, and for pregnant women, to newborns. Correct and consistent use of condoms also reduces the chance of getting or spreading herpes.4
- Acquiring HSV for the first time late in pregnancy presents the most risk for the newborn. For this reason, a pregnant woman who does not have herpes and who has a partner with either oral or genital HSV is encouraged to avoid both intercourse and receiving oral sex during the third trimester.4
