Herpes
Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). CDC estimated that there were 572,000 new genital herpes infections in the United States in a single year. Type 1 (HSV-1) is usually infecting the lips and the mouth. While genital herpes is caused by Type 2. Genital herpes is spread through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
Symptoms
- •Painful blisters or sores
- •Itching or burning in the genital area
- •Flu‑like symptoms during the first outbreak
- •Painful urination
Maternal and Newborn Health Risks
If women are affected with active herpetic infection in the last trimester of pregnancy, there is a high probability of passing it on to the baby during vaginal birth. Neonatal herpes infections can be lethal. For this reason, operative delivery may be recommended by your physician. Suppressive antiviral therapy starting at ~36 weeks is often used to reduce recurrence risk and thus limit need for cesarean delivery.
Diagnosis
Genital herpes can be diagnosed through a physical exam and a laboratory test, such as a viral culture or a blood test.
Treatment
There is no cure for genital herpes, but medications may reduce the severity and frequency of outbreaks.
Prevention
It is important to practice safer sex to reduce the risk of contracting genital herpes. This includes using condoms during sexual activity and limiting the number of sexual partners. Avoid having genital, oral, or anal sex when your partner is having an outbreak.
Sources
- Written by Love Hurts, Inc. and Kecia Gaither, MD. on November 1, 2025
- CDC: “Genital Herpes -- CDC Fact Sheet.”
- WebMD: “The Basics about Genital Herpes”
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