Herpes is a common viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It is passed from person to person through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the infection, this includes sexual contact.
Most people with herpes have no symptoms and do not know they have the virus. Even when a person with herpes has no symptoms, it can still be passed on.
Herpes sores can show up on the mouth or lips, this is known as cold sores or oral herpes. Herpes sores can also show on the vagina, penis or anus (bottom), this is called genital herpes.
There are two types of herpes simplex virus: HSV-1 and HSV-2. Both types can cause outbreaks of sores and blisters on the mouth, genitals, or anus. A person can have HSV-1, HSV-2, or both. Around 80% of people will come into contact with HSV-1 or HSV-2 in their lifetime. Only 20% of those people will ever get symptoms. These symptoms are normally mild and manageable.
Once a person has herpes the virus remains in the body. Most people experience few or no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they can appear days, weeks, months, or even years after infection.
Herpes symptoms usually occur in outbreaks (episodes), with symptom-free periods in between. The first outbreak is often the longest and most uncomfortable. Later outbreaks are usually milder and shorter.
Some people notice signs before sores appear, including tingling, itching, burning, stinging, or tenderness in the affected area.
For oral and genital herpes, symptoms may include:
Herpes is spread through skin-to-skin contact, most commonly through kissing, foreplay, oral, vaginal, and anal sex, and rimming with someone who has the virus.
It is most contagious when sores or blisters are visible, but it can still spread when no symptoms are present. Because herpes can be passed on with no symptoms, it is often hard to know when or who the infection was passed from. A first outbreak does not always mean you got the infection recently or that it has come from your current partner.
Herpes is NOT passed on through sharing showers, toilets, washing machines or swimming pools. It requires direct skin-to-skin contact such as kissing or sexual contact.
Having genital herpes does not affect your ability to have a baby. Most people with genital herpes have a normal pregnancy and vaginal birth. If you are pregnant and you or your partner have genital herpes, or if you develop herpes symptoms for the first time during pregnancy, tell your doctor or midwife. This helps them take steps to reduce the risk of passing the infection to your baby during birth.
You can reduce your risk of getting or passing on herpes by:
Avoiding oral, vaginal, and anal sex when you or your partner/s have herpes symptoms or if you feel an outbreak starting (like tingling, itching, or stinging). It’s also best to wait about a week after sores have fully healed before having sex again.
Avoiding close contact with oral herpes (cold sores), such as kissing, sharing drinks, utensils, lip balms or toothbrushes, and oral sex until sores are healed.
Using condoms and dental dams during oral, vaginal, and anal sex. They help lower the risk of spreading herpes, however they do not provide complete protection as herpes can affect areas not covered by a condom or dental dam. You should also change condoms between partners when sharing sex toys.
Avoiding touching sores. If you accidentally do, wash your hands with soap and water after.
Looking after your general health. Stress, getting sick, lack of sleep, and other factors can trigger outbreaks. Healthy habits may make symptoms milder and less frequent.
Having regular sexual health check-ups. Getting STI and HIV testing every 3–12 months is part of a healthy and confident sex life.
If you have had a positive herpes test, talk openly with partner/s. Sharing your status helps everyone make safer choices.
Testing for herpes is quick and confidential, but you need to have present sores and symptoms to test for herpes.
The test involves taking a swab from any suspected skin ulcers, blisters or cracks. While there are blood tests for herpes they are not recommended except in rare situations.
Testing for herpes is not routinely included in STI screening in Australia. So, you may not have been tested for herpes if you haven’t told your doctor that you have symptoms.
Use the STI Testing Locator tool to find a testing location near you or call the Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 (free call) or chat online for help finding a service.
While there’s no cure for herpes, there are medications that can help reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms and reduce your risk of passing it on to someone else. If outbreaks happen often or are hard to manage, treatment options are available.
You can choose to treat symptoms only when they appear (episodic treatment) or take daily medication for several months to help prevent outbreaks (suppressive treatment). A doctor or nurse can help you figure out which option is right for you.
Some people notice early warning signs, such as tingling, itching, or a stinging feeling, before an outbreak starts. Taking herpes medicine as soon as these signs appear can sometimes help stop the episode from getting worse.
There’s no way to know exactly when an outbreak will happen. But certain things can make symptoms more likely to return, including:
If you have a question around treatment options for herpes, you can speak with your doctor, or call the Sexual Health Infolink (free call) on 1800 451 624.
Being diagnosed with herpes can bring up a whole range of feelings and everyone’s experience is different. Whatever you’re feeling, it’s important to know that you’re not alone and that support is available.
If you have been diagnosed with herpes and would like information or support, speak with your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional. You can also talk confidentially with a sexual health nurse through Nurse Nettie or contact the Sexual Health Infolink by calling 1800 451 624.
You can also visit the New Zealand Herpes Foundation website for information and support about living with herpes.
