Signs and Symptoms of Genital Herpes

Although HSV is a very common and contagious virus that can cause blisters and other symptoms, most people with genital herpes do not know they have it.

Only 1 in 3 people with the virus ever develop symptoms, and 2 out of 3 people have such mild symptoms of genital herpes that they’re unaware they have it at all. Additionally, HSV can be spread when there are no visible symptoms, a concept known as asymptomatic shedding. This is what makes the herpes simplex virus so common among sexually-active adults.

The early signs of genital herpes you need to look out for are:

• a skin rash that develops within a week after unprotected sexual contact
• blisters that burst to form erosions (red skin sores)
• headache, fever, tiredness, pain passing urine, or tenderness underneath the skin

Other symptoms may include discharge, swelling or a tingling sensation in the genital area.

Note that herpes rash and lesions look different on different skin tones. If you are uncertain whether or not what you are experiencing is herpes, speak to your doctor.

The genital herpes symptoms you might get after you first contract HSV are usually more uncomfortable and longer-lasting than symptoms from any repeat outbreaks afterwards. This is because it’s your body’s first ‘experience’ with the virus (known as primary infection), and your immune system needs to learn how to recognise and suppress HSV.

Your first genital herpes episode can last anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks, which is longer than a repeat herpes outbreak that typically lasts between 7 to 14 days.

If you do start to get symptoms, we recommend seeing a doctor straight away and getting tested. This is because herpes treatment is more effective when you start it early.

Signs of recurrent genital herpes

Signs of recurrent genital herpes are like your first ever outbreak but milder.

You may start to feel an infection coming on, such as tingling or burning in the genital area followed by bumps, blisters, and ulcers. Recurrent genital herpes symptoms tend to occur at a single site on the body on one side. Fever, aches, and tiredness are symptoms that are less common in recurrent genital herpes.

Though some herpes outbreak symptoms are the same for any sex or gender, there are specific differences in where and how the flare-ups occur.

What are the symptoms of genital herpes in men?

Symptoms of genital herpes in men include:

• tingling in the genital area including the penis, scrotum, anus, bottom, or thighs
• red bumps that form blisters
• blisters that burst to form ulcers (deep skin wounds)

Please note: some symptoms of genital herpes inside the rectum can’t be seen or identified easily.

Early signs of genital herpes in men

Early signs of genital herpes in men may include some flu-like symptoms and you may have:

• tingling, burning, or stinging around the genitals
• swollen glands
• headaches, tiredness, fever, and muscle aches
• discomfort passing urine

What are the symptoms of genital herpes in women?

Symptoms of genital herpes include:

• tingling in the labia, vagina, anus, bottom, or thighs
• red bumps which form blisters
• blisters which form ulcers (deep skin wounds)

Note: some symptoms of genital herpes inside the vagina or rectum may be more difficult to notice.

Early signs of genital herpes in women

Early signs of genital herpes in women may include mild flu-like illness, and you may have:

• changed sensation in the genitals
• swollen glands in the groin, neck, and armpits
• aches in the body
• difficulty or pain when passing urine

If you think you have any symptoms of genital herpes, you should speak to a doctor, and you may want to consider doing an at home genital herpes test or general STI test. A doctor can help confirm or rule out other conditions that may be causing you discomfort. They can recommend the right treatment for you and advise you on what your next steps should be.

Order a home test kit or request fast, effective antiviral treatment for genital herpes without going to a GP or clinic. If you have any questions, you can privately message our doctors through your account, free of charge. All kits and prescribed medications are sent out in discreet, unmarked packaging.

Order a home test kit or request fast, effective antiviral treatment for genital herpes without going to a GP or clinic. If you have any questions, you can privately message our doctors through your account, free of charge. All kits and prescribed medications are sent out in discreet, unmarked packaging.

How often you get herpes outbreaks depends on many factors, such as which type of HSV virus you have and your triggers.

HSV-2 tends to cause an average of 4 to 5 outbreaks per year. The average for HSV-1 is less than 1 outbreak per year.

Herpes outbreaks occur more often in the first year after the first outbreak. After some time, you may find the symptoms you get are milder and happen less often as you get fewer outbreaks.

Genital herpes outbreaks can happen at random, or they can be caused by certain triggers, including:

Symptoms of a herpes outbreak can last a few weeks, but you can lower this time by getting treatment as soon as possible. Repeat genital herpes flare-ups are usually much shorter than your first outbreak.

You may also hear herpes outbreaks referred to in ‘stages’. This refers to the cycle of the lesion development and healing.

Recurrent genital herpes outbreaks typically follow this timeline:

Not everyone experiences each stage. It’s important to bear in mind that you can be infectious at every stage of an outbreak, even if there are no visible blisters.

Yes, there are a number of medications and treatments that can help to reduce the length and severity of herpes outbreak symptoms, and even prevent outbreaks from occurring entirely.

You can also minimise your risk of outbreaks by avoiding and managing triggers where possible.

Genital herpes symptoms can sometimes be painful or uncomfortable. Although there is no permanent cure for HSV, there are several treatment options for genital herpes to help you manage your symptoms.

Antiviral creams and tablets are commonly prescribed to treat herpes. They’re most effective if you take them as soon as your herpes symptoms appear. You should start to feel better within a few days of starting a course of antiviral medicines. Examples of antivirals that can help treat genital herpes are:

• Aciclovir
• Valaciclovir
• Famciclovir

Your doctor will tell you which treatment is most suitable for you based on the type of HSV you have, the severity of your symptoms, and whether it’s a first outbreak or not. They’ll also take any pre-existing health conditions and other medications into consideration, and determine the best course of action if you’re immunocompromised or pregnant.

Other ways to manage your herpes outbreaks include:

• making lifestyle changes to avoid triggers, such as quitting smoking or cutting down on alcohol
• using painkillers or numbing creams to help with discomfort
• washing blisters carefully with salty water
• wearing loose-fitting clothing
• avoiding scented body wash or soap
• abstaining from sex until all blisters have healed over completely

Although symptoms of genital herpes can be unpleasant, it helps to know that you’re not alone, and that outbreaks typically get less frequent and less severe over time. The key to living well with HSV is understanding your symptoms, managing your triggers, and getting the right treatment when you need it.

If you think you may have herpes, it’s a good idea to get tested. A proper diagnosis means you can access effective antiviral treatment, manage future outbreaks, and reduce the risk of passing the virus to a partner. You can absolutely have fulfilling relationships and a healthy sex life with HSV. Open, honest conversations with your partner, along with the right treatment plan, can help you live with HSV confidently.

With ZAVA, you can get effective treatment for genital herpes delivered discreetly to your door. Simply complete a short questionnaire and one of our friendly online doctors will quickly approve the right prescription for you.