genital herpes

THE FACTS

• Genital herpes (JEN i tell / HER pees) is a 

sexually transmitted virus.

• Genital herpes is common in both men and 

women in the U.S. 

• Most people who have genital herpes don’t 

know it. There are often no symptoms.

• If you have symptoms, the most common ones 

are painful blisters and sores.

• You can pass genital herpes to others without 

knowing it. 

• There is no cure for genital herpes, but there are 

treatments for the symptoms. 

• Genital herpes does not usually cause serious 

health problems.

PROTECT YOURSELF + PROTECT YOUR PARTNER
PROTECT YOURSELF + PROTECT YOUR PARTNER

HOW CAN I LOWER MY RISK FOR GENITAL HERPES? 

• The surest way to prevent genital herpes is not to have sex or 

to have sex only with someone who’s not infected and who 

has sex only with you.

• Condoms can reduce your risk of getting genital herpes if 

used the right way every single time you have sex. 

But a condom protects only the area of the body 

that it covers. Areas the condom doesn’t cover can become 

infected.

• Washing the genitals, urinating, or douching after sex will not 

prevent any sexually transmitted disease (STD).

HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF I HAVE GENITAL HERPES?

Ask a doctor. Blood tests may help determine if you have 

genital herpes.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF 

GENITAL HERPES? 

Genital herpes often doesn’t cause any symptoms. If you do have

symptoms, you might notice:

• Painful blisters or sores on or around the genitals or anus. 

These sores typically heal within two to four weeks.

• Feeling like you have the flu when the sores are present.

• Sores that come back several times within a year. The presence 

of the sores is called an outbreak.

There are two types of genital herpes virus—HSV1 and HSV2. 

Both types can cause sores or blisters on or around the genitals. 

HSV1 can also cause sores on the mouth or lips, which are called 

fever blisters.
HOW DOES SOMEONE GET GENITAL HERPES?

• You can get genital herpes by having sex with someone who 

has it. “Having sex” means having anal, oral, or vaginal sex.

• You can also get genital herpes if your genitals touch the 

infected skin or secretions (like saliva through oral sex) of 

someone who has it.

• You can get genital herpes even if your partner shows no 

signs of the infection.

MEN AND WOMEN

• You can expect to have several outbreaks 

(usually four or five) a year. Over time you 

can expect to have fewer outbreaks.

• You have a higher chance of getting an HIV 

infection if you have unprotected sex with a 

partner living with HIV.

• Knowing that you have genital herpes may 

make you feel worried or sad. Talk with a 

doctor about your concerns.

PREGNANT WOMEN

• In rare cases, you could pass the 

infection to your baby.

• If you have active genital herpes when 

you go into labor, the doctor may do a 

cesarean delivery (“C-section”).

• Be sure to tell your doctor if you or 

your partner has genital herpes.

WHEN SHOULD I BE TESTED?

You should be tested for genital herpes if:

• Your partner has genital herpes or symptoms that might be 

genital herpes.

IF I HAVE GENITAL HERPES, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN 

FOR MY PARTNER?

• Your partner may have genital herpes, too.

• Be sure to tell your recent sex partners, so they can go to their 

doctors to be evaluated and maybe treated.

• Avoid having sex with an uninfected partner when you have 

visible sores or other symptoms.

• Be aware that even if you don’t have symptoms, you can still 

infect your partner.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO HAPPEN IF I HAVE GENITAL HERPES?
CAN GENITAL HERPES BE TREATED? 

• There is no cure for genital herpes, but there are treatments 

for its symptoms.

• Some medicines can prevent the blisters or make them go 

away faster. 

• If you have several outbreaks in a year, a treatment called daily 

suppressive therapy can reduce your chance of passing the 

infection to your sex partners.

CS263043

A MESSAGE FOR EVERYONE

PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR PARTNER.

Always see a doctor if your partner is being treated for 

genital herpes. Also see the doctor if you or your sex 

partner notice any symptoms, such as an unusual sore.

If you have genital herpes, you should be tested for other 

STDs. Be sure to tell your recent sex partners, so they can 

get tested too. Talk openly and honestly with your partner 

about genital herpes and other STDs.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

• Talk to your doctor.

• Call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

• Visit www.cdc.gov/std/herpes.