genital herpes T h e F a c T s 

P r o t e c t Y o u r s e l f + P r o t e c t Y o u r P a r t n e r 
 

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		

	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 		

	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

P r o t e c t Y o u r s e l f + P r o t e c t Y o u r P a r t n e r 

t H e f a c t s 

•	 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. 
 

 

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	

P r o t e c t Y o u r s e l f + P r o t e c t Y o u r P a r t n e r 

How can I lower my rIsk for ge n Ital Herp es? 

•	 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. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What can I expect to happen if I have genital herpes? 

M e n a n d W o M e n 

•	 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. 

P r e g n a n t W o M e n 

•	 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: 

• You have any symptoms (like an unusual sore). 

• 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. 

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. 
 

 

A message for everyone 

P r o t e c t y o u r s e l f A n d y o u r PA r t n e r . 

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. 

cdc Publication no. 99-8823