Medical history and exam by a doctor. Transmittal of life-threatening systemic herpes to a newborn infant from an infected mother. Secondary bacterial infection. Genital herpes may increase the risk of cervical cancer. During symptom-free periods, the virus returns to its dormant state.
Symptoms recur when the virus is reactivated.
Recurrent symptoms are not new infections. The discomfort varies from person to person and from time to time in the same person. The first herpes infection is often much more uncomfortable than following ones. To reduce pain during urination, women may urinate in a shower or through a tubular device, such as a toilet-paper roll or plastic cup with the end cut out or pour a cup of warm water over genitals while urinating. Warm baths with a tablespoon of salt added can ease discomfort.