I Feel Good. How Can I Have Herpes?

Herpes Simplex can be divided into two main types: Herpes Simplex Virus Type One (HSV I) and Herpes Simplex Virus Type Two (HSV II).

HSV I, more commonly known as Oral Herpes, causes cold sores around the mouth. HSV II, more commonly known as Genital Herpes, causes sores and blisters around the genital area.

The sores caused by both these infections are not exclusive to certain parts of the body. While it is most common for sores caused by HSV I to appear around the mouth and sores caused by HSV II to appear around the genitals, it is possible for HSV I to appear on the groin and HSV II to appear around the mouth.

Most people have a form of the Herpes Simplex Virus. The World Health Organization estimates that 3.7 billion people under the age of 50 (67%) have HSV I, and a further 491 million people aged 15-49 (13%) have HSV II.

The Queensland Government estimates that three-quarters of Australian adults are infected with HSV I, and one in ten adults have HSV II. In addition, these same estimates conclude that women are far more likely to be infected with HSV II than men.

Symptoms of HSV I include:

• Itchy blisters around the mouth
• Pain on chewing and swallowing

Symptoms of HSV II include:

• Blisters that appear on the genitals
• Itching or burning around the genitals or anus
• Burning during sex or urination
• Unexplained penile discharge
• Unusual vaginal discharge

Other, less common, symptoms of both HSV I and HSV II include:

• Headaches
• Swollen glands
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Fever

The first outbreak of a Herpes Simplex Virus infection is usually the worst. Blisters usually take between two days to three weeks to appear after the date of infection. Blisters first form as small bumps, then grow into full blisters until they burst. Someone infected with Herpes Simplex may experience a single blister or several grouped together.

After the initial outbreak, the virus will lay dormant, and the carrier will remain asymptomatic until the next outbreak. Symptoms for recurrent outbreaks are typically shorter in duration and less severe than the first outbreak. Recurrent outbreaks of HSV II can be accompanied by symptoms such as localized genital pain, or tingling or shooting pains in the legs, hips, or buttocks, which occur hours or days before the eruption of lesions.

You can get both forms of Herpes Simplex through contact with sores, mucosal surfaces, genital secretions, and oral secretions.

HSV I is most commonly transmitted through simple skin-to-skin contact, such as shaking hands or kissing. Receiving oral sex from someone with an oral HSV I infection can result in getting a genital HSV I infection.

HSV II is most commonly transmitted through genital contact.

The risk of transmission of HSV I and HSV II is greatest when there is an outbreak, but can also occur during periods of asymptomatic shedding, where the virus travels from the nerve root to the skin but does not cause an outbreak.

While most HSV infections only cause sores, there can be some more serious complications.

HSV II may cause painful ulcers that can be severe and persistent in people with suppressed immune systems, such as those infected with HIV. Genital ulcerative disease makes it easier to transmit and acquire an HIV infection.

Pregnant women with a Herpes Simplex infection can pass on the infection to their child during pregnancy or childbirth. Exposure to Herpes Simplex during pregnancy or childbirth can result in a neonatal herpes infection for the child, which can be fatal.

If you’ve tested positive for Herpes Simplex, or you believe you have Herpes Simplex, you can reduce the risk of transmission by avoiding contact during an outbreak.

There are also antiviral medications that can help suppress the virus and thereby make transmission less likely.

While antiviral medications can prevent or shorten the severity of outbreaks, and reduce the likelihood of transmission to partners, there is no cure for Herpes Simplex.

Herpes Simplex is not a notifiable disease in Australia. However, you may want to inform your current past sexual partners if you’ve received a positive test result so they can get checked too.

You don’t have to have symptoms to have an STI. You could feel fine – perfectly normal – and still be infected.

Don’t leave it to chance. Take action to protect your own health and the health of those around you.

If you think you may have Herpes Simplex, find a sexual health clinic near you and book a test. You can also call 1-800-750-111 to speak to one of Better2Know’s sexual health advisors.