• Herpes
• Vaginal Changes
• Cold Sores
• STDs
• Sexual Health

Genital Herpes Stages

Medically reviewed and edited by Dr. Anthony Puopolo

Getting the right information is crucial if you've contracted herpes or are concerned about the risks. Herpes is treatable, so it's essential to educate yourself about your medical options.

In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that there were 572,000 new cases of genital herpes in the United States each year, and about 1 in 6 (16.67%) Americans have had a herpes infection. Find additional information about STD testing on LifeMD.

This article discusses what genital herpes is, its five stages, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and how to prevent it.

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What is Genital Herpes?

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is commonly identified by its red bumps and white blisters around the genital region.

In 2016, the World Health Organization estimated that about 3.7 million people younger than 50 had HSV-1, and around 491 million people aged 15 to 49 had HSV-2.

Genital herpes is caused by the two types of herpes simplex virus (HSV):

• HSV-1 (Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1) typically causes cold sores, but it may also cause genital herpes.

• HSV-2 (Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2) usually causes genital herpes, but it may also cause cold sores.

However, this disease involves much more than just a visible outbreak. The virus is found in bodily fluids, such as saliva, semen, and vaginal secretions.

What are the Symptoms of Genital Herpes?

For any individual, Genital Herpes symptoms may include the following:

• Possible blisters in the mouth, on the lips, parts of the face, and anywhere else that came into contact with an area of infection.

• Many people with this condition start to feel itching, tingling, or burning in the affected area before they get blisters on the skin.

• The blisters may become open sores and ooze fluid if they aren't treated.

• A crust may form over the sores within a week of the outbreak.

• The lymph glands in your body may become swollen. Lymph glands are small bean-shaped structures that are part of the body's immune system. They stop things from getting into the lymphatic fluid and contain white blood cells that help the body fight diseases.

• A person may get headaches, body aches, or fever.

• There may be pain during urination.

For men, Herpes symptoms can include blisters around their:

• Penis

• Scrotum

• Buttocks

For women, Herpes symptoms can include blisters around their:

• Vagina

• Anus

• Buttocks

Women can also experience an unususual vaginal discharge.

What is vaginal discharge?

The way a woman's body gets rid of fluid and cells is through vaginal discharge.

The amount, consistency, and appearance of vaginal discharge (e.g. pink, brown) will differ from person to person and will depend on:

• Menstrual cycle

• Hormones

• Pregnancy

• Infections

Vaginal discharge is made up of fluids from the uterus, cervix, and vagina.

Diagnosis of Genital Herpes

Your doctor may be able to tell if you have genital herpes just by looking at any visible sores that are there.

They can also take a sample from the sores and have it tested. If there are no sores, a blood test may be done to look for HSV antibodies.

It's important to discuss herpes testing and other STIs with your healthcare provider in a way that is both honest and transparent.

The herpes blood test can help you find out if you have the virus or not. However, the test can't tell you who you contracted the virus from, or when it was transmitted.

Understanding the 5 Stages of Genital Herpes

It’s difficult to predict the onset of a genital herpes outbreak, but symptoms typically start showing themselves around two to 12 days after infection. Genital herpes is a complex disease that is categorized by five distinct phases:

• Herpes Stage 1 - Primary Infection Stage: Early stages of genital herpes often begin with symptoms commonly associated with the flu, like point pain, fever and headache.

• Herpes Stage 2 - Latent Stage: During the latent stage of herpes, you enjoy being symptom free. However, it's important to remember that you are still infected with the virus despite having no symptoms.

• Herpes Stage 3 - Prodrome Stage: Many people with herpes experience recurrent outbreaks after their primary infection.

• Herpes Stage 4 - Blister Stage (which has its own five stages): Herpes blisters begin as small red bumps that eventually fill with fluid. They may resemble other common skin conditions like pimples, ingrown hairs and jock itch, but they're far more contagious.

• Herpes Stage 5 - Healing Stage: You may notice red or irrited skin after the scabs fall off. It's important to continue to protect these areas until the healing stage is complete.

Being able to recognize these 5 genital herpes outbreak stages can give you the upper hand in taking care of the infection. In the next section, we'll cover in more detail what the stages entail.

How Can You Get Genital Herpes?

Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STI). It is spread mainly through unprotected oral, anal, or genital sex with someone who already has the virus or infection.

It is most commonly spread when the infected person has an active outbreak with open, oozing blisters.

As soon as the virus has made contact with you, it spreads through the body's mucous membrane. These are thin layers of tissue found around openings in the body such as your nose, mouth, and genitals.

The virus then invades the cells in your body and reprograms them to start producing more viruses. It also camouflages itself so that your body can’t fight it off with your immune system.

What is the Best Treatment for Genital Herpes Outbreaks?

While there's no cure for the herpes simplex virus, symptoms and flare-ups can be managed with effective treatment.

There are antiviral medicines for genital herpes infections, which can:

• Shorten outbreaks

• Relieve discomfort

• Stop symptoms from getting worse

The most important thing you can do is speak to a doctor about getting tested and starting a treatment strategy.

Proper management can give you a sense of control and provide physical and mental relief from genital herpes outbreaks.

Which drugs are used to treat herpes outbreaks?

Treatment for genital herpes outbreaks are usually done through oral antiviral medication. There are three main types of drugs that are used to treat the symptoms of genital herpes:

• Acyclovir (Zovirax)

• Famciclovir (Famvir)

• Valacyclovir (Valtrex)

These are all taken in pill form. In extreme cases, Acyclovir (Zovirax) can also be administered via an intravenous (IV).

Three Types of Treatment for Genital Herpes

How Can I Prevent Genital Herpes?

Even though you can contract the herpes simplex virus without having sex, most people get it through sexual contact with a person who has genital herpes sores.

If you're concerned about contracting herpes, you can protect yourself and others by following these steps:

• Practice monogamy or limit the number of sexual partners you have.

• If you have multiple sexual partners, always use protection, such as condoms and dental dams.

• Get tested for STIs and ask your partner to get tested for STIs.

• Go for regular checkups with your doctor and finish any treatment that is prescribed.

• Tell your sexual partners as soon as you find out you have genital herpes so they can get tested as well.

• Make sure to wash your hands often if you or your partner has an outbreak.

If your sexual partner has genital herpes, these steps can help you avoid getting the virus:

• Don't have sex with your partner when they have symptoms. Condoms may not cover all sores, so you may still get the herpes virus.

• Make sure your partner takes antiviral medicine as prescribed.

• Wait until the scabs fall off before having sex.

How Do I Get More Information About Herpes?

Genital herpes is one of the more common STIs. However, it’s important to speak with a doctor and get tested right away if you think you have contracted it.

This is especially important as symptoms are not always immediately noticeable.

Even though there’s no cure, antiviral treatments can keep the number of outbreaks and the severity of genital herpes symptoms to a minimum.

For more information or medical advice, visit LifeMD to meet with a U.S based, board-certified doctor.

Dr. Anthony Puopolo

Dr. Puopolo holds a B.A. in Biology from Tufts University, M.A. in Biology from Boston University, and Doctor of Medicine from the Boston University School of Medicine. He also completed a Family Medicine and Psychiatry residency program in the U.S. Army.

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