What is it and how is it passed on?

Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus. There are two types of the virus which affect the mouth and nose as cold sores or affect the genital and anal areas.

Some people have one outbreak of herpes, others have repeated outbreaks. Genital herpes is passed on by direct skin contact, mainly during vaginal, oral or anal sex, or sharing sex toys.

There are ways in which you can avoid passing on genital herpes:

• During an outbreak, the blisters and sores are highly infectious. Avoid contact with the infected area of skin at this time or during the warning signs of an outbreak.

• Condoms may help protect against genital herpes, although their effectiveness is unclear as the virus is present on the skin, and the condom only covers the penis so it can't offer complete protection.

It is possible to get herpes simplex by having sex with an infected person who has never had any signs or symptoms.

You can't catch genital herpes from hugging, sharing baths, towels, cups, plates or cutlery, or from toilet seats or swimming pools.

Signs and symptoms

Many people show no signs of the virus. Others don't recognise the symptoms if they're very mild. Symptoms can develop at any time after contact with the virus, but for most people it takes around three to four days.

Symptoms include:

• fluid-filled blisters that burst leaving painful sores

• flu-like symptoms - headache, backache, swollen glands in the groin or fever

• tingling or itching sensation in the genitals or anal area

• pain when passing urine

Left untreated, the symptoms last approximately two to three weeks. Recurrent infections are milder and symptoms clear up more quickly (within a week).

Testing and treatment

Tests for genital herpes shouldn't be painful but they may be uncomfortable. They may include:

• taking a swab from any visible sores

• genital examination by a doctor or nurse

• urine tests

• women may have an internal examination

The virus always remains in the body and no treatment gets rid of it completely. Antiviral tablets can be taken during the first outbreak to ease symptoms and help clear it up. However, these can be less effective if further outbreaks are experienced.

People often experience early warning signs of an outbreak, such as a tingling sensation in the affected area. Self-help measures can prove useful in reducing symptoms or preventing outbreaks, such as:

• avoiding stress

• eating a balanced diet

• cutting down on smoking and drinking

• avoiding direct sunlight on the affected area - including using sunbeds

• avoiding lycra or nylon underwear