faq2

Symptoms and course of infection

Is it possible to have and/or transmit genital herpes without knowing it?

A large number of cases of genital herpes (up to 80%) are never diagnosed. In other words, people can be infected on or near the genitals with the herpes simplex virus, but there are either no symptoms, or the symptoms are mistaken for something else. Many cases of herpes don't show up as the classical pattern of blisters and sores described in textbooks. There may instead be a mild itch, which might be mistaken for thrush, tiny blisters, mistaken for pimples or ingrown hairs, or a rash, mistaken for a dermatological condition. There are many other possible scenarios. In other words, it is very common for people to have genital herpes without knowing it.
In all cases of genital herpes (even the ones with no symptoms), it is possible to pass on the condition to sexual partners. The virus is most easily passed on from active blisters or sores during outbreaks, but even when there are no symptoms, the virus may still be shed from the genital area. Unfortunately, when this happens there is no way of knowing.
This probably explains why many people contract herpes without ever knowingly having sex with someone with the condition, and why even those couples with one affected partner who are very careful not to have sex during outbreaks may end up both developing the condition.

Will the symptoms get better?

For most people who develop genital herpes, the first outbreak is the worst. For those who have never been infected with either strain of the herpes simplex virus before (that is, they haven't had cold sores previously) there is often a generalised illness with a fever, lethargy and swollen glands. When symptoms appear on the genitals for the first time, they are likely to cause significantly more discomfort and last several days longer than in future episodes. (This is also true for people who have had cold sores previously.)
For many people, the first and most serious outbreak of genital herpes is the only one they ever experience. However the usual pattern is for further episodes to occur, with gradually decreasing frequency and severity.