Cold sores: Overview

Also known as fever blisters or herpes simplex labialis

What is a cold sore?

A cold sore is a small blister or group of blisters that usually develop on the lip or around the mouth. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

If you get cold sores, you’re not alone. More than half of Americans ages 14 to 49 carry the virus that causes cold sores. The virus stays in the body after the cold sores clear. If the virus reactivates, or wakes up, you may get cold sores again.



Cold sores are generally not serious. In healthy people, cold sores tend to clear within 2 weeks.

If you have a cold sore, however, you can spread the virus to others who don’t have the virus. Even when you treat cold sores, you can still spread the virus to others. You are contagious until all the sores have scabbed over.

By taking the following precautions until all of the sores have scabs, you can avoid infecting others:

• Don’t kiss people, especially children.
• Avoid other intimate contact.
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has a weakened immune system, including newborn babies.
• Don’t share personal items like lip balm, towels, or razors.
• Don’t share beverages or food.
• Try not to touch your cold sores.
• If you touch a cold sore or apply medicine to it, wash your hands immediately afterward.
• Wash your hands frequently throughout the day.

These precautions are especially important if you are around a child who has eczema or someone who has a weakened immune system. If that person catches the virus, it can be very serious.

References

American Academy of Dermatology. “.” News release issued April 15, 2015.

Fatahzadeh M and Schwartz RA. “Human herpes simplex virus infections: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis, and management.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;57(5):737-63.

Cold sores: Signs and symptoms

Not everyone who catches the virus that causes cold sores has signs or symptoms. If you do, your signs and symptoms will depend on whether you:

• Just caught the virus (newly infected)
• Have had the virus for some time

The following explains what signs and symptoms develop — and when.

Newly infected

Most people catch the virus when they are a child. Not every child who catches the virus, however, has symptoms. If symptoms occur, the child usually feels sick and has one or more of the following:

• A burning sensation in the mouth, followed by painful mouth sores, which can form on the tongue, gums, lips, or throat
• Sore throat
• Pain when swallowing
• Swollen lymph nodes (glands)
• Fever
• Aches and pains
• Headache
• Nausea

These symptoms last from 1 to 2 weeks.

It’s rare for adults to catch this virus. It’s so common and spreads so easily that most people get it in childhood.

If you catch the virus as an adult, you may or may not have signs and symptoms. If you do, you’ll have the same signs and symptoms as newly infected children. Adults often say they feel like they have the flu and have painful sores inside their mouth.

Have had the virus for some time

After you get infected, the virus travels to your nerves and stay there until it reawakens. Even if you never have symptoms, the virus will still travel to your nerves. Because there is currently no cure, the virus lives inside your body permanently.

Even with the virus inside your body, you may never get a cold sore. Some people, however, get cold sores from time to time.

If you get cold sores from time to time, the outbreak tends to be less severe than when you were newly infected. The signs and symptoms also differ.

If you get cold sores, you’ll usually have the following signs and symptoms:

1. Warnings symptoms begin: A day or two before you get a cold sore, you may feel one or more of the following on your skin where a cold sore will appear.
   • Burning
   • Itching
   • Stinging
   • Tingling and the skin feels a little numb
   • Throbbing

Some people who have these warning symptoms never get cold sores.

Medicine, which you can buy without a prescription, can shorten how long you have cold sores. You need to apply it at the first sign of a cold sore.

2. Cold sores appear: One or more painful, fluid-filled blisters appear. These usually form on your lips or around your mouth. They can also appear elsewhere on your face.
   
   
   
   If you have a sore near an eye, you should see an eye doctor immediately. The virus can spread to the eyes. Warning signs that this has happened include your eyes becoming sensitive to light or feeling painful. Your eyes may also feel gritty or runny.
   
   
   
   If any of these symptoms develop, you need immediate medical treatment. Without treatment, your eyesight could be affected.
   
   
   
   Sometimes, blisters appear elsewhere. They can appear on a hand or in the genital area. This can happen when you spread the virus from your mouth to other areas by touching a cold sore and then touching another part of your body.
   
   
   
   You can avoid spreading the virus to other parts of your body by not touching another part of your body after touching a cold sore. Washing your hands after touching a cold sore can also help prevent spreading the virus to other parts of your body.

You can avoid spreading the virus to other parts of your body by always washing your hands after touching your cold sores.

3. Sores crust over. Within 48 hours of the warning symptoms, cold sores usually break open. They will ooze fluid and then crust over (form scabs).
   
   
   
   In healthy people, most cold sores disappear within 5 to 15 days. They often heal without leaving a scar.

If you have cold sores for longer than 15 days, you should see your primary care doctor or dermatologist. Some people need treatment to get rid of cold sores.

Image 1: Used with permission of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2007;57:737-63.)

Images 3 and 4: Thinkstock

References

Fatahzadeh M and Schwartz RA. “Human herpes simplex virus infections: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis, and management.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;57(5):737-63.

Habif T, Campbell J, Chapman M, et al. In: Dermatology DDxDeck. 2006. Mosby Elsevier. Card #63: Herpes simplex (cold sores, fever blisters).

Marques AR and Strauss SE, “Herpes simplex.” In: Bolognia JL, et al. Dermatology. (second edition). Mosby Elsevier, Spain, 2008:1873-5.

Cold sores: Who gets and causes

Who gets cold sores?

The virus that causes cold sores is very contagious, so many people get cold sores.

In the United States, people usually get this virus when they are a child. Getting kissed by someone who has a cold sore is often how a child catches the virus.

A child can also get the virus by eating from the same fork or spoon as someone who has a cold sore or sharing a towel with a person who has a cold sore.

Adults also catch the virus. That’s why it’s so important for everyone who has a cold sore not to kiss people or have intimate contact until the cold sore forms a scab. To prevent infecting others, it’s also important to stop sharing personal items like towels and razors until the cold sores form scabs.

What causes cold sores?

A virus causes cold sores. Most cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). More than half of Americans ages 14 to 49 carry this virus.

Once you get the virus that causes cold sores, you have it for life. After the sores clear, the virus travels to your nerves, where it stays unless it reawakens.

After getting infected, some people never get a cold sore. Others see some cold sores, but then develop antibodies to the virus and never get another cold sore. It’s also possible to get cold sores throughout your life.

Outbreaks tend to occur less often after 35 years of age.

If you get cold sores, it’s likely that something triggers the virus to wake up. The following can be a trigger:

• Stress
• Fatigue
• Illness, such as a cold, fever, or flu
• Injury, such as a cut, to the area where you have had cold sores
• Dental work
• Cosmetic surgery or laser treatment
• Strong sunlight
• Certain foods
• Hormonal changes, such as getting your period

What triggers cold sores in one person may not trigger them in another person.

Image used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.

Reference

Fatahzadeh M and Schwartz RA. “Human herpes simplex virus infections: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis, and management.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;57(5):737-63.

Cold sores: Diagnosis, treatment, and outcome

How do dermatologists diagnose cold sores?

A dermatologist can often diagnose a cold sore by looking at it.

Your dermatologist may also swab a cold sore. Fluid from the sore can be examined to find out if you have a herpes virus called the herpes simplex virus (HSV). This is the virus that causes cold sores.

How do dermatologists treat cold sores?

To treat cold sores, a dermatologist may prescribe:

Antiviral medication: Cold sores are caused by a virus, so antiviral medications are used to treat them. Your dermatologist may prescribe medication that you:

• Apply directly to the sores, such as docosanol cream or acyclovir cream
• Take by mouth, such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir

For someone who has a serious outbreak and cannot get relief from the above, a dermatologist may prescribe an antiviral medication that you receive through an IV, such as foscarnet or cidofovir. You’ll be closely watched if one of these medications is necessary.

If you get cold sores often and have a weak immune system, your dermatologist may prescribe a prescription cream called penciclovir. It can reduce the time that you have cold sores. To work, you need to apply it to the skin with the first symptoms of a cold sore, such as burning or tingling.

Pain medication: If you have a lot of pain, your dermatologist may prescribe a medication that you apply to the sores, such as lidocaine.

Sunscreen: While the sores are healing, it’s important to protect them from the sun. A lip balm with an SPF of 30 or higher and broad-spectrum protection can help protect your lips. Worn year round, this lip balm may help prevent new cold sores.

Treating cold sores has benefits. Treatment can shorten your outbreak. It may even prevent you from getting a cold sore if you start treatment at the first sign of a cold sore (a tingling or burning sensation on your skin).

Treatment can also reduce your risk of spreading the virus to others.

Treatment is highly recommended if you get a cold sore and have:

• (usually begins in childhood and is often called eczema)
• Sores near your eyes
• A lot of cold sores
• A lot of pain
• Sores that spread to another part of your body, such as your hands or genitals
• HIV, AIDS, cancer, or another disease that weakens your immune system
• Cancer and are getting chemotherapy
• To take medication that suppresses your immune system, such as medicine to control severe psoriasis or prevent organ rejection
• Cold sores frequently
• An outbreak that lasts more than 2 weeks

It’s important to treat cold sores if you have any of the above because the cold sores may not go away without treatment. Left untreated, the virus that causes cold sores can spread to other parts of your body. Some people develop another illness and become very sick.

If you’re healthy, you can treat cold sores on your own. Find out what dermatologists recommend at .

What is the outcome for someone who has cold sores?

Cold sores cannot be cured. Some people get the virus and have just one outbreak. Others continue to get cold sores.

If you get cold sores several times a year, tell your dermatologist. A prescription antiviral medicine may help. Taking this medicine at the start of a cold-sore outbreak can shorten the amount of time you have cold sores. Some people who get cold sores frequently take this medicine every day. Taken daily, it can help prevent outbreaks of cold sores.

Reference

Fatahzadeh M and Schwartz RA. “Human herpes simplex virus infections: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis, and management.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;57(5):737-63.

Cold sores: Tips for managing

If you have a cold sore, you’ll want to watch this video. In less than 3 minutes, you’ll learn how a cold sore differs from a canker sore. Yes, they are different. You’ll also get tips for treating cold sores at home and hear from a dermatologist about how you can prevent infecting others with the virus that causes cold sores.

Dermatologists’ tips for treating cold sores at home

Although most cold sores heal on their own, there are things you can do to help lessen the symptoms. This is what dermatologists tell their patients:

• To reduce the time that you have a cold sore: At the first sign of a cold sore, gently apply an antiviral cold sore medicine. You can buy some without a prescription. Look for a product that contains docosanol or benzyl alcohol.

• To lessen pain, burning, or itch: Place ice on the cold sore or suck on ice chips. You can also apply a non-prescription gel or ointment that can help relieve pain. These usually contain either benzocaine, lidocaine, dibucaine, or benzyl alcohol.

• To lessen the pain: Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

• To avoid pain caused by foods: Some foods can cause burning if they touch a cold sore. You can avoid this by not eating foods that contain acid, such as tomatoes and citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits. Avoiding foods that are salty or spicy can also help.

• To minimize redness and irritation: Place a clean, cold, wet towel on the sores for 5 to 10 minutes a few times a day.

• To avoid dry, cracked skin: Gently apply petroleum jelly to the sores and surrounding skin.

When to see a dermatologist

Some people need help to clear cold sores. You should see your primary care doctor or dermatologist if you:

• Have
• Have a weakened immune system because you take a medicine that suppresses your immune system or have a disease that weakens your immune system
• Have a cold sore close to one (or both) eyes
• Get cold sores several times a year
• Still have cold sores after 15 days

Treatment can help you feel better and prevent complications. You can find out how dermatologists diagnose and treat cold sores at .

Reference

Fatahzadeh M and Schwartz RA. “Human herpes simplex virus infections: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis, and management.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;57(5):737-63.

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Genital herpes: Overview

What is genital herpes?

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It’s caused by the herpes simplex virus.

Anyone who is sexually active can catch this virus. Many people who catch the virus never know they have it because they don’t develop symptoms. They never get painful sores.

If genital sores develop, the outbreaks tend to be worse during the first year. Some people have 4 or more outbreaks within a year. In time, the outbreaks usually become less frequent. They may even stop.

If you have genital sores and your partner doesn’t, you should not have sex while you have sores — and for a few days after the sores clear. When you have herpes sores, you can easily infect your partner. The virus can be passed through oral, anal, or vaginal sex.

Even when you don’t have sores, you can still infect your partner. Wearing a condom when you don’t have sores helps prevent spreading the virus to your partner.

Higher risk of getting HIV

If you have genital herpes and have sex while you have sores, you increase your risk of getting HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). This virus can easily get inside your body through a herpes sore.

Myths about genital herpes

You may have heard that people who have genital herpes also have a higher risk of getting cancer. That’s not true. Genital herpes doesn’t increase your risk of getting any type of cancer.

Another popular myth is that you can catch genital herpes from a toilet seat. If the virus gets on a toilet seat, it cannot live long enough to infect you. To survive, the virus must be inside the human body.

Living with genital herpes

Because there is no cure for genital herpes, it is a lifelong infection. If you have outbreaks, medication can reduce symptoms. Taking precautions can reduce the risk of spreading the virus to a partner who doesn’t have genital herpes.

References

Centers for Disease Control. “.” Last accessed December 19, 2016.

Fatahzadeh M and Schwartz RA. “Human herpes simplex virus infections: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis, and management.” J Am Acad Dermatol 2007; 57:737-63.

Marques AR, Straus SE, “Herpes simplex.” In: Wolff K, Goldsmith LA, et al. Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine (seventh edition). McGraw Hill Medical, New York, 2008: 1199-1204.

Genital herpes: Signs and symptoms

Many people who have genital herpes never notice any signs or symptoms.

A mild case can cause a few herpes sores that are often mistaken for pimples or ingrown hairs. Because genital herpes often causes no symptoms or very mild ones, most people who have genital herpes don’t know they have it.

If you’re concerned that you or your partner could have genital herpes, here’s what you may notice:

The first outbreak

This usually occurs within 2 days to 3 weeks after having sex with someone who has genital herpes. The person doesn’t have to have sores to infect you.

The first thing you may notice is flu-like symptoms:

• Headache
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Swollen lymph nodes, especially in your groin
• Muscle pains

Some people say they feel tingling or an itch around their genitals or anus. This can last for up to 24 hours.

You may also notice a patch of red, swollen skin on or around your genitals or anus. Sometimes, this patch develops on the thigh or buttocks. If this appears, you may see:

• Small blisters form on the patch.
• The blisters break open, leaving painful sores.
• The sores scab and completely heal, usually within 2 to 6 weeks.

Most people develop only a few sores, but some people have widespread blisters and sores.

If you touch the sores, immediately wash your hands. This helps to prevent the virus from spreading to other parts of your body. If the virus gets in (or near) an eye, it can cause serious problems.

During the first outbreak, some people also notice that they have pain or difficulty when urinating.

If you have HIV

Genital herpes is very common in people who have HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). If you have HIV and get genital herpes, outbreaks can be severe. You may need medicine to get rid of the sores. You’re also more likely to develop complications, such as meningitis or an inability to empty your bladder.

Repeat outbreaks

The virus that causes genital herpes never leaves your body. After the first outbreak, the virus moves to nearby nerves where it sleeps. You may never have another outbreak. It’s also possible that the virus will wake up, causing outbreaks from time to time.

Repeat outbreaks tend to be less severe than the first outbreak, and the sores clear more quickly.

Anyone can have repeat outbreaks, but you’re more likely to have them if you:

• Are a man
• Have a weakened immune system
• Had a first outbreak that lasted longer than 34 days

If you get repeat outbreaks, these are most likely to occur during the first year. Your body will build up an immunity to the virus, provided you have a healthy immune system. As your immunity builds, the outbreaks should become less frequent. They may even eventually stop.

Repeat outbreaks are usually brought on by a trigger. Common triggers for genital herpes include stress, fatigue, illness, sex, and surgery. For some women, getting their period is a trigger.

During repeat outbreaks, some people notice that they develop warning signs, which tell them where the sores will appear. These warning signs include pain, tingling, itching, or a burning sensation. Warning signs can last for 24 hours.

Treatment can shorten how long you have an outbreak and reduce symptoms.

Genital herpes: Who gets and causes

Who gets genital herpes?

Any sexually active person can get genital herpes. It’s very common. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about 1 in 6 people in the United States who are 14 to 49 years old has genital herpes.

Many people who have genital herpes don’t know it because they never develop symptoms. This makes genital herpes easy to spread.

While it’s easy to get infected, some people have a higher risk of getting genital herpes. Women are more likely to get infected during sex. People who have many sexual partners also have a higher risk.

Anyone who has a weakened immune system also has a higher risk. People can have a weakened immune system for many reasons. Medication is one reason. Medications that weaken the immune system include those taken to prevent losing a transplanted organ and some that control severe psoriasis.

Genital herpes and HIV

Having a disease like HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) also weakens the immune system. If you already have HIV and get genital herpes, you can develop serious problems. People who have HIV and think they may have genital herpes should see their healthcare provider.

What causes genital herpes?

The causes genital herpes.

This virus generally spreads during sex. You can get it by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has genital herpes. If your sexual partner has a cold sore and performs oral sex on you, you can also get genital herpes this way.

The virus that causes genital herpes lives in herpes sores and genital fluids. When the sores clear, the virus travels to the nerves where it sleeps.

If something triggers the virus, it travels back to the skin or genitals. Stress, fatigue, and surgery are common triggers that can wake up the virus.

When on the surface of the skin (or genitals), the virus may not cause sores or any symptoms. Even though you cannot see anything, a virus on the surface of the skin (or genitals) could be shedding some of its cells.

If you have sex with someone who has genital herpes while the virus is shedding cells, you could get genital herpes. That’s why people who have genital herpes should always wear a condom during sex if their partner doesn’t have genital herpes.

References

Centers for Disease Control. “.” Last accessed December 19, 2016.

Fatahzadeh M and Schwartz RA. “Human herpes simplex virus infections: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis, and management.” J Am Acad Dermatol 2007; 57:737-63.

Marques AR, Straus SE, “Herpes simplex.” In: Wolff K, Goldsmith LA, et al. Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine (seventh edition). McGraw Hill Medical, New York, 2008: 1199-1204.

Additional related resources

Genital herpes: Diagnosis, treatment, and outcome

How is genital herpes diagnosed?

If you have a herpes sore, your dermatologist can often diagnose you by looking at the sore and taking a swab from the sore. A lab test can tell whether the sore contains the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which is what causes genital herpes.

If you don’t have a sore or any symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) doesn’t recommend testing for most people. You can learn whether you should be tested if you don’t have symptoms at:

(Centers for Disease Control)

How is genital herpes treated?

There is no cure for genital herpes, but treatment can help. Self-care can relieve symptoms and help sores heal. Medicine can shorten an outbreak and also relieve symptoms.

Self-care for genital herpes

Dermatologists recommend the following self-care tips for their patients who have an outbreak:

• Keep sores clean and dry.
• Wear loose-fitting cotton underwear.
• If an area feels painful, place a cold compress on it.
• To cleanse and sooth painful sores, reduce itchiness, or decrease tenderness, take an Epsom salts bath. You want to soak for 10 to 20 minutes.

Medicine for genital herpes

To treat genital herpes, your dermatologist may prescribe one of these antiviral medicines:

• Acyclovir (ā-sike-low-veer)
• Famciclovir (fam-see-clo-veer)
• Penciclovir (pen-sike-low-veer)
• Valacyclovir (val-ā-sike-low veer)

Taking medicine is recommended for anyone who has a weakened immune system. With a weakened immune system, your body will likely need help to get rid of sores and symptoms. Without medicine, sores may not clear and symptoms can linger. You should continue taking the medicine until all sores have completely healed.

Medicine works best when started within 24 hours of getting a herpes sore.

If one of the medicines listed above fails to bring relief, you may need another medicine. For a severe infection, getting acyclovir through an IV may be necessary. Other antiviral medicines may also be an option.

Antiviral medicine can be taken daily

For some people, taking an antiviral medicine every day works best because they have:

• Frequent outbreaks
• A partner who doesn’t have the virus

Frequent outbreaks

Even if you treat an outbreak, you can have new outbreaks. Some people have several outbreaks a year. If you have 6 or more outbreaks a year, your dermatologist (or other doctor) may recommend taking an antiviral medicine every day.

Taken daily, this medicine can reduce how often you have an outbreak. Studies show it’s safe to take daily and can reduce outbreaks by 70% to 80%.

A partner who doesn’t have the virus

If your partner doesn’t have the virus that causes genital herpes, taking an antiviral medicine every day can decrease the risk of passing the virus to your sexual partner.

Even when taking medicine, you can still give your partner the virus. You can reduce this risk by skipping sex when you have sores and wearing a condom when you don’t.

If you decide to take medicine daily, you’ll likely take it every day for at least 1 year. At the end of 1 year, your dermatologist (or other doctor) should re-evaluate you to see if you still need to take an antiviral every day.

What is life like for someone who has genital herpes?

The virus that causes genital herpes stays inside your body forever. While many people carry this virus, some don’t know that they have it because they never have an outbreak.

If you have an outbreak, taking an antiviral medicine can shorten the outbreak and relieve symptoms. Some people have several outbreaks. For most people, the outbreaks become less severe and occur less often with time.

Anyone who has been infected with the virus, however, can spread the virus to others during sex. Even if you never have an outbreak, you can still spread the virus.

References

Centers for Disease Control. “.” Last accessed December 19, 2016.

Fatahzadeh M and Schwartz RA. “Human herpes simplex virus infections: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis, and management.” J Am Acad Dermatol 2007; 57:737-63.

Madkan V Sra K, et al. “Human herpesviruses.” In: Bolognia JL, et al. Dermatology. (second edition). Mosby Elsevier, Spain, 2008:1075-6.

Marques AR, Straus SE, “Herpes simplex.” In: Wolff K, Goldsmith LA, et al. Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine (seventh edition). McGraw Hill Medical, New York, 2008: 1199-1204.

US Preventive Task Force. “Serologic screening for genital herpes infection: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.” JAMA. 2016; 316(23):2525-30.

Genital herpes: What you should know about sex and pregnancy

People diagnosed with genital herpes often want to know if they can have:

• Sex
• Healthy children

The answer to both questions is “yes,” but you’ll need to take some precautions.

How to prevent spreading herpes to your partner

If you have genital herpes and your partner doesn’t, you can spread the virus that causes it to your partner during sex. For this reason, dermatologists recommend the following:

Tell your partner you have genital herpes

Explain that there is a risk that you can give your partner the virus that causes genital herpes. Be sure your partner knows that the following can reduce this risk:

• Skipping sex when you have sores: To avoid giving your partner genital herpes, it’s recommended that you skip all sexual contact while you have sores and for 1 or 2 days after the sores clear. If your partner’s skin or genitals touches a herpes sore, your partner can easily catch the virus.

• Using a condom when you’re free of sores: Even when you don’t have sores, it’s possible to spread the virus to your partner. When the virus isn’t active, it travels from your skin (or genitals) to nearby nerve cells.
  
  
  
  A trigger can wake up this virus at any time. Common triggers include stress, illness, and surgery. If the virus wakes up, it travels back to your skin (or genitals).
  
  
  
  Sometimes, when the virus wakes up, you won’t have any sores or symptoms. During these times, you won’t even know that the virus is on your skin (or genitals). It’s during these times that you can spread it to your partner. Condoms help reduce this risk.

Taking an antiviral medicine every day can also reduce the risk of spreading the virus to your partner. Research shows that if one partner in a relationship has genital herpes and takes an antiviral medicine every day, the medicine can reduce the risk of spreading the virus to the other partner. This research study looked at heterosexual couples who had healthy immune systems.

Even when taking an antiviral every day, a condom must be used every time you have sex.

If taking an antiviral every day interests you, you should talk with your primary care doctor or dermatologist. Women may want to see their OB/GYN.

How genital herpes can affect your pregnancy

If you have genital herpes, it’s possible to spread the virus to your baby. A woman can spread it to her baby while she is:

• Pregnant
• Giving birth
• Taking care of her newborn

If the baby gets the virus while in the womb, the mother may have a miscarriage or deliver the baby too early, causing the baby to be premature.

When the baby catches the virus during birth — or shortly thereafter, this can be deadly for the baby. Be sure your OB/GYN knows that you have genital herpes so that precautions can be taken.

What to tell your OB/GYN

It’s vital for your OB/GYN to know if you:

• Have genital herpes, even if you haven’t had sores or symptoms for a long time
• Don’t have genital herpes but are having sex with someone who does

Taking precautions can prevent your baby from getting the virus.

Living with genital herpes

While there is currently no cure for genital herpes, medicine and self-care can reduce outbreaks.

References

Centers for Disease Control. “.” Last accessed December 19, 2016.

Madkan V Sra K, et al. “Human herpesviruses.” In: Bolognia JL, et al. Dermatology. (second edition). Mosby Elsevier, Spain, 2008:1075-6.

Marques AR, Straus SE, “Herpes simplex.” In: Wolff K, Goldsmith LA, et al. Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine (seventh edition). McGraw Hill Medical, New York, 2008: 1199-1204.

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