Herpes
Herpes is caused by a virus that lives in nerve endings deep in the skin. In men it causes blisters on lips, in the throat, rectum or on the penis.
Symptoms
Many people who get herpes have symptoms once or never at all. They may be mild (eg, red or broken skin) and be overlooked. Other people now and again get blisters, which often get less frequent and severe over time. Red or itchy skin means a blister is coming. Blisters grow, scab over and then slowly heal.
In men they can appear:
- on the penis or inside the urethra (the pipe inside the penis that urine comes down) causing pain when passing urine
- on the lips or inside the mouth or throat
- on buttocks or tops of thighs or around or inside the rectum causing pain when going to the toilet
How it is transmitted
The virus spreads during skin to skin contact during sex with an infected person. This happens mostly when the blisters, full of infectious liquid, are present. It’s possible, but less likely, for the virus to spread without blisters present. Skin is infectious from just before a blister appears until skin fully heals.
Herpes spreads during sex between men through oral and anal sex without a condom. The virus can also spread on fingers from one part of the body to another (or to someone else’s body).
As a herpes virus causes ‘cold sores’ on the lip, oral sex or rimming with someone with a ‘cold sore’ can lead to genital herpes.
If someone gets herpes symptoms, it doesn’t mean their current partner must have given it them: symptoms can appear months, even years after someone was infected by another partner.
What can I do if I think I have herpes?
You can go to a free and confidential NHS sexual health clinic. You can go to any, not just the nearest. Your local or family doctor (GP) might also test and treat for STIs – if not, they will refer you to a clinic. You can read more about clinics and find your nearest one here.
By law sexual health clinics cannot tell anyone about your visit. But if you are referred by your GP to a clinic they will send a letter to your doctor saying what tests and treatment you had; this will go on your GP records. If you don’t want this to happen it’s better to go straight to the clinic without involving your GP.
Testing
A swab is used to collect a sample from a blister and test for the virus.
In men swabs can be taken from the penis, throat or rectum.
A swab is not painful, but may be uncomfortable for a second or two.
Samples are tested for herpes. A blood test can also confirm herpes infection.
Treatment
Herpes cannot be cured but drugs can prevent blisters and heal them quicker, especially the first time they appear, when they cause most discomfort. Ongoing drug treatment is an option if someone gets blisters often or they are severe. Pain-killing creams or bathing in salt water help with discomfort.
Why get treated?
Most people don’t need medical treatment and manage symptoms themselves. Drug treatment helps with symptoms but also cuts the risk of passing on the virus.
Protect yourself and others
Avoid things that trigger blisters such as lack of sleep, feeling run down, stress or sunbathing.
Don’t have sex if you feel a blister or ‘cold sore’ is starting, if one is present or not yet fully healed. Because the virus can be passed on without blisters present you may want to tell a partner that you sometimes get herpes blisters. They can then decide if they’re happy to take any risk. That way they cannot accuse you of infecting them without them knowing the risk was there.
Using a condom can help stop herpes so long as it acts as a barrier between healthy skin and the skin with the virus or blisters on it. Reducing your numbers of partners and having sexual health checks also lower the risk.
If you’re starting a relationship a sexual health check-up is a good idea, especially if you’re thinking of not using condoms.
This article was last reviewed on: 21/10/11
Date due for next review: 21/10/13
