Herpes
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2 are sexually transmitted infections that cause painful blisters on the genitals and mouth.
There are some people who get HSV-1 from sharing drinks with family or friends who have active mouth lesions.
Herpes is considered a permanent STI, meaning we can treat the symptoms but we cannot cure it. This causes understandable stress and anxiety for patients.
Symptoms
Herpes presents as clusters of painful blisters on and around the genitals. The first outbreak is typically the worst.
Testing
Herpes is diagnosed by swabbing the open blisters for testing. It can take a few days to come back, so treatment is started with suspicion that the blisters are herpes.
There is technically a blood test to test for HSV-1 and HSV-2. This is not a test we recommend routinely, especially if you have never had symptoms. While it is an option, about 50% of the time the blood work will come back positive and it's a false positive. There is no way to know whether it is a real positive or a false positive. Once the blood test comes back positive, we treat you as having HSV.
The best, most accurate way to test for HSV is to swab the lesions while having symptoms.
When Did I Get It?
Another difficult part of HSV diagnosis is the unknown of when you may have contracted HSV. Unless you've only ever had one partner, you could have been exposed to HSV at any point in your life. HSV is a virus that could be in your system for years without symptoms and then pop up one day. There is no way your provider can tell you where it came from.
Outbreaks
Herpes outbreaks are unpredictable. You may have one and never have another. You may have outbreaks every time you're sick or once a month. There is no way to predict how often you will have outbreaks.
Treatment
Treatment with the initial outbreak is an antiviral twice a day for 10 days.
Going forward, you have two options for treatment. You can take antiviral medication every day to hopefully prevent any further outbreaks. You also have the option to take the antiviral medication only when you have symptoms. Either option is appropriate and a choice you get to decide.
There is no medication to take as a preventative medication to prevent you from contracting HSV from another person.
Preventing Transmission
To prevent the spread of HSV, we recommend not having sex while you're having symptoms of an HSV outbreak. The risk of transmission to another person when you're not having symptoms is low. It is even lower if you're not having symptoms and taking daily suppression.
Learn More About STI Testing
This article is part of Haven Health Education, where we explain sexually transmitted infections and the importance of routine STI testing so you can make informed decisions about your reproductive health.
Herpes Testing and Treatment in Greensboro and Across North Carolina
If you are experiencing symptoms of herpes or have questions about HSV testing, Haven Health provides confidential, judgment-free STI care in Greensboro, North Carolina and by telehealth across the state.
Many patients have questions about how herpes is diagnosed, the difference between swab testing and blood work, and how to manage outbreaks. Haven Health offers testing, treatment, and education so you can understand your options and reduce transmission risk.
Patients from Greensboro, High Point, Jamestown, Oak Ridge, Summerfield, Kernersville, and surrounding Guilford County communities visit Haven Health for compassionate STI care.
If you live anywhere in Winston-Salem, Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, Asheville, Wilmington, or anywhere in NC, you can meet with a provider virtually to discuss symptoms and testing, and we can send you orders for testing to be completed at a lab near you.
Haven Health provides patient-centered, evidence-based STI care both in person and online across North Carolina.