Healthier Scotland. Scottish Government

Genital herpes symptoms and how it's caught

Symptoms of genital herpes

The first symptoms of genital herpes may include some itching, tingling, inflammation and discomfort in the affected area.

You can also experience general flu-like symptoms such as a backache, headache and a temperature, and mild swelling of the lymph glands in the groin, armpits and neck.

You may then develop multiple spots or red bumps around the genital area. These can be very painful. In time, these swellings can break open and form sores or ulcers which gradually crust over, forming new skin as they heal.

During this time, you may also feel pain when peeing or when going for a poo.

If you think you or your partner may be infected with genital herpes, you should get tested.

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When do symptoms of genital herpes show up?

It usually takes between two and twelve days after contact with the virus for the first symptoms of genital herpes to appear.

Occasionally symptoms can appear years after initial contact. Some people exposed to the virus never become infected, while others catch herpes but never have any symptoms.

Once you have picked up the infection, the virus stays in your body. It can lie dormant for long periods but can reactivate in the area that was originally infected.

If the virus reactivates, the sores and blisters can reappear. This is known as a ‘recurrent episode’ of genital herpes.

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How long do symptoms of genital herpes usually last?

This first episode of genital herpes may last from two to four weeks. Repeated episodes are not usually as severe as the first and you may never have a repeat episode.

How is genital herpes caught?

Many people who have and pass on the virus may not even know they have herpes. You usually catch genital herpes through direct skin contact with herpes sores in the genital area, or herpes sores on the mouth in the form of cold sores.

It can be passed on by kissing, vaginal and anal sex (genital contact), oral sex (mouth to genital contact) and sharing sex toys.

Sometimes you can catch herpes even when your sexual partner has no visible sores or symptoms. This is because the virus can become active on the skin without causing any visible symptoms - this is known as ‘viral shedding’.

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Genital herpes and pregnancy

The herpes virus does not affect fertility in women or men.

If a woman is infected with genital herpes before becoming pregnant, there is very little risk to the baby as the mother will already have antibodies to pass on that will stop the baby getting ill.

However, the mother may be given antiviral medication to prevent an episode when giving birth - you should discuss this with your doctor or midwife.

It can be more serious if the mother is infected with genital herpes for the first time during pregnancy. If this happens in the first 3 months of pregnancy, there is a small risk of miscarriage.

If the first infection happens in the last 10 to 12 weeks of pregnancy, there is a small risk the herpes virus can be passed on to the baby. In this case, the mother may need to have a Caesarean section to avoid infecting the baby.

Read more about sexual health and pregnancy

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