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Herpes simplex - genital - Management
What advice should I give a person with recurrent genital herpes?

  • Explain how episodes usually last up to 10 days and on average people have 4–5 attacks in the first 2 years. Thereafter, attacks reduce in frequency and severity, but there is no cure for genital herpes at present.
  • Reinforce the fact that transmission can occur when there are no symptoms (asymptomatic shedding), but that the risk is higher when symptomatic. Advise the person to:
    • Avoid sex (including orogenital sex) if lesions are present.
    • Use condoms with new or uninfected partners. Explain that condoms cannot completely prevent transmission, due to close skin contact or contact with infected secretions during foreplay.
  • Advise people who are concerned about transmitting genital herpes to long-term partners, that:
    • Partners may already be infected even if they do not have symptoms, and should seek advice from a specialist in genito-urinary medicine for screening.
    • Suppressive treatment may reduce the risk of transmission to uninfected partners, but specialist advice is needed.
  • Reassure that genital herpes is not hereditary, nor does it increase the risk of cervical cancer or infertility.
  • Explain that genital herpes can affect pregnancy, and women should inform a healthcare professional if they become pregnant.
  • Provide written information (patient information leaflets) from the Herpes Viruses Association (HVA) at www.hva.org.uk/pil.html or the Family Planning Association www.fpa.org.uk. Offer people further support from the Herpes Viruses Association's helpline 0845 123 2305 (weekdays) or www.herpes.org.uk.

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