Key points at a glance
🦠 Easily transmitted
Herpes can be passed on through direct contact, via mucous membranes, and through droplet and contact transmission.
🧫 Might come back
Herpes viruses remain in the body and can become active again later.
💊 Treating symptoms
Antiviral medicines can shorten the duration of the illness and relieve symptoms.
🤰 Pregnancy
Genital herpes in the final weeks of pregnancy can be dangerous for the newborn.
What is herpes?
Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus, or HSV for short. Many people are familiar with cold sores on the lip. These typically take the form of small, painful blisters that can heal. They may reappear later. Herpes can also affect other parts of the body. It is particularly common in the genital and anal areas. The symptoms can be alleviated. There are also ways to prevent further herpes outbreaks.
Infection and transmission
Herpes is easily transmitted. The risk of infection is particularly high if you come into direct contact with blisters or sores. This can happen when kissing or having sex. Manual stimulation and shared sex toys can also play a part.
Transmission is also possible via droplets or contact transmission, for example when coughing, sneezing or through a shared glass.
Herpes can be passed on even if there are no visible symptoms. The viruses can be transmitted via mucous membranes, such as those in the mouth or the vagina. They can also be spread from one part of the body to another via the hands.
As long as blisters or sores are visible, herpes is definitely contagious. Once the blisters have scabbed over and no new ones appear, the risk of transmission decreases significantly. Even after the scab has fallen off, small amounts of the virus may still be shed.
Herpes can be passed on to the newborn during childbirth. This can be life-threatening for the baby.
Protection and prevention
Many people in Germany already carry the herpes virus in their bodies. It is therefore particularly important to avoid outbreaks wherever possible, prevent the virus from spreading to other parts of the body, and alleviate symptoms.
There is no sure way to protect yourself against herpes. Avoid direct contact with herpes blisters or sores. This also applies to your own. This helps, for example, to prevent the virus from spreading from the lips to the eyes. If you have touched blisters or sores, you should wash your hands thoroughly.
Condoms and Femidoms can only reduce the risk during sex to a limited extent. They do not cover all the areas where herpes can occur. Furthermore, the virus can be transmitted via the fingers. Transmission is also possible through kissing, caressing, licking or other sexual practices.
If genital herpes develops in the final weeks of pregnancy, a caesarean section is recommended to protect the newborn.
There is no vaccine against herpes simplex viruses.
To prevent new outbreaks of herpes, getting enough sleep, taking regular exercise, eating a balanced diet and keeping stress to a minimum can help. Looking after your lips is also important. In strong sunlight, it may be a good idea to use a lip balm with a suitable sun protection factor.
When the first signs of a herpes outbreak appear, antiviral medication should be taken as early as possible.
Herpes: Symptoms and consequences
A first herpes infection may be completely asymptomatic. However, the typical blisters may also appear. Some people also experience a fever, chills or swollen lymph nodes.
The small blisters are filled with a watery fluid and are also known as cold sores. After a few days, they develop into flat ulcers. These usually heal within two to three weeks.
Herpes occurs particularly frequently on the lips or in the genital area. Other areas of the skin may also be affected. These include the thighs, buttocks, inside of the nose, cheeks and earlobes. In young children, an initial infection may affect the mouth. This form is also known as „cold sores“.
Genital herpes can occur on the labia majora and labia minora, the cervix, the glans, the foreskin or the shaft of the penis. The anal area may also be affected. Possible symptoms include difficulty passing water or bloody discharge from the anus.
Once the sores have healed, the herpes viruses remain in the body. They lie dormant in certain nerve cells and can become active again later. Triggers can include a cold or other infectious diseases. Intense sunlight, sunburn, stress, menstruation, pregnancy, other hormonal changes or injuries can also contribute to a new outbreak.
A new herpes outbreak is often preceded by a tingling sensation, a feeling of tightness, itching, reddened skin or a burning sensation. Blisters may then appear again. These burst after a few days, leaving flat, painful sores. They usually heal within about two weeks.
Herpes can be painful, but it is not usually dangerous. Sometimes the sores become infected with bacteria as well. In such cases, the symptoms may be more severe or last longer.
If the eye is affected, vision may be impaired. In cases of atopic dermatitis or psoriasis, larger areas of skin may be affected. In rare cases, herpes can also affect internal organs, the nervous system or the brain. In people with a weakened immune system – for example, as a result of chemotherapy or following an organ transplant – herpes usually takes a more severe course.
Diagnosing herpes
Herpes can usually be recognised by its typical symptoms and visible changes. Doctors can therefore often make a diagnosis simply by looking at the affected area.
In some cases, additional examinations under a microscope or blood tests may be advisable.
Treating herpes
In the case of a minor herpes outbreak, it may be sufficient to treat the affected area with moisturising or drying agents.
Antiviral creams available from pharmacies can relieve symptoms and shorten the duration of the illness. It is crucial to start using them as soon as possible, ideally at the first sign of symptoms.
In severe cases, antiviral medicines are administered as tablets or via a drip. They are usually given over several days. If herpes recurs very frequently, long-term preventive treatment with low-dose antiviral medicines may also be considered.
You can usually treat cold sores yourself using antiviral creams available from the chemist. You should seek medical advice if you experience cold sores several times a year or if they last for more than two weeks. This also applies if you develop a fever or other complications.
If you have genital herpes or herpes near your eyes, you should also seek medical treatment.
Herpes and HIV
Herpes sores on mucous membranes can increase the risk of HIV infection if protective measures are not taken. Inflammation makes it easier for HIV to enter the body. Areas that may be affected include, for example, the vagina, labia, glans, foreskin, bowel and mouth.
In the case of an untreated HIV infection, cold sores and herpes ulcers can contain large amounts of HIV. This can increase the risk of HIV transmission if protective measures are not taken.
If the immune system is weakened, herpes may recur more frequently. Unusual or severe courses of the disease are also possible. This can be the case, for example, with an untreated, advanced HIV infection.
If herpes sores persist for longer than a month in people with HIV, this may be classified as AIDS. This also applies if herpes simplex causes bronchitis, pneumonia or inflammation of the oesophagus. AIDS can be reversed with HIV medication.
Herpes during pregnancy
During pregnancy, hormonal changes can cause herpes viruses to become active again.
If herpes occurs during pregnancy, the infection should be treated by a doctor. It can be dangerous for the baby.
Genital herpes is particularly important during the final weeks of pregnancy. In such cases, a caesarean section is recommended for pregnant women. This is to prevent the baby from becoming infected in the birth canal during delivery. A herpes infection in newborns is associated with a high mortality rate.
Even if you have had genital herpes in the past, it is essential that you tell your doctor about it.
Frequently asked questions
How is herpes transmitted?
Herpes can be transmitted through direct contact with blisters or sores. Infection is also possible via mucous membranes, hands, sex toys, as well as through droplets and smear infections.
What symptoms can herpes cause?
Typical symptoms include small blisters, which may later develop into flat ulcers. When a flare-up recurs, the first symptoms are often a tingling sensation, itching, a burning sensation or a feeling of tightness.
Can herpes keep coming back?
Yes. Herpes viruses remain in the body after infection and can become active again later. Triggers can include, for example, stress, infections, strong sunlight or hormonal changes.
How is herpes treated?
Antiviral creams can relieve symptoms and shorten the duration of the illness. In severe cases, antiviral medicines may be administered as tablets or via a drip.
When should I seek medical advice about herpes?
If you have genital herpes or herpes near your eyes, you should seek medical treatment. This also applies if the herpes flares up frequently, lasts for more than two weeks, or is accompanied by a fever or other complications.
