The majority of people with genital herpes experience mild and infrequent symptoms. Some people may experience more frequent and severe recurrent episodes. The risk of transmission from a mother to her baby is greatest for babies born to a woman with first episode genital herpes around the time of delivery. Neonatal herpes is potentially life threatening but occurs very rarely in the UK. Women with recurrent herpes prior to pregnancy are at very low risk of transmitting the infection to their babies.

If you suffer from six or more outbreaks a year suppression treatment may be suitable for you. Suppression treatment is taken everyday and helps to prevent recurrent outbreaks by 70-80% and can sometime prevent outbreaks altogether. Studies also show that outbreaks are milder and shorter than without suppression treatment.

Genital herpes is spread by direct contact with the infectious virus, via unprotected vaginal or anal sex, genital contact or through oral sex with someone who gets cold sores. Genital herpes and cold sores are both very infectious when an infected person has blisters or sores. It is possible for an infected person to transmit the virus when they have no symptoms of infection. The risk of this happening is probably reduced by using condoms.

Always read the patient information leaflet before commencing treatment.

To treat an outbreak of genital herpes take one tablet twice a day for 5 days. For suppression treatment take one tablet once a day.

Aciclovir and Valaciclovir are closely related. Valaciclovir is a prodrug of aciclovir which means that after it is taken, it is converted in the body to aciclovir. The advantage of taking valaciclovir over aciclovir is that it doesn’t have to be taken as frequently as so it is more convenient for the patient to comply with the regime. However, aciclovir is more cost-effective especially for suppression treatment. Both medicines are equally effective for treating genital herpes.

Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Genital herpes is very similar to the herpes that appear on the hands and face ('cold sores'), but is found on or around the penis, anus or vagina. There are two types of herpes virus, HSV-1 and HSV-2. Both types can cause genital herpes. The first episode of infection (primary) with genital herpes is often quite severe. There are blisters and inflammation at the site of infection and the sufferer may feel generally unwell. It is common to have symptoms of burning when passing urine. After the first episode of infection with HSV the virus enters into a dormant phase in the nerve, which supplies feeling to the area where infection occurred. The dormant virus reactivates from time to time to cause recurrences. Some people get symptoms warning them that a recurrence is about to occur, such as itching, tingling or pain in the genital area; blisters or sores may then develop. These tend to be less severe than the symptoms that occurred at the time of the first episode of infection. From time to time the virus may reactivate without causing any symptoms of infection at all.

Cracked, raw, or red areas around your genitals without pain, itching, or tingling Itching or tingling around your genitals or your anal region Small blisters that break open and cause painful sores. These may be on or around your genitals (penis or vagina) or on your buttocks, thighs, or rectal area. More rarely, blisters may occur inside the urethra -- the tube urine passes through on its way out of your body. Pain from urine passing over the sores -- this is especially a problem in women. Headaches Backaches Flu-like symptoms, including fever, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue