herpes test

Herpes simplex is a virus that can be transmitted through sexual contact (an STD). You can get this virus around your mouth and around your genitals. In the first case it is called a cold sore and in the second case it is called genital herpes. There are two variants of the virus: type 1 and type 2. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 is more common around the mouth and HSV type 2 is more common around the genitals, but you can get either type on either part of the body. So there is really no difference between a cold sore and genital herpes as an STD.

When you have the herpes simplex virus you don't always get symptoms right away. Most people do not notice anything. If you do get symptoms right away, it is after 2-12 days, the incubation period of herpes. You can also develop symptoms years later. When you contract herpes, the virus hides in a nerve at the spot where you contracted it. You don't feel anything. Your immune system keeps the virus under control. It can also cause an outbreak in that spot. Often this is when your resistance is a little lower, for example when you are under a lot of stress or when you are overtired, sick, just vaccinated or on your period.

An outbreak usually begins with a stinging sensation, tingling and itching. Then you get pain and blisters appear. These blisters burst open and become painful wounds/sores, which become scabs after a while. A herpes outbreak heals by itself in 1 to 3 weeks basically without scars. 

The first outbreak is usually the most severe. In the process, you may also develop fever and muscle aches and feel unwell. 

Herpes is incredibly common in the Netherlands. It is estimated that more than 6 out of 10 people become carriers of herpes in the course of their lives. So it is very normal to have herpes. Most people don't even know they have it, because they never get any symptoms from it. However, you can be contagious without having symptoms! So you can transmit the virus without ever having symptoms yourself. This is one possible explanation for why herpes is so common.

Read the answers to 10 frequently asked questions about genital herpes, cold sores and sex. 

What are the consequences of herpes? 

For most people, herpes is not dangerous. However, it can be very bothersome if you have frequent outbreaks. Do you have more than 6 per year? Then contact your doctor. He or she can give you medication to reduce the number of outbreaks and relieve the severity. You still remain a carrier. 

For people where the immune system does not work properly, however, herpes can be dangerous. These include newborn babies, people who are receiving heavy anti-inflammatories or chemotherapy, or who have a disease of the immune system, such as leukemia or AIDS. Especially for newborn babies, getting herpes is dangerous. Therefore, wash your hands thoroughly if you are going to touch a baby and do not kiss if you have a cold sore. 

If you are in the third trimester of a pregnancy, if you have an outbreak of genital herpes, it is best to discuss it with your doctor, obstetrician or gynecologist immediately.

You can catch herpes if you have sex or kiss with someone who has the virus. Blisters and sores are especially contagious, but carriers of herpes are sometimes contagious even when they have no symptoms. 

That's how you can get herpes or give it to someone else: 

• through sex in the vagina or anus
• via oral sex (sucking, eating, rimming) 
• through kissing
• through the hands (fingering, jerking off) 
• via nude hugging
• via sharing sex toys shortly after each other

Using a condom can often prevent you from getting herpes or giving it to someone else. However, a condom only covers the skin of the penis, so it cannot prevent the spread 100%. In fact, through the skin around the penis, around the vagina, anus and mouth, the herpes virus can also be spread. 

Want to know how to use a condom correctly? Click here. 

The fluid from herpes vesicles and sores is highly contagious. So you can take this into consideration: 

• always wash your hands with soap if you have touched a blister or sore
• avoid having sex if you have an outbreak of genital herpes or feel that an outbreak is imminent
• make sure not to kiss when you have or feel a cold sore coming on
• do not have sex with someone who has blisters or wounds around the mouth, penis, vagina or anus
• don't be sucked or go down on someone with wounds or blisters around the mouth

Good to know: people with herpes are contagious a few days a year even if they have no symptoms. Therefore, it is a good idea to inform your regular partner(s) if you have ever had herpes.

Herpes treatment is usually not necessary. Herpes, unfortunately, cannot be cured. You keep the virus with you for the rest of your life. In other words, you become a carrier. The virus can flare up again and cause an outbreak when your resistance is weakened, but it is also possible that you never get any symptoms. The symptoms in an outbreak go away by themselves. This usually takes 3 weeks for a first outbreak. 

What can you do yourself? 

• keep your resistance as strong as possible with a healthy lifestyle
• take pain medication during an outbreak if you are in pain: up to 4x a day 1000mg (2 tablets) of paracetamol
• put zinc ointment on the blisters/sores, this makes them dry up faster and hurt less, you can buy it at the drugstore/pharmacy without a prescription

Are you suffering a lot? A doctor (for example, your family doctor or the doctors at OneDayClinic) can also prescribe virus inhibitors. These tablets can suppress the virus, making an outbreak a little less severe and shorter. This usually only makes sense if the outbreak started less than 5 days ago. So don't wait too long to make your appointment. In addition, a doctor may prescribe numbing zinc ointment (containing lidocaine). 

Do you have very frequent outbreaks and want daily medication? Then ask your doctor for this. We cannot prescribe this at OneDayClinic. 

It is a good idea to tell your future sex partners that you are a carrier of herpes before having sex with them. After all, there is always a (small) chance that you pass on the virus, even if you have no symptoms. By being open about this and letting your partner decide what to do with this information (consent), you gain each other's trust. This can make for finer sex. And because lots of people carry the virus, the chances are pretty good that your partner already has it, too. 

How do I tell that I have herpes? Here you will find tips and videos for informing your partner(s).