How do you catch genital herpes and is there a cure? 

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It is a common cause of genital sores in England. There are 2 subtypes:  

• HSV-1, which primarily causes cold sores but can also cause genital infections  
• HSV-2, which is almost exclusively associated with genital infection  

Many people who carry the virus have no symptoms at all, so it's entirely possible to have it without knowing. While diagnoses of many  STIs decreased between 2024 and 2025, there was an overall increase of 3.1% in genital herpes. 

How do you catch genital herpes? 

Genital herpes is passed on through skin-to-skin contact with an infected area, including during vaginal, anal and oral sex. It can also be transmitted when there are no visible blisters or sores, by a cold sore touching the genitals, or by transferring the virus from someone else's skin via the fingers. You can get genital herpes if you receive oral sex from a partner with oral herpes. 

You can pass the virus on even when you have no symptoms at all, although this risk is higher in the first 6 months after infection and becomes rare after 2 years. 

Can you get genital herpes without having sex? 

Genital herpes is passed on by skin-to-skin contact, through touching or rubbing – this means it can be passed on without having penetrative sex. You cannot catch herpes from towels, swimming pools, saunas or toilet seats as you need to touch someone’s skin to catch genital herpes.  

What are the symptoms? 

Symptoms include:  

• small blisters that burst to leave red, open sores around the genitals, anus, thighs or bottom (which may appear less red on brown or black skin) 
• a tingling, burning or itching sensation 
• pain when urinating, and unusual discharge 

You can see photos of genital herpes sores on the NHS website. 

How long does it take for symptoms to appear? 

Symptoms might not appear for weeks or even years after infection, so if you're worried, it's worth getting checked even if you haven't had sex recently. 

How can I stop the spread if I catch herpes? 

Genital herpes is very easy to pass on from the first time you feel a tingle on your skin that signals a new episode (even before any blisters appear) right through until sores have fully healed. During an episode, don’t touch your blisters or sores unless you're applying anti-viral cream, and make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before and after. You should avoid vaginal, anal or oral sex until the sores have completely gone away. 

Is there a cure? 

There's no cure for genital herpes. Once you have the virus, it stays in your body, lying dormant in a nearby nerve. It doesn't spread through your body, but it can cause recurring episodes of blisters in the same area. Over time, episodes typically become less frequent and less severe - and some people never experience them at all. 

How is genital herpes treated? 

While there's no cure, treatment can help. If it's your first episode, antiviral medicine prescribed within 5 days of symptoms appearing can prevent them from getting worse. For recurrent episodes, antivirals can shorten the duration by a day or two if taken as soon as symptoms appear. People who have more than 6 episodes a year may benefit from taking antiviral medicine continuously for 6 to 12 months. 

During an episode, you can ease discomfort at home by keeping the area clean with plain or salt water, applying a wrapped ice pack, and using petroleum jelly or a painkilling cream to reduce pain when urinating. 

What should I do if I think I have genital herpes? 

Visit a sexual health clinic as soon as possible. Many offer a walk-in service and can get results faster than a GP practice. A doctor or nurse will ask about your symptoms and take a small swab from a blister or sore for testing. The test can't be carried out if there are no visible sores, and it can't tell you how long you've had the infection or who you got it from. 

Is genital herpes a concern during pregnancy? 

If you've had genital herpes before pregnancy, you can usually expect a healthy pregnancy and vaginal delivery. However, if you experience an episode at the time of birth, or contract genital herpes for the first time during pregnancy - particularly in the final 6 weeks - there is a risk of neonatal herpes, a serious condition for newborns. You'll be offered antiviral treatment from around week 32 of pregnancy to reduce this risk. If you think you may have genital herpes during pregnancy, speak to your midwife or GP promptly. 

What is UKHSA's role in dealing with genital herpes? 

The UK Health Security Agency plays a central role in monitoring and responding to genital herpes and STIs more broadly across England.  

In 2024, UKHSA published the STI Prioritisation Framework, an evidence-based tool designed to help local areas make informed decisions about how to allocate finite resources for STI prevention and control. We continue to support local teams in applying this framework effectively. 

Our goal is to ensure that robust, up-to-date evidence reaches both the public and healthcare professionals, so that genital herpes - and STIs generally - are managed as effectively as possible across the country. 

Where can I get more information or support?  

The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV has a genital herpes patient information leaflet that provides further information about testing and treatment of genital herpes. The Herpes Viruses Association is a patient support group that helps and advises people with herpes infection.