Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsGenital Herpes DischargeOther SymptomsWhen to See a ProviderTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Genital Herpes Discharge

Other Symptoms

When to See a Provider

Treatment

Frequently Asked Questions

Genital herpesis a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Not everyone with genital herpes will have symptoms. Some people may get sores and flu-like symptoms if they have genital herpes. In people with a vagina, genital herpes can also cause an unusual discharge.

Learn more about genital herpes discharge, other symptoms of genital herpes, outbreak triggers, when to see a healthcare provider, and treatment options.

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Genital herpes does not cause symptoms in everyone with the infection. Some people with a vagina may develop symptoms, including discharge.

Vaginal Genital Herpes Discharge

Many people with genital herpes do not have symptoms or have symptoms that are barely noticeable. Some people who have genital herpes may get an unusual vaginal discharge.

Vaginal discharge can be healthy and normal. It serves an important function in cleaning the vagina and helping prevent infections from entering the body.

A healthy vaginal discharge can be:

Vaginal discharge can also be a sign of a health problem, like an STI. Vaginal discharge may not be normal if it:

Genital herpes may cause an unusual vaginal discharge that’s smelly.

Genital Herpes in Women

Genital Herpes Discharge From the Penis

Discharge from the penis is unlikely if a person has genital herpes.Other STIs, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, can cause penile discharge. For example, with gonorrhea, penile discharge can be thick and yellow, In chlamydia, discharge from the penis can be milky in color.

Male Genital Herpes Symptoms

Other Genital Herpes Symptoms

People of any sex can have genital herpes and have no symptoms. Sometimes, symptoms develop but are so mild they go unnoticed. They can also be easily mistaken for other conditions.

In people of any sex, symptoms of genital herpes can include:

Sores from genital herpes may appear on the:

What Can Trigger Outbreaks?There is no cure for genital herpes. Some people find that their symptoms come back. Once a person gets the virus, it stays in their body. Repeated outbreaks are usually milder than the first outbreak of genital herpes.There are a number of things that can trigger a genital herpes outbreak, including:Having a weakened immune system (for example, when receiving chemotherapy)MenstruationStressBeing generally unwellHaving surgery on the genital areaExposure to ultraviolet (UV) light (e.g., from the sun or tanning beds)AlcoholSmokingFriction in the genital area from sex or tight clothing

What Can Trigger Outbreaks?

There is no cure for genital herpes. Some people find that their symptoms come back. Once a person gets the virus, it stays in their body. Repeated outbreaks are usually milder than the first outbreak of genital herpes.There are a number of things that can trigger a genital herpes outbreak, including:Having a weakened immune system (for example, when receiving chemotherapy)MenstruationStressBeing generally unwellHaving surgery on the genital areaExposure to ultraviolet (UV) light (e.g., from the sun or tanning beds)AlcoholSmokingFriction in the genital area from sex or tight clothing

There is no cure for genital herpes. Some people find that their symptoms come back. Once a person gets the virus, it stays in their body. Repeated outbreaks are usually milder than the first outbreak of genital herpes.

There are a number of things that can trigger a genital herpes outbreak, including:

When to See a Healthcare Provider

A test for herpes may not come up in conversation or as part of a regular check-up. For this reason, it is important to be upfront and honest with your healthcare provider about any symptoms you have.

If you see a provider, they may recommend testing for herpes. You can be tested for genital herpes through:

How Is Herpes Diagnosed?

There is no cure for genital herpes. Some treatment options are available to manage symptoms and reduce the frequency of outbreaks.

Antiviral medications can help shorten an outbreak of herpes and prevent future outbreaks. Taken daily, they may also help reduce the risk of transmitting the herpes virus to a sexual partner.

Remedies for Genital Herpes

There are some ways to manage genital herpes symptoms, such as:

What to Do If You Have an OutbreakIf you are experiencing a genital herpes outbreak, call your healthcare provider for advice. If they prescribe medication like antivirals, it is important to follow the directions carefully.Take pain relieving medication if you need to and use other strategies to manage your symptoms (for example, avoid wearing synthetic or nylon underwear—cotton underwear is best). You should also avoid sex during symptomatic outbreaks.

What to Do If You Have an Outbreak

If you are experiencing a genital herpes outbreak, call your healthcare provider for advice. If they prescribe medication like antivirals, it is important to follow the directions carefully.Take pain relieving medication if you need to and use other strategies to manage your symptoms (for example, avoid wearing synthetic or nylon underwear—cotton underwear is best). You should also avoid sex during symptomatic outbreaks.

If you are experiencing a genital herpes outbreak, call your healthcare provider for advice. If they prescribe medication like antivirals, it is important to follow the directions carefully.

Take pain relieving medication if you need to and use other strategies to manage your symptoms (for example, avoid wearing synthetic or nylon underwear—cotton underwear is best). You should also avoid sex during symptomatic outbreaks.

Summary

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause a variety of symptoms, but some people do not have symptoms. You may develop sores, flu-like symptoms, and vaginal discharge. A discharge from the penis is unlikely if you have genital herpes, but can occur with other STIs.

A Word From Verywell

If you have symptoms you think could be from genital herpes or another STI, talk to your healthcare provider. They can do tests to find out for sure what is causing your symptoms and make sure you get the right treatment.

Symptoms from the first outbreak of herpes may last from two to four weeks. If herpes symptoms come back, they are often shorter than the first outbreak.Learn MoreFirst Outbreak of Genital Herpes

Symptoms from the first outbreak of herpes may last from two to four weeks. If herpes symptoms come back, they are often shorter than the first outbreak.

Learn MoreFirst Outbreak of Genital Herpes

Vaginal discharge can be normal and healthy. When it’s not normal, it can be a sign of health conditions like:

Learn MoreNormal vs. Abnormal Vaginal Discharge

Not everyone with genital herpes will have symptoms. Some people may experience early symptoms like a tingling or burning sensation in the area where herpes sores will soon appear.Learn MoreStages of Genital Herpes

Not everyone with genital herpes will have symptoms. Some people may experience early symptoms like a tingling or burning sensation in the area where herpes sores will soon appear.

Learn MoreStages of Genital Herpes

12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Planned Parenthood.What Are The Symptoms of Herpes?.Office On Women’s Health.Genital Herpes.Nemours Teens Health.Vaginal Discharge: What’s Normal, What’s Not.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital Herpes.American Academy of Family Physicians.Common Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).Mount Sinai.Genital Herpes.NHS.Genital Herpes.Planned Parenthood.Should I Get Tested for Herpes?Planned Parenthood.How Do I Get Treatment for Herpes?.National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus.Genital Herpes - Self-Care.American Academy of Family Physicians.Genital Problems in Men.Johns Hopkins.Genital Herpes.

12 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Planned Parenthood.What Are The Symptoms of Herpes?.Office On Women’s Health.Genital Herpes.Nemours Teens Health.Vaginal Discharge: What’s Normal, What’s Not.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital Herpes.American Academy of Family Physicians.Common Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).Mount Sinai.Genital Herpes.NHS.Genital Herpes.Planned Parenthood.Should I Get Tested for Herpes?Planned Parenthood.How Do I Get Treatment for Herpes?.National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus.Genital Herpes - Self-Care.American Academy of Family Physicians.Genital Problems in Men.Johns Hopkins.Genital Herpes.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Planned Parenthood.What Are The Symptoms of Herpes?.Office On Women’s Health.Genital Herpes.Nemours Teens Health.Vaginal Discharge: What’s Normal, What’s Not.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital Herpes.American Academy of Family Physicians.Common Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).Mount Sinai.Genital Herpes.NHS.Genital Herpes.Planned Parenthood.Should I Get Tested for Herpes?Planned Parenthood.How Do I Get Treatment for Herpes?.National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus.Genital Herpes - Self-Care.American Academy of Family Physicians.Genital Problems in Men.Johns Hopkins.Genital Herpes.

Planned Parenthood.What Are The Symptoms of Herpes?.

Office On Women’s Health.Genital Herpes.

Nemours Teens Health.Vaginal Discharge: What’s Normal, What’s Not.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital Herpes.

American Academy of Family Physicians.Common Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

Mount Sinai.Genital Herpes.

NHS.Genital Herpes.

Planned Parenthood.Should I Get Tested for Herpes?

Planned Parenthood.How Do I Get Treatment for Herpes?.

National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus.Genital Herpes - Self-Care.

American Academy of Family Physicians.Genital Problems in Men.

Johns Hopkins.Genital Herpes.

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