Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsGenital Herpes DischargeOther SymptomsOther CausesWhen to Seek Medical CareDiagnosisTreatmentA Word From VerywellFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Genital Herpes Discharge
Other Symptoms
Other Causes
When to Seek Medical Care
Diagnosis
Treatment
A Word From Verywell
Frequently Asked Questions
This article covers the types of genital herpes discharge, other genital herpes symptoms, other possible reasons for genital discharge, when to see a healthcare provider, and diagnosis and treatment of genital herpes.
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There are two types of genital herpes discharge: vaginal discharge and penile discharge.
Vaginal Discharge
Vaginal discharge is common. The fluid the vagina normally secretes keeps the area safe from infection and clean. It should be clear, sticky, and have a mild and mostly neutral scent.
If vaginal discharge has a noticeably unpleasant smell, especially if sores are also present, then an STI test likely is necessary.
Penile Discharge
Penile discharge or discharge from sores on the penis are signs of genital herpes. This discharge will likely have a strong smell, and soreness and pain while urinating might also occur.
Precum, which is a liquid that is produced during sexual arousal, is also normal. Younger people with penises produce more precum than older people.
Other Genital Herpes Symptoms
Other Possible Reasons for Discharge With an Odor
Genital discharge with a strong smell could also mean the following:
Vaginal discharge with a strong odor could also be a sign of:
Penile discharge with a strong smell might also be a sign of:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If genital discharge has a strong smell, and especially if your condition also includes sores or bumps and pain urinating, it’s likely time to take an STI test.
Herpes Risk FactorsRisk factors for herpes include:Genital or genital-oral contact with an infected person (whether or not they are aware they have the virus)Sexual contact with a person experiencing an outbreakSexual contact with a person who has herpes with regular outbreaks but does not take medication to suppress the virusNot using a condom correctly or not covering up all sores and bumps with a condomMore than one sexual partner at the same timeIf someone already has the herpes simplex virus in their system, risk factors for repeated infections include:StressA compromised immune systemSmoking and alcohol useMenstrual cyclesSurgery on the genitals
Herpes Risk Factors
Risk factors for herpes include:Genital or genital-oral contact with an infected person (whether or not they are aware they have the virus)Sexual contact with a person experiencing an outbreakSexual contact with a person who has herpes with regular outbreaks but does not take medication to suppress the virusNot using a condom correctly or not covering up all sores and bumps with a condomMore than one sexual partner at the same timeIf someone already has the herpes simplex virus in their system, risk factors for repeated infections include:StressA compromised immune systemSmoking and alcohol useMenstrual cyclesSurgery on the genitals
Risk factors for herpes include:
If someone already has the herpes simplex virus in their system, risk factors for repeated infections include:
A healthcare provider can diagnose genital herpes in one of these three ways:
Even during a first genital herpes outbreak, it is important to get treated with antiviral medications, even for mild cases. The risk of regular outbreaks in the future is higher with a longer or more difficult first outbreak. In rare cases, untreated herpes can cause brain disorders.
Pregnant people who get herpes are also at risk forhepatitis,which is an inflammation of the liver. If a pregnant person is diagnosed with hepatitis and fever but does not have herpes sores, it is advised to get tested.
Three commonly prescribed antiviral medications for herpes are:
There are three ways antivirals for herpes are prescribed:
First-episode:At the onset of an outbreak to shorten its duration, usually three times a day for a week to 10 days.
Episodic: Antiviral medications are taken whenever an outbreak appears. This requires one to two pills a day for one to five days, depending on the medication and dose.
To manage an outbreak with or without medication, it can also help to:
Summary
While an odd smell from genital discharge can seem embarrassing, it is also highly treatable. Note, though, that an abnormal discharge can be a sign of other diseases or infections. Therefore, seeing a healthcare provider is vital to get the correct diagnosis and treatment.
Frequently Asked QuestionsSymptoms usually appear about two to 20 days after the first contact with the virus. Genital herpes outbreaks can disappear on their own, but a first outbreak can mean two to four weeks of herpes sores. After the first outbreak, future outbreaks are usually milder and shorter, though having a compromised immune system can make them worse.Learn MoreEffective Treatments for HerpesA herpes outbreak can include symptoms like a smelly discharge from the genitals; sores or blisters around the anus, mouth, or anus; flu-like symptoms, pain while urinating, and tingling and itching around the genitals. These symptoms can appear two to 20 days after contact with someone who had the virus.Learn MoreA Guide to Regular STI ScreeningsHerpes discharge is not likely to be clumpy, but it is likely to have an unpleasant smell and possibly appear with other symptoms, like sores and pain urinating. Clumpy discharge is more likely to be a sign of a yeast (likethrush) or a bacterial STI like chlamydia or gonorrhea, which can be treated with antibiotics.Learn MoreThe Most Common Sexually Transmitted Infections
Symptoms usually appear about two to 20 days after the first contact with the virus. Genital herpes outbreaks can disappear on their own, but a first outbreak can mean two to four weeks of herpes sores. After the first outbreak, future outbreaks are usually milder and shorter, though having a compromised immune system can make them worse.Learn MoreEffective Treatments for Herpes
Symptoms usually appear about two to 20 days after the first contact with the virus. Genital herpes outbreaks can disappear on their own, but a first outbreak can mean two to four weeks of herpes sores. After the first outbreak, future outbreaks are usually milder and shorter, though having a compromised immune system can make them worse.
Learn MoreEffective Treatments for Herpes
A herpes outbreak can include symptoms like a smelly discharge from the genitals; sores or blisters around the anus, mouth, or anus; flu-like symptoms, pain while urinating, and tingling and itching around the genitals. These symptoms can appear two to 20 days after contact with someone who had the virus.Learn MoreA Guide to Regular STI Screenings
A herpes outbreak can include symptoms like a smelly discharge from the genitals; sores or blisters around the anus, mouth, or anus; flu-like symptoms, pain while urinating, and tingling and itching around the genitals. These symptoms can appear two to 20 days after contact with someone who had the virus.
Learn MoreA Guide to Regular STI Screenings
Herpes discharge is not likely to be clumpy, but it is likely to have an unpleasant smell and possibly appear with other symptoms, like sores and pain urinating. Clumpy discharge is more likely to be a sign of a yeast (likethrush) or a bacterial STI like chlamydia or gonorrhea, which can be treated with antibiotics.Learn MoreThe Most Common Sexually Transmitted Infections
Herpes discharge is not likely to be clumpy, but it is likely to have an unpleasant smell and possibly appear with other symptoms, like sores and pain urinating. Clumpy discharge is more likely to be a sign of a yeast (likethrush) or a bacterial STI like chlamydia or gonorrhea, which can be treated with antibiotics.
Learn MoreThe Most Common Sexually Transmitted Infections
19 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.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes – CDC basic fact sheet.NHS.Vaginal discharge.New York State Department of Health.Herpes II (genital herpes).Queensland Government.Penis discharge.NHS.Why is my penis smelly and sore?Planned Parenthood.What’s that bump?!National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne.NHS.Genital herpes.NHS.Bacterial vaginosis.Willems HME, Ahmed SS, Liu J, Xu Z, Peters BM.Vulvovaginal candidiasis: A current understanding and burning questions.J Fungi (Basel). 2020;6(1). doi:10.3390/jof6010027NHS.Trichomoniasis.NHS.Chlamydia.NHS.Gonorrhoea.MedlinePlus.Urethritis.MedlinePlus.Prostatitis - bacterial.National Human Genome Research Institute.Antibody.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes – CDC detailed fact sheet.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes.Planned Parenthood.What are the symptoms of herpes?
19 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.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes – CDC basic fact sheet.NHS.Vaginal discharge.New York State Department of Health.Herpes II (genital herpes).Queensland Government.Penis discharge.NHS.Why is my penis smelly and sore?Planned Parenthood.What’s that bump?!National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne.NHS.Genital herpes.NHS.Bacterial vaginosis.Willems HME, Ahmed SS, Liu J, Xu Z, Peters BM.Vulvovaginal candidiasis: A current understanding and burning questions.J Fungi (Basel). 2020;6(1). doi:10.3390/jof6010027NHS.Trichomoniasis.NHS.Chlamydia.NHS.Gonorrhoea.MedlinePlus.Urethritis.MedlinePlus.Prostatitis - bacterial.National Human Genome Research Institute.Antibody.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes – CDC detailed fact sheet.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes.Planned Parenthood.What are the symptoms of 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.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes – CDC basic fact sheet.NHS.Vaginal discharge.New York State Department of Health.Herpes II (genital herpes).Queensland Government.Penis discharge.NHS.Why is my penis smelly and sore?Planned Parenthood.What’s that bump?!National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne.NHS.Genital herpes.NHS.Bacterial vaginosis.Willems HME, Ahmed SS, Liu J, Xu Z, Peters BM.Vulvovaginal candidiasis: A current understanding and burning questions.J Fungi (Basel). 2020;6(1). doi:10.3390/jof6010027NHS.Trichomoniasis.NHS.Chlamydia.NHS.Gonorrhoea.MedlinePlus.Urethritis.MedlinePlus.Prostatitis - bacterial.National Human Genome Research Institute.Antibody.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes – CDC detailed fact sheet.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes.Planned Parenthood.What are the symptoms of herpes?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes – CDC basic fact sheet.
NHS.Vaginal discharge.
New York State Department of Health.Herpes II (genital herpes).
Queensland Government.Penis discharge.
NHS.Why is my penis smelly and sore?
Planned Parenthood.What’s that bump?!
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne.
NHS.Genital herpes.
NHS.Bacterial vaginosis.
Willems HME, Ahmed SS, Liu J, Xu Z, Peters BM.Vulvovaginal candidiasis: A current understanding and burning questions.J Fungi (Basel). 2020;6(1). doi:10.3390/jof6010027
NHS.Trichomoniasis.
NHS.Chlamydia.
NHS.Gonorrhoea.
MedlinePlus.Urethritis.
MedlinePlus.Prostatitis - bacterial.
National Human Genome Research Institute.Antibody.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes – CDC detailed fact sheet.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes.
Planned Parenthood.What are the symptoms of herpes?
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