Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsOther Herpes SymptomsOther CausesTalking to Your ProviderRisks of Not TreatingTreatment and Prevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Other Herpes Symptoms
Other Causes
Talking to Your Provider
Risks of Not Treating
Treatment and Prevention
Abnormal discharge from the penis or vagina is one of the possible signs ofgenital herpes. If you have herpes or anothersexually transmitted infection(STI), you might notice more discharge than usual or discharge that’s a different color or consistency. It can also have an odd or fishy smell.
This article will go over what herpes discharge looks like, what the other symptoms of herpes are, and what to do if you think you may have a herpes infection.
How Common Is Herpes?Roughly 67% of people under age 50 worldwide have HSV-1 infections, and about 13% have HSV-2 infections.
How Common Is Herpes?
Roughly 67% of people under age 50 worldwide have HSV-1 infections, and about 13% have HSV-2 infections.
What Does a Herpes Rash Look Like?
Herpes Discharge Symptoms
Thesymptomsof HSV-1 infection includeclusters of blisters, which can ooze fluid. This fluid can be bloody or whiteish in color.
In addition to discharge from the blisters, herpes can also cause vaginal or penile discharge.
Does Genital Herpes Discharge Smell?
Herpes Vaginal Discharge
In people with a vagina, an infection in the genital area can lead to changes in vaginal discharge.Normal dischargeis clear and milky and does not have a smell. The color or texture of your discharge can vary during your menstrual cycle, but the following changes can be signs that you have an infection:
Infectionslike herpes can affect the natural balance of your vaginal fluid. If you notice any changes, see your healthcare provider to get checked out and treated.
Vaginal Discharge Color Guide
Herpes Penile Discharge
It can be hard to notice changes in normal lubricating fluids since male genitals are more self-contained than female genitals. Often,discharge from the penisis only noticeable during pre-ejaculation orejaculation.
If the usual fluids start to smell or you notice changes in texture and color, see your healthcare provider.
Changes in the color or texture of genital discharge may not be that noticeable, so it’s important to watch for other herpes symptoms like red clusters of blisters,itching, burning, and pain in the genital area. Othersymptomsthat come on during a flare-up:
The first herpes infection is usually the most severe in terms of symptoms. Subsequent infections are usually less severe.
Herpes on Penis and Other HSV Symptoms in Men
Other Causes of Discharge
There are a number of other conditions that can cause discharge from the vagina or penis that are not herpes. In some cases, discharge is normal and healthy.
Causes of vaginal dischargeinclude:
Causes of penile dischargeinclude:
Talking With Your Healthcare Provider
Talking about changes in your genital health can be uncomfortable. These topics are often considered private and there is also astigmaassociated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that makes people less likely to talk openly about them—even with their healthcare providers.
While you might be able to manage herpes outbreaks on your own once you know that you have it, you should call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms like:
These can be symptoms of a more severe infection or inflammation in the membrane around the brain (meningitis).
Risks of Untreated Herpes
Herpes is a virus that will stay in your body for the rest of your life once you are infected with it. You won’t always have symptoms of an infection, but not knowing or acknowledging that you carry the virus can put you andothers at risk.
You can transmit the herpes virus to others even when you do not have symptoms. If you have blisters and changes in discharge, you need to find out if they are from herpes. Once you know you have the diagnosis, you can take steps to prevent the spread of it.
An untreated herpes flare can be painful and could lead to serious complications such as:
Herpes and Depression: Coping After Diagnosis
What to Do About Herpes Discharge
Once you have been diagnosed with herpes and understand why you are having symptoms, you can take steps to manage the condition.
What Helps With Discharge
Vaginal and penile discharge from herpes blisters and irritation in the genitals, as well as the other symptoms of herpes outbreak, usually go away in a few weeks.
In the meantime, you can manage discharge from herpes blisters with these approaches:
Your healthcare provider might prescribe you an antiviralmedicationto help manage and even decrease the duration of a herpes outbreak.
Some of the best ways toprevent the spread of herpesare to:
Barrier methods like condoms can reduce the transmission of the herpes virus but do not prevent it. While herpes can be transmitted at any time it is most contagious during periods of active symptoms. You should avoid sexual contact if you or an infected partner are experiencing an outbreak.
Progress in Developing a Herpes Vaccine
Summary
When you have an active herpes infection, discharge from blisters or your genitals is common. If you notice a vaginal or penile discharge that is unusual for you or you have other symptoms of herpes, see a provider. They can help you manage the condition and avoid spreading it to others.
10 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.About genital herpes.World Health Organization.Herpes simplex virus.Planned Parenthood.What does genital herpes look like?FamilyDoctor.org.Vaginal discharge.Texas Department of State Health Services.Know my status: Symptoms.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of penile cancer.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health.Genital herpes.Planned Parenthood.What are the symptoms of herpes?Meningitis Research Foundation.Symptoms checker.U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.Genital herpes: women’s health guide.
10 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.About genital herpes.World Health Organization.Herpes simplex virus.Planned Parenthood.What does genital herpes look like?FamilyDoctor.org.Vaginal discharge.Texas Department of State Health Services.Know my status: Symptoms.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of penile cancer.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health.Genital herpes.Planned Parenthood.What are the symptoms of herpes?Meningitis Research Foundation.Symptoms checker.U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.Genital herpes: women’s health guide.
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.About genital herpes.World Health Organization.Herpes simplex virus.Planned Parenthood.What does genital herpes look like?FamilyDoctor.org.Vaginal discharge.Texas Department of State Health Services.Know my status: Symptoms.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of penile cancer.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health.Genital herpes.Planned Parenthood.What are the symptoms of herpes?Meningitis Research Foundation.Symptoms checker.U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.Genital herpes: women’s health guide.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About genital herpes.
World Health Organization.Herpes simplex virus.
Planned Parenthood.What does genital herpes look like?
FamilyDoctor.org.Vaginal discharge.
Texas Department of State Health Services.Know my status: Symptoms.
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of penile cancer.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health.Genital herpes.
Planned Parenthood.What are the symptoms of herpes?
Meningitis Research Foundation.Symptoms checker.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.Genital herpes: women’s health guide.
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