What is genital herpes?

Genital herpes is usually caused by human herpesviruses 2 (HSV-2) but some cases are caused by HSV-1. Blister-like lesions develop in the genital area within 4-7 days after initial exposure and slowly heal over one to two weeks. The virus remains in the body and recurrent outbreaks can occur.

How do members experience genital herpes?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with genital herpes*

*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.

Top treatments taken by people for genital herpes*

*Data from patients with genital herpes, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Compare treatments taken by people with genital herpes*

Treatment
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment

(Valtrex)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
genital herpes (3)
Treatment

(Zovirax)
Perceived effectiveness
for genital herpes (1 evaluation)
Side effects
dizziness upon moving
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
genital herpes (2)

*Data from patients with genital herpes, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Who has genital herpes on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 14
20s 84
30s 124
40s 131
50s 114
60s 76
70+ 26

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 163
Female 389

We’re all in this for good.

By sharing your stories and data, you will:
  • help each other live better and uncover the best ways to manage your health today
  • help researchers shorten the path to new treatments tomorrow

How much good can your data do? A whole lot, as co-founder Jamie Heywood explains in this video.

What is genital herpes?

Genital herpes is usually caused by human herpesviruses 2 (HSV-2) but some cases are caused by HSV-1. Blister-like lesions develop in the genital area within 4-7 days after initial exposure and slowly heal over one to two weeks. The virus remains in the body and recurrent outbreaks can occur.



Common symptoms reported by people with genital herpes

Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it

Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.
Last updated:



Treatments taken by people for genital herpes

Treatment name(s)
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Treatment name(s)

(Valtrex)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
119
Tried for
genital herpes (3)
Treatment name(s)

(Zovirax)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
141
Tried for
genital herpes (2)

Data from patients with genital herpes, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.
Last updated:


Compare treatments taken by people with genital herpes

Treatment name(s)
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment name(s)

(Valtrex)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
genital herpes (3)
Treatment name(s)

(Zovirax)
Perceived effectiveness
for genital herpes (1 evaluation)
Side effects
dizziness upon moving
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
genital herpes (2)
  • Major
  • Moderate
  • Slight
  • None
  • Can't tell
  • Severe
  • Moderate
  • Mild
  • None

Data from patients with genital herpes, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.
Last updated:



Who has genital herpes on PatientsLikeMe?

  • 3 new patients joined this month
  • 354 say genital herpes is their primary condition

Age
Age Proportion # of patients
<20 14
20s 84
30s 124
40s 131
50s 114
60s 76
70+ 26
Age at first symptom
Age at first symptom Proportion # of patients
0-19 years 22
20-29 years 48
30-39 years 30
40-49 years 26
50-59 years 7
60-69 years 1
70+ years 0

Distribution of sex

Sex
Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 163
Female 389

Diagnosis status
Diagnosis status Proportion # of patients
Diagnosed 162
Not Diagnosed 10

These charts show data from genital herpes patients who have completed their condition history
Last updated: