Genital herpes is one of the most common co-infections for people living with HIV and can be a more serious condition if you’re HIV positive – meaning that outbreaks may last longer and blisters can be more severe. If you’re having recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes, you should have an HIV test, as this may be a sign of a weakened immune system caused by HIV.
Having an STI such as genital herpes can increase your risk of getting and passing on HIV, as the blisters and sores provide an easy way for HIV to get into your body and cause an infection. People living with HIV who aren’t on treatment or who have a lower CD4 count are especially vulnerable to other infections, like herpes.
If you’re taking antiretroviral treatment for HIV, it’s important to discuss with your doctor how treatment for herpes may interact with your HIV drugs.
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that causes infected sores or blisters.
It’s caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) which can be passed on through close genital contact.
You can reduce your chances of getting genital herpes by using condoms or dental dams during sex.
If you think you have symptoms of genital herpes you should see a healthcare worker, they can take a swab from a blister and test to confirm if it’s caused by the herpes simplex virus.
Treatment can help with herpes outbreaks, but the virus cannot be cured and will remain in the body. This means that blisters normally come back once in a while.
