Genital herpes support, your way

Herpes is a viral infection that’s categorised by two types: HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 is what causes cold sores, which results in scabbing around the mouth and may be brought on by stress or illness. HSV-2 is known as genital herpes, with symptoms showing up on male and female genitals. 

Genital herpes is most commonly spread through unprotected sexual intercourse, or oral sex if one partner has a cold sore. Herpes is spread by skin-on-skin contact – so any myths you hear about sharing cutlery or toilet seats are untrue. The virus cannot live for long on everyday surfaces, so it’s best to have a healthy sex life and understand contraception. 

People with herpes are not always infectious. The condition ‘flares up’ and symptoms may present at this time, so this is when herpes is most likely to be passed on. However, these symptoms aren’t always obvious, so it’s best to be cautious whenever you have sex. 

The initial signs of genital herpes don’t show up straight away, and in some cases, not at all. You may start to notice symptoms between two and 12 days after contact with an infected person. The first signs include red spots or bumps around your genital area. 

After a few days, these bumps begin to swell and form sores or ulcers which crust over. These may sting or feel painful. You may also notice pain around your genitals or anal area, as well as discharge and discomfort when peeing.  

In some cases, people feel generally run down, with symptoms similar to flu or mild swelling in the groin, neck and armpits.  

Because herpes can have similar symptoms to other STIs or skin conditions, it’s important to get your symptoms checked out by a doctor. Our Online Doctor questionnaire will make sure you reach the right diagnosis, with herpes commonly being mistaken for: 

• Spots or pimples 

• Ingrown hair and irritation from shaving pubic hair 

• Yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis linked to vaginal discharge 

• Piles, which can cause swelling around the bottom 

• Other STIs including syphilis or genital warts. 

Whatever your symptoms, we’ll help you find the most effective treatment without embarrassment. You deserve to look after your sexual health – we’ll help you do so in confidence. 

There is no cure for genital herpes but its symptoms can be managed effectively, so you can carry on with a satisfying sex life. The virus lies dormant in the body and can have ‘outbreaks’ which result in blisters or generally feeling run down. 

The good news is that these outbreaks get less and less severe after the first one, and some people never have outbreaks at all. Generally, you might notice four or five recurrences in the first two years, after which they become far less common. 

Antiviral medication helps to manage these episodes and clear up symptoms to stop you from being infectious. We prescribe aciclovir 200mg tablets, which you’ll need to take five times a day for five days. You can also use topical creams such as lidocaine 5% anaesthetic, which helps to ease pain. 

We also offer long-term treatments to suppress outbreaks. These are aciclovir 400mg tablets, which you can take twice a day for three months.  

Recognising symptoms and treating them quickly can help you manage genital herpes without impeding your sex life. Our job is to take the taboo away and keep you happy and healthy. All you need to do is fill out our quick, confidential questionnaire. 

Our Online Doctor service is designed to offer you safe, high-quality care that’s both convenient and clinically robust. Depending on the condition you're seeking treatment for and the consultation programme in use, we work in partnership with trusted third-party healthcare providers to deliver the service.

While Pharmacy2U facilitates the process, your consultation and treatment are provided directly by a dedicated team of registered clinicians. This separation ensures that prescribing decisions are made independently and in your best interest, in line with healthcare regulations.

Our clinical partners:

• Expert Health Ltd provides the clinical and prescribing aspects for many of our services. Expert Health is registered in England and Wales (company number 04058287), with its registered office at Lumina, Park Approach, Thorpe Park, Leeds, LS15 8GB. Expert Health is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which means its services meet high standards of safety, effectiveness, and patient care. For healthcare regulatory purposes, the Expert Health’s Online Doctor Service is overseen by their Registered Manager.

Dispensing:

Prescriptions issued as part of the Online Doctor service are dispensed by Pharmacy2U, registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). This ensures your medicines are dispensed safely, securely, and to the highest professional standards. 

If you have any questions about your consultation, prescription, or delivery, our customer care team is here to help.

Metabolic Healthcare Limited (MHL) is a part of the Pharmacy2U Group, providing pharmacy services within the group. MHL operates under the trading name LloydsDirect, a registered pharmacy and a trusted brand in the UK for dispensing and dispatching prescribed medications. It is regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) under registration number 9011437.