Herpes Simplex: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Herpes Simplex?
A primary care doctor can usually diagnose and treat herpes simplex. An infectious disease doctor, a specialist in infections, may help with hard cases. Eye infections need an ophthalmologist, an eye doctor. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is herpes simplex?
Herpes simplex virus (HSV), known as herpes, is a common infection that can cause painful blisters or ulcers. It mainly spreads by skin-to-skin contact. It is treatable but not curable.
There are two types. HSV-1 mostly causes infections in or around the mouth, called oral herpes or cold sores. It can also cause genital herpes. HSV-2 spreads by sexual contact and causes genital herpes.
Symptoms
Most people with herpes have no symptoms or only mild symptoms. Many people do not know they have it and can pass the virus to others without knowing.
When symptoms do occur, they can include:
- Painful blisters or ulcers that can come back over time.
- Tingling, itching, or burning near the place where sores will appear.
- Blisters or open sores in or around the mouth or lips with oral herpes.
- Bumps, blisters, or open sores around the genitals or anus with genital herpes.
- Blisters that may break open, ooze, and then crust over.
During a first infection, people may also have fever, body aches, headache, or swollen lymph nodes near the infection. Oral herpes can also cause a sore throat.
Causes and who gets it
Herpes simplex is caused by the herpes simplex virus. HSV-1 mainly spreads by contact with the virus in sores, saliva, or skin in or around the mouth. HSV-2 mainly spreads during sex.
The virus can spread from skin that looks normal. It spreads most easily from a person with an active sore.
A person can catch oral herpes by touching an open sore, or something that touched the virus. In the United States, most people are infected with HSV-1 by age 20.
The virus lives inside nerve cells and switches between inactive and active. Certain triggers can wake it up again, including illness or fever, sun exposure, a menstrual period, injury, emotional stress, and surgery.
Herpes can rarely pass from mother to baby during delivery. This is called neonatal herpes. It is serious and can lead to lasting nervous system disability or death.
Condoms used the right way every time you have sex can lower the chance of getting genital herpes. They may not fully protect you, because some sores and skin shedding happen where a condom does not cover.
How doctors diagnose it
A provider can diagnose oral herpes by looking at the mouth area. Sometimes a sample of the sore is sent to a lab. Tests can include a viral culture, a viral DNA test, or a Tzanck test.
A provider may diagnose genital herpes by looking at sores or by testing a sample from a sore. If sores are not present, a blood test may look for HSV antibodies, which are proteins the body makes against the virus.
Treatment
Medicines can reduce symptoms, but they cannot cure the infection. Antiviral medicines are medicines that fight the virus. Ones often given include acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir.
Treatment for repeat outbreaks works best when started within 48 hours of when symptoms begin. For oral herpes, these medicines work best when taken at the first warning signs, before blisters develop.
A daily medicine can lower how often symptoms occur. It is often recommended for people with very painful or frequent outbreaks, or who want to lower the risk of giving herpes to someone else.
Oral herpes symptoms will go away on their own without treatment in 1 to 2 weeks. For comfort, you can:
- Put ice in a washcloth on the sores.
- Avoid hot drinks, spicy and salty foods, and citrus.
- Use an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider if you have:
- Symptoms that are severe or do not go away after 2 weeks.
- Sores or blisters near your eyes. Herpes infection of the eye is a leading cause of blindness in the United States.
- Herpes symptoms and a weakened immune system due to certain diseases or medicines.
Talk to your health care provider if you are pregnant, because herpes can pass to your baby.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have a seizure, confusion or a sudden change in mental state, or trouble breathing.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can look at sores, arrange lab tests, and talk about antiviral medicine and ways to lower the chance of spreading herpes. They can refer you to a specialist when needed.
Common questions
Can herpes simplex be cured?
No. Herpes simplex is treatable but not curable. Medicines can reduce symptoms but cannot cure the infection.
What is the difference between HSV-1 and HSV-2?
HSV-1 mostly causes infections in or around the mouth, called cold sores. HSV-2 mostly causes genital herpes. HSV-1 can also cause genital herpes.
Can herpes spread when there are no sores?
Yes. Herpes can spread from skin that looks normal, but the greatest risk is when active sores are present.
Do cold sores go away on their own?
Yes. Oral herpes most often goes away by itself in 1 to 2 weeks. However, it may come back.
Sources
- World Health Organization - Herpes simplex virus
- MedlinePlus - Herpes - oral
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - About Genital Herpes
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
