Questionnaire

- Take the test -

This short questionnaire is designed to help you assess whether the symptoms you experience are caused by genital herpes or not. It cannot replace the opinion of a doctor experienced in managing genital herpes.

Simply complete this form, print it out, then take it with you when you next visit your doctor.

Do the following apply to you?

1. I have had a firm lump on my genitals for years.
2. My sexual partner claims to have caught genital
herpes from me but I have no symptoms.
3. I get an occasional shooting pain in my leg or buttocks.
4. I have an itchy bottom that never goes away.
5. The skin on my penis/vulva splits every so often.
6. I get a recurrent genital itch but there is nothing to see.
7. My vagina has been sore and tender every day for months.
8. I get itchy sores in the small of my back.
9. I experience pain on passing urine.
10. Frequent vaginal discharge which I thought might be thrush.
11. I get tender sores on my arms and/or chest.

 

[ How did you go? ]

 

How did you go?

Questions 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 If you answered yes to one or more of these questions then you may be suffering from genital herpes. Symptoms of genital herpes can range from very severe to hardly noticeable. In fact most people infected with the genital herpes virus have no symptoms at all but can still pass the virus on to their sexual partners.

For a specific diagnosis and to discuss treatment options you should contact your local doctor or one of the specialist clinics listed here. Information on genital herpes can also be obtained at these websites.

Questions 1, 4, 7, 11 Symptoms described in these questions are not typical of recurrent genital herpes. Symptoms of genital herpes usually occur below the belt and rarely last longer than two weeks in people with normal immune systems. If you experience these symptoms you should still see your doctor for appropriate diagnosis and treatment but a diagnosis of genital herpes is unlikely.

It may be useful to print this sheet out to show your doctor.

Fast Fact

The herpes simplex 2 virus can be spread by direct skin-to-skin contact, especially during intimate sexual contact.