Genital herpes

Genital Herpes in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It affects many sexually active adults in West Michigan, including people in Grand Rapids and surrounding Kent County communities.

Because genital herpes can be mild or have no symptoms at all, many people in Grand Rapids may have the infection and not know it. Understanding how it spreads, what symptoms to look for, and how to manage it can help protect you and your partners.

Types of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)

There are two main types of herpes simplex virus:

HSV-1
- Most commonly causes cold sores around the mouth and lips.
- Can also cause genital herpes, especially if someone with a cold sore performs oral sex on a partner who has never been exposed to HSV-1.
HSV-2
- Occurs mainly in and around the genital and anal area.
- Can occasionally infect the mouth if a person with genital HSV-2 receives oral sex from someone who has never been exposed to the virus (this is uncommon, and recurrences in the mouth are rare in healthy people).

In the United States, it’s estimated that:

Around 75% of people have been exposed to HSV-1, and
About 1 in 8 people have HSV-2.

These numbers likely apply to the Grand Rapids and West Michigan population as well.

How Common Is Genital Herpes in Grand Rapids?

Genital herpes is very common across Michigan, including the Grand Rapids metro area. Because many people never have noticeable symptoms, they may never be diagnosed.

It can also be hard to know when you first got herpes. Symptoms can appear:

Within a few days to weeks after exposure, or
Months or even years later — or not at all.

Local clinics in Grand Rapids, including those affiliated with Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health, regularly test and treat people for genital herpes and other STIs.

Emotional Impact: Feeling Anxious About Genital Herpes

Many people in Grand Rapids feel anxious, embarrassed, or shocked when they learn they have genital herpes. This is very common.

It can help to remember:

Genital herpes only affects the skin and nerves in the area where the virus is present.
Outbreaks happen in short episodes and usually heal on their own.
Over time, most people have fewer and milder recurrences, and for some, outbreaks may stop altogether.
With proper care, people with genital herpes can have healthy relationships, fulfilling sex lives, and healthy pregnancies.

If you’re struggling emotionally, local counselors, primary care providers, and sexual health clinics in Grand Rapids can provide support and confidential advice.

How Genital Herpes Spreads

Genital herpes spreads through skin-to-skin contact with an area that is shedding the virus. It can be transmitted during:

Vaginal sex
Anal sex
Oral sex (mouth to genitals or mouth to anus)
Genital rubbing without penetration
Mouth-to-genital or mouth-to-anus contact when someone has a cold sore (HSV-1)

The infection can occur:

Anywhere on the genitals (including the groin and pubic area)
On or around the anus
Around the mouth (from HSV-1 or, less commonly, HSV-2)

When Is Genital Herpes Most Contagious?

The virus is most contagious during an episode (outbreak) when there are:

Sores
Blisters
Ulcers
Cracks or splits in the skin

This is called viral shedding. During viral shedding, the virus is on the skin surface and can easily spread to another person during close contact.

However, genital herpes can also spread between episodes, when there are no visible symptoms. This is called asymptomatic viral shedding. Many people who transmit herpes do not know they are infected or contagious.

Symptoms of Genital Herpes

First Episode (Initial Outbreak)

The first outbreak is usually the most severe and can cause considerable pain and distress. Symptoms may include:

Flu-like symptoms, such as:
- Feeling generally unwell
- Headache
- Pain in the back
- Fever or chills (sometimes)
Enlarged and tender glands in the groin
Small blisters around the genitals, buttocks, or anus, which:
- Break open to form shallow, painful ulcers
- May scab over
- Usually heal within 1–2 weeks
Small cracks or splits in the skin, with or without:
- Itching
- Tingling or burning sensation
Skin redness or a distinct rash in the genital area
Significant pain and swelling in the genital region, which may make it:
- Uncomfortable to walk or sit
- Difficult or painful to pass urine

If you experience these symptoms in Grand Rapids—especially after a new sexual partner—it’s important to seek medical care for testing and treatment.

Recurrent Episodes

Recurrences are usually:

Less painful
Shorter in duration than the first episode
Less frequent over time

Infections caused by HSV-1 in the genital area tend to recur less often than infections caused by HSV-2.

Common triggers for recurrences include:

Stress (emotional or physical)
Menstruation
Sexual activity (especially friction or irritation)
General illness (such as a cold or flu, which are common in Michigan’s colder months)
Low immunity (for example, during cancer treatment or certain chronic illnesses)

Sometimes, episodes occur without any clear trigger.

Diagnosing Genital Herpes in Grand Rapids

If you think you may have genital herpes:

See a doctor or sexual health clinic as soon as possible, preferably while you still have active sores or blisters.
Your provider will usually:
- Examine the affected area
- Take a swab from a blister or ulcer to test for HSV

A swab test is the most reliable way to confirm genital herpes when sores are present.

Sometimes, a blood test may be offered to look for HSV antibodies. However:

Blood tests are less reliable for people who do not have symptoms.
They may not clearly show when or where (oral vs genital) you were infected.

In Grand Rapids, you can be tested for genital herpes by:

Your primary care provider or family doctor
OB/GYN or urology clinics
Sexual health services offered through major systems like Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health
Community clinics and services supported by the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health programs

Treatment for Genital Herpes

There is no cure for genital herpes, but treatment can:

Reduce the severity and length of outbreaks
Help relieve pain and discomfort
Lower the risk of passing the virus to partners

Antiviral Medications

Common antiviral medicines include:

Acyclovir
Famciclovir
Valaciclovir (valacyclovir)

These medications:

Work best when taken early, as soon as you notice symptoms (tingling, itching, or the first sign of a blister)
Can shorten the outbreak and reduce pain

Topical antivirals (creams used for cold sores on the lips or face) are not suitable for use on the genitals.

Self-Care During an Outbreak

To help manage symptoms, your doctor or pharmacist may recommend:

Salt baths (sitting in a shallow bath of warm salty water) to soothe the area
Ice packs wrapped in a clean cloth, applied gently to the affected area to reduce pain and swelling
Pain-relieving medication, such as paracetamol (acetaminophen), taken as directed
Wearing loose, breathable cotton underwear
Avoiding perfumed soaps or harsh products on the affected skin

Always follow advice from a licensed healthcare professional in Michigan.

Suppressive Therapy (Daily Treatment)

If you have frequent outbreaks or are very concerned about passing herpes to a partner, your doctor may recommend suppressive therapy.

This involves taking an antiviral tablet every day.
It can:
- Reduce how often outbreaks occur
- Make episodes milder
- Lower the risk of transmission to sexual partners

You will need a prescription from your GP or specialist in Grand Rapids. Suppressive therapy is especially helpful:

In new relationships
For people with frequent or severe outbreaks
For couples where one partner has genital herpes and the other does not

Preventing Genital Herpes and Reducing Transmission

Barrier Methods

The best protection against STIs, including genital herpes, is consistent and correct use of barrier protection, such as:

External (male) condoms
Internal (female) condoms
Dams (a thin piece of latex placed over the vulva or anal area during oral sex)

Keep in mind:

Condoms and dams do not cover all genital skin, so there is still some risk of catching or passing herpes.
Using lubricant with condoms during sex helps reduce friction and trauma to the skin, which may lower the risk of transmission.
Silicone-based lubricants are often recommended because they last longer and reduce friction more effectively.

Studies show that consistent condom use reduces HSV transmission, especially in the first 6 months of a sexual relationship.

When to Avoid Sex

To reduce the risk of passing herpes to a partner:

Avoid sexual contact (including oral, vaginal, and anal sex) when you have:
- A sore
- A blister
- An ulcer
- Any unusual genital pain, burning, or tingling that may signal an outbreak
Remember that transmission can still occur even when there are no visible symptoms, due to asymptomatic viral shedding.

For people who have frequent episodes, taking antiviral medicine as prescribed can further help reduce transmission.

Genital Herpes, Pregnancy, and Newborns

Herpes infection can be passed to a baby during:

Pregnancy (rare)
Labor and delivery, especially if the mother has an active outbreak

Although serious illness in newborns from herpes is not common, it can be serious when it occurs.

If you are pregnant in Grand Rapids and have genital herpes or think you might:

Tell your midwife, obstetrician, or prenatal care provider early in pregnancy.
They may:
- Monitor you more closely in the last weeks of pregnancy
- Recommend suppressive antiviral therapy in the final weeks to reduce the risk of an outbreak during labor
- Discuss the safest delivery options if an outbreak is present at the time of birth

Reducing Risk During Your Partner’s Pregnancy

If your partner is pregnant:

Do not perform oral sex on your pregnant partner if you have a cold sore or feel one starting.
Use barrier protection (condoms or dams) during sex, especially if:
- The pregnant partner has never had HSV or
- You have a known history of genital or oral herpes.

If either partner has a history of herpes, talk with a Grand Rapids OB/GYN or family doctor for personalized advice.

Living with Genital Herpes in Grand Rapids

Being diagnosed with genital herpes can feel overwhelming at first, but with time and information, most people adjust well.

Helpful steps:

Learn about herpes from reliable sources so you can make informed decisions about:
- Treatment options
- Sexual activity
- Preventing recurrences and transmission
Consider talking with:
- A counselor or therapist
- Your primary care provider
- A sexual health nurse or clinician

Many providers in Grand Rapids are experienced in STI care and can offer confidential, non-judgmental support.

Local Resources in Grand Rapids, Michigan

If you’re looking for genital herpes testing, treatment, or counseling in Grand Rapids, consider:

Primary Care and Family Medicine Clinics
- Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) primary care practices
- Trinity Health Grand Rapids clinics
- Metro Health – University of Michigan Health clinics
- Mercy Health clinics
OB/GYN and Women’s Health Clinics
- For pregnancy-related concerns, contraception, and STI testing
Kent County Health Department
- Offers sexual health services, STI testing, and public health information for Grand Rapids and surrounding communities.
Grand Rapids Public Health and Community Clinics
- Some community health centers and federally qualified health centers offer low-cost or sliding-scale STI testing and treatment.

You can also contact:

Your GP (doctor)
Your pharmacist (for information about antiviral medications and pain relief)
Local sexual health services and hotlines in Michigan for confidential advice

(Search online for “Grand Rapids MI sexual health clinic” or “Kent County Health Department STI services” for up-to-date locations and contact details.)

Key Points About Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV):
- HSV-1: usually causes cold sores but can cause genital infection
- HSV-2: occurs mainly in and around the genital area
Many people have no symptoms, so it can be difficult to know who has the virus or when it was acquired.
Outbreaks affect the skin for short periods and usually heal on their own.
Genital herpes spreads through genital and oral skin-to-skin contact, including oral sex.
The virus is most contagious during an outbreak, but it can also spread when there are no visible symptoms.
Antiviral medications can:
- Reduce the severity and length of outbreaks
- Lower the risk of recurrences
- Help reduce transmission to partners, especially when taken as daily suppressive therapy
Condoms, internal condoms, and dams reduce—but do not completely eliminate—the risk of transmission.
If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy and have genital herpes, talk with your obstetrician or midwife in Grand Rapids for tailored care.

If you live in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and are concerned about genital herpes, reach out to a local healthcare provider or sexual health clinic for confidential testing, accurate diagnosis, and personalized treatment options.