Genital herpes treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

Yes, you can! A Maple doctor will ask for a description of your symptoms, and you can also securely upload an image of the affected area for confidential viewing. This will help the doctor conduct a visual assessment to inform a treatment plan. If the doctor suspects you’re at risk for other infections, they may send you to get in-person tests.

Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and can affect people differently from one case to the next. Some experience repeated outbreaks of painful sores, while others experience no symptoms at all.

Genital warts are caused by an STI called HPV (human papillomavirus virus). Herpes is caused by a different sexually transmitted infection called herpes simplex virus. They’re both transmitted in similar ways, but aren’t the same thing.

Unlike herpes, genital warts primarily exist in the moist flesh of the genitals. They’re small bumps that resemble cauliflower, and are usually flesh-coloured. If left untreated, HPV can lead to cancer in the rectum and mouth in both men and women. Women are also at a higher risk of cervical cancer if they have HPV.

Genital herpes symptoms include:

• Sores on the genitals that are white or red
• Itching or burning sensation around the sores
• Ulcers, usually open and wet
• Crust or scabs on the sores as they start healing
• Pain while urinating

Genital herpes are small round bumps on the genitals and skin that are filled with fluid. They burst as they heal, leaving a yellow crust overtop that eventually clears as the skin returns to normal.

There are two common types of herpes simplex virus. HSV1, which typically causes oral cold sores, and HSV2, which typically causes genital herpes. Receiving oral sex from a person with a cold sore can lead to genital herpes, though HSV1 transmission that way is rare.

Herpes transmission is more common from an infected male to female partner. HSV1 transmission through kissing is also possible, especially if one partner is experiencing an outbreak.

Typically, no. A genital herpes diagnosis is difficult to reach conclusively while herpes is dormant. In rare cases, a doctor may order a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. This uses a blood sample, or a sample of spinal fluid to determine the presence of HSV1 and HSV2.

No one is immune to genital herpes. Even if the person with herpes hasn’t had an outbreak for a long time, it is still possible for them to pass it along to someone else, because it’s still dormant in their body.

Genital herpes spreads through skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal and oral sex. It can spread even if herpes is dormant (no visible sores), though that lowers the chances of transmission.

You can’t get herpes from towels or surfaces like toilet seats.

Preventing genital herpes can be difficult because it can affect areas that are not protected by condom use — like the labia, scrotum, upper thigh, and buttocks. Condoms and dental dams still can play a big part in preventing the spread, and are important in minimizing the spread. Getting tested regularly, and avoiding sex with partners who are currently experiencing an outbreak also lessens the chances of contracting herpes.

While there is no genital herpes cure, there are medications such as valacyclovir, acyclovir, or famciclovir that make symptoms milder, and make a person with herpes less likely to pass it on to sexual partners.

The most common medications used to treat genital herpes are valacyclovir, acyclovir, and famciclovir. All three work to lessen symptoms. People with more frequent outbreaks may take medication daily. Others only experience outbreaks a few times a year, and take less medication as a result.

After initial exposure to herpes simplex virus, the timeline for a herpes outbreak is short. Most people experience symptoms within a week, though it can take as long as 12 days for symptoms to appear in some cases. The first outbreak is usually the most severe, and can last 2-3 weeks. As time goes by, the number of outbreaks and their severity lessens.

Maple is a virtual care platform that connects you with doctors and other healthcare providers via text, audio, or video. After you log in to your Maple account, you can request an online consultation.

Consultations work similarly to in-person appointments — the doctor can complete an assessment by asking questions about your symptoms, going through your health history, and determining what treatment is right for you. If they think your condition is more serious, they may tell you to go to a clinic for an in-person examination.

As a Maple member, you get 24/7 access to virtual primary care online and more. You can connect with our network of providers via text, audio, or video call within minutes.

Our membership costs $79.99/month and covers virtual care for patients and their families, including the primary account holder's spouse and any dependents.

For patients in eligible provinces, our membership includes:

• Access to daily primary care provider visits: One daily visit with a primary care provider for each family member in their household.
• Paediatric care: Covered paediatric primary care visits, available by appointment.
• Second medical opinions: access to a network of experts for a second opinion if diagnosed with a complex condition (e.g. cancer).
• Personal Health Check-Ins: A series of personalized, evidence-based proactive care screenings to maintain and improve health.
• iCBT courses: Access to iCBT (internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy) self-assessment and courses.
• Access to specialists in eligible provinces: Easy access to specialists on Maple within days, not months. No referral is needed.
• Specialist referrals in eligible provinces: Ability to be referred to a physician specialist for in-person care, if needed.
• Credit discounts: An $80 credit per month to be applied to a Maple specialist visit.

Please note that our membership cannot be combined with other offerings, such as private insurance coverage and provincial programs, where available. In some cases, membership fees can be covered by a Healthcare Spending Account (HSA) — check with your HSA provider for more details.

We accept all major credit cards, including AMEX cards, as well as Google and Apple Pay.

At Maple, we proudly prioritize privacy as a cornerstone of our virtual care services. We strictly adhere to privacy and healthcare legislation in Canada, such as PIPEDA and PHIPA regulations, to ensure patients' personal and health information remains completely private and safeguarded.

Our policies and consent processes are designed to be simple and easily understood, empowering individuals with control and a clear understanding of their healthcare journey. When using our services, a patient’s session is protected by a comprehensive security infrastructure and stringent data policies.

Patients also retain full control of their personal health information, medical records and test results at all times. Our approach is reinforced by consultations with leading experts, guaranteeing comprehensive policy frameworks that are reviewed at a regular cadence.

All providers delivering healthcare through Maple are licensed in Canada and governed by their licensing regulatory colleges, and in all instances, must act in accordance with the governing principles set out in the telemedicine policies of each medical regulator in the applicable province.

Regulators across Canada support and recognize the value of services like ours, and the way in which they can benefit patients, physicians, and Canada’s broader healthcare system by improving access to care and increasing efficiencies in the delivery of care.