Is it Herpes or thrush?

The biggest clue is what you can see. Genital Herpes usually causes small blisters that burst to leave red, open sores around your genitals, anus, thighs or bottom. Blisters aren’t a usual sign of thrush. Instead, it often causes a white discharge, like cottage cheese, that doesn’t usually smell.

Early Herpes can cause tingling, burning or itching before any blisters appear, so it’s easy to mistake it for thrush at first.

Genital Herpes is a common STI caused by the Herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types. HSV-1 usually causes cold sores around the mouth, and HSV-2 mainly affects the genitals. In the UK, though, HSV-1 is now the most common cause of genital Herpes, as it can pass from the mouth to the genitals during oral sex.

Herpes spreads through skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal, anal and oral sex. It’s very easy to pass on from the first tingle or itch of an outbreak until the sores have fully healed. Once you have the virus, it stays in your body and outbreaks can come back, although they’re usually milder than the first. Read more in “How long does a Herpes outbreak last?”

Thrush is a common yeast infection caused by a fungus called candida, which normally lives on the body without causing problems. About 3 in 4 women get it at least once in their life, and men can get it too.

Thrush isn’t classed as an STI. Sex can sometimes trigger it, and less often it can be passed on during sex, but partners only need treatment if they have symptoms. You’re more likely to get thrush if you’re taking antibiotics, are pregnant, are having HRT, have diabetes that isn’t well controlled, have a weakened immune system, or your skin is irritated or damaged. Read more in “Thrush or STI: how to know the difference”

Herpes and thrush can both cause:

• itching, burning or irritation around the genitals
• redness and soreness
• pain or stinging when you pee

Because these symptoms overlap, look for the other signs below, and get checked if you’re not sure.

Signs that point to Herpes include:

• small blisters that burst to leave red, open sores around your genitals, anus, thighs or bottom
• tingling, burning or itching before the blisters appear
• in a first outbreak, flu-like symptoms such as a high temperature, aches and swollen glands in the groin
• sores that heal and then come back from time to time

Many people with Herpes have no symptoms at all, or symptoms so mild they don’t notice them. Read more in “What does a Herpes rash look like?”

In women, signs that point to thrush include:

• a white vaginal discharge, often like cottage cheese, which doesn’t usually smell
• itching and irritation around the vulva and vagina
• soreness and stinging during sex or when you pee

In men, thrush usually affects the head of the penis and under the foreskin. It can cause:

• irritation, burning and redness
• a white discharge, like cottage cheese
• an unpleasant smell
• difficulty pulling back the foreskin

Read more in “What does a male yeast infection look like?”

Thrush is treated with antifungal medicine: a tablet, a pessary you put into the vagina, or a cream. It should clear up within 7 to 14 days of starting treatment. If you’ve had thrush diagnosed before and recognise the symptoms, you can buy treatment from a pharmacy.

There’s no cure for Herpes, but antiviral tablets can help, especially if you start them within 5 days of symptoms appearing. If you get outbreaks often, taking antiviral tablets every day for 6 to 12 months may help.

Don’t treat yourself for thrush if you have blisters or sores, if it’s your first time, or if thrush treatment hasn’t worked. Get checked instead, as antifungal treatment won’t help if it’s Herpes.

If you have a blister or sore, the best test for Herpes is a swab taken from it. Take it as soon as possible, before the sore starts to heal. A doctor can diagnose thrush from your symptoms or by taking a swab.

Better2Know offers:

• Herpes Simplex Type 1 and 2 (Swab): tests a swab from a sore on or around your mouth or genitals for Herpes 1 and Herpes 2, with results in 5 days. You can book it at one of our clinics or order it as a home test kit.
• Blemish Screen: if you have a sore, blister or lump on or around your genitals, it tests a swab for Herpes 1, Herpes 2, HPV and Syphilis, with results in 5 days.
• Comfort Screen: if you have discomfort or an unusual discharge but no sores, it’s a urine test for 8 infections, including Trichomonas, Gardnerella, Herpes 1 and Herpes 2, from 14 days after sex, with results in 2 days (3 days for the home test). You can also order a Comfort Screen home test.

These tests don’t check for thrush itself. Not sure which test you need? Our Patient Care Team is available 24/7 on 020 7099 0955.

Can you have Herpes and thrush at the same time?

Yes. Having one doesn’t stop you getting the other. If your symptoms don’t get better with thrush treatment, or you notice blisters or sores, get checked for Herpes and other STIs.

Does thrush cause blisters?

Not usually. Thrush can make the skin red, itchy, sore and sometimes cracked, but blisters that burst to leave sores are more likely to be Herpes. Read more in “What can be mistaken for Herpes?”

Can men get thrush and Herpes?

Yes. In men, thrush usually affects the head of the penis and under the foreskin, while Herpes can cause blisters and sores on the penis, around the anus, or on the thighs or bottom.

Herpes and thrush can both cause itching and soreness, but blisters and sores point to Herpes, while a thick white discharge points to thrush. Herpes is an STI and outbreaks can come back, while thrush is a yeast infection that clears up with antifungal treatment.

If you have a blister or sore, get it tested while it’s fresh. Book a Herpes Simplex Type 1 and 2 (Swab) test at a clinic near you. Our Patient Care Team is available 24/7 on 020 7099 0955.

Not in the UK? Choose your country from the selector at the top of the page for local tests and prices.

This article originally appeared on 6 October 2023 and was last updated on 30 September 2026.

This article is general information and not a substitute for personal medical advice.

Sources

1. NHS, Genital herpes, reviewed 27 June 2023. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/genital-herpes/
2. NHS inform, Genital herpes. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/sexual-and-reproductive/genital-herpes/
3. British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, UK national guideline for the management of anogenital herpes, 2024. https://bashh.org/_userfiles/pages/files/pateletal2024britishassociationofsexualhealthandhivuknationalguidelineforthemanagementofanogenital.pdf
4. British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, Genital herpes, patient information leaflet, February 2026. https://www.bashh.org/_userfiles/pages/files/genital_herpes_pil_print_version.pdf
5. UK Health Security Agency, How do you catch genital herpes and is there a cure?, 5 June 2026. https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/06/05/how-do-you-catch-genital-herpes-and-is-there-a-cure/
6. NHS, Cold sores, reviewed 19 February 2024. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cold-sores/
7. NHS, Thrush in men and women, reviewed 28 July 2023. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/thrush-in-men-and-women/
8. NHS inform, Thrush, updated 1 June 2023. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/sexual-and-reproductive/thrush/
9. British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, National guideline for the management of vulvovaginal candidiasis, 2019. https://www.bashh.org/_userfiles/pages/files/resources/vvc_ijsa_pdf.pdf
10. NHS, Vaginal discharge, reviewed 15 February 2024. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaginal-discharge/
11. NHS, Balanitis, reviewed 30 May 2023. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/balanitis/