Genital Herpes

Basic Facts

Genital herpes (her-peez) is a sexually transmitted disease that is caused by the herpes simplex virus.

Herpes Simplex Virus can be a type 1 or a type 2, with most genital infections resulting from infection with type 2.

Herpes virus is passed from person to person through oral to genital or genital to genital contact.

Herpes genital infection is more common in women than men as it is more likely to be transmitted from male to female.

Most people infected with herpes type 2 are not aware of their infection.

However, if signs and symptoms do occur during the first outbreak, they can be pronounced.

Initial symptoms include an outbreak of sores, with a fever and other flu-like symptoms.

However, most individuals with Herpes type 2 never have sores, or they are very mild signs that they do not notice or may even mistake for insect bites or another skin condition.

Both males and females can pass herpes 1 or 2 to partners without knowing it.

If you are pregnant, you can pass the infection to your baby if not treated.

Symptoms of herpes infection in both MEN AND WOMEN include:

-First outbreak may be without any symptoms
-Appearance of sores, accompanied by flu-like symptoms
-Continued outbreaks through infection - over time, the recurrences usually decrease in frequency

There is no treatment that can cure herpes.

Antiviral medications can shorten and prevent outbreaks during the period of time the person takes the medication.

Antiviral medications can also reduce the likelihood of transmission of herpes from an infected partner to an uninfected partner.

If you have untreated herpes, you have a higher chance of getting HIV if you have unprotected sex with an HIV-infected partner.

Risk Factors

You can get herpes from having unprotected (without a condom) vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has herpes.
Herpes passes from an infected mother to a baby during childbirth.
All sexually active people are at risk for herpes.

Prevention

Use condoms every single time that you have sex.
Use condoms correctly.
Limit number of lifetime partners.
The most effective way to prevent a herpes infection is to not have sex (be abstinent) or have sex with someone you know is not infected (that has had a recent negative herpes test).