Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus or HSV. There are two types of HSV, and both can cause genital herpes. HSV type 1 most commonly infects the lips, causing sores known as fever blisters or cold sores, but it also can infect the genital area and produce sores. HSV type 2 is the usual cause of genital herpes, but it also can infect the mouth. A person who has genital herpes infection can easily pass or transmit the virus to an uninfected person during sex.

Both HSV 1 and 2 can produce sores (also called lesions) in and around the vaginal area, on the penis, around the anal opening, and on the buttocks or thighs. Occasionally, sores also appear on other parts of the body where the virus has entered through broken skin.

An individual can obtain genital herpes by having sex with someone who is having a herpes outbreak. The outbreak means that HSV is active within that individual. When active within an individual it causes visible lesions in the genital area. The lesions shed viruses that can infect another individual. It is possible that a person can be having an outbreak, but no lesions are present at all. People often obtain HSV by having sexual contact with others who don't know they are infected or who are having outbreaks of herpes without any sores.

The best way to prevent this particular disease is to obtain from sexual contact. Since there is no way of accurately knowing if a person has HSV.