What is Genital Herpes?
Genital Herpes is an STD that’s caused by herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2). According to CDC, 776,000 people will get infected with the disease every year. A person gets genital herpes by having sex (vaginal, anal or oral) with someone who has it. The viruses can also be released from skin that does not appear to have a sore.
How do I know if I have it?
The first sign of a genital herpes infection includes one or more blisters on or around the genitals, rectum or mouth. The blisters break and leave painful sores that may take several weeks to heal. The first time someone has an outbreak they may also experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, body aches and swollen glands.
Can it be cured or treated?
Herpes is not curable, however it is a manageable condition. Your doctor can give you medication that can shorten outbreaks and reduce the likelihood of transmission to your partner.
Wearing a latex condom is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of genital herpes; however, any area not covered by a condom that comes into contact with an outbreak is subject to infection. The best way to avoid transmission of genital herpes is to abstain from sexual contact with partners when sores or other symptoms of herpes are present. And remember, even if a partner does not have any symptoms, he or she can still have this STD and infect others.
For more information about genital herpes and its symptoms, read the CDC post here: https://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/STDFact-Herpes.htm.
Need to get tested? Find a Mississippi health center near you: https://factnotfictionms.com/clinics.
