What is Herpes ?
"Herpes," short for herpes simplex, is a common viral infection that often causes sores or blemishes on the skin, especially on the face or in the genital area.
Herpes simplex infection on the face is most common. Its symptoms are often known as "cold sores" or "fever blisters," which typically appear on the lips or mouth.
"Genital herpes," which occurs below the waist, sometimes causes sores of similar appearance, though its signs and symptoms can be quite varied.
The word "herpes" also can be used to describe a family of viruses (herpesviruses) that share certain traits. This family includes herpes simplex; varicella zoster virus (which causes "chickenpox"); Epstein-Barr virus (which causes "mononucleosis"); cytomegalovirus; and several others.
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2). Most genital herpes is caused by HSV-2. Most individuals have no or only minimal signs or symptoms from HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection. When signs do occur, they typically appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. The blisters break, leaving tender ulcers (sores) that may take two to four weeks to heal the first time they occur. Typically, another outbreak can appear weeks or months after the first, but it almost always is less severe and shorter than the first outbreak. Although the infection can stay in the body indefinitely, the number of outbreaks tends to decrease over a period of years.
When symptoms do occur, they usually appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. The blisters break, leaving ulcers or tender sores that may take up to four weeks to heal. Typically, another outbreak can appear weeks or months later.
Although the infection can stay in the body forever, the number of outbreaks usually decreases over a period of years. You can pass genital herpes to someone else even when you experience no symptoms.
Genital herpes is a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease. Features of genital herpes include pain, itching and sores in your genital area.
The cause of genital herpes is a strain of herpes simplex virus (HSV), which enters your body through small breaks in your skin or mucous membranes. Sexual contact is the primary way that the virus spreads.
Genital herpes is common, affecting both men and women. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the herpes simplex virus is present in as many as one in six teens and adults in the
There's no cure for this recurrent infection, which may cause embarrassment and emotional distress. Having genital herpes is no reason to avoid sex or give up on relationships though. If you or your partner is infected, you can manage the spread of HSV by taking steps to protect yourself and your partner.
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 out of 5 American teenagers and adults is infected with genital herpes. Women are more commonly infected than men. In the
Although at least 45 million people in the
Genital herpes (say: her-pees) is a very contagious sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are many types of HSV. One type of HSV also causes cold sores on the mouth.
Many people who are infected with HSV do not show any signs or symptoms. For example, women infected on the cervix will have little or no symptoms of any kind. But when symptoms do occur (called an outbreak), genital herpes causes painful blisters on the thighs, genitals, or rectum that break open and turn into sores.
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