Both strains of the herpes virus, HSV-1 and HSV-2, can cause genital warts but usually the culprit is HSV-2
Genital Herpes is one of the most STDs
It is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV)
Most cases of gential herpes are caused by infection by the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).
Symptoms
The main symptoms are painful blisters around the penis, vagina, or anus. But you might get blisters inside your vagina or anus where you can’t see or feel them
Not everyone who has herpes gets blisters. That’s because in most people it produces either no symptoms or very mild ones.
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is more often the cause of the cold sores or fever blisters. But it can also be a cause of genital herpes.
Genital herpes virus is passed from one person to another through sexual contact. This happens even if the person with the virus doesn’t have symptoms or signs of infection
Contagion
Herpes is easy catch
All it takes is skin-to-skin contact, including areas that a condom doesn’t cover
You’re most contagious when you have blisters, but you don’t need them to pass the virus along
Treatment
It´s a virus, you can’t cure it. But you can take medication to manage it
Your partner takes an anti-herpes medication every day. This is something your partner should discuss with his or her doctor.You avoid having vaginal, anal, or oral sex when your partner has herpes symptoms (i.e., when your partner is having an outbreak).
It is important that you avoid getting herpes during pregnancy. If you are pregnant and have genital herpes, you may be offered anti-herpes medicine towards the end of your pregnancy. This medicine may reduce your risk of having signs or symptoms of genital herpes at the time of delivery. At the time of delivery, your doctor should carefully examine you for herpes sores. If you have herpes symptoms at delivery, a ‘C-section’ is usually performed
Consequences
Once the virus enters through the skin, it travels along nerve paths. It may become dormant (inactive) in the nerves and remain there indefinitely
From time to time, the virus may become active. When that happens, the virus travels back along the nerve path to the surface of the skin, where additional virus is shed.
At this point the virus may cause an outbreak of symptoms. Or it may remain undetected
There is some research that suggests that genital herpes infection may lead to miscarriage, or could make it more likely for you to deliver your baby too early.
Herpes infection can be passed from you to your unborn child before birth but is more commonly passed to your infant during delivery. This can lead to a potentially deadly infection in your baby (called neonatal herpes)
In either case, the active virus is easily passed from one partner to another through sexual contact. Even wearing a condom may not protect the uninfected partner. The virus can be present on skin that remains uncovered
Medical examination
You should be examined by your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms or if your partner has an STD or symptoms of an STD. STD symptoms can include an unusual sore, a smelly genital discharge, burning when urinating, or (for women) bleeding between periods.
Prevention
Using latex condoms the right way every time you have sex.
Be aware that not all herpes sores occur in areas that are covered by a latex condom
Also, herpes virus can be released (shed) from areas of the skin that do not have a visible herpes sore. For these reasons, condoms may not fully protect you from getting herpes
If you are in a relationship with a person known to have genital herpes, you can lower your risk of getting genital herpes:Your partner takes an anti-herpes medication every day. This is something your partner should discuss with his or her doctor.You avoid having vaginal, anal, or oral sex when your partner has herpes symptoms (i.e., when your partner is having an outbreak).
