STD: The Facts
The following information was provided in part by the Medical Institute for Sexual Health. For more information please visit their website at www.medinstitute.org.

NOTE: If you have been sexually active or you think you may have been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease, see your physician for a complete medical exam.
Genital Herpes
  • Genital herpes is a common infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, usually, HSV-2. One in five Americans 12 and older has genital herpes. Both men and women get it.
  • Genital herpes comes from having sex (vaginal, anal or oral sex) with an infected person
  • Most people with genital herpes infection (HSV-2) don't know they are infected. When symptoms are present, they often include blisters or sores in the genital area. Infected people can also have pain and burning when going to the bathroom. HSV-2 has a relative: HSV-1. Infection with HSV-1 causes cold sores and fever blisters, usually in and around the mouth. HSV-1 can also infect the genital area.
  • Antiviral medications help the symptoms, but can't cure the disease. People who have one painful skin outbreak of genital herpes almost always have other outbreaks. If you have genital herpes—even if you don't have blisters or sores—you can spread the infection during sex. And if you have genital herpes and have sex with a person who is infected with HIV, your chances for catching HIV increase.