Genital Herpes - The Most Common Sexually Transmitted Disease

Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. One in five adults have this form of herpes. For most people, they never experience symptoms from having herpes. Genital herpes can cause an outbreak of blisters around the genital area. The blisters can break, which can cause sores to appear. Those sores can take up to four weeks to heal. In some cases, infected people may experience a low-grade fever and other flu-like symptoms.

This type of herpes is usually transmitted from person to person by sexual contact when sores are present. Although this is the most common form of transmission, sores do not have to be visible to spread herpes. People have been known to spread the disease to their sex partners when no sores were visible to the eye.

Having herpes can make a person more susceptible to diseases that attack the immune system. There is a greater possibility of contracting diseases such as HIV if you have genital herpes. If you are pregnant, there is a possibility of spreading the disease to your child during delivery if you have sores present. Your doctor will most likely opt for a cesarean section if you have genital herpes.

At this time, there is not a cure for genital herpes. There are drugs available that can help to shorten outbreaks. There are also drugs available that can help to lower the risk of transmitting the disease to others.

Outbreaks caused by genital herpes can occur at any time. Stress, infections, and medications can cause an outbreak or lead to a longer-lasting outbreak. Having a suppressed immune system can also lead to an outbreak.

Having a monogamous relationship with a person who does not have herpes can prevent the transmission of the disease. Although the use of condoms can reduce the risk of spreading herpes, it is not a guarantee that the disease will not be transmitted. Having protected sex with a person with herpes can still lead to transmission of the disease. The only known way to definitively prevent the transmission of herpes is to abstain from sex.