what is genital herpes and how is it contracted?

Answer 1

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) and 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.

HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be found in and released from the sores that the viruses cause, but they also are released between outbreaks from skin that does not appear to be broken or to have a sore. Generally, a person can only get HSV-2 infection during sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection. Transmission can occur from an infected partner who does not have a visible sore and may not know that he or she is infected.

HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, but it more commonly causes infections of the mouth and lips, so-called "fever blisters." HSV-1 infection of the genitals can be caused by oral-genital or genital-genital contact with a person who has HSV-1 infection. Genital HSV-1 outbreaks recur less regularly than genital HSV-2 outbreaks.
http://www.cdc.gov/std/Herpes/STDFact-Herpes.htm

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Genital herpes is caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 or 2. The herpes infection is spread by skin to skin contact and can be transmitted during genital, oral or anal sex. Cold sores on the mouth can cause genital infection during oral sex for those who do not already carry the cold sore virus.

The virus can be spread when there is an episode (when you have a sore, blister, ulcer or skin split) or in between episodes. This is called viral shedding. During viral shedding, you may not be aware that the virus is at the surface of the skin and can be passed on.

Symptoms
Many people with genital herpes are not aware that they have the infection because they have no symptoms. Symptoms associated with the first episode of genital herpes may include:

Flu-like symptoms – for example, feeling unwell, headaches, pains in the back and legs.
Small blisters around the genitals – which break open to form shallow, painful sores. These scab over and heal after one to two weeks.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

I got diagnosed with herpes virus (type 2) about 5 years ago, when I was still in college and had a dumb one-night stand. I know loads of people say this, but I swear I had never done that sort of thing before. I just made a massive mistake that one time and all of a sudden I felt like I was going to have to live with the implications for the rest of my life. The worst part was feeling I could never date guys again. After all, who wants to go out with a girl that has sores around her "you know what" area? But since a friend shared this video https://tr.im/j6KK0 everything improved.

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Answer 6

All of the first 4 answers you got....were great answers. It's great to see ppl who are educated about this disease giving out good information instead of casting stones. 1 out of every 4 Americans has this disease. Even if you have no symptoms or outbreaks, if you have unprotected sex, you still have a 70% chance of spreading the disease. There is no cure for herpes, just medications both topical and oral that can help you manage it. Some symptoms are mild, such as feeling run down, tired, or something similar to the flu. Some are stronger such as back pain, pain in hips or pain shooting down your legs...to itching & burning sensations in the affected areas. Every person is affected differently with this disease. Get informed and get educated....it's your best defense.

Answer 7

Genital herpes is a viral infection that unfortunately has no cure. It is contacted through sexual intercourse. Some people get it and their symptoms will lay dormant for years but it will eventually flare up again sooner or later. There are medicines to help control it but not cure it.

Answer 8

Symptoms Of Genital Herpes


Genital herpes shows different symptoms in different people. Some may have severe problems while others may get the symptoms so mildly that they may miss it for something else.

Genital herpes begins its first episode within a fortnight of contact. Some people get severe symptoms of herpes in this episode while others may get very mild symptoms of herpes during the first episode. The main symptom is appearance of lesions. These may be pimples or blisters which will crust and heal within a month. Painful urination and headache may occur during the first episode. Some people also show flu-like symptoms during the first episode. Some other people may get very mild symptoms and take them as insect bites, rashes, ringworm, etc. As these symptoms resolve soon, people are left unaware of the fact that they have herpes. Then, blisters appear on the genitals and near genitals. The common areas are: on the vulva, penis, near anus, thighs, and inside vagina.

In the next episodes, the symptoms of genital herpes may appear like: ingrown hair, insect bites, pimples, spots, etc. If blisters form, they crust over in few days and resolve. Most of the following episodes resolve much quickly than the first episode. Symptoms mimicking hemorrhoids may also appear on the anus. If you get repeated fissures or any other symptoms near or on the genitals, you should get screened for genital herpes. On average, a person having genital herpes from HSV2 may have three to four episodes of recurrence every year. Many times, despite the virus being active near the genitals, one may show no symptoms. That is called asymptomatic shedding . Many people feel some pain, tingling or itching before active onset of genital herpes. Within a day or two, lesions appear on the affected area.


Causes Of Genital Herpes


Genital herpes is caused by herpes virus- HSV. HSV are of two types- HSV1 and HSV2. HSV1 causes more of oral herpes and HSV 2 causes more of genital herpes. But HSV1 can also affect the genital area and cause herpes. Genital herpes is contacted by sexual contact. Anybody who has genital herpes can pass on the virus to his/her partner through a cut in the skin or mucous membrane. If somebody has cold sores and performs oral sex, he/she can also transmit the virus and cause genital herpes in partner.

Once the virus enters the body, it multiplies rapidly. The herpes virus remains in the body and may either be active or inactive. During the active period, the virus travels to the genital area and causes sores. During inactive period, it remains dormant in the body. When genital herpes is contacted, virus shows up in the first episode of herpes and after that goes in to sleeping mode to recur again. Read more about that in symptoms.
more-
http://www.doctorgoodskin.com/ds/genitalherpes/